Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-04
URGE FREE LEGAL
AID DEPARTMENT
Would Help Poor of City and
Relieve the Law
Division.


aid department for the benefit of the
city's poor was discussed last night
by the Common Council and referred
to the finance committee for investi-
CATION The matter was brought up
by Alderman Gottlieb, of the Elev-
enth ward.
He declared that the establishment
of free legal department was as inn
portant as free medical and clinic
service. He said that in many in
stances if poor people were able to re-
sort to legal aid bureau they would
not be so hard pressed by those who
take advantage of their inability to
pay legal fees.
At the present time a large number
of the city's poor come to the law de-
partment for legal advice and aid.
The assistant attorney and the law
clerks are kept busy with these ap-
plicants. Most of these are non
support cases.
Alderman Gottlieb pointed out that
the legal aid bureau could take care
of all these persons and thus relieve
the law department of considerable
work. He suggested that the Coun-
Gil appoint committee of three to
consider the practicability Of forming
the free legal aid department and In
vestigate the probable expense and
maintenance cost. Instead of nam
ing a special committee the matter
was referred to the finance committee
to report back before the July meet
ing.
Alderman Gottlieb Is u member of
the New Jersey State Legal Aid Soci-
ETY. and declared that organization
handles about 5000 legal cases annu-
ally for the poor. He said the free
legal aid bureau of New York city
averages $4,000 cases annually. He
said a bureau of this kind should be
established in this city under the jur-
isdiction of the law department.
The Council voted unanimously in
favor of BETTING celebration of the
250th anniversary of the founding Of
the city Of Newark and, in accordance
with the bill passed recently in the
Legislature. authorized the Mayor to
appoint a committee of 100 citizens
to make plans and take charge of the
celebration, which viii take place in
1916.
On recommendation of City Treas
urer Elmer A. Day, the council deSig-
mated the Mutual Bank of Roseville,
successor to the defunct Roseville
Trust Company, as one of the city's
depositaries.
AOuuCll pIONGNhlilBS NtAt Gill
by O debate on the question whether
the license committee should be re-
quested to reconsider its action in
granting a dance hall license to Her
man Eisner, at 43 Prince street. a
communication from the Essex Di
vision of the Federated Holy Name
Societies was read, renewing its pro-
test before the council which was
originally before the license commit
tee.
Alderman Clifford, of the minority,
moved the reconsideration request on
the ground that Chief of Police Long
had offered protest against the hall.
The motion was seconded by Alder
man Littlefield, of the same wing of
the chamber. AS chairman of the
committee on licenses Alderman
Diener explained that the protest of
the chief was based on some reports
he had received from his men, and
IL the place had been as alleged it
was his opinion that the police should
have raided the place. Mr., Dlener
added that Eisner had been in bust
ness for twenty-five years and, to the
knowledge of the committee, he had
never given cause for complaint.
Coinciding with the remarks of
Alderman Diener, Alderman Schmelz
added that the committee was ready
to at any moment revoke the license
IL Eisner should be proven to have
violated the provisions of the same.
The resolution was finally voted
down by vote OF 18 70 II,
The appointment of John 3. keenan,
as private secretary to Superintend-
ent O'Rourke, of the building de-
partment, occasioned some discussion,
as some of the minority opposed the
appointment on the grounds that it
should be made from the civil service
list, and also because they were of
the opinion that Mr.. O'Rourke did
not need q secretary.
The protesting members were in
formed that, In the first place. the
appointment in part filled vacancy
created by the recent death of Clerk
Tolen, and secondly, it was in the
province Of Mr.. ORourke to have a
personal secretary which meant no
additional burden as he also filled
the vacancy left open, while Assistant
Clerk Solomon Heller had been pro-
NOTED to the position held by the
late clerk at the latter's salary.