Trenton, New Jersey
April 7, 1947
Authorizing the seizure and operation of the plants, offices, facilities and equipment of every nature and description used in the operation of the business of the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company within the State of New Jersey.
WHEREAS, after investigation, I find, as a matter of fact, that there now exists a work stoppage caused by a strike of the employees, or some of them, of the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, a public utility of the State of New Jersey, which utility furnishes necessary and essential telephonic communication to the citizens of this State, and
WHEREAS, the said work stoppage exists not only at the main office of the Company but at all the offices and central exchanges and plants of the company lcated within the State of New Jersey, and
WHEREAS, I do further find that as a matter of fact such work stoppage will make it impossible for the above mentioned utility to continue essential and effective operation, and to furnish the people of the State of New Jersey with necessary and essential telephonic communication and, as a result thereof, the public interest of this State would be seriously impaired and interfered with,
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power conferred upon me by Chapter 38 of the Laws of 1946 and particularly Section 13 thereof, I, Alfred E. Driscoll, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim and order the following:
(1) The Commissioner of Labor of the State of New Jersey, Harry C. Harper, is hereby authorized and directed to take possession of the plants, offices, facilities and equipment of every nature and description used in the operation of the business of the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company or such part or parts of each of said plant, office, facility and equipment to the extent it may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Order, which is to see to it that the said utility above mentioned is effectively operated in the interest of the people of this State in order that they may have the benefit of necessary and essential telephonic communication.
(2) The said Commissioner of Labor, Harry C. Harper, as aforesaid, is further authorized and directed to take possession of any and all real and personal property or any other assets wherever the same may be situated which are used or shall be necessary to be used in connection with the operation of such plants, offices, facilities and equipment and to operate and arrange for the operation of such plants, offices, facilities and equipment in any manner necessary in order to maintain essential and effective telephonic communication for the people of the State of New Jersey and in order that the public interest, health and welfare may not be interfered with.
(3) For the purpose of carrying out the processes of this Order, the said Commissioner of Labor, Harry C. Harper, as aforesaid, is authorized to select and hire such employees and agents as may be necessary and suitable to carry out the same; to exercise any contractural or any other rights of the owners of said plants, offices, facilities and equipment; to do any and all other things that may be deemed necessary or desirable for or incidental to the use and operation of said plants, offices, facilities and equipment in order to effectively operate the same in the public interest and to take any and all other steps that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Order.
(4) The said Commissioner of Labor, Harry C. Harper, as aforesaid, shall operate the plant, offices, facilities and equipment mentioned herein under the terms and conditions of employment lawfully in effect at the time possession thereof is seized by him under the terms of this Order and shall continue to operate the same until and unless otherwise directed by me.
(5) The said Commissioner of Labor, Harry C. Harper, as aforesaid, may permit in his discretion and upon such terms and conditions as he deems advisable, the management of the above mentioned plants, offices, facilities and equipment, to continue its managerial functions to the extent consistent with the processes of this order.
(6) This order shall take effect immediately.
Alfred E. Driscoll
Governor
ATTEST:
J. Lindsay de Valliere
Secretary.