Executive Order No. 27 of N.J. Gov. Driscoll

Authorizing the seizure of certain of of the plants, offices, facilities and equipment of the Public Service Electric and Gas Company used in the production of gas for home and industrial purposes.

WHEREAS, after investigation I find as a matter of fact that there is now in progress a strike of the employees of the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, a corporation of the State of New Jersey, employed at the following gas production centers:

Paterson Gas Works, 200 East 5th St., Paterson, N.J.

Harrison Gas Works, South 4th St., Harrison, N.J.

Jersey City West End Gas Works, Foot of St. Paul's Ave., Jersey City, N.J.

such employees being represented for collective bargaining purposes by the following Unions:

Federation of Paterson Gas Workers, Independent

International Chemical Workers of America, Local #268, A.F. of L.

United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of U.S.A. and Canada, Local #274.

WHEREAS, I do further find as a matter of fact that such strike will result in the failure to continue the operation of the above named plants and the consequent production of gas necessary for home and industrial use and as a result thereof the public interest, health and welfare would be interfered with, 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 Chapter 14 of the Laws of 1950, 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 the said Public Service Electric and Gas Company located at the places hereinabove indicated, or such part or parts of each of said plants and facilities as may be necessary and to the extent that may be required 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 gas for home and industrial purposes and that the public interest, health and welfare may not be interfered with.

(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 continue the manufacture of necessary and essential gas for home and industrial purposes, and to take any and all other steps that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this order.

(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 Unions 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. 27