Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1906-05-31
SUITS IN THE
COMMON PLEAS COURT.

~ "AAs OWoA1 CdliluR JAu6S
MacFarland after Mr.. Fuller rested
his case. He spoke of going to Nor.
IT'S place of business and be ng unable
to see him because he was busy. He
mad statement of his account with
him. but did not give it to Morris.
Mr.. Fuller recalled the defendant
and be was the last on the stand be-
fore the case went to the lawyers for
discussion. Judge Trenchard ad-
dressed the jury and the body retired
at fifteen minutes after twelve O'Clock.
The jury found its verdict for the
plaintiff.
Jurors for the case of Jerry Somers,
appellee, versus George Jonas Glass
COMPANY. appellant, were drawn and
sworn.
T. +. Tuller was attorney for Som.
ers and opened the case. He claimed
Tor his client $187 30, money alleged
due him which had been held back by
the company until he finished his an.
premiership.
The defendant on the stand told of
having signed contract to be an ap.
prentice for five years, ten months
each year at the Minotola Glassworks.
he lost considerable time because of
various troubles and. after making him
spare man was finally discharged.
he was once escorted from the grounds
| and ehe watchman was told to keep
him from the works. Mr.. Fithian, of
Hampton & Fithian, conducted the
glass eompany's interests and put the
witness through a testing cross exam.
ination. Testimony showed that
Somers was convicted in the Cumber.
land County Courts of selling liquor
| illegally. He had been fined for los.
ing time at the works and moved out
OF house for non-payment of rent.
Lorenzo Green, watchman, took the
stand. He refused Somers admission
to the yard several times upon orders
to do so. Once he was told to have
him report at the office, the second
time he was simply refused and again
no to pass him without a written
order from Mr.. Appellate, the man.
ager.
Mrs. Somers. wife of the appellee,
traded at George Jonas store and was
refused credit. She was present when
her husband demanded the money and
was fined $40. Her testimony was
rather indirect and at times brought
forth laughter from parts of the Court
room.
Mr.. Fithian explained the kind of
contract and stated that it was agreed
that il an employe left his employment
the money held by the company is for
feited. He told of the company filling
its part of the contract and would
have given him work, they needed him
because men were scarce. He was not
discharged but still holds his position,
unless he resigned it himself One.
third of the time lost was caused by
his being drunk and he cannot get his
drawback money until he serves his
time.
David y. Appelgate, manager of the
Minotola Glassworks, said it always
was custom, according to contract,
to hold back money so as to insure the
company against the men leaving
them. He testified that Somers had
lost great amount of time and that
when one man was off of a shop one
third of what might be made is lost.
He told Of money held back, So. so
each pay during his work there, and
of $40 fine imposed.
Jerome Plummer, assistant manager,
knew Jerry Somers and said he had
not worked steadily. Knew he lost a
part of the time because of drink; he
sent for him to come to work. Somers
asked him for work or.his money and
he told him to come back and go in
the yard. He spoke to Mrs. Somers
about Jerry's habits. Said that $172 so
of his money was held back and his
name was still on roll
O. ID. Simpkins. a manager in charge
OF one factory. told of Somers having
quit work on an occasion or two.
Mr.. Burnight had been with Som.
ers; they were drinking and was
offered a drink of rum to take his
place for thesnight. He saw him that
night when he was under the influence
of liquor. Saw him at the hotel
lot; Jerry told him. he wassafter his
back money.
Q. Q. Campbell, an employe. worked
one night with Somers for about one.
half hour. Somers quit; he had been
drinking.S He refused to make Camp
BELLS catohup bottles. Had seen Jerry
drink and under the influence of
liquor.
Harrison Baker worked on same