Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-12-14

Descending upon Perth AmDOy
yesterday afternoon the state sena-
torial school probing committee,
through it's counsel, John P. Murray,
fired countless questions at the mem
bers OF the Board of Education and
other officials regarding the conduct
of the schools of this city. Among
the things brought out was the need
for medical attention to scholars in
the schools, and better fire protection
In several of the buildings.
Those in the investigation body
were: Senator Joseph .Frelinghuysen,
chairman; Assistant superintendent
of Public Instruction j. Brognard
Belts, Counsel John j. Murray, AS
sistant Counsel Edward Bolton and
Secretary Elwood Moore. The cross
examination was conducted by Coun-
sellor Murray and each person ex-
amined was sworn before being put
on the stand. All the testimony
was brought out IN the cross exami-
nation and practically nothing was
given unless a direct question was
put.
Question Clerk Colyer.
Secretary Jesse Colyer, of the
school board, was the first man to be
interrogated by the probers. In re-
ply to questioning, Secretary Colyer
stated that he had been a member of
the school board back in the nineties
but that lately he had been acting as
the secretary of the board. His
present salary was $500. When ask
ed if he ever made political contri-
buttons he said that he did frequent
Yxy h.,A np
He knew of no other members of the
board that made such contributions
When asked IL 1t was customary
for the board to advertise for school
supplies he said it was in all in
stances to his knowledge. When
asked IL all contracts went to the
lowest bidder he said that they had
with one exception, when a contract
for supplies went to Frank Neer, a
iocs stationer, who was thirty-four
cents higher than the out-of-town
man. Competition was asked for in
all coal contracts but as the local
dealers had apparently formed a
combination, and all submitted the
same figures, the best the board
could do was to divide the orders
among them.
Regarding several parcels Of land
purchased by the board Mr.. Colyer
stated that they had been secured
through Fraser Brothers, who first
took title to them. Competitive
plans were asked for from architects
whenever there was any building to
do. Only once did Mr.. Colyer re-
member when there was ever any
dispute over plans and that-was when
a member of the board thought that
some other drawings were preferable
to the ones adopted by the majority
of the members.
To the best of Mr.. Co1yer's knowl-
edge no member of the board was
connected in any way with the peo-
pie from whom school supplies were
purchased, from whom coal was pur-
chased, land bought or contracts let
for the erection of school buildings.
City Treasurer Called.
City Treasurer Charles K. Seaman,
custodian of school funds. was next
examined. Mr.. Seaman first apollo
gised for the condition of his ledger,
which he said he did not receive un-
I'll last April because it was being
used in other city departments in
adjusting accounts; and although he
had access to 1t he did not have it
with him to place in the shape which
he desired to put it. A new set of
books was being started, however,
and would soon be ready.
Regarding the interest on school
funds Mr.. Seaman said that they
went into the general city sinking
fund. When asked by what authori-
ty the city could appropriate interest
from state funds applied to the
school work in Perth Amboy, Mr..
Seaman explained that it was q sort
of reciprocity. The city often loaned
the school funds with which to pay
teachers, etc., and even went so far
as to borrow money for the use of
the schools for which it charged no