Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-11-07
NO SEARCH FOR
RARITAN AVE.
Alderman Seaman Fails to
Get Matter of Special Counsel
Fayorably Acted Upon
CLARK LEADS OPPOSITION
Amount of Fee for Special
Counsel Limited, Then Had
Other Objections.

Asserting that the city's right to
Rar1tan avenue was too valuable an
asset to lose on the mere word of
one man, Alderman F. A. Seaman
battled in vain again last night at
the meeting Of the Board of Alder
men to have power extended to the
Board of Harbor Commissioners to
proceed with a search. Mr.. Sea-
mans resolution to empower the en-
ployment of special counsel, if nee
essary, to search rights of the city
to Raritan avenue, Broad street and
Bucking CHAM avenue, with an amend
ment by Alderman William G. Will
son limiting the special counsel fees
to 800, was lost again by a tie vote
Of three to three. Mr.. Seaman de-
clared that he would bring the sub
ject up at every meeting at which
he would be present during the re-
mainder of his term.
An opinion from City Attorney G.
G. Hommann, stating that the city
had lost claim to Raritan avenue,
was received and ordered entered on
the minutes. 1t was not read, in
asmuch as 1t had been received at
the committee meeting of the alder
men last Friday night and copies
had since been placed in the hands
of the aldermen.
Mr.. Clark Led the Fight.
Alderman John ]. Clark was the
chief opponent TO the passage OF Mr..
Seaman's resolution, despite the fact
that he claimed to be heart and soul
in the proposition and desired to
have Raritan avenue reclaimed just
as hastily as possible. After the
resolution had been seconded by Al
derman William c. Wilson, Mr.. Clark
arose to demonstrate against its
passage. He advised that the city
fathers go slow in this matter, bring
ing to memory the expense of the
visit of the acting governor and ri
parian commissioners here last sum-
mer. He stated the council had
been given to understand that the
city would only have to bear small
amount of that expenditure and that
public spirited citizens would fur
nish the remainder. The city accord
ingly agreed to cover the expenses to
an amount not exceeding $3.50, he
declared, and the bill rendered to
the city was $429, the public spirit
edness, he declared, having vanished
when the bills came up for payment.
He asked if there was to be no limit
in the amount to be paid this special
counsel. Mr.. Wilson said Mr.. Clark
was right, that there should be a
limit fixed. Mr.. Clark reiterated his
statement and referred to the coal
case in South Amboy, in which he
declared an attorney had held about
$4,000 for fees. The first ward al
derman said he favored limiting the
counsel fee to 500. Mr.. Seaman
said he was agreeable and Mr.. Will
son accordingly offered an amend
ment to that effect to the resolution.
Mr.. Clark wanted the subject laid
over, stating it would be well to let
1t rest in the minds of the men for
consideration until the next commit
tee meeting. He desired that it be
referred to the committee of the
whole for such action. Mr.. Seaman,
however, was determined to push it.
When a vote was taken on the reso-
luton as amended, but Messrs. Will
son, Seaman and Hilker voted for it,
Messrs. Kutcher, Clark and Sandbeck
were opposed to 1T.