Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-27
newell WROTH AT
CONTRACT MIDDLE
Uses Strong Language When
School Board Rescinds
Its Action.

Angered because the board found
IL necessary to rescind its recent
action in awarding to J. Allen Conk-
lin a contract for freproofing work
to be done in Public School No. g.
Gerrishs Newell, president of the
Kearny Board of Education, last
night declared in open session of the
board: Its the damnedest outrage
I ever heard Of It's absolutely rot
ten" Objections raised by James j.
Dunn, a Kearny contractor, resulted
in the rejecting Of all bids received
for the work. Newell favored the
motion to rescind.
Terry NJ Mears, a local contractor,
who claims he was directed to pro-
coed with the work that had been
given to Conklin. provided his ref
erences were satisfactory" was or
dered to place the school in the con-
dition he found it prior to doing any
work there. The board disclaimed the
authorization for Mears to do any
work in the school.
At the meeting last night there
We're three members present. Mr..
Newell, Mrs Pamela Eakins and
Charles Som. The last named Of
fered the resolution providing for the
rejection of all bids received for the
work. 1t was after this motion had
passed that Mr.. Newell gave vent to
his feelings in the manner above de-
scribed
He deplored the fact that Mr., Mears
should be compelled to lose any
money. James ]. Dunn, a Kearny
contractor, at whose instance Mr..
Newell few days ago ordered Mears
to discontinue work at the school,
was present at the meeting.
What about me?" asked Dunn.
You're out of order; beat I'll" was
the presidents answer.
Il might be out of order" snapped
back Dunn, "but I'm not profane
And, by the way, I'm a property
owner in this town and you're my
clerk" added Dunn.
Contractor Mears then had an inn
ing with Charles P. Baldwin, the
boards architect on the school In
question.
Where do I get off att" asked
Mears.
No one seemed to know.
Architect Involved.
Mears then charged he had been
directed by the architect to proceed
with the work. Baldwin denied this.
Mears produced a letter from Bald
wins office in which he was requested
to file a bond for SO 1-3 per cent. of
the bid. He also showed a receipt
from a surety company as evidence
of the bond filing. More than this
Mears said he had signed a contract
for the work and was told he could
proceed on June 25.
Baldwin admitted Mears had signed
the contract. He said Vice-President
George Alexander. in the absence of
President Newell, had said he thought
it would ''be all right to draw up the
contract" Mr.. Newell contended
that the letter concerning the bond
or any instructions that Baldwin
might have given regarding the start
ing of the work was not done with
the boards authority.
Must I stand to lose $500 or s60o?'
asked Mears.
ut looks that way" answered Pres
ident Newell.
do you think that's right?"
queried Mears.
1T think it's rotten" said Newell.
In answer to another question as
to whether he would take $500 out of
a mans pocket, and if he didn't think
it thievery to do it, Newell replied he
did not want to get the board in any
more legal entanglements.
DO you think it is right to be led
by a dummy" Mears asked. There
was no answer forthcoming.
Threatened with Court Action.
Former Prosecutor Pierre p Gar
ven, of Jersey City, was on hand to
look after Conklin's interest. He Of
fered a bond for the percentage of
the bid stipulated in the advertise
ment. The board refused to accept
the bond Asked by Carver If the
board had not awarded the contract
to Conklin, President Newell an
swered in the affirmative, "but under
certain conditions"
Mr.. Garven charged it was Illegal
to deprive Conklin Of the contract
and said he would take steps at once
to mandamus the board and compel
it to give the contract to Conklin.
you'll go some" snapped Newell.
ct have been doing that" retorted
Garven.
YES, I've noticed it," said Newell
with a smile.
Garven is counsel for the Citizens
and Taxpayers Association of the
First and Second wards, which or
ganization is fighting against the
erection of a concrete school in the
First ward. The former prosecutor
has been instrumental in having the
school work tied up for over a year.