F. Stanley Bleakly

FLETCHER STANLEY BLEAKLY was the son of John W.F. Bleakly and his wife Fannie. His grandfather, William Bleakly, owned a large lime and cement company at Front and Federal Streets in the 1880s and 1890s, which his father became manager of. His early years were spent in Merchantville NJ, but by 1910 the Bleakly family had moved to 517 State Street in North Camden, two blocks from William Bleakly's home at 316 State Street. John W.F. Bleakly later engaged in construction, and was known as “the man who built North Camden,” as he developed much of the area north of State Street. John W.F. Bleakly later served as secretary to the Camden Board of Education, a post he held in 1920.

The 1920 census shows F. Stanley Bleakly living with wife Florence and son John S. at 1128 Kenwood Avenue in the then-new Parkside section of Camden. He was then engaged in the retail stationary business. By April of 1930 the Bleakly family had moved to Haddonfield NJ. At that point he was still in the stationary business. F. Stanley Bleakly operated a Ford automobile dealership in Camden in the late 1930s, with Edgar Myers. The dealership was taken over by Ed Berglund by the early 1940s.

The 1947 Camden City Directory shows F. Stanley Bleakly as living in the Erlton section of Delaware Township. He was then serving as the secretary-treasurer of the U.S. Fuel Producers Company, with offices in the Wilson Building at Broadway and Cooper Street.

A relative, uncle Edwin G.C. Bleakly, was a prominent attorney in Camden, and served as city solicitor in 1919–1920. E.G.C. Bleakly was a principal in the firm of Bleakly, Stockwell & Zink, in Camden.

F. Stanley Bleakly passed away in Boca Raton FL in June of 1974.

Watchman Meets Engines Returning From Another Blaze; 4 Sunday Fires

Trapped in ‘their home over a blazing butcher shop on Kaighn avenue, a man and wife were carried down a ladder by firemen who were returning from one of four serious fires which called out every piece of apparatus in Camden yesterday.

Total damage in the four fires was estimated at $23,000.

Furniture and stationery were ruined, and several automobiles were damaged by flames which gutted the warehouse of Bleakly Brothers, stationers, at 465 Mickle street.

Five trucks were destroyed in a blaze in the rear of the Terminal Garage, Ferry and Atlantic avenues.

The butcher shop of Samuel Yentis, and the building owned by M. D. Cornish at 741 Kaighn avenue were wrecked by fire.

Fire burned through the roof of the home of Dominic Sgariglio, 1271 Kaighn avenue; flames and water destroyed the entire contents of the house.

At 3.25 a. m. firemen who had extinguished the garage blaze were returning to their station at Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. Driving east on Kaighn avenue, near Seventh street, they were attracted by a man who suddenly ran into the middle of the street, shouting “Fire, Fire!” He pointed to the blazing butcher shop at 741 Kaighn avenue.

The man was George Whitehead, 55 years old, a watchman for the Congoleum Nairn Inc., Seventh street and Kaighn avenue. He had discovered the fire as he sat in his watchman’s shack across the street. He ran to the store, pounded on the door until Yentis came to the window of his bedroom.

Telling Yentis, who is 35 years old, and his wife, Anna, 33 years old, to dress, Whitehead said he would call firemen. He was on his way to the Sixth street and Kaighn avenue fire station when he met the apparatus returning from the garage fire.

Allen Palmer and Clarence Pursglove, both of Engine Company No. 9, carried Yentis and his wife down the ladder. The fire had burned through a wall to the stairway leading to the living quarters of the Yentis family, cutting off escape. Neighbors cared for the butcher and his wife as the firemen extinguished the blaze.

Damage was estimated at $1,500 by Cornish, who owns the building, and who lives at 739 Kaighn avenue.

The first of the series of Sunday fires sent six engine companies dashing to the Bleakly Brothers warehouse after three alarms had been sounded. Spontaneous combustion was blamed for this, the most serious of the day’s fires.

Flames shooting from second-floor windows attracted a passerby who turned in the first alarm at 1.30 a. m. Firemen found that the blaze had spread beyond their control and another crew was summoned. Twelve minutes later, a third alarm brought additional men and apparatus.

Lack of space, caused by furniture and stationery being piled high on warehouse floors, hampered firemen who fought the flames more than two hours before they were under control.

Fred Hutchinson, secretary of the firm, whose store is at 532 Federal street, said today that the company would not be able to estimate the damage until after a check-up of the storehouse inventory had been made.

Water Damages Autos.

