Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-07
RETICENT ABOUT
GRAFT RUMOR At
! SOLDIERS HOME
One Member of Managing
Board Admits 'lnfornaI Talk"
on Alleged Irregularities.

Members of tire board of managers
of the Soldiers Home, Kearny, are
somewhat reticent about discussing
alleged charges said TO involve graft
at the home. That the board has
been appraised OF some irregularity
was practically admitted by one of
the members. Three other members
of the board, however, stoutly denied
there is the slightest perturbation in
the conditions of the home.
For more than three hours yester-
day afternoon. former Congressman
r. WAYNE Parker, president of the
hoard, together with City Clerk James
F. Connolly. of this city, and Major
Peter r. Rogers, former commandant
of the home. discussed matters per
tanning to the institution behind clos
ed doors. Efforts made by an Eve
ming Star reporter to gain admission
to the meeting chambers met with
nat refusal on the part Of the board
members.
Several inmates of ehehome, said to
hold minor positions, We're called be-
fore the members OF the board. inc
chef at the home was also summoned.
He brought his food acquisitions Tor
the past month with him. The re-
porter walked about the yard While
the star chamber session lasted.
Thinking, perhaps, that their de-
1Iberations might be overheard, one
of those in the meeting room took the
trouble to close window which had
beon previously opened TO admit air.
When the session was about to con-
clude DR.. Henry Alters, of Harrison,
a member of the board. arrived at the
home. He did not participate in the
meeting, however.
Denies Graft Charge.
When the melting had finally ended
Mr. Connolly was the rst to leave the
room. 4 reporter asked i'm regard
ing the alleged charges of graft.
Graft, why there Is no graft here.
Where could they get it?' he said.
Major Rogers was the next to de-
part from the chamber. There IL
nothing going on in there of any ac-
count" he said The former COM
mandant was quizzed further and
he finally said Don't ask me these
questions, please; [ cannot answer
them at this time"
Admits Talk of Irregularity.
The major after continued ques-
tioning admitted there had been some
informal tax" about certain al
legged Irregularities. u believe it Is
only gossip. though" said Mr. Rog-
ers. He then went on to explain that
the board had been unable to verify
the allegations He would not ad-
NIT, however, that yesterdays meets
Inc had been called for the purpose
Of discussing the alleged charges nor
would he tell the object of the COM
mittee IN calling the several inmates
before it.
as there a direct charge against
any individual in this home? Is these
any shortage in the funds or has any
ing been given away by anybody
connected with the institution" Mr..
Rogers was asked A negative an /
swer was given to each Question |
Major Rogers volunteered the infor- |
nation that Acting Commandant |
Richard brewer is not involved in the |
alleged charges. land the books are
III straight too,s he added
When Mr.. Parker was about to
depart. he was asked regarding the
llleged graft charges. Il know of
none" he said. 1--WE simply had a
luiet committee meeting"
Although the reporter was told at
he outset when he endeavored to
rain admission to the session, that
he executive. committee was simply |
going over private matters Major
Rogers declared after the meeting he
y not a member of the executive
committee and. that he did not even |
tnow any .fthe members of the
BOARD were at the home. He simply |
stopped in to look around, he said.