The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-06-28
size and eighteen and one.half cents

cies. Mr.. Lewis stated that the con-
tract was obtained as the result of ne
gotiations between the purchasing de-
partment, officials Of Virginia and the
Department of institutions. 1t was
learned from the purchasing depart
ment that those in charge of the indus
tries at the prison will increase the
force and also increase the working
hours from an eight-hour shift to two
shifts OF eight hours each, and in this
way hasten the production Of the
plates.
Mr.. Lewis stated that the Virginia
plates are about half the weight of
those produced for New Jersey and
also that not as many coats OF enamel
would be required for the Southern
plates.
"At the time the automobile license
tag plant was installed in the prison"
Mr.. Lewis stated, ut was understood
that eventually the state would under
take to manufacture tags for other
states. 1t is agreed generally that the
tags manufactured In New Jersey
State prison are the best on the mar
ket. No pair of them has ever been
returned to be re-enameled.
THE work will furnish full time for
from forty to sixty additional prison
ers continuously and viii allow us to
pay wages to an additional number OF
prisoners, which can be used for the
benefit of themselves and their de-
pendents while they are serving their
terms.
"Dirt is flying on the Bordentown-
Crosswicks Creek cutoff and every
one is highly pleased with the way
the thirty-seven prisoners are work
ing and with the cooperation we are
getting from the principal keeper Of
the prison." Mr.. Lewis's statement
adds.
Mathis Bill Inquiry
Testimony of seven members of the
Assembly taken before Supreme Court
Commissioner Theodore Backes re1a-
tive to their recorded affirmative votes
for the Mathis bill adding state high
way route from Camden to Toms Riv-
er, resulted in positive assertions by
four members that they had voted for
the bill as recorded. One member said
that he had not voted for it, one that
he had no reason to question the rec
ord and another that he was not GER
tain whether he had voted or not.
The four members testifying un-
equivocally that they had voted for
the bill were Adams of Essex, Gibbs
of Camden, Campbell of Monmouth,
and Mccullough of Somerset. The
one who stated with equal certainty
that he had not voted for the bill was
Mr. Compton Of Union. Mr.. Dater Of
Bergen said he had no reason to ques-
ton the record of his vote for the bill
and Mr.. DeLorenzo, also Of Bergen,
could not recollect whether or not he
was actually in the chamber when the
vote was taken.
Mr.. Compton, the first witness ex-
amined at the inquiry, testified he had
left the state house in time to catch
the 8.46 train He was positive the
vote on the Mathis bill had not been
taken before he left and that he was
incorrectly recorded as having voted
for it.
Positive He Did Not Vote
"Are you sure?" Mr.. Compton was
asked with respect to his statement
that he left before the vote was taken.
absolutely" was the reply.
Mr. Compton also said he had made
record of Republican caucus meas
ures and the Mathis bill, Senate 135,
did not appear on his list as one Of
them.
Mr.. Campbell stated eategorically he
had voted for the bill. Mr.. Dater ad-
mitted he had no recollection of the
Mathis bill coming up while he was in
the Assembly chamber. He said he
had been excused about o'clock in
the evening, the House being then I'M
der call, but had not left the chamber
Until some time later. He could not
say definitely when he did leave, but
was certain he had taken the same
train as Assemblymen Cliff and Pas
coe, both of Union, neither of whom
was recorded as voting on the Mathis
measure. Mr.. Dater said he had voted
for the Mathis bill when it first passed
and had no reason to question the rec
ord, indicating he had again supported
it when it came up over the Cover
nor's veto. He said it was the inten-
ton OF Bergen county to support all
road bills, as the county had its own
measures in which it was interested.
"a case of you scratch my back and
I'll scratch yours suggested Assist
ant Attorney General William New
corn. who was conducting the exami-
nation of witnesses.
II wouldn't say that" replied Mr..
Dater. 1--WE got ours and we're keep
ing faith"
De Lorenzo Sheds No Light
Mr.. De Lorenzo could shed no light
upon the accuracy OF the record list
ing him affirmatively HS did not re-
call the bill being brought up while
he was in the assembly chamber and
said he might have been present at
the time or not He did not recall re-