Horace R. Dixon
Horace R. Dixon, 1939
Horace R. Dixon, June 1939
HORACE R. DIXON was born July 28, 1887 in New Jersey. He married his wife Paulina around 1910. They had two children, Horace R.J. and Celia before January of 1920, when the family was living at 740 Walnut Street in Camden. Horace Dixon was then working as a marine engineer.
By the spring of 1928 Horace Dixon and his family were renting a home at 733 Spruce Street. He was then operating the Plaza Garage out of a warehouse at 405 Mickle Street which was also the home of the Bleakly Brothers stationers. By 1936 the Dixon family was living at 439 Trenton Avenue, near the intersection of Newton and Haddon Avenues. Horace and Paulina Dixon were still on Trenton Avenue in 1947, and he is listed there in the 1959 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory.
Horace Dixon became interested in the civic life of Camden, and took an active role. He was involved with the Non-Partisan League, the Good Government League, and the Consumer Labor Tradesman League. He also was a frequent letter writer in the 1930s to Camden’s newspapers, the Morning Post and Evening Courier. Unlike many other letter writers of the time, Horace Dixon was far from inflammatory, and he appears from the point of view of 70 years later as a consensus builder, a conciliator, in a time where extremist views often had a larger platform and a wider audience than deserved.
In 1935 there was a committee composed of labor and consumer’s organizations which sought better housing for the city. From this group was chosen a committee of five consisting of Charles Hollopeter, president; Horace R. Dixon, vice-president; Joseph Reed, Francis Hunter, and Joseph Mitten. This was known as the Action Committee and was sent to Washington to convince the PWA of the need for housing projects in Camden. After the PWA allocated $3,500,000 to finance a housing project in Camden, the Action Committee was disbanded in 1936. These efforts culminated in the building of the Westfield Acres public housing project in East Camden, which took in its first residents in early 1938.
In October of 1937 he became a member of the Municipal Low Cost Housing Committee. When the Housing Authority of the City of Camden was established by an ordinance adopted by the Board of City Commissioners to manage public housing in Camden on April 20, 1938, the members were appointed from the membership of the Municipal Low Cost Housing Committee. They were Charles F. Hollopeter, William H. White, John Green, Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland, and Horace R. Dixon, who were appointed for terms of one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively.
The housing authority held its first meeting on April 27, 1938 and on May 11 of that year, Horace R. Dixon was elected chairman and Charles Hollopeter secretary. Prominent architect Joseph N. Hettel was appointed to serve as technical adviser. The first actions of the Housing Authority was to obtain $2,500,000 from the federal government to build a new project in South Camden. This project was completed in 1940, and is known as the Clement T. Branch Village homes.
In June 1939, the city commissioners appointed Mr. Dixon as Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the Housing Authority and named Charles Anderson to take his place as a member. At that time the Housing Authority moved into permanent offices on the ninth floor of the City Hall. The title of executive secretary was later changed to that of Executive Director.
Horace R. Dixon oversaw the successful completion of the William Stanley Ablett Village defense housing project, and began the process that resulted in the 1944 completion of the Chelton Terrace project.
Horace Dixon stepped down in 1943 as Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden. He was replaced by veteran Democrat political leader Edward J. Kelleher.
Horace Dixon last resided in East Camden. He passed away in January of 1982.
Man and Wife Saved by Passing Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
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.
Defends Shipworkers
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
Sir—Are the shipyard boys Communists? Most certainly not. As executive secretary of the Consumer, Labor Tradesmen League, and as chairman of the legislative committee, I came in contact with most of all the leaders, officers, etc., of the union. My association with them on committee work in Washington, in Trenton, and Newark left nothing to be desired. They were willing to, and did pay their way, and in these civic matters we were together promoting I found them good Americans and desirable companions.
HORACE A. DIXON,
556 Line street.
Vice Pres. Good Government League,
Ex. Sec. Consumer Labor Tradesman League.
