Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-04-08
Word Passed That Statement
Coming, But Delay Made
Later in the Day

The open letter written yesterday
by Thomas Brown to Jacob S. Kar-
kus, in which Mr.. Brown congratu-
lated Mr.. Karkus for his activity in
the Hartman case, and at the same
time attacked the city administration
for the way it is conducting the
business of the city, has resulted in
much conn Jent. City Attorney
David I. Wilentz informed a re-
porter for the Evening News today
that a statement would be forthcom-
ing from him at 1880 o'clock but
due to the pressure of other busi-
ness Mr., Wilentz at that hour de-
clared 1t was impossible to have the
statement ready.
A meeting was held yesterday
afternoon in the Office of City At
torney Wilentz, at which were pres
ent Alderman at large Richard j.
Calvin and Alderman Thomas Pat
ten. This meeting was held in the
early afternoon. shortly after the
Brown letter had appeared in the
first edition of the Evening News.
The city attorney today, declared
this meeting was not held to discuss
the Brown letter, but to talk over
matters in connection with the ap-
propriating money necessary for
the building of the new school and
the change in the election districts
of the city.
Due to the fact that the supreme
court in Washington handed down a
decision yesterday that states cannot
compel railroads to abolish grade
crossings. Mr.. Wilentz said he was
busy today, at the request of Mayor
Wilson, endeavoring to learn wheth-
rer this decision affects the elimina-
ton in this city. 1t was because of
this engagement on behalf of the
city that Mr.. Wilentz found it i'm
possible to prepare the statement,
he declared
Mayor Wilson declared he learned
today his presence vas sought at the
meeting in Wilentz's office yesterday
afternoon, but he could not be
reached. Efforts were made to get
into communication with Alderman
at-large Calvin but he could not be
located. When telephone communi-
cation was obtained with Alderman
Patten he refused to discuss the
matter.
1t is understood that a statement
Will De IOrIncOml0g soon.
Although MIR. Wilentz denies the
holding of a conference to discuss
the Brown letter, it is considered
significant that the two aldermen
and the city attorney were closeted
together in the latter's office so soon
after the letter appeared in the first
edition of the Evening News. A re-
porter for the Evening News who
happened to enter Mr.. Wilentz's Of
flee at the time, saw Mr.. Patten with
copy of the first edition of the
Evening News.
To say the letter created a SEN
sation is putting it mildly indeed.
The charges made by Mr.. Brown
have proven to be the center of con-
versation throughout the city and
have done much to revive the COM
mission government talk which has
been discussed with considerable in
terest since the Patrolman Benevo-
lent Association letter written by
Mr. Brown a few weeks ago in which
he advocated a change in the city
government in order to remedy con-
ditions.
The assertion made by Mr.. Brown
in his letter to Mr.. Karkus that per
SONS connected with the city govern :
ment and their adherents have in
corporated company to do the pub
lie work of the city," has been more
on less common talk in the city for
some time past, but no one would
assume the responsibility for ii. until
Mr.. Brown made it public in his
letter.
Another fact that has been the
cause of much comment and which
Mr.. Brown opened to the public, was
that of splitting up work in order
that it might be awarded to certain
contractors without the necessity of
asking for bids, as would be required
If the entire work was done without
the splitting up process. The Wash
ington street paving proposition. to
which Mr.. Brown referred touches
sore spot in the side of the public
generally, as the patent paving inter-
ests have been the bone of conten-
tion in recent political contests.
1t does not seem fair to assume
that the city fathers will allow the
Brown letter to go by without an
answer on their part. 1t is generally
believed the letter took them by
complete surprise and they are to
arrange a defense before firing the