The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-12
ALDERMAN TO
FACE PUBLIC
PROBING
One of Committee Wanted
It Secret-- Begin Meyer In
curry Next Monday Night.

No secret sessions will be held by
the Common Council committee to in
vestigate the rumors of graft in con-
nection with the wiring of the city
amp at Avon, in which the name of
Alderman julius A. Meyer figures. This
was decided last night by the commit
tee after an attempt was made by its
chairman to have the doors closed.
The first formal sitting to examine
the witnesses in the case will be held
on Monday night in the Common Coun-
ell chamber.
City Clerk James F. Connolly was au-
thorized to issue subpoenas for four
or more persons, the names of whom
will be given him by City Counsel
James R. Nugent.
It was agreed that a stenographer
should be employed. Walter Ress-
land. official stenographer of the
Common Council, will be engaged.
There has been no appropriation made to
defray the expenses of the inquisition,
but an arrangement will probably be made
whereby personal responsibility for the OBJ
legations will be assumed until the Council
meets again ON December q to set aside
funds.
Adam LIGHT and William H. Hope,
of the General Electric Equippers,
of rs Green street, the concern
that did the work at Avon. will probably
be summoned to testify Monday night, as
will Alderman Adolpha Holzner. to
whom LIGHT is alleged to have unfolded
the tale that is responsible for the rumor.
Last nights meeting was held ia Mr..
Nugent's office at the City Hall with none
but officials present. Besides the immedi-
ate members of the committee there were
In the room the City Counsel, President
John F. Sinnott. of the Council, who Is
interested as an ex-officio member, and
City Clerk Connolly.
Alderman Michael f. Mullen, the first man
named by President Sinuott in announc-
ing the appointees, advocated conducting
the investigation with the public excluded.
That didn't meet with the approval of the
other four members of the committee,
who spoke on the question. Mr.. Mullen, IL
urging his case, referred to the "rumors,
and didn't see why there was any neee ;.
sity for publicity, it is said. He Thought
the whole matter would be quickly settled.
j Alderman William P. Martin, of the
Eleventh Ward. one of the two Republican
members, was strongly opposed to the
proposition to have the doors closed. In
the midst of the discussion Alderman John
s. Mann OF the Fifteenth Ward, moved
tina the sessions be open. Mr.. Martin
objected He said that the committee
should go on with its meetings and that
there was no necessity of the minutes
showing that the question of secret ses-
sions had ever been preached. If there
was no action to the contrary, the meet
ings must be open to the public, he pointed
out.
So it was decided, The investigation will
be begun In committee room No. 2 on the
second floor of the City Hall, and il
that proves too small to. accommodate
those who attend, the inquisitors will move
to the Council chamber.
City Counsel NuEent took no part
in the discussion last night other
h to nave the motion as to
the subpoena of witnesses so worded
that there would be no limit. to the mum.
Der that he might desire to ummon ant
to suggest details as to the legal side oil
the problems to be met.
Alderman Meyer wasn't in thu
City Hall last night. His coun-
sell. ]. Randolph Woodruff, was in a
room adjoining that where the committed
met.