Dixon Bares Threat in Code Fight Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Warned of Being ‘Put on Spot’ If He Helps Tailors, Civic Leader Says
Horace R. Dixon, vice-president of the Good Government League and arch-foe of the defunct state codes, has been threatened for his activities against the Trade Board of Cleaners and Dyers.
Dixon is the second man to be threatened. Arman J. Arakelian, Westmont tailor and a leader in protests against the law locally, was warned to “lay off” early this week.
Arakelian last night announced a second protest meeting will be held next week. A session scheduled last Wednesday was allegedly broken up by intimidation.
Tells of Phone Call
Dixon said he received an anonymous phone call at his home Tuesday. The caller told him, Dixon said, that he would be “put on the spot” if he “mixed into other peoples’ business.”
Immediately after, Dixon said, he offered his services and those of …
(Continued on Page Thirteen)
Another Argument for City Manager
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
Sir—In this movement for city manager, the stockholders in the city are saying to the few favored stockholders and their henchmen. “See here, you fellows are not, neither have you, worked for the best interests of all we stockholders. There has not been a dividend declared in years, instead we have assessed more each year. You seem to have a few who you have given jobs in this enterprise and keeping them there for the express purpose of keeping you fellows in power. By this method you have been able to do things much your own way, you have promoted self interest, you have disregarded the great mass of people who have supplied the money to pay your salaries and to buy the material and equipment to operate this business, you have not attempted to conserve or economize, you have borrowed and spent until we are $24,000,000 in debt. Who but us will have to repay this money? Your reports have been distorted and camouflaged, no attempt is made to give us a true picture of the condition of the company. We stockholders have been patient while you fellows have engaged in a private fight among yourselves that has led to litigation that in no way concerns we people. We are tired of it all, we demand this company be reorganized, an entirely new board of directors be elected who are not tied to a “revolving power,” we demand modern business methods be established and maintained.”
Can this be done? It most certainly can if the large majority of us will not allow ourselves to be hoodwinked by the few who seek to perpetuate a policy that has built a political empire that has brought our city to the brink of bankruptcy. We have sacrificed much too long.
The city manager plan offers to us not only a more representative government, but a far less expensive one. It is the only plan that applies business theory and practice to government.
Some will say, how can we hope to do this with a city saturated with designing politicians? If this is true it is the best argument for the plan, if politics and politicians are responsible for our reputation for being the most mismanaged city in this section, we must have a change. If politics and politicians are responsible for the incalculable, insane extravagance, we must have a change.
HORACE R. DIXON,
Chairman Public Relations Committee Good Government League.
556 Line street.
Mistakes in Government
Camden Courier-Post —
The Editor’s Mail Bag
To the Editor:
Sir—Your editorial, “What is Wrong with Commission Government?” prompts me to suggest:
“Plenty wrong with the commission government we have experienced in the last eight years and 10 months.” The Republican organization was responsible for the eight years of “mistakes,” the present commissioners are responsible for 10 months of “inaction.” No close observer expected this set of commissioners to do much else than disagree, but the end is at hand. Don’t be surprised to hear of a switch that will put the Baird organization back in control of the commission, not by a Supreme Court decision, either. The other proposal is an ace in the hole.
Commission form of government is not a “mistake,” a commission government has been a mistake because the people have followed the “bell cows” of organized politics.
Government must be modernized; the spending of other people’s money is a business proposition, must be recognized as such, and be placed in the hands of an expert, one especially trained for the job. A conglomeration of ideas originating in a group of men unqualified, or unwilling to submerge selfish interests or forget “party responsibility,” will never produce business government.
Employ a city manager, a trained expert, to be executive head of the city, a council as a legislative body. This is the best form of government known, but we must forget the “bell cows” when we elect our councilmen.
This form of government can be applied to the county—a county manager, a small board of freeholders.
As a matter of fact, we do not require the five subdivisions of government in the county. This can be accomplished by one government, a county manager. Fifty-three cities in 1933 spent over 93 millions, 23 towns spent over 13½ millions, 253 boroughs spent over 19½ millions, 257 townships spent 17 millions, 21 counties spent nearly 56 millions, a total of 207 millions for five kinds of government in each county. To this the people contributed over 55 millions to state government, and nearly 100 millions to education.
