Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-22
WHAT is GAINED BY BRIDGE INVESTIGATION

There is every reason to believe that the investigation into
the nnrebase bv the state of the W. j. DonneI Lumber. Company
land for the bridge approach is at an end. After hearing the
testimony of B. NJ. Cannon on Wednesday the committee appointed
to conduct the investigation adjourned to meet at the call of the
chairman. With no definite time fixed for another session, the
matter is likely to be forgotten.
It is natural to ask, what has been gained after all the fuss
that the investigation has stirred upi One answer is, the state
will now have an honestly built bridge, receiving a dollars worth
for every dollar spent. This is something really worth while.
In the first place, the $4,000, which everybody knew was
entirely too much to pay for the land in question, is to be returned
to the state. A new start is to be made to secure the land through
condemnation proceedings. At the same time, the engineers OF
the State Highway Commission announce that they have found a
wav TO save about $4,000 in the acutal construction of the bridge.
Furthermore, with the recent experiences before them, contrac-
tors and others who will have to do with the building of the
bridge. are not likely to attempt any graft. Grafters will con-
slider the bridge a good thing to let alone. The favoritee plan of
running up the prices and dividing the excess profits with politi
clans has been tried and those who tried it failed to get away
with it. It is a good thing it came early in the proceedings before
any of the contracts were awarded. The lesson will be needed.
Then. too. a new deal is assured with the new highway COM
mission. There is every reason to place the utmost confidence in
the men who were appointed by Governor slzer. They are above
ach and the state can be assured of an honest deal in every
connected with the bridge.
Of course, there will be some people who VIII claim that the
Eestigators have been called off and a coat of whlte-wash given
those involved. They want to see somebody go to Jail and other
wise have the wrath of the law visited upon them. While We
would not excuse anyone who had a finger in the unsavory mess,
III IS quite evident, judging from the standing of the men involved,
that they have already received considerable punishment through
al! the unfayorable publicity they have received. Perhaps there
has not been the physical discomforts that a Jail sentence would
bring, if such a sentence were found %justifable after an impartial
trial. but the state of mind of those who have been brought into the
lmelight can only be imagined. This sometimes means more than
any physical pain that might be caused.
All in all, the state has gained a great deal. Governor Silzer
scores again for the taxpayers. 1t was after he had instructed
the attorney general to commence chancery proceedings to re-
cover the $4,000 which the state paid for the Donnel Lumber
Company property that the legislature decided on the investiga-
tion. As a result of the investigation the money is to be vofun-
tanly returned so that the chancery action is unnecessary. At
the same time, any g~rafters who might have anticipated rich pick
ings in the construction of this bridge, have been frightened off
A fine bridge, honestly built, ought to be the result.