Introduction
Anthony P. Skolski was born in Camden on April 10, 1907. He was the son of Pelagia and John Edward Jaskolski. Anthony Skolski was one of 17 children, 15 of whom survived to adulthood. Anthony Skolski was born after Paul and Josephine and before Frances, Polly, Anna, Katherine, Elizabeth, Maria, John, Edward, Margaret, Florence, Theresa, and Loretta. John Skolski was a long-time member of the Camden Police Department. He had attained Sergeant’s rank by April of 1930. He was still with the police department as late as the spring of 1942. John Skolski passed away in 1948. Both John and Anthony used the “Skolski” surname professionally. The Skolski family moved to 1028 Liberty Street around 1923 and is still there as of April 2009.
On May 16, 1937 Anthony Skolski had joined the police department. He was by 1947 a sergeant in the traffic department. Anthony Skolski and his wife Katherine then lived at 1216 Browning Street. He had been promoted to Inspector by the fall of 1957. By the mid-1960s he had been further promoted to Captain.
Anthony P. Skolski was last a resident of Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey. He died on February 3, 1995.
5 Accused Cops To Ask Rhone for Full Exoneration
Camden Courier-Post —
Claim Falsifications Of N. J. Work Record In Overpass Case
Director of Public Safety Rhone soon will be asked to “completely exonerate” five of eight Camden traffic officers who have been accused of accepting pay from the state for traffic duty at the Baird boulevard overpass during their regular city hours.
State Senator Wallace made that announcement today on behalf of Sgt. Anthony Skolski and Traffic Patrolmen Charles Hance, Martin Nelson, George Getley and Everett Joslin.
Wallace said he would base his appeal to Dr. Rhone on testimony produced at a preliminary hearing held yesterday on orders of Dr. Rhone for all eight men, including Captain Nathan Petit, and Sgts. James Wilson and Walter Vecander.
“There is no question that the payroll records which were the basis for the accusations against the five men I represent, were falsified,” Wallace said. “Sergeant Wilson, who kept the records admitted frequently in his testimony yesterday the records were ‘mistakes, errors and not based on actual time put in.’”
‘Charges Groundless’
“The whole hearing proved without doubt that the charges against the five men were groundless and I will ask Dr. Rhone to make a public statement that the records were falsified and these five men were blameless and not guilty of accepting state pay for work on city time.”
Wilson admitted at the hearing he did not pay the traffic men the full time recorded for them on the overpass payroll records. He was asked by Assistant City Solicitor Goldman:
“Then it comes down to the fact that the men in the traffic bureau only worked on their off hours. That the reports are mistakes. They only received the money to which they were entitled. You got more money than they were entitled to but you won’t tell us where that money went to, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Wilson answered.
Wilson said the hours marked on the payroll were a mistake and that they had been listed “at random” because “a man doesn’t have much time to himself on such a job.”
Asked by Goldman if he would care to reveal where the additional money went, Sergeant Wilson replied:
“No. I would not.”
Petit and Wilson both testified they worked 77 hours some weeks at the overpass scene, but insisted this was in addition to their regular 48 hours on city time.
The testimony was presented before Rhone and Goldman with Deputy Director Edward C. Garrity and Police Chief Samuel E. Johnson attending. A stenographer from Dr. Rhone’s office took notes. Newspapermen also were present but only one policeman was allowed in Dr. Rhone’s office at one time.
On behalf of the five men he represented, Wallace said:
“I represent these men and they are here for the purpose of having me make a statement and offer our cooperation to the director and deputy director in the investigation of this matter,” Wallace said.
“We did not anticipate there would be any hearing or that there would be questioning by the city counsel or that the statements would be taken by a stenographer. We have no objection to that except we did not receive the payroll sheets referred to here until a short time ago and we have been unable to determine who kept those payrolls. We have not had sufficient time to make a check of them.”
Worked on Own Time
“The statement of each man is the same. They were asked to do this work by Capt. Petit. They were paid by Sergeant Wilson. They didn’t sign any payroll sheets or checks and they were paid in cash. At no time did they receive money for work at this project for the time when they were supposed to be doing city duties. They did work on their off hours and were paid.
