Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-03-22
mo ONE SOUGHT
TOOFFER ERABR|BE"
ALDERMAN HAHN
Positively Denies That Mr.. okin
or Mr.. Wright Endeavored to
UnduIy influence Him,
MOUNTAIN OUT OF A
MOLEHILL, He DECLARES
New Centre Market Case Great
Iy Exaggerated, Says the
Alderman.

<AAucIi1itn I1eHry t1dI1u Ildu the IOI-
lowing to say today in regard to his
allegations that he was approached
by certain persons, who attempted to
! influence him to vote to override
Mayor Raymonds veto of the con-
tract for the proposed new Centre
Market:
"I have only this to say about any
feature OF the proposition" began the
alderman. "This matter has been
magnif1ed and exaggerated in the line
of Importance beyond all sense Of
reason. The object of certain people
to kill off the Centre Market has been
attained, and this publicity has
brought about this result. There has
been too much notoriety about 1t al
ready. The opponents OF the market
building have been on the trail Of
supposed weakened aldermen with
blackjack soaring them into the de-
sired attitude.
Meaning Misconstrued.
when I mentioned the names Of
William Okin. whom I know very
well, and Joseph Wright it wasn't
with the intention of placing them
In an awkward predicament.
"As a matter of fact, no one Of
fered me money directly or Indirectly
for the purpose of influencing my vote
on the market question.
"My only conversation with MIR.
okin was a chance one. He called at
my office in regard to building and
loan matters, and the talk gradually
drifted into the Centre Market uues-
| tion. Mr.. O1zin said it would be a
good thing for real estate If the new
market were built, for improvements
| of that kind invariably increased
property values in the neighborhood
Of the improvements. 1t would also
give people employment and beautify
the city. Take your new City Hall,
your free public library and other
buildings for example, said Mr.. olzin
Is Opposed to the Market.
"r said that was unalterab1y op-
posed to the market, as Mayor Ray
mond had vetoed the contract resolu-
tion, and I as good Republican in
tended to stand by the mayor. Then
again 1t was, to my mind, too costly
an enterprise at this time. I told him
that the property WIS worth 100000
| or $4,000, 900 and too valuable for mar
| ket purposes.
"Mr. Okin remarked, smilingly, that
| there were $4,000 In it if the market
proposition went through, and that
could, no doubt, get $1,000 of that.
| Though, realizing that it was joke,
| l, nevertheless, replied that was not
! interested, as the money question
didn't concern me.
Nothing to Bribery Charge.
"I again repeat that there is noth-
| ing in this bribery stuff with Mr.. Okin
or anyone else. When I was ques-
toned and it was put up to me about
rumors as to my attitude, I had no
idea that the papers would publish my
remarks.
"As to Joseph Wright, he never ap-
preached me in the slightest attempt
at bribery. He suggested for my
services in a legal way. / told him he
need not suggest 1t, that I was an
alderman and therefore did not care
to act as counsel for any corporation.
Tho whole thing has made a noun
hope there will be no grand jury prob
ing. 1t is waste Of time. There is
nothing at all to 1t.
"I do not believe either man at
tempted to bribe me, as they both
knew it would be futile to influence
me OF any other member of the coun-
ell with money or otherwise"
Alderman Hahn added that "Of
course there is nothing in any state
ment that a Republican alderman
was promised the support OF the
Democratic organization for the
Board of Works nomination in re-
turn for his vote for the market.
Continued on Page 2, Column g.