Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-30
HOOD AGREES TO
PROBE CHARGES

attacked by I'M Gillen for its In
situation that the Board of Works
had acted in a crooked manner in
the matter of the Broad street paw
ing. appeared this paragraph:
THE rumors concerning a con-
tingent fee had to do with an alleged
offer of $4,000 that somebody was to
receive If the wood block contract
went through right''-a condition
that was interpreted In but one way
by those who heard the tale. The
mayors illusions to this phase of the
controversy must, therefore. be
deemed to be an admonition to the
board to investigate these aspersions
upon their gullibility if not upon their
personal honesty and by investiga-
ton, trace them, IL possible, to their
source, and either dispel the rehec-
tons or. expose tn erascals, if any be
found lirking in the shadows"
1t was for a substantiation of the
'rumors" referred to in the News
article that Commissioner Gillen
asked yesterday.
The publishers of the News were
very coy today when asked about the
''rumor' editorial. Except for the
elder Scudder's assertion that the
article in question contained no claim
that the News had proofs of any
Irregularities, they would not discuss
the editorial
Ryan Not Included.
The commissioners, with the excep-
ton of Mr.. Ryan, by resolution, issued
a formal challenge to the MAJOR and
| the Newark Evening News to go be-
fore the grand jury and give to that
body whatever alleged evidence they
may possess on which they have
based their criticism of the commits
sioners in connection with the award
OF the Broad street wood block paw
| ing contract
Commissioner Ryan, In explaining
his refraining from casting his vote,
which, under the boards rule, was
| counted in accordance with the pre-
| vailing side, stated that he was con-
WINGED that the purpose of the mo-
| ton was a good one.
The motion, which probably is the
| first of its kind in the annals of the
board, was the final outcome of a
frank expression on the part of Com
missioners Kraemer, Gillen and
Biertuempfel. The commissioners, in
unmistakable terms, gave vent to
their indignation at the manner in
which the Mayor had criticised them
and at "the cowardly attack" as
they termed 1t. on part of the News.
Besides the commissioners, Chief
Engineer Morris r. Sherrerd In de-
tail replied to Colonel James w.
Towards report on alleged flaws in
the contract as awarded. To this
Engineer William A. Howell, of the
street and highways department,
added some figures as to the COM
parative prices of paving costs in
various cities.
President kraemer, aside from all
else. took especial exception to the
terms suspicious circumstances
and contingent promotion fees" as
used in the Mayors veto message,
and he challenged Mayor Haussling
to come out in the open and submit
proof - forever hold his peace"
A Similar Def.
Commissioner Gillen extended a
similar challenge to the News, after
telling of a meeting hethad with Mr.
Scudder and Mr.. Maynard" both of
whom, in the course of their CONVEX
sation. he said, told him that 1.-THE
News had dealt leniently with the
commissioners. After characteriz-
ing the News editorial as a cowardly
act, he said that unless the paper
brought forth evidence he would go
after it and sue the concern
He also desired to know who paid
Colonel Howard, the Mayors adj
visor. whether the chief executive did
or the Wyckcff Light and Oil inter
ests, who, he stated. had employed
Mr.. Howard.
Commissioner Biertuempfel, who
expressed the hope that the present
report of Mr.. Sherrerd would con-
vince the Mayor of his error, wished
that the latter would come before
the board and "have it out"
The Market Contract.
Commissioner Gillen, in his attack,
by way of come back" criticised
the Mayor for not vetoing the new