“They did not work such hours as have been stated in the press and they did not receive the compensation also published. At no time did they receive money for work during city hours. These men have daily reports from pull boxes and other records showing they carried on their public duties. These are records over which they had no control and were kept by someone else.”
Hold Duty Record
“They also have records in their own handwriting such as tags and summonses which were issued by them to motorists and will show the time when they were in various parts of the city doing traffic work.
“These records not only show the time but they show the man’s name and where it was he tagged the car. All these records have been turned into the department. We will be glad to compare our records and the alleged records of this contractor to show that regardless of the time shown in the record they did not work on city time. They were not required to use their motorcycles as it was all hand work, the mere turning of a light to relieve tie-ups and getting trucks through. They did wear their uniforms which they buy themselves with a small contribution by the city.
“Arrests were made at this project and will show the time these men worked there and that they were there to enforce the law and protect public property.”
“After examining the record will you be in a position to have the men come in and tell us where the discrepancies are?” Goldman ask [sic] Wallace.
Pledges Full Report
Wallace said he would, adding “we will make a full report so the case can be followed through. I would like to say in regard to Officer Hance he has a complete record of his work on this project and it shows he received only $289.75 while the payroll sheets as quoted in the newspapers said he received $469.50. He has a complete record of his pay and it shows he did not work there at any of the city time.”
In describing how he put in the time for the officers, Wilson told Goldman he tried to strike a “happy medium” by giving “an honest count.”
Both Petit and Wilson admitted that at no time did they ever tell Dr. Rhone, Garrity or Chief Johnson they were receiving pay for their work at the overpass.
When Wilson was asked to identify three men being carried on the payrolls, James Bishop, Joseph Weller, and Charles Howell, he said:
“All three of those men were sent to me for jobs by a political friend of mine. I gave them work at night.”
Later Wilson was asked to identify the “political friend.”
He declined, but admitted the man was not a resident of Camden.
Petit admitted that he made the original arrangement for the hiring of city policemen for the state highway work. He said he did so at the request of John Williams, local representative of the state highway department. He said Williams approached him, saying the state needed men for traffic control at the overpass and would pay them $1.35 an hour.
He said Wilson took over as “sergeant in charge” and that Wilson paid them in cash.
Wilson explained that he was too busy to keep a detailed account of each officer’s hours. He admitted that he was not at the overpass from 7 a. m. to 6 p. m., as he had filled out some of the time sheets.
Drew Lump Sum
Wilson also admitted that he personally received all eight policemen’s pay “in a lump sum—cash” from the contractor (who later was reimbursed by the state) and that he paid the other seven men. He also said under questioning by Goldman that he did not deduct any money from the men’s pay for withholding taxes.
Several times Wilson was warned by Goldman that anything he said at the examination could be used against him. Wilson said he would answer any question he felt would not incriminate him.
Petit entered a general denial of ever working on the overpass project on time for which he was paid by the city.
He said Wilson was in charge of the traffic detail at the project, and that he, Petit, had not seen any payrolls that Wilson allegedly made up for payment of the men.
At no time did he work continuously 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. as is indicated by the payrolls, Petit said.
Worked 77 Hours
Petit was unable to answer a question as to the total amount of money he earned on the project.
He was paid for the entire time, from April 26 to Sept. 6, he said, except for a period he was off sick with a back ailment from Aug. 2 to Aug. 16.
Petit further stated if the records showed he was paid for those two weeks they were wrong. Wilson testified the payroll records showed Petit was paid for the two weeks.
Petit was asked whether he delegated to Wilson the authority to run the project and pay the men. He said he did not give Wilson any special authority, but he was detailed there to be in charge.
As to the contract he had with the highway department representative, Petit said he was told the rate would be $1.35 an hour, and as far as he knew all the men were paid that rate for the time they worked.
Cops and Counsel in Dual Job Case
Camden Courier-Post —
—Courier-Post Photos
FIVE CITY TRAFFIC BUREAU MEMBERS are shown at top presenting their defense through counsel to Public Safety Director Dr. Rhone on charges they collected pay from state highway funds for working at the Baird boulevard overpass at the time they were required to be on duty for the city. State Sen. Bruce A. Wallace is at extreme right denying the charges for the five officers he represents. Standing with him from left are Sgt. Anthony Skolski, Patrolmen Charles Hance, George Getley, Everett Joslin and Martin Nelson. The lower photo shows Traffic Sgts. James Wilson and Walter Vecander, and Park Guard Anthony Palese waiting to be called.
