The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-01-10

Port Authority, and Commissioners
De Witt and Buskirk, Lewis H.
Pounds, John F. Calvin and Julian A.
Gregory
SiIzer Boosts Arbor Day
Determined to make Arbor Day
more than a mere name, Governor
Silzer sent a communication to State
Forester Charles P. WILDER asking
him to cooperate in plans which will
result in the planting of trees in large
numbers in New Jersey He sug-
gests that Mr. WILDER take up the
/ question with the Commissioners OF
Education and county superintendent
| of schools, to see If some definite
| planting project can be started. An
| other suggestion offered by Governor
Silzer is that the American Legion
be asked to urge each post to plant
| trees alongside at least quarter mile
of suburban roads on Arbor Day, as
memorial to men who were killed in
| the war In such an enterprise, the
| Governor felt sure the Legion would
have the active support of women's
| clubs and patriotic and commercial
| organizations.
Mr.. WILDER also was asked to en-
list organized shade-tree commissions,
of which there are 113 in New Jersey,
Boy Scouts, boards of trade and cham
bers of commerce, county agricultural
agents and various other organiza-
tions in arranging definite program
for tree planting.
To Limit Legislation
The joint conference committee,
representing the Republican majority
| of the Senate and the House, dis
cussed the program for the coming
| session of the Legislature, which
| opens on January s. The program
| will require ratification of a majority
| in each house, though it is believed
the recommendations of the commit
| tee will be followed except when the
| committee was divided.
| 1t was agreed to curtail to eight
weeks. To accomplish this the intro
duction of bills, except by unanimous
consent, will be barred after the
week beginning January %.
The conference agreed to carry out
all pledges in the Republican plat
form and not to sanction any unnec-
essary Legislation.
Motor Insurance Problem
At the opening of the session a
Joint committee of five members will
be appointed to consider compulsory
liability automobile insurance. Soma
members believed all motorists ought
to be required to carry minimum or
$4,000 of personal liability insurance
and $4,000 of property liability insur-
ance. There will be approximately
100000 cars licensed in New Jersey
next year and it has been estimated
that fee of $25 would be adequate
If the State undertakes the insurance.
Imposition of a half mill tax for
four years to carry out building pro-
gram for State institutions was dis
cussed. The State Board Of Control
of Institutions and Agencies has esti-
mated that such tax, yielding an
approximate revenue of $9000,0O0.
would care for the most urgent build
ing needs.
The conference decided to introduce
measure requiring that coal shall
be sold by the long ton, or 2,240
pounds, instead of 1000 pounds, there
by unifying the basis of sale by
wholesalers and retailers. 1t was also
agreed that the Tenement House Act,
after investigation, shall be amended
to meet present-day building needs.
Solution of the water supply problem,
iitney regulation and regulation of
public utilities will he considered later.
Mackay Again Serves Notice
Senator Mackay of Bergen served
notice that he will oppose any legisla-
ton vesting the appointment of a
Commissioner of Education in the
State Board rather than in the Gov
ernor. Such bill was defeated this
wear. but will be introduced at the
instance of members of the State
Board. The committee agreed to ad-
vocate the passage of a more effective
compulsory school attendance law and
the taking of a school census, pro-
viding this can be done without added
expense. Similar legislation failed
this year.
The committee discussed proposed
changes in the election law to pro-
vide for two sessions of party State
conventions, the first to receive plat
form suggestions and the second to
act upon their adoption or rejection.
Such a measure will be introduced in
the House by Mr.. Hershfield of Pas
sale. 1t is his idea that the proposed
plan will give the conventions oppor-
tunity to study public reaction upon
proposed party planks.
Governor Silzer suggested an inves-
tigation of the cost of State printing
and incidental legislative expenses.
He believes such expenditures can be
curtailed.
Seven Towns May Merge
Consolidation Of seven North Hud-
son municipalities, including West Ho-
boken, Union Hill, Weehawken, West
New York, North Bergen, Guttenburg