Executive Order No.20 of N.J. Gov. Driscoll

Authorizing the seizure of the plants, offices, facilities and equipment of New Jersey Bell Telephone Company.

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, a corporation of the State of New Jersey, and a public utility within the meaning of Chapter 38 of the laws of 1946, and New Jersey Traffic Division #55, Communication Workers of America (CIO), the representative for collective bargaining purposes, of the employees in the Traffic Department of the said Company, have not reached and executed a final agreement in writing as to all conditions of employment affecting such employees through collective bargaining and

WHEREAS, the issues in dispute between the aforesaid parties were presented to a Public Hearing Panel appointed in accordance with the provisions of the aforesaid law, and said Panel filed with me its report and recommendations with respect to said dispute on February 21, 1950; and

WHEREAS, the Company and said Union have declined to accept and abide by the recommendations made by said Public Hearing Panel, and as a result thereof the effective operation of the Company is threatened; and

WHEREAS, I do find that, as a matter of fact, such threat of interruption of the operation of said Company jeopardizes the public interest, health and welfare, and the exercise of the authority vested in me by law is necessary to insure the operation of such public utility.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power conferred upon me by Chapter 38 of the Laws of 1946, as amended by Chapters 47 and 75 of the laws of 1947, and as supplemented by Chapter 308 of the laws of 1949, 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 Treasurer of the State of New Jersey, Walter T. Margetts, Jr., 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 plants, offices, facilities, and equipment, to the extent it may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Order so that the people of this State may have the benefit of necessary and essential telephonic communication.

(2). The Treasurer of the State of New Jersey, Walter T. Margetts, Jr., 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). The said Treasurer of the State of New Jersey, Walter T. Margetts, Jr., as aforesaid shall have authority to do such acts as may be necessary for the purpose of bringing into operation the provisions of the aforesaid statutes requiring arbitration of the labor dispute between the said Company and the employees represented by said Union and for the purpose of protecting the public interest, health and welfare.

(4). Said Treasurer of the State of New Jersey, Walter T. Margetts, Jr., shall continue to operate the plants, offices, facilities and equipment of the Company, as provided herein, until otherwise directed by executive order of the Governor.

(5). This order shall take effect immediately.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 20