Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-13
ENGINEERS HIT At
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
Members of Citizens Commit
tee criticise SaxeIby in Let
ter of Resignation.

Angry because Frederick Saxelby,
chairman of the East Orange City
S Council, wants the governing body
to consider proposition of the Ster-
ilization Company, of this city, to
erect a sewage disposal plant under
guarantee, although he is presi-
dent of the concern, Samuel H.
Winery, Cornelius c. Vermeule and
Nicholas A. Hill, jr.. well-known en-
gineers, last night informed the coun-
ell they would not serve on the citf-
zens' committee, which will investi-
gate the offer of the firm.
The engineers, all of whom are
prominent residents of the city, and
+ have given the municipalities the
benefit of their knowledge of sew
age disposal, declared the fact that
Mr.. Saxelby wants the city to con-
slider the proposition of the Sterili-
z cation Company almost amounts to
E public scandal
Their action was entirely unexpect-
ed and the letter of the engineers
created a mild sensation among the
officials and the many citizens who
CHANGED to attend the meeting.
1t was not until Councilman Frank
Bliss Cotton vigorously insisted that
= the contents of the missive be made
ing officer, directed that the letter be
read.
Mr.. Cotton intimated there was a
prearrangement not to have the letter
read at the meeting. The letter orig
inally was addressed to Councilman
: L. McCurdy Marsh, though Council
man P. III. Lawless is chairman of the
committee of which the engineers
were members.
Mr.. Marsh explained he thought a
mistake had been made, stating he
presumed the engineers believed he
was chairman of the committee as
he has acted as secretary at a meet
ing of the committee. When the let
ter was opened by City Clerk Row
ley it was ordered referred to the
sewage committee upon motion. 1t
was then that Mr.. Cotton insisted
that it's contents be revealed.
The engineers quoted statutes
which they claimed prohibited off,
Gals of municipal bodies from par
ticipating in deliberations beneficial
TO concerns they are interested in
financially. They declared the stu
alton was aggravated by Mr.. Saxelby
accepting a reelection as chairman
of the council this year.
The engineers expressed a willing
ness to aid the council in settling the
sewage problem providing the Steri-
lization Company offer was not con-
sidered. They said they did not
question the merits of the company.
but based their entire objections on
the Identification of Mr.. Saxelby with
the concern.
1t was the offer of the company
that blocked the attempts of those in
the council favorable to the Imhoff
system from joining with Orange and
Montclair in the establishment of the
separate plant at Belleville immedi-
Rtely. Mayor Julian A. Gregory in
sisted the proposition should receive
consideration, and efforts are now be-
ing made to have the Sewage COM
mittee and the engineers of the COM
pany to get together on the phases of
the offer
Mr.. Saxelby claims he has the adj
vice of City Counsel Borden D. Whit
ing that his stand SO far in the mat
ter is legal
Mr. Saxelby issued the following
statement today:
MY attention has been directed to
a letter signed by Messrs. Winery,
Vermeule and Hill, members of the.
subcommittee of the sewer commit
tee of the East Orange Council. Their
criticism of the actions of the coun-
Gil is unjust and unwarranted, as
they have made no investigation
whatever.
"As to my personal position. I
would feel that I had neglected my
duty as councilman and citizen had
i not called attention to fact that
the city could get as good or better
results for less money by adopting
some different method of sewage
treatment. I have been advised that
] have in no way violated the laws of
my Office as councilman in advocat-
ing more extended investigation. I
am very much surprised that a city
official and one of my critics should
sign a letter casting aspersions on
another after sending in bill for
services rendered in connection with
this very matter"