Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-08-16
WANTS CITY To
PAY FOR TAXI
Senator Brown Appears Be-
fore Aldermen for Burns
Bros. S.--Other Matters

After hearing Senator Thomas
Brown tell of how the taxi of Burns
Brothers was demolished on the
night of June IA while being used
to perform a public duty. the alder
men last night decided to refer back
to City Attorney Leo Goldberger his
opinion in which he declared the city
was not liable for the loss of the car
with the request that he make 1t
sufficiently broad to cover all phases
of the Indictment. The automobile
had been hired by two policemen.
William Buchan and William Seiboth
while off duty for their own personal
use, but when they were informed
that thieves were at work along the
road and pursued. they were Senator
Brown maintained, doing a public
service in line with their duty. and
consequently the city should reim-
burse the taxi owners for the loss of
the car, it being wrecked in speed
ing around a corner.
According to Senator Brown the
city should carry the burden of re-
imbursing Burns Brothers for the
loss of the car as it was being used
for the welfare of the citizens at the
time of the accident. Although the
two policemen might have started out
with the intention of taking a joy
ride, the senator continued, it de-
veloped that they responded to a
call of duty and commandeered the
car, ordering the chauffeur to put
on more speed in order to appre-
hend the criminals.
The machine was completely de-
stroyed the lost amounting to
$1,000, Senator Brown said. but the
ta vi ic WILLING n talyp
$1,000, the market price of the ma
chine, at present, from the city.
Alderman -at-Large John n. Wes-
ter rectifed the statement of the
senator that a policeman is always
on duty. "a police officer Is subject
to call at all hours but is not al
ways on duty" the chairman eT-
planned. Senator Brown emphasized
the point that the car ultimately re-
suited in being used for the public
good although it was originally pri-
vately engaged.
1t was decided to have the city at
torney reconsider his opinion in or
der that this additional phase OF the
case might be taken into considera-
ton.
An opinion was also received from
the city attorney with reference to
the case of Mrs. Michaels who ask
ed for damages as the result of an
accident caused some time ago by
rope being stretched across High
street during a block dance. The
attorneys opinion was that the city
is label, having no legal authority
to block any street except for mu-
nicipal purposes.
Bids for the painting of the Wash
ington Hose Companys fire house in
Rector street were received, all be-
ing referred to the fire committee
for consideration. The bids were as
follows: Sorensen & Clauscn, S2S5;
J. F. Tangaard & Son. $500; A. d.
Martin. s325.32. and Charles Lar
son, $500
Notice of supreme court action
against the city and Police Chief
Niels J. Tonnesen as the result of
the seizure of an automobile was re-
ceived and referred to the city at
torney and police committee for ac-
ton.
The Public Service Railway Com
pany informed the board by letter
that the stop at State and Wayne
streets, as requested by the alder
men. would be made in the future.
Continued on page p