Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-03-23

So Says Senator Stevens
Accuses Governor SiIzer of
''BIuffing" in Case

TRENTON, March 2S.-The leg
islature will probe the activities of
the ousted state highway commits
sion, regardless of the action of
Governor Silzer in Vetoing the reso-
luton calling for the probe. This
action was indicated in a statement
today by Senate Majority Leader
William Steven of Monmouth, in
luton by Silzer astonishing. Z"
Stevens declared that the gov
ernor's statement that the legisla-
tive probe commission was political
was misleading" and that the ex-
ecutive, after calling the attention
CT the lawHSakers 20 alleged graft by
the old board, now refuses to sane
ton an investigation. Senator Stew
ems, indirectly accuses the governor
Of ''bluffing" when the legislator
charges Silzer with unwi1lingness to
go "the full distance" when the, gov
ernor made the elleged wrongdoing
public.
Stevens declared that a cursory
reading of the attorney generals
charges in his suit filed against the
board indicated that there must have
been 'some collusion or criminal act
on the part of some" to induce the
road board to purchase lands for the
approach to the Perth Amboy bridge
at the extraordinary price paid.
Therefore" said Stevens, sit IS
not sufficient that the state shall
maintain a civil suit for the recovery
of excess moneys paid, but that the
legislature. having had their atten-
ton called to this very unusual
transaction by the governor, should
use their unlimited power to ascer-
tain whether or not the highway
commission or any members thereof
was induced by corruption and graft
to give away the moneys of people
and, if they did so, to ascertain who
are the guilty parties and have them
brought to the bar of justice as an
example to other public officials who
misuse and abuse their trust. The
action of the governor is so extraor-
dinary in this particular instance
that 1 cannot but feel that he was
not willing to go the full distance
when he brought the matter to the
attention of the public"
TRENTON. March 23.-In dis
approving the resolution to investi-
gate the activities of the old high
way board in the planning for the
bridge approaches for the new state
bridge across the Raritan river be-
tween Perth and South Amboy, and
the awarding, without bids, of the
contract for the temporary bridge
over the Hackensack river on the
Lincoln Highway to John Ferris, a
member of the board, Mr.. Silzer
inu inn
of this commissions affairs. He re-
ferred to the fact that he -.ad asked
the attorney general to start pro-
ceedings to investigate the purchase
of the approaches TO the bridge for
$230,000 and said that the suit
which has been started in the court
of chancery, would carry out the
idea of getting all the facts in this
instance of alleged irregularities
without additional expense.
IF L did ot think SO l would sign
this resolution, in order to give the
necessary power" said Mr.. S ,zer.
I'm view, however, that ample
methods are provided see no neces-
sity for this particular resolution;
first, because it carries an appropria-
ton of five thousand dollars; and
second, because of the composition
of the commission. Commissions of
this kind, in order to accomplish real
results, should be composed of those
with the judicial temperament, and
free from political or other bias.
"If such a commission should be
authorized, and would carry with it
a thorough investigation looking into
the activities. of those interested in
patent paving, not only on bridges,
but upon our roads in the various
counties and at Trenton, L would
sign such resolution"
When it passed the legislature
only the bridge work of the old
board was incorporated in the reso-
luton as the subject fer probing. In
vestigation of patented pavements,
like warrenite, was not incluGed.
CHEVROLET-QualiIy Economy and
Low Drill TYn