The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-10
DEFENDS FIREMEN
BONE RESENTS SLURS ON
KEARNY DEPARTMENT..
Council Threatened with Suit by Con-
tractor Sergeant for Payment
on Paving Job.

Councilman John Bone, of the Kearny
Town Council, at the regular meeting Of
that body last night, took exceptions in no
uncertain terms to the reflections that had
been cast upon the towns fire department
by one of the speakers at the recent meet
ing of the. West Hudson County Board Of
Trade, and branded the statements made
"as slanderous upon the department" The
Councilman especially emphasized the alb
surdity of the contention made that the de-
partment did more damage by water than
the fires generally cause.
such a statement Is a SANDER upon
the fire department said the Councilman.
Any observer Will agree with me that 1t
is necessary to use water without curbins
It, and / never saw a fire yet but what TINS
damage by water was more than by fire,
l think the speaker at the Board of Trade
was a little too Jealous in his remarks.
The record, of our fire department is ex-
cellent, and good work has always been
done. 1 am in favor of giving every sup
port to the fire ladies.
Tn subject was brought up through a
communication to the Council from the
Board of Trade, suggesting that more fire
extinguishers be purchased for the protec-
ton of the people, and Installed in various
rubber blankets for the department. Coun.
Gilman Bone thought that the fire appro-
priation would not warrant the %expendi-
ture just now, but the committee would
a the matter under advisement.
In the same communication the board
asker the Souncil TO cooperate with the
Harrison. police department to aid In the
work or breaking up the crowds of roWdies
that conBregate about the Erie Railroad
bridge IN kearny avenue. The matter was
referred TO the police committee, and later
Chairman Edward j. Kraft, OF the COM
mittee, stated that the chief Of police would
pc INSTRUCTED to cooperate with the Har-
rison chief to carry out the suggestion.
For the second time, Contractor A. Z.
Sergeant called the attention Of the Coun-
ell IN u communication to the fact that
| MS claim of SI4462 for the imprOyprf1pnf Of
Argyle place still remained unpaid, in face
or the ,fact that the work had been ac-
cepted by the town upon the recommended
uon OF the former town surveyor. He
threatened suit at once If it was not paid.
The communication was ignored as far as
open action was concerned, and Mr.. Ser
geant said later that he intended to bring
suit at once.
The claim was held up some time ago
upon the findings Of Councilman David ".
Reid, Of the street committee, that the
amount was an excessive charge for top
dressing for the pavement. The contract
price was for twenty-five cents a cubic
yard, while a year later a resolution was
adopted accepting a price for the Same
material at tifty-1ve cents. Councilman
Reid contends that the contract price takes
precedence over the last act Of the Coun-
Gil. The matter has been pending since.
The communication of Chief of Police
William Toien TO the Council, suggesting
that no permit be granted to a tent show
that had advertised to appear here later
in the month. created considerable discus
sion. and a majority of the Couneilmen
agreed with the chief that past experience
with these affairs proved the contention
made that they bring undesirable people
into the The limited number of men
on the police force, that is not even Suft1-
cient to cover the town generally, say
nothing about the extra men that will be
required to protect the people who attend
the shows as well as protect the interests
of the show men, was a point made in the
discussion. The chief cited particularly
the fact that the license fell far short of
and financially it was a bad thing. Coun-
Gilman Kraft expressed himself as opposed
to shows of TITS character, but If they
were licensed they would receive the police
protection that they are entitled to, al
whatever cost.
Councilman William Greenfield was oi
the same opinion rs his colleague, but sup
plemented his remarks by offering a reso-
luton that the show be permitted TO appear
in town providing it provide for four uni
formed policemen at its expense, which
was carried and the proprietor agreed to
the action taken.
The Board of Assessors. through Secre-
tary Edward Sergeant, asked for an APP
preparation for clerk hire in connection
with additional duties of the department.
The matter was laid over.
Water PurVeyor Richard Veale reported
the months consumption of water ds
reaching 9o,175.o OK gallons at a cost Of 81
4S9.45. The purveyor explained that 24,9o0,%
900 gallons were used by factories.
An ordinance was passed on final read
ing allowing ; per cent. on all taxes paid
before October 81. and 1 per cent. on all
taxes paid during November.
Corporation Counsel J. Franklin Crowcil
reported that he bad carried the case of
the Jersey City Water Company against
the town to the Court Of Errors from the
verdict of S26, 600 rendered sometime ago
against the town by n lower court. Tine
counsel was allowed $500 for associate coun-
sci.
Building Inspector Fred w. Dashe came
IN for another inning, and 1t appeared
from the general discussion that he is an
incompetent official. but no stems were
taken TO remove him. Councilman Reid
opened the ball by criticising the incon-
pleteness of the inspectors report, which
simply stated that he had issued sixteen
permits during the month. that represent
ed a value of s52, 1871. The councilman de-
clared a more minute detail is due the
Council of what he is doing for the town.
Mayor Goldberg agreed with Council
man Reid, and Councilman John Davidson,
ir., followed up the argument by declaring
that there would he no Improvement in
existing conditions in that important ce~
partment until such office is filled by a
man who thoroughly understands building
IN all its branches After considerable
Charles Holland, who agreed with his as
s%ociates as regards the performance of the
duties Of the office Supplemented the n
luton, that was passed, requiring Inspector
Dashe to make a full and detailed report
ings and alterations each month.
Bids for bonds amounting to $685. 600 were
ordered advertised, divided as follows:
Street improvements, Sl5O. 600; school pur-
poses, $4,000, and $4,000 for fire purposes,
which viii be opened at the next meeting.
The ordnance introduced by Council
man Harry i. Caithness providing for an
examining board of plumbers. consisting
of the health inspector, a master plumber
and a journeynan plumber, to be appoint
ed by the Council was practically Killed.
The majority of the Council were opposed
to it. The majority are In favor of con
tinuing the present system, that Of leav-
ing the matter in the hands of the health
inspector, who was lauded for his good
work.
Policeman John Finnigan offered his res
~isnation from the force. which was ac.
cepted. No successor was appointed.
ARLINGTON.