The first floor of the warehouse is occupied by the Plaza Garage, operated by H. R. Dixon, 733 Spruce street. Several automobiles parked there were damaged by water. The two story building is owned by Louis Tarter, Camden real estate man.

The Terminal Garage fire was discovered at 2.45 a. m. by Nathan Benson, manager. Three engine companies answered two alarms.

Firemen said that an explosion preceded the fire which destroyed five trucks at a loss estimated by Benson at approximately $8,000. J. L. Weiner of 6000 Carpenter street, Philadelphia, owner of the building, estimated his loss at $3,500.

Despite the efforts of two men who fought the flames with extinguishers until firemen arrived, the two-story summer home of Charles A. Dilliam, Philadelphia real estate broker, located on White Horse pike, Laurel Springs, was gutted yesterday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Dilliam had gone to the house for the weekend and had built a fire in the fireplace. Smoke was noticed creeping through the clapboards by C. R. Miller, an attendant at a gas filling station across the street. Calling firemen, Miller, assisted by Edward C. Vanderbilt, 1137 Lawrence street, Camden, who was driving by, held the flames in check until Laurel Springs Fire Companies No. 1 and 2, under Chief Edward L. Condon, arrived.

Firemen said the blaze caught in the rear of the fireplace.

Silver Lake Home Burns

A frame home at Silver Lake, near the Casino Inn, was destroyed by fire Saturday. The house formerly was occupied by John B. Weber, proprietor of Silver Lake Inn.

Slight damage was done by a chimney fire in the home of Frank Dalton, Gloucester, last night. Firemen put out the flames soon after they arrived. Smoke from the Dalton dwelling seeped into the adjoining home of Mrs. John McGonigle. Mrs. McGonigle carried her cat to safety and waited until firemen extinguished the flames before re-entering her house.

Fred Bushall, of Woodbury, barely had time to hurry his two small children from his automobile when it burst into flames on Delaware street near Starr Ditch.

Faulty ignition was blamed as the cause of the fire. Firemen arrived too late to save it from the flames.

The courthouse plaza was the scene of considerable excitement yesterday afternoon when Democrats and Republicans clashed in an impromptu open forum over the merits of David Baird and A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidates.

An armistice was agreed upon after leaders from both factions took the stump and attempted to drown each other out by shouting the qualifications of their candidates.

A crowd of nearly 1000 persons cheered and booed until the Republicans consented to allow the Democrats to speak without interference.

Just previous to this, the two political parties had alternated in ten-minute speeches when the arguments of one forced the other to jump on the same platform and answer his opponent.

Gene Mariano, Camden Democratic orator, challenged that vice existed in Camden. He defied a Republican speaker to debate with him on the subject. Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakley stepped from the crowd. He started to address the crowd attacking Moore.

A loud speaker wagon with six megaphones was backed up to the curb and martial music stopped the proceedings. It was later resumed with the Democrats in control.

The speakers included Jack Reynolds, Democrat, of Jersey City; Aaron Gordon, Republican of Jersey City; William E. Sewell, superintendent of elections, and Clifford Jordan, 122 Wade Street, both of Jersey City.

Jordan told his experiences with labor and election conditions in that city.

Bleakly Amending It to Apply to Camden and Trenton Alone

Amendment of his city district court bill to apply only to Camden and Trenton in order that opposition in other sections of the state will be overcome is being considered by Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden.

The measure, now before the Legislature, would take from city district court judges their power of appointing court employees.

In Camden this applies to Judge Frank F. Neutze, a Democrat. Such power would be placed in the hands of municipal governing bodies. In discussing the bill Bleakly said that he introduced it at the request of the Camden City Commission as an economy measure. He contended it would save the city $5400 a year.

“It is only fair,” he declared, “that the city governments, which must foot the bill for district court expenses, should have some control over how many employees are appointed for Political Purposes’

“Let me say now that this is no ripper legislation. It is not motivated for political purposes; it is purely an economy and home rule bill, like the bills to lift mandatory appropriations.

“The Camden city district has 11 employees. Courts in other sections of the state fewer”

“The City Commissioners saw in this difference a chance to economize, but under the law they were powerless to do anything.

“As originally introduced, the bill applied to all district courts, county and city alike. Because there are less employees in courts elsewhere in the state and because the situation is entirely different than it is here, certain objections were raised. Therefore, I have drawn up amendments.

“These amendments, in addition changing the act so that it would so apply only to cities of the size of SE Camden and Trenton, protect those now employed in the district court.”

Such protection was not provided in the original bills.

“Under the amendment, any changes in the personnel of the Camden district court will be made in accordance with the civil service list.

