Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-15
CHARGES AGAINST
OFFICIAL CAUSE
STORMY MEETING
Accuser, However, Declines to
Sign Accusations Against
Street Com. Jaegers.

West Orange folk, who in days gone
by were always certain of an exciting
time when they attended a meeting of
the Town Council found that the pres
ent body Is equal to maintaining all
traditions when at a special gathering
last night called to hear charges
against Street Commissioner Edward
Jaegers, the officials expressed some
warm personal opinions. Charges of
cowardice n demands that the ac-
cused commissioner be put out of the
meeting were the mildest features, n
while the Councilmen by a slight ma
jority decided to have the special meet
ing an open they were frequently
called to account for letting the public
n the n-ewspapermen in at the ses-
sion.
Positive refusal by Councilman Max
Brodesser to sign charges formally pre-
pared by Town Counsel Simeon H. Rol-
linson was the chief reason for the out
bursts of violent language and the
windup OF the affair was the reference
to the street committee of declarations
by Mr.. Brodesser that he was informed
the street commissioner had taken $40.
the amount of a contract for placing a
III VAIN ei &CiAlI al PAdSC ali AC0Ah
street, which was issued in the name
of Michael Cosgrove. and that the town
was getting shortweight stone, the lat
ter through mismanagement or care
lessness. Chairman Carl Fentzlaff. of
the street committee. to which the mat
ter was referred. said after the meet
ing that he and his committee will con-
slider the allegations on Monday night
in the council chamber.
Refuses 10 Sign Charges.
"And we won't let you fellows in,
either" was the warning Of a street
committee member to the newspaper
men present. indicating a secret session
of the body
During the meeting Mr.. Fentzlaff sur
prised his associate, Councilman John
H. King. who s~ubstantiated state
merits by Mr.. Brodesser as to CONVEX
Stations he heard, by declaring he had
already investigated the statements
made. and was prepared to make a re-
port. If SOME one would sign the
charges against Commissioners Jaegers.
Mr.. King assured his colleague that he
knew 5f no meeting when such an in
v~estigation was made.
Mr.. Brodcsser, when the councilman.
against the duNltC VI 1OuilSei IkOllfH-
son, decided to hear the charges in the
open, said he had been informed hat
Mr.. Jaegers had the $40 turned over to
him for the crosswalk and that Mr..
Cosgrove said that he had bought no
stone or block for the work, merely get
ting 81 a day for the work of placing
the material in position.
"And know the block used is Sec
~ond-hand.' continued Mr.. Brodesser.
why, $50 would be a good price for the
work and I will lay a walk of the same
size anywhere in town for that sum and
make a good bit of profit. If it costs
more. I'll pay for the whole business"
Chairman Fentzlaff, following the
meeting, however, declared Daniel
OeRourke, who bid against Mr.. Cos
grove, put in an estimate of $3.50 for the
same work. And Mayor Flint said he
examined the warrant for the contract
sum, and only Mr.. Cosgrove's name is
on it. Mr.. Brodesser said Mr.. Cosgrove
declares he gave the $140 in money. after
cashing the warrant.
Mr.. Jaegers today denied e~mphatical-
ly that he got any graft out of the
stone delivered to Mr.. O'Rourke by the
quarry firm that Mr.. Brodesser last
night mentioned. Mr.. O'Rourke's alleged
statement to Mr.. Brodesser that the
wagon loads of stone were several hun
dred pounds short, because the street
commissioner a. ito get his'n," an
gered Mr.. Jaegers, and he said today
that he knew nothing of the weighing
of stone-that was between the quarry
firm and Mr.. O'Rourke.