Surely here is a field worth exploring by anyone interested in good government. One wonders what could be done with this money if it was handled as any business enterprise would handle it.
HORACE R. DIXON
President, Good Government League
556 Line Street
John M'Taggart's Wife Dies As Friends Honor Him at Party
Camden Courier-Post —
“They’re there to have fun and don’t let anything interfere with their good time.”
That was the message of Policeman John McTaggart, “charitable cop of the Sixth ward,” to his boss, City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, last night as hundreds were assembling to dance and make merry at a “Night in Ireland” in his honor given by the Sixth Ward Republican Association.
McTaggart was at the bedside of his wife, Ruth, 46, who was dying in West Jersey Hospital, while dance orchestras swung into live rhythms at Eagles Hall, 415 Broadway.
At 8.32 p. m., Mrs. McTaggart died, but few of the “Night in Ireland” celebrators learned of it and, in accordance with the wishes of the absent guest of honor, “the show went on.”
Mrs. Kobus was there and she had as a guest State Senator Arthur F. Foran, Republican, of Hunterdon county. Also Mayor George E. Brunner, of Camden, Democratic state committeeman; James V. Moran, Camden merchant and president of the New Jersey Sales Tax Repeal Association; Police Judge Gene R. Mariano, of Camden; Police Chief Arthur Colsey; Police Lieut. Ralph Bakley; Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino; City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, and Horace R. Dixon, president of the Good Government League of Camden.
Two floors and a basement, with dancing on each, were required to accommodate the throng.
Commissioner Kobus and Senator Foran were called on for short addresses, but each carefully avoided reference to the death of Mrs. McTaggart. The absence of McTaggart was generally noted but the word passed around he would be along “later,” being detained on “special duty.”
Ill Since Feb. 20
On previous similar occasions, one of them attended by Governor Harold G. Hoffman, Mrs. McTaggart was equally with her husband a guest of honor. McTaggart, widely known for his interest in civic affairs and charitable deeds in the Sixth Ward, is an honorary bodyguard to Governor Hoffman at Sea Girt on each Governor’s Day for Camden county.
Mrs. McTaggart was admitted to the hospital from her home, 1293 Sayres avenue, February 20, for an operation.
Members of the committee for last night’s party were Edward Carroll, chairman; William D. Sayrs, assistant city clerk, John McGarrity and Kathryn Cunningham.
Camden Group Wins Housing Bills Goal
Camden Courier-Post —
Newark Parley Results in Slashing Authority of State Director
A long and hard-fought campaign to obtain housing bills which will enable New Jersey municipalities to secure Federal funds for slum clearance and low-cost housing resulted in a moral victory for members of the Camden Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committee yesterday.
The local group, which several weeks ago inaugurated a statewide movement to obtain the legislation and to eliminate political chicanery in the legislation, returned last night from Newark after attending a stormy session that lasted more than four hours.
S. Raymond Dobbs, executive secretary of the Camden committee and acting secretary of the state conference of low cost housing committees, said the members of the local and state groups are satisfied with several amendments to be made to the present bills.
Four Housing bills will be presented in the Assembly next Monday night, Dobbs said. They will be introduced by Assemblyman Jennie A. Pilch, of Morris County, chairman of the Assembly housing committee. Assemblyman Oscar R. Wilensky, of Passaic County, majority leader of the House, will ask for their passage under suspension of rules, Dobbs said.
Public Hearing Set
Mrs. Pilch has granted a public hearing on the bills to be held in the Assembly chamber next Wednesday at 1 p.m. The public hearing was requested by the Jersey City Chamber of Commerce.
“The members of our local group and those in the state conference feel a good job was done,” said Dobbs. “We didn’t get everything we wanted but at the same time we are confident these bills will be adopted and Camden will get its share of Federal money from the U. S. Housing Authority.”