“In other words, the only ones to go would be the last ones taken on, regardless of their politics. If the bill goes through there will be just as many or within one as many Democrats as there will be Republicans.”

To Retire Hillman

“It is planned, I understand, to retire Edwin A. Hillman, clerk of the court and a Republican, who has been ill for some time. His salary is $3000 and his pension of $1200 would mean a net saving of $1800 to the city. His successor would be chosen strictly on civil service qualifications, not through politics.

“The dropping of one clerk and two sergeants-at-arms at $1200 a year each would mean another saving of $3600, or a total of $5400. Those that would go would be the newest ones on the civil service list.”

The present district court setup shows six Republican and five Democratic employees. In addition to Hillman, they are William Sauerhoff, Clemson England, Benjamin Manning, Republican sergeants-at-arms; Edward Martin, Harry Daily, Democratic sergeants-at-arms; Charles Ferat, assistant of clerk, Republican; John Bissinger, small claims clerk, Democrat; Imlay Binkert, deputy clerk, Republican, and Frank Suttill, clerk, Democrat.

Late Custodian’s Aide at Courthouse is Freeholders Choice

The Board of Freeholders will appoint Thomas Dickinson Jr. as acting custodian of the courthouse and the city hall-courthouse annex at its meeting this afternoon.

Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga will be appointed to a new term of five years on the Board for the Supervision of Old Age Relief, of which she has been secretary-treasurer for one year. The post carries no salary.

Dr. Leslie H. Ewing, director of the freeholders, revealed the pending appointments. In the case of the custodianship, his announcement came as rumors spread that one of the bigger politicians would be named to the job left vacant since the death of Edward Holloway, the incumbent, last month.

“Dickinson, who was assistant to Holloway, will be named acting custodian to serve for the balance of the year,” Dr. Ewing said. “The freeholders will make the appointment tomorrow.”

Prior to Dr. Ewing’s announcement, rumors circulated at the city hall and courthouse mentioning postmaster Charles H. Ellis, City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman, Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly and former Sheriff Walter T. Gross among possibilities for the custodianship, which pays $2520 a year under the general county cut of 30 percent.

Reports that the aforementioned were candidates for the job could not be confirmed, and in certain quarters they were considered without foundation, mainly because the pay would be smaller in most instances than what those mentioned all possible candidates are now receiving in their other posts.

Other possibilities mentioned include Robert Brennan, First Ward Republican county committeeman, and Freeholders William P. Cotter and C. Leonard Brehm. Brennan had been employed for some time at the city hall and courthouse in maintenance of the building. Dickinson also is reported to be a candidate for the custodianship.

Acting custodian Dickinson will continue at the same salary he has been receiving as assistant, Dr. Ewing said. The director added that the freeholders may consider the custodianship vacancy again early next year, but whether the post will be filled is problematical because of the economic situation in the county.

Bleakly Insists Each Local Community Should Make Decision
System Too Costly, Assemblyman Says
Measure Will Not Go to Legislature Monday as Scheduled

A bitter fight impends over at least two provisions of the permanent state beer control bill which is being whipped into final shape for introduction in the Legislature. It will not be introduced Monday night, as had been planned.

The state beer commission, headed by Senate President Emerson L. Richards, of Atlantic, was scheduled to meet Monday morning to complete final draft for presentation before the Legislature at the night session.

It has been discovered, however, that several legal questions first must be decided by Attorney General William A. Stevens, and the meeting of the commission was postponed to Tuesday. If the Legislature continues in session that night, it is possible the measure may then be presented.

Bleakly Has Objections

But Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, a member of the commission, announced last night he intended to make a strong fight to revise the measure in at least two respects.

He objects strenuously to the proposed costly set-up of the excise commissions and to the loss of a local option provision in the measure.

“The bill is top-heavy with jobs,” Bleakly said. “The state excise commission of four members and the 21 county advisory boards of two members each would have at their disposal more than 125 jobs for various clerical and investigating workers.

“It would cost the state $20,000 a month to operate under this plan, and we could use that money to much better advantage.

“With the patronage possible from this bill, anyone could be elected governor,” Bleakly said, significantly. Richards, who is sponsoring the measure, seeks the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Insists on Home Rule

“The home rule features also must be changed. As now proposed, ‘municipal’ rulers would recommend to the county excise board the applicants for licenses. Then the county board would investigate and recommend those favored to the state board, which would issue the licenses. Though there is a semblance of home rule here, the bill gives municipal authorities no power to revoke licenses, which must be done by the state board. The opportunity for politics in that feature is evident.

