Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-03-25
POLICE WITNESSES
IN PROBE AT HOME
Kearny BIuecOats TO Testify at
Next Session Of Legisla-
tive Inquiry.
SEEK FACTS REGARDING
ALLEGED INTOXICATION
Investigators Want to Know
How Many Veterans Have
Been Arrested.

subpoenas will be served on Chief
of Police william Tolen. of Kearny,
and Sergeant John Smith, command
ing their appearance before the leg
islative committee probing conditions
at the New Jersey Home for Dis
abled Soldiers, Kearny during the
regime of General e, Burd Grub.
Further sensa tional testimony as
10 drunkenness among the veterans,
It is expected will be given by
them
They will be called upon to pro-
duce the police records showing the
number OF inmates of the home
picked up in Nearny while under the
influence OF liquor.
The next session Of the investisa-
ting committee will probably be held
on Thursday at the home. The
members of the committee arc not
certain however. whether they will
be able to be absent from Trenton
on that day.
Testimony favorable to General e.
Burd Grubb. commandant of the
New Jersey Home for Disabled Sol
diers at Kearny, was given by Jo-
.enb p Bvers. commissioner of char
tiles and corrections, at the hith
session of the legislative inNesllgal-
ing committee in Trenton, YESTERDAY
Josiah Stryker. counsel for the
probers, conducted the direct exam
nation. while Joseph Farmer OF
Jersey city. ross-examined on be-
half of General Grubb,
Lowest Per Capita Rate.
Mr.. Byers submitted a series OF
charts which showed a rate per capita
of several State Institutions. The
Kearny home rate was shown to be
second lowest. Mr. Byers went on
TO tell of an investigation he had
conducted at the home at the in
stance of Governor Wilson. The wit
ness further told of being shown
minutes OF the executive board OF
managers.
When asked whether he thought
the State should be compelled to pay
for whiskey used by General Grubb
or for personal telephone calls and
eablegrams, Mr.. Byers was inclined
to believe in the negative. lie said
as superintendent of three State in
stitutions he had not assessed the
State for personal use of the tele-
phone and he always bought his own
whiskes.
Concerning the Injuries General
Grubb Is said to have enjoyed at his
table, Mr. Byers said he believed the
superintendent of a home gives up
sufficient of his home life and other
pleasures TO justify the State in fur
nishing food which he would enjoy
were he in another position. lie
should also be able to properly en-
terrain distinguished guests when
visiting the home, Mr. Byers said
Mr.. Stryker then read some of the
bills for lobster, brook trout, crab
meat, red head ducks and others and
asked Mr.. Byers what he thought of
them.
I'VE all have them once in a while,
was the answer of the witness Mr.
Farmer interiected with the remark
that even a poor lawyer will go out
and get Holsters once in a while"
should Notify Commandant
Mr. Byers declared that when the
auditing committee found bills which
it thought should not be paid it was
the duty of the committee TO notify
the commandment that forthwith he
must discontinue presenting such
bills and failure to carry out the
order would mean discharge.
do any of the bills / have read
warrant such action, asked Mr.
Stryker
Il cannot answer was the reply
Assuming no distinguished person
visited the home don't you believe
the bills / referred to are extrava-
CAN'T asked Mr. Stryker
According TO the standard Of lv-
ing of most OF us they are a little
high replied Mr.. Byers. Asked if
he did not believe it was the duty
of the board of managers to endeavor
to stay within It's appropriation. Mr..
Bvers answered in The Affirmative,
III there is an overlap, what
should The board do?" asked Mr..
stryker.
1T should eurtall expenses" was
the answer
Home in Good shape
Mr.. Farmer asked the witness how
the Kearny Home compares with
other institutions in the State as re-
CARDS economy and efficiency. Mr..
Byers replied that the conditions are
as good as the State could expect
under the circumstances Asked
what he meant by the circum-
stances Mr.. Byers explained re-
garding the friction at the home and
said it was unique condition to
have superintendent and a former
superintendent on a managing
board.
Just before he left the stand, Mr..
Byers said THE only interest
have in this case is to see the in
stitution put on the best plane pos
sible. These Investigations are UNI
fortunate Good comes out OF them,
but there is also certain amount
of harm done I have no prejudice
for or against any one concerned"
The hearing will be resumed Thurs
day at the Kearny Home il the Leg
isature is not in session.
General Grub. Dr r., IL. Gold
berg and Bishop w. Mains, former
adjutant at the home, were present
Al the hearing yesterday