Dobbs said Wilensky agreed to limit the authority of the state director of housing, set up in two of the bills, to municipalities under 50,000. In the original bills Camden and other cities would have to get written permission from the director before the City Commission could appoint or elect a housing committee.
Another bill was amended requiring the state director to forward to the U. S. Housing Authority within 20 days all applications for Federal money for slum clearance and low cost housing.
This amendment, Dobbs said, will prevent the state director from arbitrarily deciding whether or not Camden or any other municipality has the legal right to apply for Federal money.
The bill also designates the State Housing Authority as an advisory agency to the state director. In the opinion of Dobbs the state authority will be shorn of much of its power in the matter of housing matters in the state.
Autonomy Assured
The four bills as amended will give Camden and other municipalities even greater autonomy than when they were first drawn, Dobbs declared.
Frederick Pitett, a retiring building contractor of Bergen County, is named in the bills as state director of housing, Dobbs said. The bills provide for a deputy director to be paid $4000 annually. Pitett’s salary will be fixed by the joint appropriations committee of the Legislature, according to Dobbs.
Those representing Camden at the conference besides Dobbs were Charles F. Hollopeter, local committee, chairman, and acting chairman of the state group; Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, counsel, and Joseph N. Hettel, technical adviser to the Camden committee, and Horace R. Dixon, committee secretary.
The State Housing Authority was represented by Frederick W. Ehrlich, chairman; Harry I. Luftman, secretary, and Charles H. Ziegler and Mrs. Isora B. Somers.
Maurice Kaltz, solicitor for the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council, also was present. Members of the Assembly housing committee, J. H. Schneider, counsel for the U.S. Housing Authority, and officials from other cities attended the session.
An observer was Albert Reitman, secretary to Senator Charles S. Loizeaux, of Union county, president of the State Senate.
Supports Dixon's Ideas on Inspection
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
Sir—There are nearly a million cars registered in New Jersey. This inspection will make a half million in six months and that is more than the stations and equipment costs.
What will become of the money that is left over? They are not going to give us a lower license fee so let’s all get together and back up Horace Dixon.
We helped kill the sales tax. Why not kill this one too before the state get any more 50 cent pieces out of us.
Mr. Dixon starts circulating petitions, I will be one of the first to give my help in getting them around to the different ones for their names.
Let’s hear from some of the other disgusted motorists.
PAUL E. PURSCH
2000 Howell Street
$8,000,000 Fund Sought for Housing
Camden Courier-Post —
Hartmann Declares City Needs 2 Added Low-Cost Rental Projects
A Federal grant of $8,000,000 for slum clearance and two municipal low-cost housing units will be sought by the city of Camden when the State Legislature approves pending bills providing enabling legislation.
This was made known yesterday by Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, director of public works, who also announced he will present an ordinance at Thursday’s meeting of the City Commission setting up a Camden Municipal Housing Authority.
The ordinance, Hartmann explained, will conform with requirements in one of the Assembly bills. Members of the authority, who will be known as Housing Commissioners, will be named by the City Commission.
Present members of the Camden Municipal Low-cost Housing Committee are Charles F. Hollopeter, chairman; Dr. M. F. Wheatland, William H. White, Horace R. Dixon, secretary, and John Green, president of the United Marine and Shipbuilders’ Union of America.
“Camden needs two more low-cost housing units to provide modern, sanitary and adequate housing for its working people,” Hartmann said. “Unless present plans are changed the proposed housing authority will seek a grant of $8,000,000 from the U. S. Housing Authority.”
“As soon as the legislature passes the enabling legislation the city through this committee will be in a position to go to Washington, present our plans, and make formal request for Federal money.
Hartmann said that neither he nor the members of the housing committee will divulge any contemplated locations of the two proposed projects.
“This committee has studied housing needs from all angles. Neither politics, race or creed will enter into negotiations in connection with the projects.”
