Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-04-04
STARS EXPOSE Of
SEARCH FEE BILL.
EvOkES PRAISE
Ikearny Civic Alliance Officer
Expresses Appreciation for
Fight Against Measure.

The editorial in yesterdays Evening
STAR, entitled Search Fees in
kearny. advocating the passage by
the Senate of Assembly hill No. 489,
which would set at rest 81 matter OF
long-standing concern to Kearny, has
evoked q word OF praise from Merton
c. Leonard, secretary OF the kearny
Civic Alliance, which has Eeen wres'
ting with the problem for nearly a
year.. The bill has been already passed
by the House. Mr.. Leonard says:
we cannot too strongly express our
appreciation Of the interest The Star
has shown in this question OF civic
interest. nor OF the assistance rendered
Us in our efforts to have the avs obey
ed in the town of Eearny. Jul coun-
cilmen should not lose sight of the
fact that they are merely temporary
trustees and have no right to follow
their personal views or i%nclinations
when their course is prescribed by law.
Our lawyers say no new legislation is
necessary to permit the enforcement
of the existing laws on fees, but mas
much as Town Attorney Kenny has
foiSCo ihE ROitll VI lO law anu lilS
Town Council has taken shelter behind
his opinion, we have no objection TO
the enactment of a law that will give
them a way to leave an untenable po-
sition. Bill No. Ill would have legaliz-
ed their present illegal position. The
Star exposed it and it was decisively
beaten. Bill $50, as introduced, will
settle the subterfuge of no law by
nRnt-f1f1~ - la a~l u rka-- -
listing law as TO the fees belonging "a
the town. Our information. including
a statement. from Mr.. Baekus. the in
PRODUCER, is that No. 1859 was passed by
the Assembly exactly as introduced;
without addition or amendment. This
being so. we favor its quick passage by
the Senate without change, thus dis
posing of the contention of no law
Our executive committee chairman,
Mr.. Gillespie, wrote Mr.. Backus last
week that we would be pleased to advo-
cate the passage of No. 1863 as intro
duced. If this letter will be of any as
sistance in putting the bill through the
Senate. Mr.. Backus is at liberty to
make such use of il az he wishes" .
Mr.. Leonard said he knew that Mr.
Gillespie was out of town, but he also
hHeN that MT dllfeSple usually lett u
statement on his desk to be shown OF
read TO callers for information. by
phone or at the house. when away. 4
call at Mr.. G~illespie's residence vert-
fed both these statements. The state
n1ents, emitting parts referring to other
matters, reads:
so long as Mr.. Kenny has raised a
doubt as to a question of law. that
doubt will undoubtedly be used for a
shield by all who are unwilling to obey
that law. Any bill which settles thF
doubt, without giving a new defense
will remove the shield and make
evasion of the law or refusal to act
less easy. AS introduced, bill 469 has
such an effect without opening up any
new avenue for obstructive tactics
While I am convinced 1t is not neees
sary. and If the bubble had not beer
raised by Mr.. Kenny would have oser
useless. ] believe, under present con
ditions it should be passed; but al
should be taken to pas II az introduced
and not allow it to be made a werlich
for amendments that might make I
as dangerous as was No. Ill. With thi
bill a law. the council will be obliged
to pass the ordinances we have lie
manded. I hope they will also heed OF
other demand to collect the amount
now about $1,000. heretofore collected
and kept, without being obliged tt
do it. Mr.. Kenny's opinion will no
w from doing it,"