Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-02
GILLEN ATTACK |
EXC|TES' BOARD
Arguments Grow Bitter When,
He Arraigns "Bitulithic"
Company.
DECLARES HE'S MINORITY
MEMBER OF THE BODY NOW
Threatens coIIeaguessWithsLe-
gal Action if Contracts Are
Given,to standard"

Continuing his attack on the btu
lithic pavement, Commissioner
Charles p. Gillen, of the Board Of
Works, for a time yesterday had
his colleagues in that body in an
uproar. Arguments grew bitter and
at times the board was divided
against itself
Though Mr.. Gillenl denied that he
had any intention of delIng, into
personalities, Commissioner Bier
tuempfel took several of his remarks
as a personal affront. In retaliation
Biertuempfel questioned the formers
motives in his continued attacks on
the Standard Bitulithic Company. DR..
Kraemer intimated also that Mr.. Gil
lens outbursts might be the result or
some differences that he has had with
the company in question.
To these insinuations Mr.. Gillen
made no direct reply. Heabluntly told
his colleagues, however, that even
though he is a member of the ma
jority, he is nevertheless a minority
on the board, with no apparent rights.
The original minority member, he
said, has Topped to the majority and
now ne mas DttH IGiC6diCd W tAiC 80
nority place.
At the outset of his arguments Mr.
Gillen without mincing his words,
charged the Standard Bitulithfc Com
pany with dishonesty laying a num-
Der of its pavements and with de-
frauding the city. These charges he
based on the recent Investigations
made by him on twenty-five btu
lithic streets. Twelve of these, he
said, he found to be short and not up
to the specifications.
He insisted that the board should
make complete Investigation into
his charges and cut up any of the
streets he mentioned to prove the
truth of his statements. The honor
and integrity of the board, he said,
depended on this action. Further
more. he wanted the engineering and
supervising forces of the board in
vestigated to determine If the work
of constructing these pavements have
been supervised and inspected.
His protests and demands, however,
availed nothing. On DR.. Kraemer's
motion Mr.. Gillen was instructed to
present to the board on Thursday a
detailed report in writing, containing
his charges and whatever data he has
collected In his investigation, copies
TO be presented to each of the COM
nissoners. A like report was also
ordered from the engineering corps.
Fair warning was given by Mr..
j Gillen that any attempt on the part
of his colleagues to award any more
bftllLthic contracts on Thursday in
the face of his charges would be the
signal for action on his part, He
insisted that he would then take up
The matter with the prosecutor. lay
ing before him all the facts that he
now has and demand that the Grand
Jury take action.
This company is dishonest in the
laying of pavement" continued Mr..
Gillen, land now charge the Stand
ard Bitulithic Company with defraud-
ing the city of Newark. Mr.. Nc
Carter. their counsel, seemed to think
when he was here that Il had not
framed my language properly. Now,
] don't think that he has any excuse
at the present moment Let him
go ahead.
Would Start Action.
II realize this Is a serious charge
to make. Whether the proper super
vision has been exercised / don't
know, but no matter where the re-
sponsibility lays the city has been
defrauded. 1t seems to me that In
the face Of these charges the city
should not only cease to do bust
ness with this company. but should