Photos
Anthony Skolski – Charles Hance
New Police Matron
Camden Courier-Post —
New Police Matron. Miss Mary Jaskolski, ex-WAC, of 1028 Liberty Street, is sworn in by Acting City Clerk Mary MacClennan. Miss Jaskolski, sister of Sergeant Anthony Skolski, city police department, and sister-in-law of the new assistant director of public safety, Willard Schriver, served in World War II as a WAC sergeant.
Drop-a-Buck Club Organizes Drive To Aid Needy Families at Christmas
Camden Courier-Post —
Santa Gets Early Start:
The first phase of the program to raise Christmas funds for needy families of the city through the Drop-a-Buck Club went into operation Thursday when a group of volunteers started distribution of collection containers to the taverns of the city.
The Drop-a-Buck Club, which has been caring for the Christmas needs of under-privileged families of the city since 1949, plans to distribute similar containers to business houses, factories and other public buildings in the area.
Distribution of the containers to the taverns has been backed by the Camden Beverage and Restaurant Association.
The association has volunteered to sponsor a dinner for officers and charter members of the Drop-a-Buck Club to form a kickoff for the 1953 fund campaign. The dinner will be held Dec. 1 at Kenney’s Restaurant.
Everything Donated
Distribution of the containers is being carried out by a group of volunteers headed by Walter N. Carley, Leon B. Niewinski, Jules Kornberger, Thomas Kenney Sr. and Albert Kornberger.
The jar containers, printing and decorations were all donated. Taking part in the donations were Police Capt. Anthony Skolski, Patrolman Joseph Lack, Carter Paper Co., Walter Heim and Samuel Payne.
Deputy Mayor Angelo Malandra, chairman of the Drop-a-Buck Club drive committee, announced today that William Rohrer, Chevrolet auto dealer and a member of the board of trustees for the club, has volunteered space for campaign headquarters. Rohrer has offered the club the use of a new showroom on Federal st. at 15th.
“This generous offer by Bill Rohrer,” Malandra said, “is typical of the volunteer support given by citizens of the community from all walks of life to the Drop-a-Buck Club drive.”
More Families in Need
“From all indications, this year will reveal more families in need of help for Christmas since the club started in 1949.
“We are prepared to do our job, but we need the entire support of the community.”
Malandra said a special meeting of the officers and trustees of the club will be held at the drive headquarters next Friday to launch the fund drive.
Officers of the Drop-a-Buck Club for the 1953 campaign, in addition to Malandra, are Joseph J. McComb, chairman of the Central Labor Union, vice chairman, and Lawrence J. Wisely, of The Courier-Post, secretary-treasurer.
Frank H. Ryan, editor of The Courier-Post, is chairman of the board of trustees, which is composed of William A. Stretch, general manager and treasurer of The Courier-Post; Director of Public Safety Aaron, Deputy Director of Public Affairs Garrity, William Rohrer, mayor of Haddon Township; Edward Goldsmith, manager of Yellow Cab Co.; Welfare Director Logan, Police Inspector Willard Schriver, John McCloskey and Dominic Sasso, labor leaders; William J. Myles, Edward Brewer, Julian Masso and Thomas Kenney Sr.
100 Friends Honor Director Abbott At Birthday Fete
Camden Courier-Post —
Public Works Director Abbott had a birthday Thursday and more than 100 of his friends and associates helped him celebrate it at a surprise dinner.
In response to praise for his accomplishments, Abbott attributed much of his success to support of those “on the other side of the tracks,” as he phrased it. Abbott lauded his fifth ward neighbors for having supported him since his first election in 1939.
Anthony M. Lario, city prosecutor, was toastmaster at the affair held in Vasco’s, Third and Pine streets. Among those who spoke as friends of Abbott were former Freeholder Thomas C. Schneider; former Prosecutor Gene R. Mariano; Alfred A. Zimmerman, president of Camden Council 10, New Jersey Civil Service Association; Detectives Harry Tracy and Joseph Mardino, Police Sergeant Anthony Skolski, Richard Troncone, Michael Tomasetti, Daniel Galasso and Frank H. Ryan, Courier-Post editor.
