The Penn's Grove record., 1921-04-22
DRY AND UTILITIES
LAWS IN FRcNT
Long Struggle Between Law
makers and Governor in
Solving These Problems.
MANY vET0ES 0vERRIDDEN
Physicians and Women's Bills, Jitney
Regulation and Election Law
Changes Made Laws-VaIua-
ton Bill Changes.

Trenton.-In looking back owe the
work accomplished by the n hun
dred and f%orty-fifth legislature of New
Jersey, two issues that took precedence
over all others and were discussed by
almost everybody In all sections of the
state were settled. They were the
public utility question and the enact
ment Of the law providing for rigid
enforcement of prohibition.
While 1t is true that the senate twice
declined to adopt the resolution calling
for ratification Of the Eighteenth
Amendment to the United States Con-
stitution by New Jersey, 1t did repeal
the 3h per cent alcoholic content beer
law which was placed on the statute
books a year ago. This law was forced
through the 1920 legislature by Gov
ernor Edwards so he could make good
a pledge TO the people of the state
when he was elected. Oddly, though,
when the bill repeating this law was
laid before him this year he did not
hesitate to sign 1t.
lllIStdllulIS llc SONcIIpI > NSlpi
the overwhelming Republican majori-
ty forced the enactment of the pro-
hibition enforcement measure Of Mrs.
Jennie c. Van Ness of the Essex as
sembly delegation, and 1t is e Chap
ter 103 Of the laws of 1921. The com
panion measure of the Van Ness act,
providing a scheme for the issuance
- Ar-,fA 81 AlA ,r, 90 -s- Gov
sacramento, industrial, medicinal and
nOn-beverage purposes, vas also made
law despite the governors disapproval.
Failure of Ratification
The resolution ratifying the prohibi-
tion amendment ran into a stone wall
in the senate which it could not pene-
trate, and it died there. 1t passed the
assembly January "a. thirteen days
after 1t had been introduced. The
same day it was sent over to the SEN
ate and referred to committee. The
following week it was reported ia
vorably, given a second reading and
under suspension of the rules was
placed on third reading.
But the votes the Anti-Saloon
League thought would carry 1t through
were not there. Ten senators voted
for 1t and eight against. Senators
Barber, Martens and Rays, all Demo
crats and coming from supposed dry
counties, remained silent when their
names were called. Senator Case of
Somerset, Republican, who the dry
forces thought would support the reso-
luton, voted against 1t. The dry
forces made their second try to have
the senate pass the resolution Thurs
day, next to the last day of the SEES
sion, but there was no change in the
position Of any of the senators then,
and the vote was the same, with the
some three senators failing to respond
when the roll was called.
Utilities Commission Battle
Creation of the present Public Utili-
ties Commission is one of the most
important acts Of the legislature. Last
October the governor removed the old
Public Utilities Commission on charges
Of neglect of duty and misconduct in
office at the instance of Jersey City.
Shortly after he nominated five other
candidates for the board, but the SEN
ate in special session refused to con-
firm them.
When the legislature organized again
this yea the governor again sent to
the senate the same five nominees for
the Utility Board, and once more the
Republicans refused to confirm them.
A bill abOlishing the old board and Gre
ating the new one was presented by
Senator WallwOrth of Camden. 1t pass
ed and, although 1t was vetoed by the
governor, 1t was repassed. The gov
ernOr nominated former Congressman
James A. Hamill Of Jersey City and
Joseph S. Hoff of Princeton. both Dem
ocrats, and former Mayor Harry Bach
arach Of Atlantic City, Republican.
Both HamiH and Hoff were rejected.
The governor then sent in the names of
former Judge Harry V. Osborne of
Essex and John ]. Treacy of Jersey
City, who were confirmed.
Valuation Bill Changes
More trouble was caused in both the
senate and house over Senate n, the
Mackay valuation bill. than any other
introduced at the session. 1t passed
the senate February : after it was
amended with just enough votes to
get through. Senator Parry, who made
his bow for the first time in the legis-
halls as representative from Es-
sex, fought the bill which. it was claim
ed, made the Public Utilities Commits
sion accept as final the valuations fixed
by the firm of Ford, Bacon & Davis,
engineers, engaged by the state under
the 1920 Allen valuation act. He
pleaded with the senate to adopt his
Senate 10, which would make
the report of these engineers only part
IF the evidence to be considered by the
Commission in making rates.
Twice the Mackay bill passed the
house. Before it was approved the
first time, March %. it was changed
TO incorporate the Parry plan and
other amendments. Recently the bill
vas placed back on third reading for