The Penn's Grove record., 1923-01-26

IClpdle IN lHeSe CONTRACTS
Losses Staggering, He Says
Let me give you a 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 We're in the road S2,566 square
yards. The cost, then, at 81 a yard
excess, was $50, $50 more than it
should have been-$S2, $50 more Than
1t would have been if sheet asphalt
had been specified.
I'VE are now about to spend $780,
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 $40, 900, 900 there will be paid S.
600 900 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.
81 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 IL 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 it's money is properly spent,
Another important matter that
must have attention is the cost of &C.
ment. This is now sold for 81 a bar
rel, wholesale. In 1914 it cost 60
cents a barrel. 1t is a matter Of com
mon knowledge that there is a 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
'slush' fund is provided with which to
fight every effort to break up these
practices.
This combination has been indict-
ed in the United States courts in the
State of New York and a trial was
held in which the jury disagreed.
81 am reliably informed hat 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 a breaking
up of this combination"
The Governor recommended a new
law defining unla wful 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 vig0r
and effect the suit started some time
ago in the Federal courts to restrain
this unlawful combination. He also
asked for a law giving to the State
Highway Commission power to ac-
Quire by purchase or otherwise out of
road funds a plant or plants foc the
manufacture of cement"
Governor Silzer believed q great
saving would result from the use of
prison labor. 81 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 I'm.
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 or
the Democrats by William N. Run
Won, Republican gubernatorial can
didate, in the recent election.
Mr.. Runyon charged the commits
sion with laxity, with favoritism ant
reviewed various phases Of the work
of the body. He favored the $40,
600. 900 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 o.
collection would not furnish all the
necessary money, and that the tax
payers would ultimately be called OF
tn furnish additional funds.
Mr.. Silzer said he was not holding
a brief for the highway commission
and that if elected he would make al
investigation that would spare no o n
and hide nothing.
Shortly after his election, while
cpaaEor Of the fret ANNA