The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-08-13
BRAY PROBE HAS
SUDDEN HALT FOR
NEW WITNESSES
Nugent, on Stand, Says Accused
Alderman Tried to Arrange
Deal With Him.
MANY SHARP CLASHES
DURING THE SESSION
Girl Tells of "Mr. Schwartz's"
Phone Call-Unexpected Ad-
iOurnment a Surprise.

Following the taking of testimony
last night by the special Common
Council committee that Is invest-
eating the official conduct of Alderman
James A. Bray. of the Fourteenth
ward, the committee went into execu
tive session and decided not to recon-
vene until September 9. Former AS
sistant Prosecutor Louis Hood its
counsel, then said that he would need
to call more witnesses.
Bray is accused of having gone to
the Hotel Broad after receiving a tele-
phone message that a "Mr. Schwartz"
would be waiting there and that there
would be 500 in it for his vote In a
certain matter. This message came
from Alderman Joseph Wright, and he
and others were in the hotel when
Bray entered. The latter claims that
no mention of bribe was made by
the supposed Mr.. Schwartz" over the
telephone.
The session last night was marked
by clashes between counsel and by
conflicting testimony, and when 1t was
over Mr.. Hood told the committee that
he proposed to examine the records of
the building department in connection
with the rumors that connected Mr..
Bray's name with alleged irregulari-
ties in the granting of permits for
alterations. He stated, too, that there
were several other matters to be
looked into as result of the testimony
of City Counsel James r. Nugent Mon
day night.
+ spoke of "Engagement."
At last nights meeting Alderman
Mounts statements as to what Alder
: man Bray had said to him concerning
: an engagement on the evening of May
; last were not in keeping with state
} ments which Aldermen Charles w.
Baum and Congleton Immediately at
terward declared under oath Mount had
made to them on a previous occasion
The first witness called was Miss
Agnes Luz, a stenographer in the city
counsels office, who testified that she
was present when the alleged telephone
conversation with Alderman Bray took
place.
The next witness called was Alder
man Elmer Mount. who testified that
the party had reached the Greisenheim
at 6 o'clock and left at about S:45, get
ting to the City Hall at about 9:10.
Ibid you hear Alderman Bray say
anything about an engagement"
II can't recall"
"Were you close enough to hear him
if he did?"
II should say I was; he sat on my
lap in. the auto replied the witness,
: amid boisterous laughter.
"Am Trying to Tell Truth.
, Here Mr.. Hood went back to where
Mr.. Baum was sitting and talked with
him for short time and then coming
back asked:
Didn't you call on Alderman Baum
in his Office at the time the Sinnott
resolution was under considerations
"Oh l call there two or three times
week. 1 can't say that l called on
; this matter especially"
did you state to him that Bray had
said to you that he had an appoint
ment at the Hotel Broad?"
Here the witness became worked up
at the persistency of Mr.. Hood, and
; said:
Now, am here to tell what know,
and l am trying to tell the truth"
81. understand that, Mr. Mount am
merely trying to refresh your memory"
Oscar Pietschker and Otto Nagel, who
are connected with the place, were then
called and asked if they could identify
either Mr. Bray or Mr. Mount. The
latter, when asked to stand up, grew
indignant and wanted to know if Mr..
Hood wished to make target of him.
Alderman Charles L. Ingraham then
took the stand and related that he was
a member of the stationery committee
and that on May Alderman Bray had
reached the meeting late, ABOUT 9:15.
did Mr.. Bray say anything at the
meeting?"
Yes; he made the same statement
that he made at the previous meeting
that he was a business man and could
see no reason why the contract should
not be awarded to the lowest bidder
Called to Phone, He Says.
WAS Mr.. Bray called to the tele-
phone?"
| Yes; Mr.. Mount said he was wanted
at the phone, and this was the last
saw of him.
Alderman Patrick H. Ryan was then
called, and after stating that he was
a member of the committee said that
the elevator man had brought a mes
sage to the committee which was read
by the clerk
what was the message?"
THAT neither Aldermen Mount nor
Bray would be able to get there until
late, as Bray had an appointment at
the Broad at $3.50"
Alderman Charles M. Baum was
called to the stand
Has Mr.. Mount ever spoken to you
about Mr.. Bray and the Hotel Broad
engagement"
Yes. He came around to my office
in the LawyerT Building after the
passage of the Sinnot resolution After
discussing the matter. he said that