Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-02-17
PLAN Commission
ASKS EXPLANATION
Senator Colgate Refuses to In
troduce Bill and Blames
Works Board.

That an open break between the
members of the City Plan Commission
and the Board of Works is not unlike
ly was manifested today, when the
members of the works board were In
terviewed regarding the letter sent to
them by the plan commission to ascer-
tain why they opposed the bill provid-
ing for an extension of the scope of he
commission. In a letter which was re-
ceived by the commissioners today II
is alleged that Senator Austen Colgate
after having said that he would intro
luce the bill approved by the iegisla-
tive conference held In Mayor Hauss-
ling's office, at which were present
members of The works board, refused
to do so because Of the alleged oppose
ton of the Board of Works and free
holders.
President Harry B. O'Connell of the
Works Board, said today:
81 have never seen anyone regarding
the bill and have no opposed It In any
way. I was not present at the CON-
ference at which the was in
dorsed and did not trouble myself with
it. Why II Is being said that heb board
opposes 1t I cannot say. II there seems
to be q lack of harmony between tho
two boards 1T il not our fault. We
wrote the commission a letter January
10 In reply to one received from them
suggesting a conference. and agreed
to 1t. We outlined the subjects to be
taken up and the. need of cooperation.
We had n conference anent the Nor
ris canal abandonment, at which David
Grotta admitted that he and his col
leagues we're not we'll versed on the
subject. That was the only conference
we had.
IT feel that the commission. although
in existence for a year. has made no
practical recommendations, Inc I can
not help but think that a number of
the Board of Works plans ave been
interfered with because Of the com
mission 1t not directly by It. / might
say that the opening Of Ward street
is one of these improvements being
held up. I and the board are willing
to cooperate with the commission, and
for myself I will say that I have not
held up the bill in which they are in
terested."
Commissioner Arthur r. Denman
said: ST have lone nothing to hold
up the bill. I am not aware of having
had a conference on the matter. If
I had anything at all to say 1t was
not with the object OF d~iscouraging
the passage or introduction Of the bill.
I remember having had q talk about
the first bill, but after It was revised
I did not talk about 1t. I was not
present at the conference when the
measure was indorsed."
Commissioner William Mungle said:
"I was surprised when l received the
letter. / do not remember having been
at the conference. I may have been
there, but I interest myself only in the
measures that affect our board, and I
do not think that this does. / do not
know whether 1t Is a good. bad or IN
different bill. 1t is not a Board of
Works bill and l am interested pri-
marily in the Board Of Works"
The denial of the three commission
ers naturally puts the matter up to
| Austen Colgate. He could not be
reached this morning at his home or a
place of business.
According to report, 1t was the Re
publican majority in the works board
that objected to the bill. Commits
sioner Denman Is the only one who
will admit hat he talked about 1t at
all.
1t is believed that Alfred N. Dairymple
had something to do with Senator Col
gates refusal to introduce tho bill.
The commissioners denied today that
they had aver asked Mr.. Dalrympie to
oppose II.