“Then the bill permits Sunday selling in all municipalities of the state. Individual municipalities which may not want beer on Sundays in their limits, would have no say in the matter. That is wrong.

“The bill I sponsored last week permitted local rulers, by resolution, to permit Sunday sales, and five percent of the voters in each municipality could force a referendum to decide the question. That would give each municipality home rule and that’s what I intend to fight for.

“It seems inconsistent to me that the Legislature went to such great trouble at the beginning of the session to give municipalities more home rule by repealing mandatory legislation and then comes to the end of the session and does exactly the reverse.”

Assembly Amends Old Measure to Provide for Local Vote
Bleakly Wins on Home Rule
Opposition Growing to Excise Plan of Richards

Trenton, June 19.—The Assembly tonight approved sale of beer over bars and on Sundays after 1 a.m.

The measure, sponsored by Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, and Assemblyman Thomas M. Muir, of Union, makes the provisions in municipalities whose governing bodies give such authority by resolution. It supplements the present law.

The bill assures local option by providing that a local referendum would be mandatory at the next general election if five percent of the voters of any municipality protest Sunday sales and bars, and petition for the referendum. The present law prohibits sale on Sundays and over bars.

Minority Leader John J. Rafferty, of Middlesex, opposed the measure on the ground it violated the pledge by friends of repeal, that bars would not return.

Oppose Richards Bill

Bleakly and Assemblyman Joseph Altman, of Atlantic, answered that bars are used freely now and that the bill would eliminate hypocrisy.

Meanwhile opposition to Senate President Emerson L. Richards’ proposed permanent beer bill gained headway. One of his Atlantic county colleagues, Assemblyman Anthony J. Siracusa, and the State League of Municipalities objected to some of its provisions.

The bill sponsored by Richards, chairman of the State Beverage Control commission, proposes setting up a state excise commission and advisory boards in each of the 21 counties. All licenses, for retail and wholesale, would be issued by the state commission.

Expense Objected To

“If the state attempts to control the licensing and selling of beer,” Siracusa said, “it will necessitate the appointment of a large enforcement bureau by a staff of investigators.

“Furthermore, it will defeat the purpose for which beer was legalized— that of creating increased revenue. The state would have to spend all the revenue derived to enforce regulations.”

S. S. Kenworthy, secretary of the State League of Municipalities, declared the proposed Richards bill violated home rule and that the set up of the state excise commission and the county boards would be costly and cumbersome.

Assemblyman Bleakly, a member of the beer control commission, also has announced he would oppose the bill in its present form, because, he said, it would lead to political abuses, and because it did not permit municipalities to decide whether beer should be sold on Sundays but made it mandatory.

The committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow for final consideration of the measure before introduction in the Legislature.

Trenton, June 20.—Revival of running-horse racing in New Jersey was authorized tonight.

By a vote of 11 to 1, the Senate approved the bill sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Siracusa, of Atlantic, which had been passed by the lower house March 13.

It creates a state racing commission of three members to be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The expense of the commission, which would regulate and license horse races, is not to exceed $5000 a year and would be paid by racing and steeplechase corporations owning or operating tracks.

The measure was amended by the Senate requiring county referendums before races can be authorized.

Atlantic County has been leading the fight for horse racing and action on the bill tonight, after it lay in the miscellaneous business committee—the morgue—since March 15, was hailed as a victory for Senate President Emerson L. Richards, of Atlantic.

Doesn’t Legalize Gambling

It was brought out for a vote by Senator Albert S. Woodruff, of Camden, after Richards turned over the chair to him. The amendment then was made on motion of Richards who was the only one to speak for it.

He declared that many nearby states which permit horse racing obtain substantial revenues from this source and that New Jersey should reap similar benefits. He insisted the measure does not legalize gambling, which is prohibited by the state constitution.

Beer Still In Doubt

Senator Edward P. Stout, Hudson Democrat, in a sarcastic reference to the political deals of the session, said:

“If the Atlantic county Senator is through with horse trading, we should have horse racing.”

Horace G. Prall, Hunterdon Republican, cast the only negative vote. Affirmative were Woodruff, Barber, Cole, Durand, Ely, Kusel, Loizeaux, Quinn, Richards, Stout and Young. Not voting were Leap, Loder, Powell, Read, Albright, Barbour and Reeves.

No action was taken on a companion measure by Assemblyman Joseph Altman of Atlantic which would eliminate the anti-gambling amendment to the state constitution which was adopted in 1897. The Altman bill passed the Assembly March 13.

