New-York tribune., 1920-03-12
Used Tunulty
10 Get Contract
Nugent Asserts
Democratic Boss of New
ark Says He Landed Camp
Merritt Project by Aid of
Secretary's Introductions

James r. Nugent, Democratic boss
OF Newark, testified before Vice-Chan-
cellor Backes in that city yesterday
that he used his influence with Josenh
r. Tumulty, secretary to President
Wilson, and others to obtain the Camn
Merritt building contract for William
II. Flssell, who is being sued by Nugent
for an accounting.
Nugent alleges that he had a "gen-
tleman's agreement" with Fissell to
split "ffty-fifty" on the profits of the
war contracts he obtained, and that
Fissell made s146,oOO on the Camp
Merritt job. Fissell admits the agree
mcnt, but asserts that he got the Camp
Merritt contract without the assistance
from Nugent.
Met persons on an Army Board"
Il called several times on Secretary
Tumulty."" Nugent testified, "and was
introduced by him to several persons
on an army board with which we had
to deal. | gradually gots the firm of
russell q GO. in position where it was
recognized"
John Donlin, president of the United
Building Trades International Union,
was named as having helped wand"
contracts. Nugent said Fissell was
brought to him by the Rev. Father
Cornelius, head of St. Benedict's Col
lege, Newark, and that the priest as
sured HIM the contractor would divide
with Nugent whatever profits were
forthcoming.
Fissell testified that he had asked
Joseph A. Wright, friend of Nugent's,
ii the latter had patched up his differ
ences with the PRESIDENT
Mr.. Wright told me-" Fissell went
on, that Mr.. Nugent and the President
had fixed up their differences and that
Mr.. Nugent was going to WashinGton
weekly to sec the President and Chat
Mr. Nugent had suggested and drawn
the draft bill for the President. This
was IN the latter part of 1917. said
to Mr.. Wright: Then Mr.. Nugent
ought to be able to use his influence at
Washington to get me some of those
contracts. I'd be willing to split fifty
fifty on the net profits,' and Wright said
he would speak to the big chief mean
ing Nugent."
1t was recalled by those in court that
Provost Marshal General Crowder had
been generally credited as author of the
selective draft law
Wright, said Fissell, told him later
that Nugent was enthusiastic about the
proposition and would go to Washing
ton to see what he could do for him.
Wright established an office at the Ma
tional Hotel, in Washington, and was
paid $50 a week by Fissell.
Heard of Boast at Washington
Fissell related conversation he said
he had had with Kenneth B. Murchison,
an architect of New York
"Mr. Murchison had asked me if Joe
Wright was in my firm, and I said he
was not" Fissell stated. "Murchison
said: That's good. That's what told
Colonel Starrett Chairman of the COM
mittee). Starrett told me that Wright
was going around the lobbies of the
hotels in Washington boasting that he,
through his influence with Secretary
Tumulty, had been able to land ST.
100000 contract for Fssell after
others had tried for year to get such
work for him. Colonel Starrett didn't
like this at all, and I told Wright that
if he annoyed the colonel any further
l would throw him out of window"
Nugent testified he previously had
obtained the Camp Hancock (Georgia)
contract for Fissell, but that Senator
Hoke Smith, of Georgia, had objected
and it was awarded to Twiggs g. Co.