Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-06-16
HEALTH BOARD
MEMBERS HAVE
; HOT WRANGLE
Charges of III-Faith Made
Anent Auto Ambu-
lances.
DR.. WEBNER PAYS HIS
RESPECT TO Mr.. GNlCHTEL
Later Opposes His Committees
Recommendation, Declaring
4 for Economy.

The Board of Health members did
nothing at their meeting last night
to lower the merc'Irv in the ther-
mometer. They became involved in a
discussion that was fully as wal m
as the weather. Their debate on the
purchase of two new ambulances was
first heated. and then personal fin
ally reaching a Stage where it APP
peared some startling charges were
to be made. AS it was, the members
contained themselves and the only
accusation of ill faith was one di-
rected against a motor car company.
The talk became sufficiently acrl-
monious, however, for President Will
liam s. Disbrow to term it "unseem-
ly' and bring it to a peremptory end.
While the shrapnel was still burst
ing the secretary called fnr an aye
and nay vote which resulted in the
Chalmers make being decided upon,
10 cost So, 800 for two machines, in
addition to the two old amhulances.
The vote was as follows
Aye-Commissioners Thomas J..
Callan, Morris Rachlin, DR. Theodore
Teimer, DR.. c. F. Webner, Or. Elmer
G. Wherry.
Nay-Commissioners Edward f..
Gnichtel, Littleton Kirkpatrick, DR..
L. Mccormick
Not voting-Dr. William S. Disbrow,
Commissioner Fred. S. Crum.
President Disbrow later changed
his vote to aye, the final count being
six for three against, aud one not
voting.
Early in the meeting the hospital
committee submitted its report upon
the motor ambulances, recommend
ing the purchase of the two Chalmers
cars at $500. Mr. Gnichtel, chair
man of the hospital committee,
moved that the recommendation he
tabled until later in the meeting.
Even then it was apparent something
was to develop. Before the meeting
there had been whispered confer
ences, which continued into the ses-
sion.
When the report was brought UP
again, Mr.. Gnichtel precipitated the
storm by opposing his committees S
recommendations, charging the
wrong car had been recommended.
Il move that recommendation be
not concurred in." he said. ITO bring
the matter before the board | will
state the facts in the case The pur-
chasing committee advertised for bids
and firms in Newark bid The pur-
chasing committee gave the hospital
committee the choice of two cars,
the Chalmers and the kissel The
Chalmers cars We're to cost $1,000 and
the kisse cars $1,000. In going over
the specifications l found there WAS
difference in the tires, which meant
an additional saving of $16S if the
kiSSoI cars were Durpha Sp0
Time to Practice Economy.
"a don't think that for a moment
we have a right to spend this extra
money. At the present time, in this
economical administration, if we can
save we can get that for some other
cause. ] was talking with the auditor
today and he told me the money
would go back to the Board of
Health. We can move the child
hygiene department up on the third
floor here, without going back to the
finance committee for money, if we
save that money. | am not talking
automobiles, but economy. / am not
prepared to discuss automobiles as an
agent, as | don't own a car and dom t
believe | ever will own one"
This brought DIR, Webner to his
feet and it was seen right then the
controversy had been anticipated, for
III ntDiiti OQuC6u lyptWTlIlen
sheets and said he had them to es-
cape danger of misquotation, and to
set the case fully before the board
His statement accused Mr.. Gnichtel
of threats, and discussed at length
the merits of the Chalmers cars. II
was when DR.. Webner had finished
that the argument reached its most
'serious stage. The physicians state
ment is as follows:
DIR. Webner's Statement.
"At a meeting of the hospital COM
mittee of Newark City Hospital held
on the afternoon of June 10, 1915, Mr..
Gnichtel threatened the committee
by saying that he would bring up
certain facts at the public meeting of
the Board of Health to be held this
evening (June 15), unless the mem
bers decided to change their attitude
In regard to purchasing a certain
make of ambulance.
IF he thought that this threat
would frighten me, he was entirely
mistaken, because in saying what l
have to say | think l am best serving
The city.
Il think l am competent to talk
on automobiles, having owned nine of
them, from one-cylinder car to the
six-cylinder car. My first car (one-
cyinder) was a pleasure. my last Ia
six-cylinder) a revelation. | am so
fond of a six-cylinder car that /
would not accept four-cylinder car
for a gift
MY reason for this is that a six
cylinder car is easy-running. ex-
tremely flexible and there is an alb
sence of vibration. These features
are essential in carrying sick and
badly injured patients. My car is
now twenty months old, and has cost
me very little for repairs. 1t is In
daily use, and always dependable
The specifications call for en-
closed valves; the Chalmers has this,
the other car has not. The Chalmers
has six cylinders and develops So
horsepower, y. l.. A. M. rating. The
other car has a 4A Inch bore motor
with four cylinders and develops but
2S.9-horsepower, A. l.. A. M. The
clutch is not multiple disc, but a
leather-faced cone clutch, which re-
ouires constant attention or it will
start with jerk. and you can all
realize what q comfort this must
necessarily be to the patient
'sThe Chalmers company will mount
the ambulance on a limousine chassis
Of special steel and heat treated to
give added strength and designed to
carry ESQ pounds. Has 132-inch
wheel base forgot to state in speci-
= fcations).
.sThe Kissel people in New York
told me (and Mr. Callan will bear me
OUT that they mount their ambu-
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