The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-01-25

poration bills of Wilson administers
ton fame This act, repealed three
years ago, was intended to prevent
corporation combinations to fix rates
and prices and was known as the anti
trust law, affecting an old industry
of New Jersey.
Would Protect Bus Riders
Assemblyman Hershfeld presented
a bill intended to throw further safe
guards around passengers in motor
buses and jitneys. 1t provides that
drivers Of such vehicles shall submit
to physical examinations as to fitness
to operate before licenses may be is
sued to them
The Assembly received from a num-
Der of organizations in North Jersey
protests to any movement looking to
the removal of State Motor Vehicle
Commissioner William L. Dill and in
dorsing his administration of that de-
partment. Although a Democrat,
Commissioner Dill has the backing of
many strong Republicans.
A fine bit of political maneuvering
was engineered by the Republican
managers during the. night. Minority
Leader George had presented in the
House a joint resolution calling upon
New Jerseys representatives in Con-
gress to support the Dyer anti-iynch-
ing bill Coming from Democrat, 1t
was at once referred to the Judiciary
Committee, where it was expected to
sleep. Some wise Republicans, how
ever, suggested that might not appease
the colored vote, SO a ten-minute re-
cess was declared, new resolution
of the same character was drafted,
hurried over to the Senate, promptly
adopted there and rushed back to the
House. Concurrence was prompt, OF
course, and the majority smiled at the
facility with which they could turn a
political corner
Senator Richards presented bill
to impose tax of l cent per gallon
on gasoline. The tax is to be collect
ed from the distributor and the pro-
C66uS dI6 " 90 lOl TIC llQAAICLctASO
of the highway system. Such meas
ure was recommended by Governor
Edwards final message.
Sunday amusements after the hour
of p. m. would be legitimate by the
bill introduced by Senator Simpson.
The measure takes in all harmless
sports and theatres. Senator Simp-
son made an important discovery at
the last minute and hurriedly inserted
in the bill the words "and fiddling.
With gay decorations afioat and ev-
erything keyed for the inauguration
of Governor SfIzer, the members of the
Legislature displayed no eagerness to
wade into the work ahead.
Much of the program for the SEES
sion, in charge of the Republican ma
jority, will depend in considerable
measure upon the attitude of the new.
executive.
Republicans of the Senate and As
sembly are warmly discussing the
Governors broadside into the State
Highway Commission.
The proposal to wipe out the present
board Of eight members and substi-
tute therefor a board of three mem
bers. to whom he believes could be
entrusted the great responsibility of
satisfactorily disbursing the $40,000,-
600 highway loan, will undoubtedly
arouse the violent opposition of con-
siderable number of both the house
and the senate, starting, perhaps, one
of the bitterest partisan fights of the
session.
Those who have stood back of the
present highway commission will not
give any ground upon the new gov
ernors proposal and it was said that,
if he persists in his demand, recourse
may be had to the same sort of legis-
lation as removed the old bridge and
tunnel commission last year. That
was the act, passed after tumultu-
Gus battle, taking the appointive pow
er out of the governors hands and
designating the personnel in the act.
Republican Majority Divided
That law was attacked in the SUI
preme Court largely upon the ground
that the legislature could not thus
abrogate the constitutional functions
of the executive, but the attack failed.
1t is known that the Republican ma
jority is sharply divided upon the
question and it is doubtful If the gov
ernor could count upon enough votes
to get bill by the senate.
The Democrats are not so certain to
support 1t either, inasmuch as the
present commission was appointed ly
Governor Edwards and the governor
is not passing off the political scenes
by the induction of his successor. He
Is to be United States senator for
six years and that means lot in poll
tics.
Contemplating this phase Of the sit
uation, the Republican Conference
Committee had an immediate session
in President Wallworth's senate Of
fee, hoping to reach some form of
agreement as to the plan to be .pur-
sued.