Dixon Housing Program Here Delayed by Legislature
Camden Courier-Post —
Committee Member Finds Lack of Action on Housing Bill Retards Plans for Improving Homes to be Vacated by 514 Westfield Acres Families
A plan of the Camden Low-cost Housing Committee to provide for repairing and improving of houses left vacant by families moving into the new Westfield Acres apartments is being held up by failure of the New Jersey Legislature to act on pending housing legislation, Horace R. Dixon, committee secretary, said yesterday.
“The limits set by the government,” Dixon stated, “but it will increase the number of sub-standard houses. Since to be eligible for Westfield Acres, one must now live in a sub-standard home, it follows that when tenants move into the new buildings they will leave empty old houses that are below standard.”
“It is these sub-standard houses that the Wagner-Steagall Act is designed to eliminate by creating local housing authorities, to whom the government could lend money to rebuild, repair or remodel existing buildings, leaving it entirely with the localities to decide by what method local conditions demand.”
“This program has been held up because New Jersey has remained asleep, while wide-awake states have gotten their projects well under way. We are working to pass Assembly bill 56, which at a public hearing in Trenton… we can begin to put people to work eliminating slums and making Camden a better place to live.”
Dixon Says Need for Housing Grows
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Statistics to Be Presented to Federal Board by Group Here
The need for housing in Camden has increased rather than decreased in the past four years, Horace R. Dixon, secretary of the Camden Low-Cost Housing Committee, said in a statement yesterday.
The statement follows:
Housing conditions in Camden are revealed in an inventory made in 1934. The conditions have not improved since. The figures show an urgent need for a real housing program under the Wagner-Steagall Act. The committee is bringing the figures up to date for presentation to the United States Housing Authority with a request for earmarking of funds for a Camden housing program.
“Of the 12,958 residential structures, 50 percent are more than 40 years old. Only 3350 or 26 percent are in good condition, while 6210, or 48 percent, need minor repairs and 2254, or 17 percent need major repairs, and 1190 or nine percent are unfit for use.
“We must build 1200 houses to replace those unfit for use.
“A further break-down reveals 30,584 dwelling units, 11,774 of them occupied by owners, and 18,810 rental units, including those vacant. Of the total, 28,233 units are occupied and 2261 or 7.4 percent are vacant. This figure is exaggerated since it includes clubs, hotels and rooming houses.
“This is only part of the story. The committee is fighting to give Camden families more homes and Camden workmen the chance to build them.
Assembly Approval Assured on Housing
Camden Courier-Post —
Further Delay Held Endangering Chance of Obtaining Federal Funds
Assembly approval of the long-delayed housing bills is expected tonight, Assemblyman Rocco Palese declared yesterday in announcing all difficulties confronting the measures have been “ironed out.”
Senate action also is expected, Palese reported.
Horace R. Dixon, secretary of the Camden Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committee has warned repeatedly, as have other members of the committee, that further delay will endanger the chances of obtaining Federal housing funds. Camden expects to apply for $8,000,000, Dixon said.
It has been estimated New Jersey will be allotted about $30,000,000 for slum clearance and low cost housing.
Felix Pitett, a Paterson banker, who is named in one of the bills as State housing administrator, told the members of the Assembly Housing Committee that if the job carries a salary he “would not be interested,” Palese said.
Paid Administrator Opposed
The local committee, which was instrumental in the formation of the New Jersey Conference of Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committees, opposed the naming of an administrator in the bill. Opposition was based on the creation of a high salary position.
Assemblyman Oscar R. Wilensky, of Passaic, drew the bills and named Pitett as administrator, but did not fix his salary. The bill named a deputy director at $4000 annually. The Camden group and members of other State committees withdrew their opposition when Wilensky agreed to drop his plan to set up county regional housing authorities.
“Pitett’s surprise statement changed the complexion of the bill,” Palese said. “I think Pitett’s action is almost without precedent. He is to be commended for his action. He told the committee he cannot give full time to the job but is willing to serve on a part time basis without compensation.”
Dixon scored rumors that municipalities have committees, and those which will set up local housing authorities to conform with the State legislation, seek to spend money for salaries of committee members.