That permanent beer legislation remained in doubt tonight, with the state beverage commission unable to agree on the bill sponsored by Richards, its chairman.

Senate Falls to Act

The Senate failed to act on the bill by Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, which was adopted last night by the lower house. It would supplement the present temporary law and permit municipalities to approve Sunday sales and sales over bars, with a provision that five percent of the voters could demand a referendum on the question.

Assemblyman Thomas M. Muir, of Union, sponsor of the present law, introduced in the House another supplement to continue the present law to September 1.

His bill would permit bars and also authorize Sunday sales after 2 p. m., unless or until the local governing bodies prohibited it by resolution.

An added fee of $50 from manufacturers and distributors would be collected and municipalities would be permitted to assess additional fees for retail licenses to September 1. The present law is effective until July 1. Bleakly will move to have the supplement made effective to January 1.

Muir said no action would be taken in the Assembly on this measure until tomorrow.

The Assembly will meet again at 11 a. m. and the Senate at noon. Leaders hope to be able to recess late tomorrow night until Fall.

Bridge Bill Dormant

Before adjourning for its “fun” session tonight, the Assembly adopted a resolution by Dr. Marcus W. Newcomb, of Burlington, at the request of the attorney general’s office, calling on the United States secretary of agriculture to reject the proposed Philadelphia milk-shed agreement, declaring it was in conflict with the New Jersey milk control law.

The Assembly laid over Senator Woodruff’s bill to allow the state to accept bonds of Camden Bridge in lieu of cash for the $12,000,000 owed the state for the purchase of the bridge. Assemblyman Joseph Greenberg, of Hudson, insisted that it should contain some guarantee to the state against loss of the total payment through sale of the bonds. Bleakly said the bonds would be sold at least at par and that there was nothing in the bill to require New Jersey to accept them at a loss.

A new bill by Senator Edward P. Stout, of Hudson, was adopted by the Senate allowing counties and municipalities to negotiate with the federal government for aid from the federal public works fund.

The Senate adopted the following other bills:

A-515—Rafferty—Requires referenda in boroughs and townships before governing bodies may abolish the election of assessors.

S-422—Reeves—Provides for payment into state treasury of money collected in fines from overloaded trucks crossing interstate bridges.

S-309—Leap—Requires licenses to be obtained from State Department of Health by shippers sending milk into New Jersey.

S-21—Barbour—Gives owners of manufacturing space liens upon machinery for unpaid rent.

S-3811—Loizeaux—Appropriates $30,000 for final payment of state soldiers’ bonus.

S-395—Read—Gives harbor masters police powers to enforce state laws against vessels using inland water ways.

S-344—Young (committee substitute)—Extends time within which railroad and canal companies may appeal from 1932 tax assessments.

S-272—Powell—Allows police of a volunteer fire company to act in all parts of county where appointed.

S-209—Woodruff—Authorizes registration of lodge emblems to prevent their being worn by unauthorized persons.

Amendments to Temporary Law Passed in Early Morning
Sent to Senate for Floor Battle
Hours of Debate Center On Local Option Phase Of Measure

Trenton, June 22 (Thursday)—Sunday sale after 1 p. m. and bars are permitted by a supplement to the temporary state beer law adopted by the Assembly early today. The Sunday sales are dependent on resolutions by the local governing bodies. The temporary law is extended from July 1 to September 1.

The Senate was considering the measure in the hope that adjournment of the Legislature until Fall would be possible early today.

No effort was made to pass a permanent measure, sponsored by Senate President Emerson L. Richards, chairman of the beer control commission. The Assembly vote on the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Thomas M. Muir, of Union, was 31 to 18 with most of the Democrats opposing it because it did not permit local referenda.

Finally Get Passage

Passage came on reconsideration, after an attempt earlier in the session failed. During the first debate on the bill, Assemblyman Herbert J. Pascoe, of Union, had it amended to provide for Sunday sale on resolution of the local governing bodies.

Minority Leader John J. Rafferty, of Middlesex, led the opposition to this proposal, demanding a referendum clause. Then Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, a member of the beer commission, sought to amend it to continue its provisions to December 31.

Fight Sunday Sale.

“We would have had a permanent bill if there had not been so many deals in the Senate,” he declared. His proposed amendment was voted down. Rafferty moved to strike out the Sunday and bar clauses. His motion lost. The measure was put to a vote and mustered only 26 of the necessary 31 votes in favor, and 24 against.

Pascoe then demanded that telegrams be sent to absentee assemblymen to obtain the necessary number of votes. No action was taken on this proposal.

