Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-01-30

~ @-N~oNN " biC Nd1btI
Bond finished the contract for the city
and witness stated that he was en-
ployed by Bond to help in this work.
On cross-examination Mr.. Logue
asked witness why it was he delayed
the work on the wall SO long and
whether or not the committee had not
been urging him to get the work
done? Witness replied that it was i'm
possible for him to get the kind of
stone required and that the committee
had not saic anything to him about
finishing the work except to ask if he
had heard anything from the stone.
Witness further stated in reply to
question from Mr. Logue that no
time had been set for the completion
of the coping.
Barton F. Sharp, City Comptroller,
was called to explain about payment
OF 1923 which had been made by him
to Mr.. Johnson. Witness testified
that this amount was made up of two
sums, one in the shape of $500 note
and the other by city warrant, tile
order for which had never been re-
turned to him. This last amount was
for $128. 90. Both sums were paid by
the Comptroller to johnson as an ac-
commodation. He had understood
that the work was more than half
completed and thought johnson en-
titled to the money.
1t was three O'Clock in the after
noon when the plaintiffs side of the
case was closed, and the city's side
outlined by Mr.. Logue. He informed
the jury that a different aspect would
be put on the case, he doubted not,
after they had listened to the testi-
mony which would be offered by the
city. He said that on October 26th,
1900, the City of Bridgeton had entered
into contract with Lemuel P. John
son to erect a walk at East Lake Dam,
the price of which was to be 1857. 90,
one-half the amount to be paid when
half the work was completed and
the balance when the work was finally
done. 1t would be shown that the
work never was completed within the
time specified and that the committee
of Council having the matter in
charge could get no satisfaction from
Mr.. johnson as to when he expected
to finish the work Finally after all
efforts failed in getting Johnson to
finish the job, the committee reported
the facts to City Council, which body
promptly annulled the contract with
johnson and ordered the committee
to proceeding and finish the work.
Mr. Bacon moved to over-rule the
defence on the grounds that the suit
was not brought ON the original con-
tract made in October, but that new
contract had been entered into on No
vember goth at the time the commit
tee decided to change the plans of the
work.
Mr.. Bacon's motion was denied and
the defence proceeded by first calling
W viz N1tACSS w
Witness stated that he was city sur
veyor and that he was on per diem
and not on stipulated salary. He said
that he had been employed by Mr..
Blew, chairman of the committee of
City Council, to look after the build
| ing of the East Lake Dam. He said
| that on November goth telephone
message came to his Office from Mr..
| johnson, asking him to come out to
| the dam to look at some stone which
| had been set as coping to the wall.
Witness went out to the dam and met
Mr.. johnson, who stated to him that
the coping put up as the contract
called for would not be strong enough
and suggested change. Councilman
Woodruff was present during the con-
versation, and agreed to the change,
thinking it would be better. Witness
said that he agreed to see the other
members of the committee. He later
saw Councilman Garrison, who told
| him he would be satisfied with the
!
| change, provided the other members
of the committe thought it would be
better Witness did not see Mr. Blew
or Mr.. Matthews as neither of these
gentlemen were at home, Mr.. John
son told him that he would take the
risk and go ahead and order stone for
the better coping. Witness said on
ross-examination that he did not
think it necessary to put this change
of coping in writing, although he
knew that it would change the origi-
nal contract Witness thought the
whole matter belonged to the commit
tee and was none OF his business.
David S. Blew was called to the
stand. Was member of City Council
in 1900 and 1901 and was chairman of
the special committee to build wall at
East Lake Dam. Walter Sharp was
employed to run lines and was paid