Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-12-12
Grand Jury Claims Too Many
Small Cases Come Before
That Body
FIND 22 INDICTMENTS
Judge Daily DismisseS Jury
With ThankS---Banquet
Served This Afternoon

NEW BRUNSWICK, Dec. 12:-
The September term grand jury In
concluding it's work here this morn
ing returned twenty-five indictments
together with a presentment in
which it urged Immediate action
by the proper authorities to correct
existing conditions" at the Staten
Island ferry landing in Perth Amboy
and again brought out the large
number of small cases which are
needlessly brought before the grand
jury for consideration.
Three of those against whom true
bills were found, were arraigned be-
fore Judge Peter +. Daily and plead
ed. John Wargo, of Perth Amboy.
charged with carrying q revolver
or Nov. "a, pleaded not guilty.
Bail was fixed at $500. and Franklin
NJ. Richie was assigned as his at
torney. Joseph Forbf. colored, of
Newark, pleaded guilty to charge
of carrying concealed weapons on
Nov. so, and his case referred to
Probation Officer Charles M. Mac
william for investigation. Clifton
Coleman, also colored and of New
ark, arrested with Forbf charged
with carrying a blackjack, pleaded
guilty and had his case referred 20
the probation officer.
Judge Daly read The presentment
of the grand jury, ordered it placed
on the minutes given to the press
and referred to Supreme Court Jus
tice James J. Bergen. The granu
jury was discharged by Judge Daiy,
who thanked the members for thelr
services on behalf of himself ana
the people of the county. The ferry
A r,1la
q month ago which resulted in a
woman being killed and several
knocked overheard when an auto
mobile ran wild on the boat, was
brought up in the presentment.
The presentment in full folloWs
..Iu the course of our service on
the September term OF the grand
Jury of this county, it became our
duty to investigate an accident re-
sulting in the death of Mrs. Edith j.
Sleisht on the ferryboat of the Bal
timore & Ohio railroad operating be-
tween Tottenville, in the state OF
New York, and Perth Amboy, this
county and state. The investigation
showed that the deceased was a pas
seueer upon the ferryboat and was
standing near the bow of the boat
as it approached the ferry slip at
Perth Amboy. An automobile being
handled by one Joseph Macy when
had been permitted to remain IN
gear, was started by the driver ana
propelled forward SO that 1t ran INTO
the crowd of people standing near
the bow of the boat, and crusheu
Mrs. Edith j. Sleight against post
or pillar of the boat causing iatai
injuries resulting in her death
short time later.
This conCition, we feel unneces-
sarily exposes the foot passengers TO
the risk ot,being injured. that might
easi!v be avoided by slight altera-
ton III the design and layout of the
present ferry slip SO as to provide
a means to ingress and egress for
the pedestrians separate from that
used by vehicles. The traffic at this
ferry is S" heaN. that every concelV-
able caution should be taken 10
properly ard adequately protect all
persons and vehicles that find II
necessary TO use the boat, otherwise
further serious accidents that might
result in loss o. both property and
life may be anticipated.
.An indictment for manslaughter
was returned against Joseph Macy
the driver Of the car. In the course
of our inquiry, II developed lHdl INC
matter of handling and transporting
both vehicles ana persons on the
ferryboat of the Baltimore q ONO
railroad, operating between Totem
Vile and Perth Amboy, it has not
reflected credit upon the carrier. 1t
appears that upon the boat Landing
at the sip in Perth Amboy, both
pedestrians and vehicles must leave
the boat by means of the same pas
sagsway, tl.eir being no separate
means of exit for passengers ana
vehicles available.
1--WE therefore recommend that
immediate action be taken by the
proper authorities to correct exist
ing conditions and eliminate possi-
bility of a recurrence of further ac-
cidants similar TO that presented to
this gran jury for investigation. To
that end, We suggest that vigorous
steps be taken that will result in
either the Interstate Commerce Com
mission the Public Utility Commits
sion or if need be, the state legisla-
ture. reiaedying existing conditions.
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