“We can pass a beer bill if the majority will eliminate the bars and Sunday sales,” Rafferty declared.

Majority Leader Joseph Altman, of Atlantic, criticized the minority and “a few disgruntled members of the beer commission who have caused the Legislature to say that beer is to run rampant in New Jersey.” The Assembly then sidetracked the beer problem to continue its other work.

Joining in the protests against Richard’s proposed permanent bill yesterday, was the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, composed of more than 15,000 dispensers of beer and wine.

Telegrams sent to every state senator by the legislative committee headed by Neil Deighan, of Camden, read:

“On behalf of all licensed beverage dispensers, we urgently request that you oppose the proposed permanent alcoholic beverage act as detrimental to the interests of our community and of those engaged in beverage retailing.

“If the bill is to receive consideration, a public hearing should be held before submitting it to a vote of the Legislature.”

Legislature Adopts Bill to Make Governor Boss of State Finances

Trenton, June 22 (Thursday)—The Senate early today approved Senator Joseph G. Wolber’s jury reform bill providing for appointment of jury commissioners by Supreme Court Justices.

Senate President Emerson L. Richards, of Atlantic, failed to muster enough votes to pass the amendment to the state constitution to permit lotteries, a companion to the horse racing bill approved Monday night. He laid it over when he could obtain only four votes in its favor.

The Assembly killed the Civil Service “ripper” bill affecting the State Highway Department, which was passed by the Senate Monday night. The vote was 22 for and 34 against.

Two Named to Board

Senator David Young, of Morris, and Mayor Frank Dorsay, of Perth Amboy, were nominated and immediately confirmed to succeed Firman M. Reeves and Abraham Jelin on the State Highway Commission when their resignations become effective September 1.

The key bill of the Princeton survey fiscal reform measures was adopted by the Assembly and is ready for Governor Moore’s signature. Sponsored by Senator Dryden Kusel, of Somerset, it will make the governor virtual czar over state spending by provision for a state finance commissioner who will be directly responsible only to the governor. The vote was 40 to 10.

A snag was reached, however, on one of the other fiscal bills. Four were passed by the Assembly Monday night as adopted by the Senate two weeks ago, but a fifth, creating a new budgeting system, was amended in the Assembly to remove legislative control of funds of professional boards.

The Senate by a vote of 5 to 9, refused to concur in the amendment. Senate and Assembly leaders were in conference in an effort to reach an agreement.

A minor Assembly amendment in Kuser’s bill was approved by the Senate. It eliminated the provision that the state finance commissioner should act as secretary of the state sinking fund commission.

Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, aided by Assemblyman Marcus W. Newcomb, of Burlington, led the unsuccessful opposition to the Kuser bill.

Assemblywoman Isabella C. Reinert and Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline, Jr., the other Camden members, joined Bleakly in voting against the bill.

Assemblyman Joseph Altman, of Atlantic, handled the bill on the floor and engaged in a lively verbal tilt with Bleakly.

“The bill does not honestly carry out the Princeton Survey recommendations but merely adds another group of jobs, including that of the finance commissioner at $10,000 a year, to the state government,” said Bleakly.

Supporters of the bill pointed out that the Princeton Survey recommendations begin as follows:

1. The creation of a department of fiscal control, consisting of a division of purchasing, accounting and budgeting.

2. Transfer of certain functions of the state house commission to the commissioner of fiscal control, who shall be the direct agent of the governor.

Deal Charged

“This is part of the general scheme or deals which has marked this session of the Legislature,” Bleakly continued. “We have plenty of machinery now to check on the state’s finances and expenditures. There is the budget department, the purchasing department and the civil service department on salaries. This only adds another unnecessary department with about $30,000 in salaries.”

In reply Altman said the bill was an economy measure, that it did follow the Princeton Survey recommendations and that no politics were involved.

In addition to the Camden members and Newcomb, Gurk, of Gloucester; King, of Morris; Kinzley, of Bergen; Mutchler, of Morris; Platts, of Essex, and Willis, of Ocean, all Republicans, voted in the negative.

Bars Also Allowed by Amended Law Effective July
Lawmakers Provide for Camden Bridge Fund to Aid Schools
Recess Until August

Trenton, June 22.—Sale of beer on Sundays after 1 p. m. and over bars is permitted in a bill adopted by the Legislature before adjournment early today.

The bill, extending the present law from July 1 to September 1, provides that any municipality may authorize Sunday and bar sales by resolution. It differs from a similar bill passed in the Assembly Monday, but not acted on by the state, in that there is no provision for local referenda.

