Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-03-05
WORDY BATTLE
At JANESbURG
Dawson Has Much to Say Be-
fore Common Council About
Tax on Shows

GSbC ISC, Marcn 0-IDe menu
bers OF the m council and an
exceptionally large audience were
treated to an amusing n unusual
spectacle on Monday night, when in
the course of the evenings business a
warm squabble developed between
George NJ. Dawson and Mayor Patten
over the licensing of shows given in
the town.
A fun board was present as fol-
lows: Mayor Patten, Clerk Brooks,
Councilmen Hutchinson, Tomson,
Rogers, Dey, Jennings, Hausser.
A resolution was offered or the rec
ommendation of Attorney Kirkpat-
rick to provide for the payment OF
the piece of lane to complete the pur-
chase of Triangle Park, in favor of
h. ID. Dawson. The clerk and mayor
were authorized to draw an order for
$3.50 to settle this account.
Councilman Hutchinson, of the FL
nance committe reported that there
had been collected by Collector Erhart
in February S1,459.S6 and that since
the first of the present year, ove
$4,000 had been turned in on 1918
taxes due the borough
The question of a new fire truck also
took up quite some time and after
the committee, Messrs. Hutchinson.
Jennings and Hausser had told in de-
tail of their visit to Asbury Park to in
Spect a motor in use similar to the one
suggested by the borough councilmen,
it was put to the members whether
Jamesburg needed such an apparatus.
A general discussion followed in which
the council of Fire Chief Lokerson
was sought. Mr.. Hutchinson to set
tie the matter offered the resolution
that common council authorize the
purchase of a suitable motor appara-
tus after bods had been received. Mr..
Rogers seconded the motion and it
was unanimously carried.
| Mr.. Hutchinson was in favor of IA
ing a canvas made of the outlying dis
trict to see if any contributions could
be secured and then have council is
sue bonds in five years payments as
then new citizens coming into the
town would share in the payment OF
the apparatus h same as il one year
bonds were arranged for but n class
would pay the whole bill. This was
q popular thought. The cost of the
machine will be about $3250. A let
ter was received from Acting Superin-
tendent Calvin Derrick. of the Home
for Boys. giving a vote of thanks for
the very efficient services rendered by
Jamesburg Fire Department at the
fire at the Home on December Sd.
Councilman Hutchinson recommend
ed that some action be taken against
the poolrooms in town which continue
to harbor small boys in their places.
Attorney Kirkpatrick said hat he
was of the opinion that the town
should prosecute the men who were
breaking tho law and that a heavy fine
could be levied against the offenders
as no boys under eighteen were al
lowed in the place and that the giving
of a notice was but 4 courtesy thai
they should appreciate.
Once more the dog question was be-
fore the council and il was decided
to proceed against the owners Of dogs
running at large n at once. ust
what constitutes a vicious dog was
brought before the council by Attor-
ney kirkpatrick who said that any dog
can bite a person once, as it then dis
plays its vicious propensites.n This
did not fnd favor with the council
men->Sffo thought they should be
taken care of before they developed
vicious propensities." TIE police conn.,
mittee were ordered to act at once.
Councilman Hutchinson had brought
Il the attention of council the laxity
in collecting licenses from transient
shows. Mr.. DAWSON attacked the sim
cerity of the councilmen, the borough
and in fact everybody who was no in
the show business. He inferred di-
rectly and indirectly that everybody
was jealous or anyone VINO tried TO
make "a living with unusual BUSH
ness First he took issue with the
attorney. then the clerk, councilmen
and finally he was in the grand finale
with Mayor Patten.
Mr.. Hutchinson stood pat and his
resolution that all shows other than
motion picture shows be compelled to
pay a license OF s. per night" was
sustained.
The marshal was given to UNDER
stand by Mr.. Dawson that he was not
to come around collecting taxes as
he was we'll able to pay all his W
debts. The matter was finally left
in the hands OF the clerk 10 collect as
he saw fit.
Mr.. Dawson. pays twenty-five cents
per night and objected to the addition
al tax for special shows with outside
talent and he attacked the town for
their failure to collect from the Chau-
tauqua. At this ~juncture. Harvey
Stonaker. a spectator got into the fray
in defense OF Mr.. D~avison's STAN that
all pay and make a sugar and salt af-
fair" of the license matter.
Mr.. Dawson asked that repairs be
made to the new street adjoining his
theatre property and IL was suggested
that the clerk write the owner and
find out If the property was to be turn
ed yer to the town or not before re-