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.
Accused Officer Studies Payroll
Camden Courier-Post —
All of the officers were fully exonerated of any wrongdoing.
Accused Officer Studies Payroll
CAPT. NATHAN PETIT, who with seven other officers in the city traffic department, which he heads, is accused of receiving pay from state highway funds for work at the Baird boulevard overpass while on duty for the city, is shown scanning payroll records upon which the charges are based by the city. Director of Public Safety Dr. Rhone stands in the background viewing the proceedings yesterday while questioning is directed by Louis T. Goldman, assistant city solicitor, left.
5 Accused Cops To Ask Rhone for Full Exoneration
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.
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Cops and Counsel in Dual Job Case
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 the state for traffic duty 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 Sgt. James Wilson and Walter Vecander, and Park Guard Anthony Palese waiting to be called.
Cops
(Continued from Page One)
Traffic Officers Testify in Overpass Pay
PRINCIPALS IN THE CITY PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR’S PROBE of eight traffic department members, accused of receiving pay from the state at the time they were scheduled to be on duty for the city, are shown above yesterday testifying in their own defense. At the left is Capt. Nathan Petit, in command of the city traffic bureau, and Sgt. James Wilson, who admitted he signed the payroll sheets. The hearing was in the office of Public Safety Director Rhone.
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:
Drop-a-Buck Club Organizes Drive To Aid Needy Families at Christmas
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.
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4 Here to Take Test As Police Inspector
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Edward Carroll, Willard C. Schriver, Thomas P. Murphy, and Anthony Skolski.
Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck
Camden Courier-Post —
Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck
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, Munic-[continued]
ipal 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 Members Answer Last Roll Call
Camden Courier-Post —
At Benevolent Group Dinner:
Ten Retired Camden Policemen Praised, Receive Gold Badges
By James M. Neville
Ten retired members of the Camden Police Department attended a dinner Sunday night.
They received gold retirement badges and lifelong membership cards in the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association at the annual dinner of Local 35 in Kenney’s.
Their ages ranged from 52 to 65 and collectively they represented 327 years of service to the city.
“You have put in some 327 years and we must do more — make sure these youngsters can take over,” commented guest speaker County Judge Anthony C. Mitchell.
Landed By Judge
“You can go home tonight and look yourself in the mirror — say, it wasn’t the worst cop in the world, for some of you were among the finest men we’ve had in the department over the years. I even think there are more in retirement now,” the judge said.
A. George Aaron, commissioner of police, who was toastmaster, said some of the retiring men and guests, “have given some long service.”
“We have one of the finest and hardest working police departments in the state,” he said. “I even think the public is now aware of that, with a new respect for the policeman today.”
Retiring Officers
Retiring in the year 1957-58 are:
Insp. Walter E. Rowand, with 40 years; Det. Harry Kyler, 35; Sgt. John Stanton, 35; Det. Benjamin Simon, 34; Ptl. Samuel A. Corsella, 32; Sgt. Bernard Friedrichs, 31; Insp. Thomas P. Murphy, 30; Sgt. Marshall Thompson, 30; Det. Clifford Carr, 30; and Ptl. William Thorn, 20.
Joseph 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.
Joseph E. Aaron was given a silver card and lifelong membership for outstanding work. Aaron is in charge of audio investigation division.
Juvenile Problem
Among the hardest tasks confronting the policeman of today, both Judge Mitchell and Commissioner Aaron Mitchell said, is the attitude of the public toward youngsters who consistently break the law.
“Unfortunately everybody is worried about the juvenile,” Judge Mitchell said.
“You’re not worried, as you should be, about the man who has his car stolen, his purse snatched or his home looted. Instead, everybody’s worried about poor little Johnny, who’s off-duty, breaking the law. You even feel like asking what his father should have done.”
“The ability of today’s patrolman is to hold new men on difficult duty, keep his hands off, hold his patience with little Johnny — unless he’s 18.”
Law Change Urged
“The age of responsibility,” said Aaron. “Before I entered police work I considered myself something of a reformer. But as a result of working with these youngsters who don’t mind breaking the law, I’ve found it makes a difference.”
“I’d like to see the Legislature pass a law reducing the age from 18 to 17.”
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Amateur Boxing Matches To Aid Drop-A-Buck Club
Camden Courier-Post —
Amateur Boxing Matches To Aid Drop-A-Buck Club
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.