New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-03-01
IN THE SENATE

Hartford March 1.--Senator Nc
Grath made protests against the ac-
tion of the judiciary committee in re-
| porting adversely on bills to regulate
the price of gas and electricity in Wa
terbury and on the bills relating to
] the prohibition laws. He got roll
! call on his bill to increase the alce-
4 holic contents OF beers and wines,
/ this bill being rejected 20 to I, those
/ in the negative being democrats who
/ had voted for the roll call Suisman
/ Dignam, Tone, C1yne. McGrath and
! Gibbs. Tltes committee on claims hasi
1 sent to the Judiciary committee 5. Il.
/ 457 which provides for reimbursement
/ of holders of liquor licenses for
moneys paid as fees for license which
1 became useless after the 18th amends
ment went into effect.
p. L. Has Power
On the two Waterbury bills, Sena-
tor Wilder, for the committee, said
that these charges on gas and elec-
tricity on which protests were made
were matters purely within scope of
the regulatory power of the public
utilities commission, with appeal by
the aggrieved party to the superior
court. He did not believe that there
was any occasion for presentation of
the matter heard by the committee OF
leaving it to the legislature.
Senator McGrath said that his con-
stituents could get no relief from the
commission and they had the right to
ask the legislature to give them re-
lief Senator Wilder again stated that
these were matters for the commits
sion with right of appeal. Senator
McGrather: There is no hope OF re-
lief for the oppressed in going before
the commission. The legislature has
the right to grant this relief" Senator
Wilder said that the aggreved parties
could appeal. My constituents are
poor people," said Senator McGrath,
and have aot the money to hire 4
lawyer to carry an appeal to the
court
Senator Brooks said that the eom-
mission was a non partisan, courteous
one and he knew that those appearing
before it had attention given to their
complaints. He could not agree with
Senator MeGrath that aggrieved per-
sons did not have a fair hearing or
that unjust decisions were made,
Senator Wilder said that the chair
man of that commission, a democrat,
was appointed by Governor Baldwin
and still holds office.
Both Are Rejected
Both bills were rejected without
further debate, as We're bills concern
ing unauthorized" telephone toll and
reversed toll charges, which matter
Senator Wilder said should be heard
before the public utilities commission.
The common drinking cup in
school bill was rejected after Senator
Bakewell had explained that the state
department. OF health can look after
This matter.
Favorable reports were made on
he highway bill providing that under
state aid the highway commissioner
shall maintain in repair all town
roads constructed under present state
aid road laws and making $4,000 1
for investigation into :.
he shad question.
Senator Bakewell said he regret
ed that he had to report unfavorably
III tilt WA W fGiiIbNt ulSGflHilHdtIDH q
between male and female teachers.
rhe bill was rejected.
On his bill to increase the alcoholic
ontents of beer and wine, Senator
icGrath was sure the senate could
% something as Massachusetts had
the content of one-half of
ne per cent in the Nolstead act to
ne per cent and the supreme court
here had upheld the right of the
agislature to do this.
Senator Wilder said the governor in
is message had recommended that
he prohibition laws be left as they
ERE
Senator McGrath replied that COM
littees continually make reports and
ive an excuse for an unfavorable re-
-
CONTINUED ON Fourteenth Page,.