Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-19
DIVIDED
AS TO EFFICIENCY
OF VILLAGE POLICE
Two Reports May Be Submit
ted Tonight to South Or
ange Trustees.

That a wide breach exists within
the police committee of the South
Orange Village Board of Trustees as
a result of the secret investigations
conducted for several weeks into the
affairs of the village police depart
ment, is evident from information
obtained today on excellent authori-
ty A report, which, it Is expected,
VIII be made tonight on the findings
of the committee during the probe.
will not, it is said, reveal the unant7
nous sentiments of the committee.
Developments of a sensational ma
ture are expected at the meeting Of
the governing board. Both ma
jority and minority report are ex-
pected. Trustee Edward A. Marks,
chairman of the committee. 1t is said.
has refused to agree with the other
members, Harry ]. Schnell and Dud-
ley w F'iggis, who are expected to
submit the report tonight The re-
port, 1t is said, will question the el-
ficiency of the police department
Mr.. Marks, however, Is set on max
ing a minority report, in which he
viii likely ask for some changes ana
leagues in the committee.
From information obtained today,
Mr.. Marks will, it is stated, ask for
the reduction of one of the superior
officers to the rank of patrolman and
the outright dismissal of a patrol
man for the good of the depart
ment." These two mer Mr.. MarlEs
is said to hold as trouble makers.
Discrimination Alleged.
Accusations made by members Of
the police department are said to
have led up to the start OF the IN
vestigation. Discrimination is said
to have been charged. Another a.
legation made, 1t is said, charged
Marshal of Police Thomas F. Mcguire
with having torn a page from one
of the record books. That Patrolman
John ]. Matte had made a statement
as to having seen a page torn from
one of the blotters, is believed, be-
cause during the investigation, the
patrolman, it is said, had to go over
carefully, several books in which the
records are kept. The committee is
said to have failed to find the head
of the department guilty of such q
charge, however.
Desk Sergeant Frank II, KennM re-
port has 1t, is one of the membcgR OF
the police department whose testi-
mony to the committee during the in
vestigation will result in some space
being given in the reports to be made
| public.
The investigation was started early
| in the summer as a result, 1t was an
nounced, of rumors, which, in the
opinion of some of the trustees, cast
reflections on the department. Since
then the police committee has held
numerous secret sessions, during
which every member of the police de-
partment from Marshal Mcguire down
to and including the chancemen, wers
thoroughly questioned by members OF
| the committee.
Says Police are Efficient.
! Mr.. Marks contends that the polica
department at present is one of the
most efficient the village has ever had.
His regard for Marshal Mcguire is OF
the highest order. The chanceman
has contended that there was no cause
| for the investigation conducted.
| IL rumors current in the village are
| true, certain of the village employees
were tracked by detectives in an effort
to get evidence against the officials
| but without success.