$2500 Limit Demanded
“The local committee and those in the State group have definitely opposed any plans or schemes to set up a lot of salaried jobs,” Dixon said. “We want low-cost housing for Camden and we don’t intend to spend a lot of money for salaries and useless surveys.
“No municipality can spend more than $2500 for anything in connection with low-cost housing. One of the Assembly bills contains this provision.
“Camden is badly in need of low-cost housing. The slum areas must be eliminated and people shall have the right to rent modern, sanitary housing quarters at nominal rentals.”
The local committee and members of the State group, Dixon asserted, have opposed all political influence in the matter of obtaining enabling legislation for Federal funds.
Newark May Recall Action
Dixon said he understood an ordinance recently passed by the Newark City Commission, appointing a housing administrator and providing an annual appropriation of $10,000 for salary and expenses will be repealed, because it may conflict with the Assembly housing bills.
The present Newark ordinance also provides for the appointment of five housing commissioners each for a term of three years, and stipulates the City Commission shall fix the salary of the administrator.
Dixon said the local committee would be opposed to the appointment of a local administrator with a city salary.
Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, who sponsored the present committee approved by the Camden City Commission, probably will present an ordinance at tomorrow’s meeting of the City Commission for a local housing authority and the appointment of five members as commissioners.
The present committee was created through a resolution approved by the commission.
Housing needs in Camden are more acute now than they were four years ago, Dixon told legislators in Trenton Monday night as he sought action on the housing bills.
Dixon, S. Raymond Dobbs, another member of the committee; Joseph Hettel, the technical adviser, and City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, solicitor for the group, all attended the legislative session, but no action was taken on the bills.
Mayor Brunner and Commissioner Kobus joined in approving the resolution, but whether or not a vote to name members of an official local authority would be unanimous is a question. Recently, however, Bennett was named counsel for the present committee, indicating he and Commissioner von Nieda will go along with Hartmann if it comes to a controversy.
Bennett is studying the Newark ordinance creating a housing authority.
Dixon Will Ask U.S. to Advance $73,000 for Housing Board
Camden Courier-Post —
4 Employes Face Payless Pay Day; Authority Has $300 Left in Bank
While four employes face a payless pay day and with the Camden Housing Authority’s bank balance less than $300, Horace R. Dixon, chairman, today will request U. S. Housing Authority officials in Washington to make an advance payment of $73,000 to relieve the financial crisis.
The advance payment toward construction of the $1,423,000 Clement T. Branch Village low-rent Negro housing project in South Camden, will cover authority salaries, fees for architects and appraisers and other expenses, Dixon said.
Dixon has an appointment with the Federal housing officials in Washington at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, the four employes will not receive their two weeks’ salaries dating back to May 15, when they were officially placed on the payroll. The employes are Walter S. Anderson, Jr., authority counsel; John W. O’Neill, accountant, and Mrs. Elizabeth Riggins and Patricia Andrisone, office stenographers.
Sees No Further Delay
Dixon said yesterday he did not expect any further delay in having the advance payment approved. While Dixon would not offer any comment, it has been reported the USHA held up the advance payment to the local authority.
Mayor George E. Brunner filed charges of political coercion against William H. White, former temporary secretary-treasurer of the authority.
Last Thursday the City Commission voted to remove White, Dr. M. F. Wheatland, Dixon and John Green as commissioners of the authority after Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino gave an opinion the four commissioners had not taken the oaths of office required under the State Housing Act.
The oath of Wilbert F. Dobbins, taken April 13 last, was declared valid.
Dixon was reappointed and other commissioners named by the City Commission to replace White, Wheatland and Green were John Diehl, Dr. Howard E. Primas and Burnell S. Hartman. The new authority immediately organized and elected Dixon chairman.
Hartman was elected temporary secretary-treasurer and Dr. Primas was elected vice chairman.
Hearing Delayed
Charges filed by the Mayor against White were to have been heard last Thursday, but due to a legal technicality the hearing was postponed until 2 p.m. June 8.
