Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-05-14

Inc speclal legislative committee
investigating the purchase of the
w. j. Donnell LUMBER Company
tract of land for an approach for
the new bridge between this city
and South Amboy resumed its hear
ing of testimony at City Hall here
shortly before noon today.
This investigation was started at
Trenton several weeks ago and in
formation brought out at the hear
ing in that city and the hearings
which followed here has been main
ly in connection with the appraisals
made by local real estate men.
Attorney General Thomas Z. Nc
Gran has been conducting the hear
ings to date and the members of the
special committee are President of
the Senate Joseph s. Wallsworth,
Speaker of the House William w
Evans. Senator William H. Bright
and Emerson L. Richards, and As
semblyman Frank Walsh and Ad-
rian Chamberlin.
The investigation into the land
purchase by the ousted state high
way board was scheduled to be con-
tinued here last Monday but there
was no session held that day on ac-
count of the funeral of Captain
James Parker, assistant clerk of the
assembly and a former legislator.
The investigators are expected to
continue their work here all day to-
day.
Mr.. Paddock declared that he had
tried to recall all the facts in con-
nection with the purchase of the
land and referred TO matters that
had transpired at the meeting of the
commission at whicn the land had
been ordered purchased. At that meet
ing according TO Mr.. Paddock the
question as 10 the engineer doing the
bridge work was settled and Mr..
Burton, in view OF the fact that the
way was clear to start construction
of the bridge, suggested that the land
OF the Donnell Lumber Company be
purchased
Continuing. Mr.. Paddock. said.
Mr.. Burton suggested S230,000 as a
fair price as ii included the entire
land, not only giving site for the
bridge but a place where the con-
tractor could store materials, and
that this extra land could later be
sold when the state was through
with it. Mr.. Paddock declared that
the entire matter had been left with
Burton as the resident commissioner.
and as a committee of one TO inves-
tigate the matter.
on questions asked by the attor-
ney general, Mr.. Paddock stated that
Mr.. Burton said at the meeting that
Engineer Robert A. Meeker had APP
proved of the purchase as did also
Thomas J. Wasser. former state en-
gineer. He stated he had heard the
=.
according TO his understanding this
was for the purchase of the bridge
site only.
Upon the arrival Of Senators Rich
ards of Atlantic. and Bright OF Cape
May. the hearing began. Attorney
General McCran announced that he
had written to members of the for
mer state highway commission
informing them that they could ap-
pear before the investigation COM
mittee and tell their side OF the
case il they so desired. and that
George Paddock and Walter f.
Whittemore were present and
George Burton was expected later
in the day.
Mr.. McCran asked Mr.. Paddock Il
he desired to take the stand ana
the former commissioner said he
commission that Mr.. Paddock tooz
the stand voluntarily and upon Nj
Paddocks request he was sworn
Mr.. McCran asked Mr.. Paddock if
he desired TO make a statement and
then be questioned or 10 be Ques-
toned and then make a statement.
Mr.. Paddock decided that he would
make the statement first.
He declared. he had asked Burton
about the appraisals. one of which
had been a little less and one a lit
tie more than $3.50, 600 and under
stood they had been made for the
commission by trust company and
real estate firm He stated he
took Burton judgment in the mat
ter and did not oppose the purchase
of the property.
In answer to a question of the at
torney general, Mr.. Paddock said
that he did not know the appraisais
were made for the Donnell Lumber
Company. He also declared in ans
wer to questions that he did not see
the figures but took Mr.. Burton's
word for them. Asked what Mr..
Burton said the figures were, he said
the smaller to be s225,000 and the
larger S245,000. Mr.. Paddock de-
clared he had become a member OF
the board in 1920 and that the site
for the bridge had already been
agreed upon before he became a
member.
Questioned as to what was meant
by resident commissioner, Mr.. Pad
dock stated that in 1921, it was de-
cided TO dicide the state into eight
sections. the commissioner living
in a certain section being known as
the resident commissioner. This
commissioner looked after the work
in his district and in most cases his
recommendation were acted upon
by the other commissioners favor
ably.
Asked what the practice of the
was when certain
lines were desired for road or bridge
work. Mr.. Paddock, declared that it
was referred to the engineer and the
resident commissioner and the resi-
dent commissioners suggestion was
then acted upon. In the matter of
annraisals for land. Mr.. Paddock said
they were obtained by the resident
commissioner and Engineer Meeker.