The new measure went across in both branches of the Legislature after tempestuous scenes in the Assembly, where it passed on a second roll call, 31 to 18. Assemblyman Cunard, Republican, of once dry Salem, provided the necessary thirty-first vote. Three roll calls were required in the Senate before the needed 11 votes could be mustered. Senator Woodruff, of Camden, came in with the eleventh and there were five against.

The measure was sponsored by Assemblyman Muir, blind Republican from Union county. As introduced, it contained no Sunday provision but during first debate it was amended for that purpose by Assemblyman Pascoe, also of Union.

The Assembly roll call:

For—Altman, Atlantic; Blank, Essex; Bleakly, Camden; Bradley, Essex; Burrell, Essex; Carpenter, Mercer; Cavinato, Bergen; Chamberlin, Mercer; Cunard, Salem; Doughty, Bergen; Fort, Essex; Gurk, Gloucester; Gratowski, Essex; Hunt, Cape May; Kinzley, Bergen; Hamill, Monmouth; Mutchler, Morris; Naughright, Essex; Otto, Union; Pascoe, Union; Platts, Essex; Preiser, Essex; Schock, Monmouth; Siracusa, Atlantic; Tamboer, Passaic; Travaline, Camden; Trube, Essex, Waugh, Essex; Willis, Ocean; Yuill, Essex—31.

Against—Bischoff, Hudson; Bowers, Somerset; Bucino, Hudson; Dunn, Passaic; Galdieri, Hudson; Greenberg, Hudson; Gross, Hudson; Hejke, Hudson; King, Morris; Lance, Hunterdon; McLaughlin, Hudson; Newcomb, Burlington; Pesin, Hudson; Rafferty, Middlesex; Scheidemann, Passaic; Tinsman, Warren; Vavrence, Hudson; Walker, Hudson—18.

Not recorded—Brown, Middlesex; Burke, Middlesex; Calabrese, Essex; Downing, Sussex; Maloney, Hudson; Muir, Union; Peters, Bergen; Reinert, Camden; Schroeder, Bergen; Turner, Cumberland; Ward, Union—11.

Eight were recorded for the bill on the first Senate roll call. Senators Barbour, of Passaic, and Kusel, of Somerset, who were out of the Senate chamber were sent for and each came in and was recorded for the bill. The measure still lacked one to pass.

Four Senators had refrained from being recorded either way. This group included Woodruff, who, however, voted “aye” when the roll was called for the third time. The final vote:

For—Barbour, Passaic; Durant, Monmouth; Ely, Bergen; Kuser, Somerset; Loizeaux, Union; Powell, Burlington; Richards, Atlantic; Stout, Hudson; Wolber, Essex; Woodruff, Camden; Young, Morris—11.

Against—Barber, Warren; Cole, Sussex; Leap, Salem; Loder, Cumberland; Prall, Hunterdon—5.

Not voting—Albright, Gloucester; Read, Cape May; Reeves, Mercer—3.

Dinner to Reesman and Mrs. Verga Packs Whitman
Local Delegates Get High Praise
Ex-Governor Denounces Roosevelt Program, Hits Inflation

By RANSLOE BOONE

Bitter criticism of the “horse trading” of the Legislature and the gubernatorial aspirations of Senate President Emerson L. Richards, were coupled with appeals for party loyalty and praise for Camden county’s leaders at a dinner of the Camden County Republican Committee in Hotel Walt Whitman last night.

The dinner, one of the largest ever held in the hotel, was in honor of City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman, new chairman of the county committee, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, vice-chairman of the county and state committees; Joshua C. Haines, former chairman, and Mrs. Isabella C. Reinert, assemblywoman and former vice chairman.

Tribute was paid them by a distinguished gathering of more than 500 national, state and county leaders. So great was the crowd that the capacity of the main ball room was taxed and the junior ballroom was utilized also.

Bleakly Points to Increased Revenues and Surplus for Highways

Trenton, Feb. 5.—The New Jersey Automotive Trade Association, an organization of new car dealers, today demanded that the Legislature reduce gasoline taxes and motor vehicle registration fees.

F. Stanley Bleakly, former Camden county assemblyman and now president of the association, said automobile tax revenues have been increasing annually but that tax relief is denied to motorists despite declarations that the highway department receives more funds than it needs.

“When the accounts of the State Motor Vehicle Department for 1937 are compiled it will show that motorists paid into the state more than $40,000,000 in taxes,” Bleakly said.

