Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-01-23
eXtOfSiIZer'SAddreSS
On Road Matters Given
I'm OuSting Commission

Where they are tabulatcd. Upon this
tabulation production is absed. By
this means the production is cur
tailed and controlled. Only a linz
tied amount of cement is made, and
a scarcity is thus produced by nom
production, and the price is kept up.
Last year contractors could not get
all the cement they wanted, because
or this curtailing of manufacture.
L am told that out of excessive
prohts made in this way a large
.slush' fund is provided with which
70 hght every effort to break up
these practices.
This combination has been indict-
ed in the United States courts in
the state of New York and a trial
was held in which the jury dis
agreed.
L am reliably. informed that the
governments side of the case was
BADLY presented, and that If an hon
est, vigorous effort were made to Sc
cure conviction there would readily
pc a verdict of guilty and a break
ing up of this combination.
L am also told that the investiga-
ton clearly showed that $1.25 a
parrel would be a fair price for ce-
ment. On each barrel we are max
ing an excessive payment of Is cents.
On h expenditure of our $40.-
100000 for roads our loss, by rea-
son or this ~overcharge, will be about
~Sz,oOO,0O0 or five per cent Of the
total amount. =
In this connection, we must also
pear in mind that this excessive
charge goes into every barrel of ce-
ment used for manufacturing and
Dull0lno nIJrnndlC opI n Hpo~Aa
materially not only the pockets of
every citizen but the growth and
progress of the state itself.
If you build a house it costs YOU
more than it should; If you build a
factory it costs MORE. Public and
private enterprises often must wait
or are abandoned altogether be-
cause of excessive cost.
L would recommend that the fol
lowing action be taken:
That Chapter 10 of the laws of
1913, lately repealed, defining and
Furnishing unlawful combinations. be
re-enacted.
That the attorney general of the
United States be requested to bring
on at an early date, with competent
attorneys to prosecute same, the re-
trial of those who were indicted. as
being responsible for this combina-
ton in the cement business.
That the attorney general Of the
United States be requested to prose-
cute with vigor and effect the suit
started some time ago in federal
courts TO restrain this unlawful COM
bination.
That a law be passed giving the
State Highway Commission power
to acquire by purchase or otherwise,
cut of road funds, a plant or plants
for the manufacture of cement.
Other states are endeavoring to do
the same thing.
Inc highway commission should
be authorized to enter INTO a con-
tract o all or any part of the &C.
ment that may be required for our
roads,, at a price satisfactory to it.
Ihls may encourage the establish
ment or a plant or plants furnishing
Independent or competitive prices.
AT all events we always have the
power to refuse to build roads if the
prices OF materials are excessive.
l believe, too, that there NAV be a
considerable saving by the use of
labor from our prisons and reforma-
tories. This would be an advantage,
as well to those who may be thus
employed.
L am having prepared at this time
a plan o this work, which 1 will
submit TO the highway commission.
l would therefore recommend
that legislation be enacted which
VIII permit this action to be taken.
Additional Recommendations.
In order that the highway COM
mission may be able at any time to
make full investigation into road af-
fairs. 1 would recommend the pass
age of a law which will give that
body the fullest power of investiga-
ton on all matters affecting thet
work of that department, and the
expenditures of it's funds. This
should include the power to engage
the attorney general or other coun-
sci, the Supporting of witnesses, and
the power to punish those who fail
to appear, or who testify falsely, and
also such other powers as may be
necessary. .
L would futher recommend that
the Road Act be so amended as to
permit the taking for road and
bridge purposes whatever property
be needed.
This seems to be necessary, be-
in securing land for the ap-
proach to the Amboy Bridge, the
Highway Commission claimed it
had to buy, and could not condemn,
because of a defect in this particu-
lar in the present act. If this be SO,
it should be remedied.
Removal Of Board
TTpInr ths routnr nAnPa-rAl NI4A-
me by the law, 1 have this day exer-
the present State Highway Commits
sion.
In doing so, I do not cast any re-
Election upon the members. 1t is
sufficient to say that such action is
in the public interest.
This leaves the state without a
board, and / shall make no attempt
to fill the vacancies at this time. be-
cause of the recommendations made
to your body in my inaugural ness
age.
1 would therefore urge upon you
prompt action by the passage of al
bill that will reduce the board from
eight to three members, with a sal
airy sufficient to attract high-class
public-spirited citizens to undertake
this work.
By making the membership three,
the board will take a broader view
of the problem, and will not be sub
ject to local influences.
1t will also be possible to put re-
sponsibility directly upon these men,
instead of SO dividing it.
When they do not, function prop
erly Or efficiently they may be dis
placed.