The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-02-07
SILzER VETOES
RICHARDS BILL
Governor Denounces Measure
Aimed at Attorney General as
Attempt at Political Jobbing.
TO LIMIT UTILITY BOARD
Simpson Wants Increase in Sheriffs'
Pay-Hudson and Essex officials
Would Receive SIS, ooo-WouId
Modify Might Work Act.

Trenton. - Governor Silzer vetoed
the Senate Richards bill taking from
the Attorney General the power to ap-
point counsel, assistant counsel and
consulting counsel for the interstate
Bridge and Tunnel Commissions. The
appointments under the bill were to
be made by the joint commissions.
"If this bill had for its purpose the
establishment of principle or the
continuation Of an established prin-
ciple, would be glad to sign II" the
Governor said in giving his objections
to the bill. 1T does not, however, do
either Of these, but on the contrary its
avowed purpose is to take away from
the Attorney General, where has re-
sided ever since the creation Of the
commission, the appointment of legal
assistants.
at is most unfortunate that at
time when there are SO many impor-
tant and pressing matters requiring
the attention of the state, that one Of
the first bills to be introduced, the
second one to come into the hands Of
the Governor, and passed In great
haste, should be bill dealing with
the preservation Of political jobs and
the creation Of new ones"
The Governor said he does not be-
lieve the people of New Jersey are so
much interested as to who holds the
job as they are in seeing that the
work is well, economically and hon
estly done.
He referred to the formation Of the
commission as result of ripper
legislation and it has continued, he
said on the political and partisan basis
on which 1t was founded.
Confirmation of Edward L. Katzen-
bach, the newly appointed attorney
general, will not take place until after
the Senate passes over the Governors
veto the ripper" bill, according to
schedule. AS soon as all danger of
the new attorney generals authority
has been removed he will be promptly
confirmed.
The bill will continue Senator Elmer
son L. Richards, of Atlantic City, as
counsel, without pay, on the vehicular
tunnel, and T. Harry Rowland, of Cam
dan, as legal advisor on the Camden
Philadelphia bridge at $500.
Readoption Of the bill will pave the
way for Mr.. Katzenbach's confirma-
ton. His confirmation has been held
up pending Anal disposition of the
| ripper This delay will deprive Mr..
Katenbach Of designating new counsel
on the bridge and tunnel projects
| In public debate in the Senate, Sen
ator Richards expressed disincltna-
| ton to continue for any considerable
| time as counsel on the tunnel job.
When Senator Richards was asked il
he intended to step aside In antieipa-
| ton Of Attorney General Thomas F.
McCran being his successor, Richards
| said it. would be an admirable selec-
ton. He doubted. he said, If Mr.. Nc
Gran, who retired as Attorney Gen
eral, could be induced to take the post.
Richards declared the retiring Attor-
ney General recently rejected much
more attractive offer of public service.
Bill TO Limit Utility Board
After a caucus of Republican assem-
! blymen on educational bills providing
that the state board of education
| should name the commissioner of edu-
cation and that county attendance Of
| icers might be appointed or discon-
| tinued at the request of county super
intendents the House began work on
it's third reading calendar and the Ken
worthy bill to limit the jurisdiction OF
the public utility commissioners over
! bus routes, to those established since
March is, 1921, was passed by vote
If 81 to 27
! This measure at public hearing
was vigorously opposed by representa-
tiyes of the Public Service Corpora
ton, the trolleymen's association and
tie State Federation Of Labor
At the hearing George L. Record
and George s. Seymour advocated the
bill and derided the allegations it
would create monopoly of the jitney
| business.
Edmund w. Wakeless, vice-presi-
dent of the Public Service. Corpora
ton. opposed the bill, declaring that
the entire transportation situation in
the state would be thrown into chaos
II the bill became law
"Unlimited and unrestricted oppo-
sition would be certain to destroy the
business of reputable jitney owners
and would hinder greatly the efficiency
of trolley service" Mr.. WaKeless de-
clared. "This would be blow to the
people of New Jersey who are inter
ested primarily in obtaining the best
service possible"
Mr., Record, counsel for bus own
ers. said the bill should be passed.
Municipal authorities, he declared, are
more competent to route buses in
their own cities than any Board or
Public Utility Commissioners.
Mr.. Seymour, Of Newark, counsel
for the jitneymen Of Essex County,
spoke for passage Of the bill, declar-
Ing jitney competition was the only
weapon at the disposal of the people
| -, an affnrt tn eurh the Public Service