Palisadian., 1925-08-28
Senator Whitney
Has More to Say On
Bridge Toll Middle

Mendham, August Ex-senator Ar
thur Whitney, Republican candidate
for governor, yesterday issued the
following statement regarding the
Delaware River Bridge question:
81 sincerely regret that my oppo-
nent has attempted to drag the toll
controversy into partisan politics. He
pretends to be seeking a solution of
the problem, but in his zeal to make
political capital he has distorted facts
to a degree which amounts to mis-
representation He charges the Re-
publican party with responsibility for
the present situation, but he Omits
bringing the following significant fact
to the attention of the public:
"The first contract for pier borings
for the Delaware Bridge bridge Con-
tract No. u was awarded August 19,
1921, and the first contract for pier
construction bridge Contract No. p
was awarded December 21, 1921. Both
of these initial contracts were award
ed by Democratic-controlled COM
mission which had been since March,
1921, composed of five Democrats and
three Republicans
"This fragrant attempt to confuse
the public mind by not frankly stating
all the facts is merely another exam
the Hague machine politicians stoop
in their efforts to seize control of the
state government
81 am member of the state senate
AS such l wrote Governor Silzer Of
fering the suggestion that he invite a
conference with the governor of
Pennsylvania and the governor of New
York, which, in my opinion, would be
constructive step towards the solu
ton of the toll problem. | felt this
matter had no place in partisan poll
tics, but Governor Silzer has evident
ly decided otherwise.
"The toll question has been under
discussion for some three months.
Governor Silzer has not called the
legislature in special session to con-
slider this important subject, nor has
he consulted or advised with the
members of the state senate. That
he has made no sincere effort to solve
this problem for the benefit of the
people, but that he intends to make
a partisan issue is borne out by my
opponents recent statement that he
is Gin conference with Governor Sill
zer on the subject" and that it is his
hope that he and the governor will
arrive at solution.
"In other words, the governor of
our state instead of comforting with
the duly elected representatives of
the people is working out a solution
of this problem behind closed doors
with the Hague candidate for COVER
nor, who has had no experience with
problems of statewide significance"
81 do not hhink that such a secret
partisan conference will bring assur-
ance to the taxpayers and the general
public that their interests are being
properly protected.
"The toll question should not be
made a campaign issue. l am opposed
to the abandonment of toll levies on
the Camden Bridge and so declared
myself at the outset of my primary
campaign. Recently my opponent
took a similar stand and copied the
exact language which I used in my
public declaration of principles, issued
last March, in which / stated that any
attempt to abandon these tolls would
be a breach of faith and would place
this burden on the taxpayer.
81 repeat that immediate and, if
necessary, drastic action be taken
by the governor, after consultation
with advisors who will work for the
public interest without political bias"