Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-01-04
ANSWERS
KEARNY'S MAYOR
Former Tax Collector Attacks
Executive in scathing
Letter.

Kearny citizens who have for some
time been observing the dispute be-
tween the Kearny Town Council and
the Kearny Civic Alliance today
learned that former Tax Collector
Frederick L. Pierce has taken hand
in the breach. Mr.. Pierce contends
he has taken up the cudgel only in
his own behalf The letter. addressed
to Mayor Brock. is in part as follows.
ITO the Mayor of the Town Of
Kearny:
"sir-You disereetly try TO avoid
civil action by emitting names, but
many tell me that your innuendo
about enforced returns Of certain
fees must refer to myself. because
I am the only person on record aA
having returned any fees.
"For some years | have taken
each mans censure, but reserved
Judgment For years | have silently
borne your petty annoyances, embar-
easements and singing innuendoes.
When I was a physical wreck, 1t was
safe for any man who was cornered
and sore pressed to detract attention
from himself by a kick at me for the
under dog. /. was most concerned
about breathing and living My health
is now excellent.
Judging by your characteristic,
misleading and undignified letter OF
last week some one has hurt your
feelings. | fight no mans battles;
ask no body Of men to fight mine As
for the Kearny Civic Alliance l am
not even a contributing member; they
never advise with me, nor do enjoy
their confidence as to their plans
Never even attended meeting. Many
of the members may be bosom
friends but that does not signify that
we agree upon every point.
No Graft in Fees.
after taking office was shown
the law for paying the collectors
fees. and as you know. presented bills
to the mayor and council accordingly
If not entitled to fees it was your
business to know It, The bills Were
approved. warrants ordered drawn
and the money was paid to me by
the town treasurer, just the same
as you paid the clerks salary and tax
sale fees. You almost insinuate that
/ stole money. Every dollar / have
came by honestly; there is no graft
in 1t.
you recall telling me. after some
months. that you doubted my right
to fees, and later showed me Town
Attorney Kenny's opinion, copy OF
which / hold. that the collector was
not entitled to fees, but that all the
rest We're. was the goat. l also
procured an opinion, which said nc
salaried officer was entitled TO fees
| If I was not entitled to them I re.
solved to return them, although as.
sured that no demand would be made
upon me for what had received, and
you know that no demand was ever
made.
Embarrassing Position.
.1t was my opinion that you
knew about the illegality of the fees
when / took office. and the delay in
discovering it was merely TO let me
| get into an embarrassing position. The
law had been shown to me with great
care and my bills were paid very
| promptly. / was led to believe that
l could keep what had been paid ia
me. only be good. 1t was, indeed. an
embarrassing position for me.
Your diatribe last week calls for
these plain statements, but as you
hope for political advancement, pre-
| serve your dignity. After the man.
ner in which you have always used
and spoken of me and viewing things
from your standpoint, 1 readily see
why you cannot disabuse your mind
of the idea that I must bear malice
toward you.
II wish it were possible for you Nc
conceive how little of my thoughts
you occupy. ! want to always speak
respectfully Of you in public. because
all respect the high office which you
hold. Believe me, no single act of my
life ever gave me greater satisfaction
than returning those fees-money
which did not belong to me. Let
Others try it. DO you know that
clear conscience is greatly TO be de
sired? Like yourself, / have lived
some twenty-four years in this com
munity but I cannot pack a suitcase
| and get out in a day"