862 NEW JERSEY 



not watchers) at the polls and to provide transportation only for such voters as are physi- 

 cally unable to go to the polling place. 



In 1911 a new law was passed for the government of the public utility commission, whose 

 members are to have a six-year term and a salary of $7,500 each. The commission is em- 

 powered to investigate and fix rates, to appraise property, classify service, standards, methods 

 etc., and the act regulates public utilities, forbidding unjust discrimination and unfair rate 

 classification. On December 27, 1912, it reduced the price of gas from 1.10 to 0.90 per M 

 cu. ft. in the Passaic division; in effect February I, 1913. 



In 1911 the competitive class in the civil service was divided and enlarged; the civil 

 service commission was authorised to admit non-residents for examinations to posts requiring 

 technical training; and in 1911 and 1912 additional groups of state and local employees were 

 brought under the civil service rules. 



An employers' liability law of 1911 was in most respects like the New York Act of 1910 

 which was declared unconstitutional on March 24, 1911, the objectionable clauses being 

 omitted; it provides for an elective compensation system covering all industries. The elec- 

 tion is presumed in the absence of written notice to the contrary. The act abrogates the 

 defences of assumed risk, fellow service, and, unless wilful, contributory negligence. Suits 

 for damage are not permitted after election for compensation. To be compensated, disability 

 must be for two weeks at least, the compensation for death is 25 to 60 % of the average wages; 

 not less than $5 nor more than $10 for 300 weeks, and is limited to $200 if the deceased leaves 

 no dependents. For complete disability compensation is 50% of the average wage (not less 

 than $5 or more than $10) for 400 weeks, and for partial disability the compensation is 

 proportional, on a fixed scale. Medical and surgical aid for the first two weeks of disability 

 must be paid for by the employer, but the maximum cost of such service is to be $100. 

 The act excludes from this provision non-resident alien beneficiaries. 



Children under 14 are not allowed to work in a mercantile establishment during school 

 hours, and no child under 16 is to work more than 58 hours a week, nor between 7 P.M. and 

 7 A.M., except that on one day in the week work may be continued until 9 P.M., and that these 

 hours do not apply to the ten days immediately before Christmas. No child under 18 (or 

 under 21 in cities of the first class) is to be employed in messenger service between 10 P.M. 

 and 5 A.M., except on written permission from the commissioner of labour. Eight hours is 

 a working day in state or municipal employ. A law of 1912 makes IO hours a day and 60 

 hours a week the maximum for women in manufacturing or mercantile establishments, 

 bakeries, laundries or restaurants, but not in mercantile establishments for the six days before 

 Christmas the act does not apply to canneries. A new law was passed (1911) for fire protec- 

 tion, and especially for fire exits in factory buildings. In 1912 a commission was appointed 

 to revise and codify the laws relating to mechanics liens. Various important laws were passed 

 (1911 and 1912) to protect the lives and health of employees in factories. Occupational dis- 

 eases, such as anthrax, compressed air illness, phosphorus, arsenic or mercury poisoning 

 must be reported within 30 days to the state board of health under a penalty of $25 by a law 

 of 1912 following the California law of 1911. A state board of examiners of nurses was 

 appointed in 1912 with authority to regulate and register nurses. Registered nurses are 

 permitted to use after their names the letters " R. N." and these letters may not be used by 

 any one else in the state. In 191 1 the pure food law of 1901 and 1906 was supplemented by 

 stricter requirements for the cleanliness of dairies and other places where food products are 

 handled; and a law of 1912 forbids the adulteration and regulates the sale of skimmed milk. 

 Goods placed in cold storage must bear the date of storage. The use of public drinking cups 

 was restricted. A law of 1912 provides for the establishment of county mosquito extermina- 

 tion commissions. A state superintendent of weights and measures was appointed in 191 1 

 under a law for a uniform standard of weights and measures. 



In 1911 counties were re-classified; the first class contains all with a population greater 

 than 300,000, and the government of these was re-organised in 1912; the second class contains 

 those between 50,000 and 300,000; the third those between 20,000 and 50,000, and the fourth 

 all other counties. Cities of the first class were authorised to appoint a city plan commission 

 to remodel the city; in Jersey City the commission has done educational work mainly; in 

 Newark several definite plans of improvement have been proposed. In cities of the first 

 class a police pension fund was created in 1911 from an assessment of I % of police salaries, 

 the deficiency to be made up by the city. Anyone 60 years old who has been in the service 

 for 20 years may be retired on half pay, and must be retired if he asks for retirement; and 

 anyone who isj>5 and has been in the service for 25 years is to be retired on half pay upon 

 application. The law provides for retirement for disability and for a pension for a police- 

 man 's widow so long as she remains his widow, and for his children under 16. The commis- 

 sion form of government may be' adopted upon a favourable vote in any city, town or borough. 

 An amendment provides for the recall, the initiative and the referendum. Cities which 

 adopt the commission government may revert to their original charter after six years at an 

 election called by a petition signed by 25 % of the electors. Two or more cities may join to 

 maintain garbage disposal plants. Any municipality may spend 5,000 a year for publicity. 

 The law for borough government was amended and codified. In 1911 commission govern- 

 ment was adopted by Hawthorne, Margate City, Ocean City, Passaic, Ridgewood and 



