Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-04-08
COURT ACTIONS
THREATENED|N
CHARGES MADE
Dorsey Says He VIII Start
SIander Action Against Grouse
Pass Resolution

The purchase by the city of two
automobile street sprinklers, starting
innocently in itself, has developed into
a storm centre that threatens two law
suits: A writ of certiorari to stop the
awarding of the contract for the pur-
chase and a civil action for slander
in the supreme court by Mayor Dorsey
and Harry s. Medinets, against Ira
r Grouse, alderman -at-large for, re-
marks he is alleged to have made last
night at a committee meeting of the
board in the hearing of and directly. at
Mayor Dorsey.
Max A. Shapiro, garage dealer,
who bid on auto sprinklers, said last
night that his bid had been ignored
and that contract for one make of
truck, identical with his, had been let
at a price 81, 100 in excess of his bid.
He last night retained Mr.. Medinets to
secure through the supreme court, a
writ of certiorari, to act as stay, to
hold up the purchase of the trucks.
When bids were received for the
street sprinklers, the aldermen dis
cussed the several makes and their
qualifications. At the meeting on the
previous Monday night the Seldom
truck had been widely discussed and
Mayor Dorsey said at that time that
he would not stand for the purchase
of two of that make, as he did not
consider them good enough for the
use of the city
Last night, the mayor says, he was
asked by Alderman Chris Anderson to
examine the contract for the purchase
of the two sprinklers, which called
for two Seldons. The mayor at once
said that he would not stand for the
contract and that he wanted to see at
least one big truck purchased. He
mentioned the Mack truck as being
his choice.
Mr.. Grouse, who Is financially inter-
ested In the Union garage in King
street, Immediately took issue with the
mayor and spoke rather stingingly of
his interference with the aldermen at
committee meeting.
Mr.. Grouse said that he wasn't go
ing to stand for the mayor debating
10 the board.
To this the executive retorted that
he wasn't going to, stand for Grouse
putting anything over on the city.
Mr.. Grouse then said that he would
not vote for the purchase of a Mack
truck and the mayor replied that he
would veto any contract for the pur-
chase Of two Seldons.
Mr.. Grouse then accused Mayor
Dorsey and Harry s. Medinets. an at
torney, with framing up a deal
whereby the purchase of one Mack
truck should be included in the con-
tract.
At that Mayor Dorsey grew wrath
full and reaching into his pocket ex-
claimed that he would bet Mr.. Grouse
$1,000 that he had never spoken TO
Medinets about the truck contract.
He said that he would get Medinets
down to city hall and would make
Mr.. Grouse retract his statement.
A conversation ensued which kept
things simmering about the city
clerks Office where the committee
session was being held. Mayor Dor
sey called Medinets on the telephone
and theina reentered the argument.
Union garage, was mentioned during
the conversation.
When things quieted down there
was an air Of expectancy in waiting
for the arrival of Medinets. AS the
board moved to go to the council
chamber on the second floor Mr..
Grouse, in passing the mayor. said:
"Well. Frank, we can get along all
right II we don't come in contact with
each other"
Meantime the contract had been
changed to read. one Seldom and one
Mack truck. It called for the pur-
chase of one 3 1-2 ton Seldom from
the Perth Amboy Garage Company at
$6s25 and one IL tom Mack from
the Central Garage Company at
$3.50. All the aldermen voted for
the contract except Mr.. Grouse who
voted mol" Later an ordinance call
ing for the appropriation Of $13.s75
for the purchase OF the two sprink-
lers was passed on first reading. Mr..
Grouse again voting in the negative.
Nothing was said during the meet
ing about the trucks, but at the ad-
journment. Mr.. Medinets who arrived
meanwhile, approached Mr.. Grouse
and asked him If he had made the
statement attributed TO him. Mr..
Grouse admitted that he had. Mr..
Medinets demanded a retraction
which was not forthcoming. Mr.
Medinets said that he would give $500
to any charity if it could be proven
that he had made such deal as he
was accused of.
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