Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-01-25
DYING Gasp
Of THE VETS

TRENTON, Jan. 25:-"This yeal
is going to see the last dying gasT
of the wet interests" declared
Mrs. Lillian F. Feickert, of Plain.
field. speaking here yesterday at the
first of the winter forums of the
New Jersey Women's Republican
Club, held in this city. Governor
Edwards is going to be disappointed
with the Democratic majority in
Hudson county, although / think he
really believes he is going to win.
1t rests with us, the Republican
women, to see that his aspirations
are not realized. We must elect a
Republican governor and United
States senator and all other candi-
dates of our party down the line"
Success marked the opening OF
the series of forums. Yesterdays
was to be devoted particularly to a
discussion on the subject of High
ways" and the c.. o. Z. women
leaders, who were present from a
number of sections of the state,
heard authorities both for and
against the bills in the legislature
for so-called ''open specifications IN
road contract bidding. State Sena-
tor William II. Parry, of Essex, and
state Senator Emmor Roberts, of
Burlington, discussed their bills
which cover this subject.
Senator Parry said his Is
similar to the one he introduced in
the 1921 legislature, which pro-
hibits the closing of specifications 20
all but certain patented form or
| road ~pavements. Mr.. Roberts dis
| cussed his measure, Senate 20, IN
reduced a week ago. 1t requires
49, l.. oil modification nrOVlSlOn
must be made for two or more rec
ognized pavement surfacings on a
concrete base.
Superintendent of Public Work
Charles II. Munson, of Morris coun-
ty, presented the case for the OPP
ponents of these two bills. He con-
tended that Roberts bill would shut
out all unpatented materials and
hat the question of the type OF
pavement should be left to the
county boards of eeholder to de-
| eide after consulting with their ex-
pert county engineers. as they are
| responsible for the spending of the
~eople's money in the different
counties on roads. With respect to
| the Parry bill, Mr.. Munson declared:
TT i. designed 10 place patented
pavements at a distinct disadvant-
g in all lettings by requiring thai
they shall compete with unpatented
, types and that the lowest bid shall
be accepted irrespective of type.
This is fundamentally wrong. Selec-
ton of construction should be en-
tirely as engineering matter, and
the power to make such selection
should alone be in the hands of the
governing board with the advice of
its engineers.
This bill would make price the
cnly consideration in the selection
Of type which is basically wrong, as
, workmanship, durability and adapt
ability of construction should be the
features governing selection of type.
Price should only be considered as
one elemen in such determinations"
Senators Parry and Roberts relt-
| Grated the contentious made before
! against closed specifications, name
| ". that they stife competition and
permi certain paving interests to
fasten themselves upon the taXpay-
crs through costly types of r/ld sur
facing.
Assemblyman Arthur n. Person,
Of Union county, explained to the
Republican women his resolution
providing for a referendum on the
proposed $40, 900, 900 bond issue to
finance the completion Of the state
highway system. He declared it
would mean no additional tax on
the people over that of the present
enc mill on the dollar. which is be-
| ing collected under the Edge Act of
1917 for road building purposes. This
tax is to be continued to pay for the
bonds, he explained. Up to June,
1920, but thirty miles of the system
bad been built, due to war, high
costs of construction and govern
ment restriction. Mr.. Pierson said.
At the present time the record of
| completed mileage is 149 n a frac-
ton miles, he stated, under the
direction of the State Highway Com
mission, and 62 and a fraction miles
built by counties under THE reim-
bursement plan. While he did not
entirely favor the latter method OF
completing the system, Mr.. Piersoi
said the state would have to &c
ahead with it now inasmuch as il
lad contracted with the counties fol-
further work under this arrange
mlent. Uunder the bond issue pro-
gran New Jersey will be able at the
end of five years to point with pride
to a splendid system of roads.
Republican House Leader Evans
of Passaic. was warmly received by
the forum when he made a vigorous
plea for support for the bill to pro-
hibit work at night by women in
factories. 1t prohibits their employ
ment between the hours of 10 al
night and 6 the next morning.
Mrs. Feickert, the organizations
leader and moving spirit, who pre-
sided, read a telegram from Mrs,
Lewis S. Thon son, of Mon
mouth county, who was unable to at
tend. Mrs. Feickert announced that
tba work of nizing branches of