Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-20
PROBES
GRAFT CHARGES IN
SECRET SESSION
Street Commissioner Edward
Jaeggers, OF West Orange, I'M
der Fire, Makes Denial.

The accusation of Councilman MAJ
Brodesser, of West Orange, against
Street Commissioner Edward Jaegers
of that town, in which 1t was init
mated that he was receiving graft
through the conduct OF his office, were
probed by the West Orange Town
Council yesterday afternoon in execu-
tive session. After over two hours In
session, the street committee decided
to adjourn, but this action was taken
only after several stormy occurrences
had marred the proceedings. 1t was
announced that the investigation
would be resumed next Saturday
afternoon.
Following the graft inquiry declara-
tions from parties on both sides in the
controversy differed widely, and were
nothing short of direct contradictions.
II have proven every statement
made say Councilman Brodesser.
What l said at the meeting last night
was supported by witnesses"
HE has proven nothing" stoutly as
serted Frank NJ. McDermit, of this
city. referring to the statements of
Mr.. Brodesser regarding the examina-
ton. "He Councilman Brodesser) can
certainly produce more hearsay evil
dence than any man I ever saw" added
Mr.. McDermit. The latter has been
engaged by the accused street COM
missioner to defend him.
Newspapermen Asked to Leave.
On a suggestion of Town Counsel
Simeon H. Robinson. the newspaper
men were asked to vacate the meeting
room. Lawyer McDermit pleaded to
hold the meeting in the open, but he
was halted partially by Councilman
John ]. Kenney. who said that lawyers
should be removed from the meeting.
as the matter was one that should be
considered exclusively by the street
committee. The lawyer refused to
leave, however, and he later left the
room with his client before the session
came to a close.
1t has been averred that Mr.. Jaegers
had used Michael Cosgrove as q silent
ing job. and other allegations have
been made against him.
The session was formally opened by
Chairman Fentziaff, who said the meet
ing was called to hear charges pre-
leIT0u dBdltbt MT. JdeB6Ib.
I'VE will now proceed to hear these
charges. That is right, is 1t not. Mr..
Brodesser?" he asked.
mo. 1t Is nothing OF the kind an
swered Mr.. Brodesser. who explained he
had not made charges, but had merely
repeated the statements made to him.
Councilman John r. king. who had
been with Mr.. Brodesser when the al
legged statements about the street cross
ing being a job in reality for the
street commissioner were made. then
started to explain his motion offered
at the Thursday meeting.
Costello Tells His story.
The story of the Meeker street cross
ing was first taken up. Costello, who
told the story to Mr.. Brodesser, was
called to give what information he was
prepared to offer on the crossing job.
1t was said that he got $40 out of the
$40 appropriated for the work. This
represented "a a day for w and one
half days work on the crossing. A
man named Mcbride was given IS, at
a rate of 81 a day for "helper's'' serv-
ices.
1t was stated that Jaeggers paid
about $50 for the bluestone used and
about &15 for the other material used.
This totaied some $50 for the CROSS
walk, and 1t was charged the street
commissioner pocketed $50 profit.
Daniel O'Rourke, a contractor who
had put in an estimate OF $3.50 for the
same job testified he figured out a
profit of SIS, and testified that the
work done under direction of Commits
sioner Jaeggers was a poor Job.
sMr. Jaegers was called and denied
making a cent out of the Meeker street
crossing job. He had. guaranteed pay
ments for material to accommodate
Cosgrove, and declared he had not
come out a cent ahead after the bills
were paid.
Mayor Repeats Testimony.
Mayor Walter A. Flint repeated his
testimony about short weight for the
loads of stone sent down from the
quarries of Donate Fusco & Co. in
Montclair for town Jobs. He stopped
two loads, one short $50 pounds and
the other short 800 pounds, but no loss
resulted TO the town.
* relative of the head of the quarry
firm testified concerning the loads and
said there had been talk about graft
in a general way about the supplies
for the town roads, but denied that the
street commissioner was in any way
profting from the deliveries.
In the meantime some of the Coun-
cilmen became somewhat heated. and
Councilman James Reid. one of the old
er men. declared that no man had
gotten such treatment at the hands Of
the officials as the street commissioner.
He criticised some OF the officials and
told Of the management of affairs under
his Jurisdiction as chairman of the
street COMMITTEES.