Among other guests were Mrs. Lena Rago, who serves on the Democratic county committee with Abbott representing the fifth ward; Mrs. Abbott, Joseph Webster, Camden restaurateur; Ventorino Fransecconi, deputy health director; former Deputy Sheriff Dominick Lombardo and Water Superintendent Edward Sheehan. Professor Gerald Fitzgibbon, widely-known hypnotist, entertained.
4 Here to Take Test As Police Inspector
Camden Courier-Post —
Four Camden police captains will take an examination Wednesday at 10 a. m. in competition for the $5140 vacant post of police inspector. The examination will be given in Room 400 at City Hall.
Capt. Willard C. Schriver has been acting inspector since the post was created in May, 1952. The only other inspectorship is filled by Inspector Edward Carroll.
Schriver will compete with Capts. Anthony Skolski, August Riehm and Thomas P. Murphy. The captain’s post pays $4600 annually.
A civil service examiner will conduct the examination.
Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck
Camden Courier-Post —
More than 500 members of boys clubs and Little League teams in the area will be guests at a special amateur boxing show Tuesday night at Convention Hall from which proceeds will benefit the Frank H. Ryan Drop-A-Buck Club.
Sponsors for the young guests are being solicited now by a committee headed by Police Insp. Anthony Skolski.
The show will be staged by the Camden Police Athletic League and sponsored by Camden Local 35, New Jersey Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.
Ten three-round bouts will present boxers from the Philadelphia Police Athletic League and some Middle Atlantic AAU champions will be on the card.
Among sponsors of one or more children already signed are Deputy Public Safety Director Willard C. Schriver; Police Chief Gustav Koerner, Skolski, Municipal Judge Anthony Marino, Dets. Joseph Mardino and Ernie Santaniello, Art Sharp, Andy Fanelli, Nick Tedeschi, Anthony Galiozzi, the Hub Steak House, Rt. 38, Maple Shade; Hill Clothing store, 2636 Westfield ave.; Roma Cafe, 3rd and Royden sts., and Local 35, NJSPBA.
Persons, organizations or business establishments wishing to become sponsors are urged to contact Skolski at the city police department. Assisting are Anthony Moffa, co-chairman; George MacKenzie, Charles Kocher, Mario Ferrari, Peter Paul, Edward Yeager, Walter Busko, Thomas Kelly and Douglas Holmes.
Ten Retired Camden Policemen Praised, Receive Gold Badges
Camden Courier-Post —
At Benevolent Group Dinner:
By James M. Neville
Ten retired members of the Camden Police Department answered their last roll call Tuesday night.
They received gold retirement badges and lifelong membership cards in the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association at the second annual dinner of Local 35 in Kenney’s.
Their ages ranged from 52 to 65 and collectively they represented a total of 327 years of service to the city.
“You have put aside badges and clubs and now the new men can take over,” commented guest speaker County Judge Anthony C. Mitchell.
Lauded By Judge
“You can go home tonight and look in the mirror and say: ‘I wasn’t the worst cop in the world,’ for some of you are among the finest men we’ve had in the department over the years. You deserve your reward of retirement now,” the judge said.
E. George Aaron, commissioner of police, who was toastmaster, said some of the retiring men being honored by more than 125 members and guests “have given good and long service.”
“I’ve worked with them and I’ve lived with them,” continued Aaron.
“We have one of the finest and hardest working police departments in the state or anywhere. I even think the public is now aware of that, with a new respect for the policeman today.”
Retiring Officers
Those retiring in the year 1957–58 are:
Insp. Walter E. Rewand, with 41 years; Det. Harry Kyler Sr., 35; Sgt. John Stanton, 35; Det. Benjamin Simon, 34; Ptl. Samuel Corsella, 32; Sgt. Karl Friedrichs, 31; Insp. Thomas P. Murphy, 30; Det. Marshall Thompson, 30; Det. Sgt. Clifford Carr, 30, and Ptl. William Thorn, 29.
Insp. Anthony Skolski, in charge of the patrol division, was also presented with a gold card in a leather case for outstanding service, along with a lifelong membership.
