The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-04-08
Small Board Of Freeholdera.

Small Board of Freeho1ders.
The old and the new of Board of Free
holders each held q meeting In Noun
Holly on Wednesday, which stirred VI
more or less excitement as there wa
anxiety to learn what the outcome of tn,
situation would be-
Some people thought there might b.
trouble when 1t was learned that the Cour
House had been tightly closed. The rea
SON given for this action was that the
building had become unsafe by reason Of
the walls settling and being two inches
out of plumb. This fact was ascertaineG
by Walter Allen and others who made an
inspection on Tuesday, which resulted in
the discovery that the west foundation
was resting on quicksand This condi
ton has existed for some time and was
revealed by well that had been dug
in the cellar. Many people insist thai
the building was closed to prevent the
old Board from holding It's reorganiza.
ton meeting there, and this was probably
the case, as the small Board acted on legal
advice. The closing proposition was
agreed to by all the members excepting
Howard Russ.
One feature of the present muddle is
| the mark of good feeling that has pre-.
4 NoAAS4 W0CAO VIC A0bbCl udS UCCu us
cussed. The small Board believes 1t has
the right of power to transact the BUSH
ness of the county. This ia the point to
which the old Board takes exception, and
as the County Collector has decided not to
pay any bills authorized by either Board,
the legality of the contest may soon be
taken to court.
The action which the old Board intend
ed to take was matter of interest, and
when asked what their programme would
be, Harry E. Dubell replied, "Wait and
see."
On making an investigation some mem
bers found that the Court House doors
barred against them, and these they were
unable to unlock with keys which they
had In their possession. No attempt was
made to force an entrance and good order
prevailed.
The meeting Of the small Board was
called to order In the Collectors Office at
II o'clock.
Director Russ said that Harry E. Du-
had made request that the old Board be
permitted to hold their meeting In the
Court House.
In order to get the matter In shape, Mr..
Engel moved that the request be granted
but the motion was lost, Mr.. Russ being
the only one voting in its favor.
The Board ordered the payment of bills
amounting to about 81, 900.
The Public Service Gas Company ask
ed the freeholders to accept bond from
that corporation In the sum of $500 as a
guarantee to make proper repairs for all
their openings made in the county roads,
which is to be in lieu of putting up a
cash sum for each opening.
Director Russ thought the bond was too
small as there would be longitudinal open
ings. Engineer Logan said he would not
give a permit for an excavation of that
kind without receiving proper guarsn-
tee to cover each case. The Board agreed
to the resolution, but only for lateral
openings.
Attention of the Board was called to
the bad condition of several roads leading
from Bordentown, and the matter will be
locked after.
Proposals for furnishing screens for the
insane asylum were received as follows:
$e75.
j. y. Rogers Co., Moorestown, $685.
A. L. Otto q Co., Pittsburg, Pa, $4S3,
but there was an error In this bid as to
the number wanted
F. w. Hogan, Atlantic City, $40.
Higgins Manufacturing Co., Newark,
Kentucky, $685. for wood frames and $726
for metal.
The latter firm presented sample that
had been In use in Philadelphia for four
teen years and they gave an eight year
guarantee. They were awarded the con-
tract, but Is yet to be decided by the
Board which style will be selected. On
awarding the contract Director Russ voted
no.
Only one bid was received for repairing
the ~Wells and abutments of bridge at
Bombay Hole, near Moorestown, and that
came from the Medford Concrete Com
pany, their figures being 1886. Nothing
was done In the matter, the price being
considered high.
A communication from the Bell Tele-
phone Company asked for permission to
lay conduits ON Church and Union streets,
Moorestown, for distance of $50 feet
AS 1t will be necessary to cross road not
under county control, 1t was said that the
Chester township committee would have
to be consulted. 1t was the idea of some
of the members that the Board should re-
ceiye something for the privilege, which
is OF no interest TO the county.
Director Russ said the only thing the
Board might get that would be worth
was for the freeholders to have
free calls over the telephone line on coun-
ty business only.
Mr.. Engel introduced resolution that
the request be granted, the company to
give bond or make deposit of $780,
The matter was left to the road and
bridge committee with power to act.
Mr.. Russ then made statement, saying
he was not going to vote in favor Of any
resolution for few days.
This brought a remark from DIR. Lee
Jambre to the effect that the Director was
serving two masters.
A letter was received from the Van
solver Boat Company, which was recent
ly notified that 1t would be held liable for
any damage by pushing opon the draws
on bridges with their boat The letter
read as follows:
IF my boat Is held up on account Of
neglect of your drawbridges not being In
condition to open, will send you bill
for 50 per hour for each and every hour
you keep me waiting. / will notify the
War Department and explain the condi-
lions that exist with the bridge at Haines-
port. If you overhaul this bridge much
further trouble will be avoided. Signed,
George Vsnsciver."
There is another side to this matter that
will be explained To the War Department
by Clerk Hawkins, who was requested to
make the situation clear to the govern
ment officials.
The Board adjourned until this after
noon at 2 o'clock.