The Penn's Grove record., 1923-03-23

holding companies to submit books to
the Public Utility Commission in rate
Investigations of subsidiaries.
The Stevens Senate joint resolution
providing for an investigation by the
Legislature of contracts for the Perth
Amboy and Hackensack bridge APP
proaches is also before the governor.
Governor Silzer has approved bills
requiring three months notice for
raising of rents, and authorizing an
appropriation of $500, 900 for the pro-
posed Washington's Crossing memo
rial bridge. Pennsylvania will be
urged to appropriate a like sum and
the Federal government $500 5000.
Stokes Lambastes Shields
Former Governor E. c. Stokes,
chairman of the Republican State
Committee, made a singing reply to
criticism directed at him Saturday by
James X. Shields, superintendent of
the New Jersey Anti-Saloon League,
in an address before the Laymen's
Association of the New Jersey NJ. E.
Conference at Asbury Park.
way O0SA SPOSlol 1iSliSCt
The commission decided to ask At.
torney General McCran to report upon
the binding character of the contract
made between the former highway
commission and Clarence w. Hudson,
an engineer, of Montclair. The con
tract relates to supervision of plans
for the approaches to the new bridge
across the Raritan River between the
AmbOys. 1t is the impression that if
the contract is not an ironclad one
the commission will dispense with the
services of Mr.. Hudson.
Favor Hudson Highway Route
The Interstate Palisades Park Com.
mission through Ebert w. King, its
secretary, urged the commission to
ask Governor Silzer to approve the
bill by Assemblyman Crawford of Hud-
son county for the addition to the
state highway system of a route from
Newark, and through Hudson and Ber-
gen counties. The Interstate Park
Commission is interested because the
route would give an additional i'm
proved approach to the great play,
ground.
Another interesting item of the com.
mission proceedings was the appear
ance before it of Frederick S. Smith
of Morristown to make a personal
application for appointment as state
highway engineer, the position vacant
since Thomas J. Wasser resigned.
The board heard Mr.. Smith but gave
no indication of any intention to fill
the place for the present.
Referendum on Liquor
In a long, hard battle the assembly
put through the Republican program
to pass up the beer and wine issue by
adoption of a referendum resolution.
The original vote was 80 to 28, 70
Republicans voting with the 16 Demo
Gratis 20 knock it, but As%semblyman
Hanson, Republican, of Middlesex,
changed from no to aye, giving the
required majority. The other Repub-
licans who "bucked' the party line
were Barkman, Cliff, Campbell, Har.
boart, Hoffman, Lyons, Parker, Pow.
ell, Robbins, SeXsmith and Stiles.
1t came up in the form of a report
from the Committee on Miscellaneous
Business of the Roegner resolution
calling upon Congress to modify the
Volstead act, but with a substitute
providing a referendum at the polls
at the next election. Democratic
Leader George at once attempted to
get in another substitute calling upon
Congress to call a constitutional con
vention to amend the Eighteenth
amendment, and in support of 1t he
fayed the Republicans for evading a
clear duty to the people, who had
clearly expressed a desire for such
legislation.
Assemblyman Negus, Republican, Of
Passaic. said he desired to vote wet"
as representing the voters of his
county, but that it was necessary to
find the real sentiment of all the peo-
ple of the state in this respect and
the only way to get th9t was by the
referendum. Assemblyman George
came back with the assertion that the
people had given voice on the ques-
ton last fall and he %prodded the Re
publicans with continued fear and
domination of the Anti-Saloon League,
with not enough courage or backbone
to take a stand upon their own be-
liefs.
The Senate defeated the referendum
nv a vote of II to 2, Wallworth and
reeves voting for 1t.
Senate Passed Appropriations
The Senate passed the a%ppropria-
ton bill without a dissenting vote, al
though it was necessary for its spon-
sors to make a number Of explana-
lions. Senator Simpson asked Sen
ator Bright, a member Of the Appro-
nriation Committee, what was the to-
tal amount granted the Department OF
institutions and Agencies, and the an
swer was that it was S5,65O,OOO. 1t
then was shown that the annual ap.
uronriation to this department had
heen doubled in i've years. Senator
bright said, however, that of this
mount $3.50, 900 was for building x
tensions.