Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-06-05

Although the city attorney and
aldermen have been engaging in YER
bal battles since the first of the year
during which time personalities usu-
ally were INDUCED in, last nights en-
counter came entirely unexpected.
Not all of the aldermen were in the
city clerks office at the time, but
they, together with others present
for the meeting, rushed into the Of
flee at the sound of angry voices
which was quickly followed by the
blows being struck.
After Alderman Clark had left for
doctors Wilentz stated that he had
lost his temper and struck without
thinking. He said he regretted his
notion in striking the alderman.
Those who were present when the
engagement took place were reticent
to state who actually struck the
first blow, it being stated that both
men seemed to be swinging at the
same time. N,ilentz claimed Clark
struck him first and in this claim
he was borne out by several of those
gathered in the room.
When the bills came up for pay
ment during the regular meeting of
the council it was learned that the
bills submitted by Wilentz We're not
exactly the same as the list Alder
man Clark gave the Evening News
Yesterday, saying they would be act
ed upon last night. The list of bills
from Wilentz, as presented by Clark
totalled $685.. Wilentz's bills last
night, which were paid in spite of
Clark's dissenting vote, totalled
S165 according to the list as read by
the city clerk in response to the al
dermans inquiries.
Alderman Clark said yesterday
there would be two bills for $50 eacn
covering legal services rendered by
Wilentz in connection with the
school and improvement ordinances,
and $40 as pay for messengers S
trip to New York for the school
ordinance. 1t was learned last night
that these bills totalling S110 had
already been paid Wilentz and that
Clark had signed the bills. Alder
man Clark explained this by saying:
II find that 1 signed these bills two
weeks ago but L should not have
done it. They slipped by me as
such things will occasionally, but
the limit on work of this kind for
merly was s25. Why pay this man
double? ?" He then stated that other
city officials make trips to New York
on city business without charging as
much as $40.
AS these three bills had already
been paid they did not come up be-
for the meeting for payment.
The fifth ward alderman was
called upon by Alderman Robert A.
. Mcclure to correst his statement
given the News yesterday with re-
= CARDS Mcclure signing two bills fol
b25 each which came under the jju-
risdiction of the fire committee
Clark in his statement to the Even
ing News yesterday had declared
that although chairman of the fire
committee, he he'd never seen these
bills which were signed by Mcclure
and Alderman Thomas Patten. Las
night Clark said he had been mis-
taken as far as McGuire's signing
them was concerned as the fourth
ward councilman had not done SO.
Alderman Clark maintained that
Patterns name should not have ap-
peared on the bills, to which the
third ward alderman replied that
he had signed no fire committee
bills. He explained that the bills
had been referred to the wrong COM
mittee. two bills which came under
separate committees having been
submitted on one bill head. Patten
aid he crossed his name out as
soon as he saw he had no Jurisdic-
.on in the matter.
tCnntinued on page %
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