Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-05-20
TAXPAYERS WIN
At WOODBRIDGE
According 10 0pinien Of
Township Attorney sartiu,
COMMITTEES Loses Fisht.
SPECIAL SESSION HELD
Must Rsscind Action on
Road Bids or Answer Writ
OF Cartierzri.

Especial from staff correspondent J
Woodbridge, May 20.-According
to ruling handed down by ]. H. T.
Martin, attorney for Woodbridge
township, last night at the special
meeting Of the township committee,
the committee will have to buckle
down TO the wishes Of the taxpayers
and reconsider the contracts award
ed May II, or lose out when the Su-
preme Court hears testimony in the
writ of certioraTi granted to John G.
Fowler and Charles S. Farrell, re-
turnable June 5, at Trenton
Opinion at ChaiIman's Request.
Lawyer Martins opinion was CIV
en- upon request of Chairman 4. P.
Cranston and was heard by the en-
tire five committeeman and a small
crowd Of taxpayers, who comfort
ably filed the town hall in School
street. Mr. Martin was served with
a copy Of the writ Wednesday night
and had made a close study of the
question.
p He spoke Of the tnadvisability of
the township committee taking any
decided stand against the writ, al
though the summons could be re-
turned, with certified copies Of the
bids, advertisements, resolutions,
etc, providing the committee decid-
ed not to rescind the motion award
ing the contracts to the highest bid
der, L. B. Juan, who was only s2,-
900.56 higher than the lowest bid
ders
Yet if such stand was taken and
the contracts declared null and void,
p 10 Cfo ? he
sary for the applicants of the writ
to agree to such settlement.
Charles s. Farrell. when called on
the telephone this morning, stated
the taxpayers are willing to have the
summons cancelled if the COMMITTEES
award the contracts to the lowest
bidder. But if the committee re-
sends their resolution and returns
all bids, advertising for new propo-
calls, Mr.. Farrell stated the writ
would be continued and the Su-
preme Court asked to decide the
question. The taxpayers claim they
want the roads constructed at once,
and they want the lowest bidders to
do the work
No Loop Hole For Committee.
Mr.. Martin said he could see no
lS5al lOOP ~ LAiOUSA WHICH bAc
committee r I'D slide, II they so de-
sired, and sustain their action, SO
strongly advised that the entire mat
ter be dropped at the less possible
cost: If the writ is contested and
testimony desired by either princi-
pal, the cost 10 the township would
be enormous and probably equal
the mentioned difference in the
bothersome bids.
But there is another phrase of the
question. L. B. Juan has a claim
against the township, in the form of
three road contracts, and If he
chooses to enter the legal field and
sued the committee. a judgment in
his favor would be next to a certain
ty, it is said This question was al
so pointed out by the attorney and
will be deeply considered when the
committee takes final action at a
later meeting.
Several years ago similar Incl
dent occurred, TO the financial loss
of the township, the contractor re-
ceiving damages for agreements rem
dered void by the committee. Mr..
Juan was not at the meeting so was
unaware OF Mr.. Martins stand,
when called on the telephone this
morning. After Attorney Martins
opinion had been explained, and the
question of q suit discussed, Mr..
Juan stated he strongly opposed such
methods and would consent to let
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