Sgt. Joseph Hooven was given a silver card and lifelong membership for outstanding work. Hooven is in charge of auto investigation division.
Juvenile Problem
In lauding the hard tasks confronting the policeman of today, both Judge Mitchell and Commissioner Aaron rapped the soft attitude of the public toward juveniles who consistently break the law.
“Unfortunately everybody is worried about the juveniles,” Judge Mitchell said.
“We are not worried, as we should be, about the man who has his car stolen, his purse robbed, his daughter molested.
“Instead, everybody’s worried about poor little Johnny, who’s always in trouble with the police.
“Sometimes you have to struggle just to keep your hands off Johnny. You even feel like doing what his father should have done.
“The ability of today’s patrolman to hold within the line of duty, keep his hands off, hold his patience with little Johnny, is commendable.”
Law Change Urged
“What Judge Mitchell has said is important to you policemen,” said Aaron. “Before I entered police work I considered myself something of a reformer. But ever since I came up against these youngsters who don’t mind breaking the law, I’ve found it very disturbing.
“I’d like to see the Legislature pass a law reducing the age from 18 to 16.
“I have no quarrel with arguments about broken homes and other causes for misbehavior, but we must see to it that these youngsters do not do more damage.”
The commissioner pointed out that only two percent of the youth in the nation can be classified as delinquent.
‘But that adds up to a considerable number when you figure it out,’ he stated. “Besides, we have first-hand evidence that these youngsters can be real nasty. Some are sadistic and cruel to a point that few adults realize.
Defiance Shown
“When taken into custody, these youngsters know that nothing is going to happen to them, which doesn’t make the job of the policeman any easier.
“It seems to me that a lot of these youngsters must be taught they can’t do wrong before 18 years of age and get away with it.”
Second Vice President Mike Lombardi, of Maple Shade, informed the membership that plans are underway to present a bill in the Legislature which will provide policemen with three-fourths full pay, instead of one-half, for 20 years service.
Other speakers included Sen. Joseph W. Cowgill who said he would vote for any legislation favoring policemen.
“I have always and will always support any legislation which is reasonable,” he added.
“The Camden police department has lost much in the retirement of these 10 good men.”
Amateur Boxing Matches To Aid Drop-A-Buck Club
Camden Courier-Post —
Ten Bouts Scheduled to Be Held Tuesday Night at Convention Hall
Amateur boxing makes its reappearance tomorrow night in Camden, at the Convention Hall, after a lapse of many years.
Sponsored by NJSPBA Local No. 35, Camden, and sanctioned by the Middle Atlantic AAU. 10 three-round bouts will be held, the first bout to start at 8 o’clock.
The proceeds of the show will be donated to the Frank H. Ryan Memorial Drop-A-Buck Christmas Fund.
Six guest referees will officiate as many bouts, while an AAU referee will handle the four other bouts.
The guest referees are:
William Stretch, general manager of the Courier-Post; Jersey Joe Walcott, former world heavyweight champion; Joe Webster, popular restaurateur and former manager of record for Walcott; Mayor Weber, of Delaware Twp.; Sgt. Ray Smith, erstwhile AEF light heavyweight champion, and Frank Guetherman, Camden police sergeant who fought under the name of Tip Gorman.
Ten three-round matches, each round limited to two minutes, will be presented.
Seven of the 20 boxers to appear are Middle Atlantic AAU champions. They are:
Cyril Woodland, Richard Beasley, Woody Marcus, Richard Brown, Willard Roberts, Leslie Smith and Rudy Davis.
Others due to appear are:
Thomas Sharkey, Frank Murtha, Richard Ferraro, Edward Kiernan, William Floyd, Patrick Nutt, Stanley Hinneryk, Clarence Collins and James King.
Inspector Tony Skolski is chairman of the boxing committee and Anthony Moffa and George Mackenzie are co-chairmen.
Melleby Ranks First in Chief Test
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman said he has not received official word on the scores of the civil service for the rank of police chief in Camden.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the Civil Service office in Trenton said Inspector Harold Melleby finished first among the four competitors with a score of 87.6.
Inspectors William Yeager, John H. Watkins and Anthony P. Skolski finished in that order with scores of 85.3, 81.8 and 76.3.