Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-02
MAYOR
IN MOVIES FIGHT
Michigan Promises Expose of
Harrison Executive-Say
Council Is Defied.

the Harrison Town Council to the
effect they had been openly defied by
Patrick Michigan, Harrison saloon
keeper, to prevent him from conduct
ing moving picture shows in the
town, created considerable discussion
in the West Hudson town today. The
admissions concerning McGuigan's al
legged defiance were made at a meet
ing of the Council last night when
McGuigan was excoriated for his ae-
ton.
For some years the Council has
been receiving applications for license
To conduct movies" Attached to
some of the applications were mone-
tary offers of a substantial nature,
which money was to go into the town
treasury Notwithstanding this the
Council has always taken a stand
against the shows. 1t appears Nc
Guigan is giving shows in large
hall in the rear of his place of bust
ness, al So Harrison avenue. He has
no license, it is SAID.
Just before the Council meeting last
night the Rev. Maurice p. O'Connor,
pastor of the Church of the Holy
Cross, Harrison, in the course of a
conversation in front of the Town
Hall, remarked he had received
number of letters in connection with
McGuigan's action in conducting the
show. The priest pointed out Nc
Guigan, so far as he knew, had no
license, and he could not understand,
he said, why the shows were allowed
to continue when other people had
4 J. oil
Would Regulate Shows.
Councilman Edward f Mckeon,
chairman of the police committee.
last night introduced an ordinance
relating to the regulation of shows in
the town. When the measure had
been read McKeon moved it pass on
first reading. Councilman Edward
]. Rice amended to the effect that
ordinance be referred to the license
committee The storm then broke.
There is no ordinance in the books
of this town at the present time and
any one can come in and start NOV
ing-picture playhouse said Mr.. Nc
Keen. LAS a matter of fact" he
continued, "the shows are now being
given despite the action of the au-
thorities in trying to stop them. The
people running these shows are defy
ing those in authority. 1t is nigh
time some action was taken.
1.-The people who are running the
show in question are not paying a
penny for license. They were told to
discontinue the plays and openly de-
fed the Mayor. the chief of police and
myself to shut them up. This Is a
nice condition of affairs isn't it?'
asked McKeon.
Mayor Joseph P. Riordan took the
floor and, bringing his closed fist
down hard on his desk, declared:
1.-THE man who has shown the def
ance is in the hall now. The show
Mr.. MeKeon refers to is being run
in the back of barroom and against
the orders of those in authority. The
saloon license of this man should be
revoked"
At this juncture Mr.. McGuigan, who
was in the hall, left his seat and
walked to the chamber rail. As he
approached the Mayor asked What
are you coming up for, to lick me.
stand here ready to prove what /
say" Michigan took seat on the
outside of the rail.
Councilman Clarence T. Van Deren
declared the statements of Mr. Nc
Keen were a revelation to him. He
declared he was honored to be able
to name the man referred to, and said
it was Mr.. McGuigan. He favored al
lowing the latter the privilege of the
floor.
COunciImen In Tilt.
Councilman Peter j. Sullivan offer
ed a motion to the effect McGuigan
be allowed to speak. Mr.. McKeon
vigorously opposed such procedure
at that time, especially. A tilt be-
tween Sullivan and McKeon occurred.
Sullivan charged it was a personal
matter between McKeon and Nc
Guigan. He declared further that 1t
all depended upon from what section
of the town a man came as far as
council privileges We're concerned.
McKeon denied both statements.
Asked where he had received legal
advice regarding the moving pictures.
McKeon said the county prosecutor
had furnished it. In any event Nc
Guigan was not allowed TO talk prior
to vote being taken. McKeon,
DAILY and Mayor Riordan opposed re-
ferring the ordinance to the license
committee. Van Deren. Rice, Cliff
ton. Henry, Sullivan and O'Connor
We're in favor.
Mayor Riordan announced Mr.. Nc
Guigan could talk if he so desired.
Michigan embraced the opportunity
He said: From the amount OF lies
that have been spoken it would take
me two hours before committee to
straighten things out"
McGuigan declared anyone who SAID
he was defiant was making mis-
take" He told of speaking with the
Mayor regarding place in town
where shows were being given. The
Mayor said Michigan referred to the
General Electric Company, where eN-
periments were being made McGui-
gan asked Mayor Riordan Il it was
not he who was meant when the
Mayor spoke of defiant man. The
Executive answered in the affirma-
tive. LET me go before the police
committee and / will tell something
that will amuse YOU" said McGuigan
The Mayor invited McGuigan to start
right in then and there. McGuigan,
however. walked to his seat.