The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-03-18
BOARD of Freeholders.


ing of the Board of Freeholders, which
was called to order at the Office of County
Collector Warren G. Pine at eleven o'clock
on Wednesday morning. After some bids
had been opened, all hands repaired to
the court house, where the business of the
day was transacted. This step became
necessary because of the presence of SO
many interested persons.
John Shinn was present with his fathers
resignation as janitor of the court house
and grounds, but he was advised not to
present 1t. Wilbur F. Shinn, veteran of
the civil war. who Is entitled to half pay
should he resign because of his twenty
years service, has two able-bodied sons
capable of doing the work required. which
is now In the hands of John Shinn, but
owing to the extra amount of work requir-
ed by the board, which would keep one
man busy all the year. he wants living
wages. which the job now calls for. In
order to receive hslf-pay, should Wilbur
resign, he would have to give up his
government pension. which is large. 1t
was deemed best to keep the job in the
family. as the freeholders might just as
well give living salary to John, who
would have the assistance of his father, as
would have to be the case to get the work
done properly If another person was ap-
pointed. The new board increased the
salary of Wilbur from $3.50 to $500 a year,
which he does not consider ample pay.
The matter will soon be settled one way
or the other.
Sealed proposals were received for
erecting reinforced concrete slab bridge
on the branch of Hooters creek, near
Moorestown. Following were the bidders
joni s. Rogers Co., Moorestown, $1,735;
Gordon Slate and Construction Co., Cam
den, So. S79; Henry Conrow, Moorestown,
81 900; Cranmer & Parker, West Greek,
g.. 400; Ferro Concrete Co., Harrisburg,
Pa, es.249; Winfield s. Gale, Mount
Holly, 81, 400.
Louis R. Engel presented a resolution
awarding the contract to Mr.. Gale, and 1t
was adopted. Tho successful bidder
agreed to complete the bridge by May LIST,
and the board felt satisfied that the con.
tractor would give the county good job.
There was considerable interest In a
statement made by Lawrence G. Mingin,
Deputy County Clerk, who said he had
received telephone message from Robert
G. Hutchinson to the effect that the Su-
preme court had handed down a decision
upholding the old Board of Freeholders
In Mercer and two other counties where
the legality of the law respecting the
election Of freeholders had been contested.
The matter will probably be carried to
the Court of Errors and Appeals.
Sealed proposals for ten ton steam or
gasoline roller were then opened. The
bidders made various propositions to take
the roller now owned by the county In
exchange, but the following figures are
the cash prices submitted for the new roll
Ter only: Barbour Asphalt Paving Co.,
Philadelphia. 50. 175. Emerson Branning.
han Implement Co., Rockford, Illinois,
81, $50. J. l. Case Thrashing Machine Co.,
Harrisburg, Pa. $1,702. The Austin
Western Co.. N. Y, single cylinder,
$4,000, double cylinder, $3.50.
The following bids included the old roll
Ter thrown In: Buffalo Steam Roller Co.,
three types. $4,000, 1900 and s., $50.
Good Roads Machinery Co., of Philadel-
phia. $500. Kelly Springfield Roller
Co., Mass, steam 81. 100; gasoline, 81, 900.
At II 30 O'Clock the board went into exc
cutive session and spent several hours In
privately conversing with each bidder,
after which Director Russ announced that
the board would hold the matter over.
Realizing the unsanitary condition of
the court house, especially In the grand
jury room, where one of the arch columns
has buckled at least two inches, caused by
digging well, representative of the
Thompson Kirkpatrick Co., of Philadel-
phia, came by invitation to ascertain the
cost of putting down an imperial asbestos
floor In that room and do away with the
mating now there. He estimated that
this job would cost $500. No action was
taken.
Before the board returned to Its execu-
tive session after dinner, A. Engle Haines
J was permitted to offer communication
which was read by Clerk Hawkins. 1t
proposed the permanent improvement
with oyster shells of road In Lumberton
township running from the Foster school
house to Darnelrs Mills. The board was
asked TO concur In this desired improve
ment and extend the usual assistance In
such matters.
DR.. LeJambre moved that the COM
munication be laid on the table.
Director Russ thought that Mr. Haines
should be heard. The latter said that
one dollar per mile would be sufficient to
allow the county to receive state aid. The
road would be turned over to the county
Director Russ said he was In favor of
building all roads. but objected to their
being county charges. as there was no
money available for that purpose.
The matter was referred to the bridge
and road committee who will make re-
port later.
Prompted by the fact that efforts are
being made to consolidate the Office of
State Road Commissioner and State Com
missioner of Motor Vehicles, Mr.. Russ
offered this resolution:
"That the board is perfectly satisfied
with the present system of the State Road
Department of the state and the method
pursued by 1t for disbursing state road
moneys, and that 1t does not approve of
the system proposed to be established by
the provisions of an act now before the
Legislature, the purpose of which is tC
change the present state road department
'Be it further resolved, that copy Of
these resolutions be sent to our Senator
and Assemblyman with request that they
use their efforts TO have the bill disap
proved"
Mr.. Russ said he thought the county
would receive more state aid If the matter
remains as 1t is, as there is no telling wha
a change might bring about.
The resolution was adopted.
By Mr.. Engel. That the county enter into