Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-10-02
TO FORCE
INQUIRY AT JAIL
Malta, Angered at Slight, Tries
to Compel Investigation of
Brutality Charges.
WARDEN DENIES RIGHT
OF COMMITTEE TO PROBE
Prison Board May Appoint
Chaplains for Service in
County institutions.

Somewhat peeved by the failure of
several of the officials at the county
Jail to recognize him as he entered
the building, Freebooter Richard
Malta yesterday used every endeav-
or to have the prison committee of
the board, of which he is a member.
press the inquiry regarding the COM
plant recently made by a brother of
a prisoner. His attempt. however,
merely widened the breach.
When the matter was brought up
Warden McGuinness questioned the
authority of the committee to make
on a lively tilt between the speaker
and Malta. McGuinness held that
it was a matter for the sheriff alone.
Threats and counter threats were
made before order was finally re-
stored.
The letter in question was written
to Malta by William Luben. of
Brooklyn, and related to his brother,
Morris Luben, who is still a pris-
oner at the Jail. Ill-treatment by
the attendants was charged. Because
of the fact that the letter was adj
dressed to him, Malta made espe-
cial efforts to have the committee
take it up. He was very much put
out when h matter was finally re-
ferred to the county counsel.
At one stage of the argument Mat
tia exclaimed that If the jail author
tiles continued in their present at
titude he would give them all the
| trouble they were looking for. In
future, he said, he will also show his
teeth. This brought the retort from
McGuinness that he did not mind
any threats from him (Mattia) and
declared also hat If the other mem
bers of the committee had threatened
him he would crawl under the table.
Malta 10 considerably smaller than
either of the other members.
When Malta arrived at the Jail he
gave notice, in q stage whisper, to
those who were seated in the commit
tee oom that he was going to start
something" He said hat the people
at the jail could lot ignore him and
get away with It,"
ran Cnufcn services.
When this matter was finally
threshed out the regular routine Of
the committee was taken up. Prior
to this, however, a plan to provide
the inmates of the county institu-
tons with increased opportunities
for divine worship was suggested by
Rev. Michael p. Corcoran. spiritual
director of the Holy Name Society.
and William J. Hagan, president of
the Essex county division Of the or
~ganization. This matter will be TAX
en- up at the next meeting.
If the plan OF Father Corcoran is
carried into effect the committee will
be asked to appropriate a sum-, the
amount to be determined later. for
rious, faiths, whose duties would be
to give their undivided attention to
the spiritual care of the inmates of
the hospitals and county Jail. The
plan would not exclude any church,
he said, and would cost the county
about $500 a year In salary to each
man so assigned.
Everything worked smoothly until
the old controversy over paying to-
bacco bills was brought up by Free
holder Ryman. This brought on a
tilt between the various members of
the committee. Freebooter Malta
and Director Evans assumed the
stand hat the sheriff should pay the
bills irh question. Despite this oppo-
sition, however, all of the tobacco
bills were ordered paid, after which,
on motion of Freebooter Rosen-
strauch, 1t was decided not to pay
a~nyetobacco bills in the future.
Bills held up in accordance with
the policy of the committee not to
pay for any goods except food sup.
plies purchased by the sheriff with.
out requisition upon the committee
were: c. II. Mckee, horseshoeing
$12; A. Mclaughlin and Brother
wagon repairs, $3S. %; Haussling anc
Bladder, supplies. s104.ss; Davit
Straus Co, dry goods, $S1, SO; Joseph
Regain, feed and hay, $34.61; Davit
Straus Co., dry goods. $149. 80.