Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-05-29
DonneII Co. Would Take
Land Back, Lawyer
Tells Probers
PROBE WILL CONTINUE

transpired behind closed doors was
not officially announced. but from
reliable sources il was learned that
the company is about ready to throw
up the sponge on the land deal 1t
made through the old commission
and is willing 10 pay back the money
TO the state. Mr.. English was closeted
with the committee for more than
half an hour and there was a posi-
bility that he would make an offer
in public when the meeting recon
but action was finally postponed un-
til today.
The reason for this could not be
definitely learned, and Attorney
General McCran, counsel for The
probers, refused to tell what trans
pired behind closed doors. But It IL
believed that the COMMITTEES. of
which Senaeor Wallworth. OF Cam
den, is chairman. wanted TO hear
what the members of the ousted
highway commission, who were
present. had to say as te@heir -kner-z
ledge Of the Anaboy bridge transsc-
tion. before accepting any PROPOSE
ton which would probably ternin-
ate the investigation.
It IS believed that the rerr Iafion'
that the land purchased for S230.-'
GEO was appraised for but $4,000
and that even at a lower figure by
the taxing officials of the district in
which il lies, coupled with the fore
ed admission from one of its VIII
nesses, A. 3. Mcdowell, president Of
the concern that the sum of S25,-i
600 had been paid TO County Cierlsi
Cannon. of Middlesex County s "
his influence in getting a high prices
g. Il. F,r Il m I.a
!. Donnell Lumber Company's ohi--
cials that the jig is up and that tho
easiest way out for them is to pay
back the money.
After the present investigation is
over there is a chancery court prod
ceeding to follow. This has alrea de
been started by Attorney Gener IN
NcCran, at the instance of Goyernttls
Silzer. and in that the states let
officer is asking for the return by
company Of whatever excess amoI =
was paid by the state for this lar n
The case of the attorney general 4
that suit viii be based mainly on{or
facts he has dug out of the pr9sa e
legislative committee investigs Q, ~
and in view of their nature, it vsatases
seem a foregone conclusion thah -
lumber concern would eventually
forced 20 pay back what might r.,
determined by the chancery court fs
have been unduly paid the eoneefTss
for its land. This is taken as anothei'
reason for the anticipated action or
the company today.
In the meantime, and in the event
this indicated course is not followed
today, Mr.. McCran was ready to so
on calling more witnesses TO prove
that the state paid more for this
land than i should have. President
Mcdowell was scheduled to be re-
called to the stand today for further
testimony. Robert Fountain, cashier
of the First National Bank Of South
River, and Eugene O'Connell, assist
ant cashier of the First National
Bank of Perth Amboy, were also list-
ed Miss Agnes L. Mcclure. book
keeper for the Donneu Lumber Com
pany. who was 10 have been called
yesterday, but whose testimony as to
the records of the company was rot
asked after Mr.. English, the COM
panys counsel had stated its posi-
tion 10 the committee in executive
session, may also be called today.