White was charged with threatening tenants of Westfield Acres with eviction when they were said to have refused to vote for former Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann who was defeated for re-election May 9. White categorically denied the charges.
The local authority manages Westfield Acres under a contract with the USHA. However, funds of the East Camden project are set up in a separate account and can be used only for its management.
At a recent meeting Anderson gave an opinion the authority commissioners can borrow from the Westfield Acres account to meet payroll demands. The money borrowed, he said, could be returned when the authority receives the first payment on the South Camden housing project.
The next regular meeting of the authority is scheduled for June 14. Dixon said a special meeting will be called before then.
Housing Unit Reorganizes to Get Funds
Camden Courier-Post —
Present, Former Members Resign to Prevent Long Litigation — Dixon Given $4600 Position
Present and former members of the Camden City Housing Authority resigned yesterday to facilitate obtaining funds from the U. S. Housing Authority for administration and other purposes.
The resignation of the authority members were climaxed when the City Commission named a new authority, which immediately organized and elected Horace R. Dixon, former chairman, as secretary and executive director, at a salary of $4600 year.
John W. Diehl was elected new chairman of the authority, Dr. Howard E. Primas vice chairman and Walter S. Anderson was reconfirmed as solicitor.
Then the new authority approved all contracts existing between the U. S. Housing Authority, the City of Camden and private individuals. A temporary office force, as required by Federal regulation, was set up.
All this legal action, which required 12 hours, was put into motion so the local authority today may obtain a check for $73,000 from Washington. As a matter of fact the check has been signed but it was necessary to carry out the reorganization to satisfy government objections to the removal of three former members after the recent city commission election and to comply with requirements of the Federal housing setup.
New Job Created
The office of statistician was created at a salary of $2000 but no appointment was made. The government also required the employment of a stenographer, clerk and accountant in the central office along with the executive director. These jobs were created and a clerk now in service was continued. Two furloughed employes were renamed in the same status.
The government questioned the removal of William H. White, Dr. M. F. Wheatland and John Green as members of the authority. City Solicitor Firmin Michel explained any litigation might tie up Federal funds for a year as it would take that long to get the issues settled in court. The other course, he pointed out, was to have the former and present members resign. The city commission, after an executive session, accepted the resignations of White, Dr. Wheatland and Green and those of the present members, Dixon, Dr. Primas, Diehl and Burnell S. Hartman. There was no legal question raised over the appointment of Wilbur F. Dobbins last April and he continued in office.
Then the commissioners re-elected Dr. Primas, Diehl and Hartman. Charles W. Anderson, 1019 North Twenty-eighth street, was elected to succeed Dixon as a member of the authority.
Mrs. Kobus States View
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus announced at the outset she intended to vote for accepting the resignations and electing a new authority but she disagreed with the government’s contention, branding the action as “technical.”
“I concur in anything to bring a low cost of housing project to the Negro population of our city,” the commissioner said. “I don’t want any delay. But I stand on advice of counsel. Our solicitor advised us it was legal to remove these members of the authority from office and I feel we have done no wrong.”
She continued she did not wish to hold up the proposed project for Negroes to be known as the Clement T. Branch Village.
Dr. Wheatland said in his resignation: “For several days past I have given careful consideration to the advisability of resorting to litigation for the purpose of challenging the action taken by you at your meeting of May 25th, 1939, when, by resolution, you declared vacant the offices of several of the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden. My hesitancy in this respect has in nowise been prompted by any doubt concerning the soundness of my position. I am convinced that the said resolution was, in all respects, improper, imprudent and illegal.”
Housing First Interest
“Rather have I delayed taking positive action in this matter for the reason that I have been informed that any litigation which might be commenced relating to the Housing Authority would result in the loss of funds with which it is hoped we may build in this city better houses for Negro residents of Camden. My interest in any movement which has as its purpose a benefit to members of my race necessarily transcends any purely personal consideration I may have.