“In 1936 motorists paid into the state $39,154,000. Since 1926 taxes collected from motorists increased more than $27,000,000.

“If more income is realized than is needed by the state highway department and other state agencies dependent upon it for operating revenues, then registration fees and the gasoline tax should be reduced.

“While it has never been stated publicly, the opinion seems to prevail that the person who owns an automobile is opulent and therefore can absorb all the taxes that can be imposed. Such a theory, whether written or unwritten, is a fallacy and unfair.

“Just recently when huge dismissals were ordered by the automobile industry the nation heard a hue and cry that such a step would strangle economic recovery. By the same token excessive taxation strangles the industry and slowly but surely deprives many thousands from earning their livelihood by the direct and indirect factors incident to the automobile.

“The New Jersey Automotive Trade Association earnestly requests the Legislature to approve its bills establishing a flat $10 fee for automobile registration in place of the unsound sliding scale of assessments based on motor horsepower, and reduce the driver’s permit fee in accordance with the following: $2 for the initial permit instead of $3, and $1 for each annual consecutive renewal.”

by JIMINY

The publicity man for a certain cement trust should be a little more careful about mailing notations on letters he writes for other folks… The letter he wrote for Stan Bleakly had the notation: “Stanley: Please send this off if O.K.”…Stanley thought it was okay and sent it off…But forgot to erase the note, Larry…

G.O.P. Old Guard Names ‘Committee of 11’ Empowered to Promote Harmony in Party by Compromise with Any Faction

Camden County’s G.O.P. Old Guard, adherents of former U. S. Senator David Baird, made a bid last night to regain political prestige lost in last year’s Democratic landslide.

Baird did not attend the meeting.

Meeting in the Overbrook Villa at Lindenwold under leadership of former Freeholder James W. Wood, president of the Camden County Republican Club, the more than 100 in attendance voted to name a committee of 11 “with power to nominate and make compromises they see fit toward selection of candidates for sheriff, state senator, assemblymen and freeholders.”

With the date for filing petitions two weeks away representatives of the 36 county municipalities met with a professed keynote of “harmony,” as expressed by John R. Di Mona, former assistant Camden City solicitor.

“We have a better chance for harmony in Camden this year if we all rise above petty jealousies and work wholeheartedly for the party,” Di Mona declared.

‘Beat Brunner’ Plea

“Beat Brunner in his control of the Freeholders,” was the plea offered by William Myers, former Voorhees township freeholder.

Inspirational talks were given also by former Assemblymen F. Stanley Bleakly and Edwin G. Scovel, both of whom were named to the steering committee.

Myers urged the group to forego further consideration of the recently adopted railroad tax compromise bill in the Legislature, which he asserted “is a state affair,” and urged the gathering to look to county questions.

Others named to the committee are former Freeholder Frank C. Schramm, of Atco; Benjamin H. Slemmer, of Haddon Heights; former Commissioner Frederick von Nieda, of Camden.

Also Louis Bantivoglio, of Camden’s Fifth ward; William H. Heiser, Second ward; Samuel C. Berry, of Clementon, who offered the resolution; Mrs. May Rich, of Pennsauken; Mrs. Lillian Shoemaker, of Magnolia; Charles Wilhelm, of Gloucester, and Mrs. Laura B. Bilson of Laurel Springs.

May Effect Compromises

Indication the group plans a county-wide harmony effort was seen in specific declaration in the committee resolution that the group be authorized to effect compromises with the Camden County League for Good Government “or any other faction.”

Reservation was made, however, for the Old Guard to have its say. The resolution provided the committee must report back for approval of any contemplated compromise.

Albert E. Pugh, county committeeman of Lindenwold, who also is chairman of the county Republican group harmony committee, was asked by Wood for a report on the progress of that unit.

Pugh said the group had met twice, once in Gloucester and again at the home of George H. Walton, Camden county Republican chairman, in Haddonfield. He declared the group planned no further meetings.

Center on Freeholders

The consensus of the meeting was that the fight at this Fall’s polls should be centered on the choice of freeholders. A review was given of the recent court action on unseating freeholders Stanley Ciechanowski and Ventorino Francesconi, following a Republican inspired recount.

Removal of the two freeholders by Judge V. Claude Palmer was halted by a State Supreme Court ruling. However, two three-year-term freeholders are to be elected in November.

Among others attending the session were former Freeholder Raymond G. Price, of the Eleventh ward; James D. Kershaw, former Mt. Ephraim freeholder; Arthur H. Holl, former undersheriff, and Alfred and Elsie Geister, active in Republican circles of Pennsauken township.