The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-02-01

Let me give you concrete illus
tration The road from New Bruins
wick to Metuchen was built under
closed specifications. A patent pave
ment was specified Contractors
could not build on anything else.
There were in the road 82,566 square
yards The cost, then, at 81 yard
excess, was $S2,566 more than it
should have been-$S2566 more than
it would have been if sheet asphalt
had been specified.
I'VE are now about to spend $40,-
100000 through a bond issue. The
figures given to me by competent en-
gineers, thoroughly familiar with this
kind of work, are staggering but true.
They say that upon the expenditure
of 100000 there will be paid So
100000 in excess if patent paving is
used under closed specifications. In
many cases it would be money used
to corrupt public officials and to en-
courage further road building of this
character.
Il would therefore recommend that
laws be passed at once to provide for
open specifications in the broadcast
possible fashion, so as to prevent a
repetition of these abuses. There
should be no difficulty in doing this
We should repeal our county reim-
bursement acts, which permit the
county Boards of Freeholders to
share in this practice. Let us place
the full responsibility for spending
State funds upon the State Highway
Commission, for the State must see
that its money is properly spent.
Another important matter that
must have attention is the cost of CO.
ment. This is now sold for 81 bar
rel, wholesale. In 1914 it cost so
cents barrel. 1t is a matter of COM
mon knowledge that there is com
bination among cement manufactur-
ers for the purpose of controlling
prices and that they succeed in doing
SO. | am told that out of excessive
profits made in this way a large
sslush' fund is provided with which to
fight every effort to break up these
spractices.
IOlIi Adc DCCA luQiCl-
ed in the United States courts in the
State of New York and a trial was
held in which the jury disagreed.
Il am reliably informed that the
Governments side of the case was
badly presented, and that if an hon
est, vigorous effort were made to Sc
cure conviction there would readily
be a verdict of guilty and breaking
up of this combination
The Governor recommended a new
law defining unlawful combinations;
that the Attorney General of the
United States be asked to bring on at
an early date the retrial of those who
were indicted in the cement bust
ness; and that the Attorney General
be requested to prosecute with yigor
and effect the suit started some time
ago in the Federal courts to restrain
this unlawful combination. He also
asked for law giving to the State
Highway Commission power to ac-
quire by purchase or otherwise out of
road funds plant or plants for the
manufacture of cement"
Governor Silzer believed great
saving would result from the use of
prison labor. Il would therefore rec
ommend that legislation be enacted
which will permit this action to be
taken" he added. He also asked for
a law giving to the Highway Commits
sion full power of investigating.
Surprised at Governors Action
Highway Commissioner George Pad
dock said he was surprised at the Gov
ernor's action in removing the board,
that he felt the action carried out the
recommendations of the Good Roads
Association and he would stand by his
record on the commission insofar as
the Governors charges of alleged un-
wise expenditures of highway money
was concerned.
Other members of the commission
are: Chairman, George l.. Burton,
South River; A. S. L. Doughty. Mount
Holly; Col Walter F. Whittemore,
Sussex: Charles F. Seabrook, Bridge
ton; B. F.Farrier, Jersey City; Thomas
e. Collins, Elizabeth, and Charles v.
Duffy, Paterson.
History of Silzer Act
The State Highway Commission
was the principal target of attack on
the Democrats by William N. Run
yon, Republican gubernatorial cam
didate, in the recent election.
Mr.. Runyon charged the commits
sion with laxity. with favoritism and
reviewed various phases of the work
of the body. He favored the $40,-
100000 road bond issue, which was
carried on referendum at the cleo
ton. Governor Silzer, during the
campaign, opposed the bond issue
plan. holding the mill tax system of
collection would rot furnish all the
necessary money. and that the tax
payers would ultimately be called on
to furnish additional funds.
Mr.. Silzer said he was not holding
a brief for the highway commission
and that If elected he would make an
investigation that would spare no one