Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-27
TO HIRE EXPERTS
FOR SIGNATURE
COMPARING WORK
1ity Clerk Connolly Says He
7 Will Take This Step If
Necessary.
-EAvE NO ROOM TO DOUBT
VALIDITY OF PETITIONS
Counsel for Commission Gov
eminent League on City Pay
Roll During Investigation.

Handwriting experts may be en-
ployed to settle disputes over the sig-
natures on the petition now In the
hands of the city clerk calling fo- a
special election on the adoption Of +
lection of the commission form OF
government for Newark
Announcement to that effect was
made today by City Clerk James F.
Connolly. He plans to employ three
signature experts one of whom
will be recommended by the Commits
sion Government League, if 1t is
agreeable to that body, if develop
ments warrant the services of such
help. Those three will settle any dis
putes and where they cannot agree a
fourth will be employed.
City Clerk Vonnelly said today If
this course should prove necessary
final judgment in matters of that kind
woul rest with William j. Kinsley, of
Nutley. Mr.. Kinsley, it was said, is
regarded as perhaps the greatest au-
thority on handwriting in the United
States He has figured as witness
IN some of the most notable trials in
the country, where questions of chiro.
graphy were under consideration.
In presenting the proposition to
representatives of the Commission
Government League today Mr.. Con-
nelly said he had consulted the heads
OF TOUR local banks, namely the FL
delitys Trust Company, the Essex
County National Bank, the Union
National Bank and the Federal
Trust Company, with a view to se-
curing signature experts. He ex-
pected they would be ready If need,
he said.
Il want to be entirely fair with
you," said Mr.. Connolly, addressing
his remarks to Louis b. Lesser, who
is present at the investigation in the
capacity of attorney. $50 / would
suggest that the Commission Gov
ernment League get together and de-
eide upon an expert and submit his
name to me. If it is found necessary
, TO employ these experts l will engage
your representative to work in con-
Anction with the men I retain.
H;Of COURSE" the city clerk con-
tinued, I'VE cannot tell at this time
whether or not 1t will be necessary to
Engage these handwriting experts. I
am simply doing this at this time, so
as to be ready in the event that later
Developments warrant such a course.
II hope it will not be necessary" !"
he said, because the expense at
tached to such a procedure will be
very high. l have thought of engag-
ing Mr.. Kinsley, too, to make the
final decision in disputes. Mr.. Kins-
ley's fee is 500 per day, believe. OF
course, II it is found necessary to en-
ploy Mr.. Kinsley, it is my intention to
arrange the work so that he will be
here as short time as possible, and
thus cut down expenses" added Mr..
Connolly.
1t is thought that a question raised
by Secretary Theodore S. Fettinger,
of the Commission Government
League, last Saturday may have had
much to do with the proposed en-
ployment of handwriting experts.
On that occasion Mr. Fettinger,
holding a card in his hand, remarked:
Il see it says signature does or
5udg of that?"
~ IN to be the judge" quietly
repilod Mr.. Connolly. 1.-THE law directs
me to be the judge. You may also be
judge ] guess you will be satis-
lied"
But we are not handwriting ex-
perts," returned Mr.. Fettinger.
I'm provide handwriting experts,
ell right If it Is necessary" was the
city clerks reply This closed the
incident for the time being.
Another feature of today's session
of the investigation was the employ
+ncnt by the city clerk of Louis b.
Lesser attorney for the Commission
Government League. Mr.. Lesser will
he ON the city pay roll during the
rest of the investigation from today
on. When the proposition was put to
Lesser by the city clerk, Mr.. Connolly
said he understood from his assistant,
Martin Bross. that he, Lesser, was
doing a good deal of hard work for
the city and that If 1t was agreeable,
he would be glad to employ him.
IF it is agreeable to the Commits.
sion League" Attorney Lesser re-
2lied, II shall be glad to go on the
pay roll"
Later when Mr.. Lesser broached the
subject to Mr.. Fettinger secretary
III the league. the matter was set
FED
"hir. Fettinger said it would be all
right said Attorney Lesser. He
knew [ am doing city work and did
not see Why I should not receive city
Day for it. He did not believe 1t
would be inconsistent with my posi-
';"n ~ committeeman for the
CoInnission Government League he
declared.
Nr, I'ettinger later explained that
Nr. Lesser is receiving compensation
from the commission league for his
Service to that body.
Sicgel, Indicted Banker,