“In the hope that by so doing I may assist in the early continuation of the work of providing a low cost housing project for Negro residents, I herewith tender to this Honorable Board my resignation as a Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, New Jersey, the same to be effective upon lawful acceptance thereof.”
According to Mayor George E. Brunner, he requested the present and former members of the authority to submit resignations whereupon a new group was to be appointed. White was the first to comply with the request.
In his resignation, White said: “It is now a matter of general knowledge that the low cost housing program in the city of Camden has become jeopardized as a result of the doubt which has arisen concerning the legality of the recent action in vacating offices of commissioners of the housing authority. Together with others who were affected by your action, I share the belief that you have acted improperly and without legal justification. I am unwilling, however, that my personal concern in this regard should in any way contribute to the loss of low-cost housing projects in Camden. I therefore tender herewith my resignation, the same being effective upon acceptance.”
Housing Board Acts to Get First Loan for New Project
Camden Courier-Post —
$65,000 Accepted to Cover Expenses Incurred for Salaries and Fees
Holding its first regular meeting since its re-organization, the Camden Housing Authority acted last night to obtain the initial advance loan payment from the U. S. Housing Authority to construct the Clement T. Branch Village low-rent housing project for South Camden Negroes.
A resolution was adopted authorizing John W. Diehl, Jr., authority chairman, and Horace R. Dixon, executive director and secretary-treasurer, to accept a check for $65,000, covering the initial loan payment at the Federal Reserve Bank, in Philadelphia and deposit it with the First Camden National Bank and Trust Company.
The payment is the first of $1,000,000 in advance loan notes authorized by the USHA for use of the Camden authority. The amount will cover expenses already incurred for architect, engineers, legal and survey fees, in addition to salaries of employes other than the authority commissioners, and for other expenditures.
Payment Reduced
Originally the initial payment was $73,000, but the amount was reduced and the difference will be made up with the payment of the second allotment to the authority, Walter S. Anderson, Jr., legal adviser, explained.
In compliance with regulations of the State Housing Authority, Dixon was named secretary-treasurer at no additional salary. Dixon will receive $4600 annually as executive director. Commissioner Burnell S. Hartman had been acting as temporary secretary-treasurer.
Another resolution was adopted authorizing Diehl and Dixon to sign all checks and vouchers.
The commissioners also voted to place all employes of Westfield Acres, a housing project managed by the board, and other employes of the authority, on a work week of 40 hours. Adjusted hourly wage scales also were approved. Both will be effective beginning July 16.
Drop Temporary Titles
On motion of Commissioner Wilbert F. Dobbins, the commissioners ordered all temporary titles abolished. This action gives Meyer Wessel the full title of manager of Westfield Acres. Since the authority took over management of the East Camden housing project, Wessel has been acting as temporary manager. Several employes of the project had been serving on a temporary basis.
Resolutions were approved appointing members of the personnel, purchasing and the tenant welfare committees. Those appointed to the personnel committee were Dobbins, chairman; Dr. Howard E. Primas and Hartman. Those named on the purchasing committee were Hartman, Primas and Anderson. Those on the tenant welfare committee are Primas, chairman; Anderson, and Dobbins.
Wessel reported tenants of Westfield Acres will hold a Fourth of July celebration with Mayor George E. Brunner, Dixon and Hartman as speakers. Hartman requested Dixon investigate the feasibility of installing outdoor showers at the Acres for use by children of tenant families.
The authority approved a resolution changing the regular meetings from the second and fourth Wednesdays to the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The next meeting will be held on Thursday night of next week.
Camden Housing Authority Officials, 1940s
Named: From Left: Unknown, Wilbert F. Dobbins, Horace R. Dixon, Bartholomew Sheehan, Dr. Howard E. Primas Sr., and Unknown.
2 Arrested in Crash with Dixon's Auto
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a car and driving without a license, two men were arrested last night on complaint of Horace R. Dixon, executive director of the Camden Housing Authority, after his day-old car was involved in an accident.
Dixon’s car, driven by his daughter, Cecelia E. Dixon, 28, of 717 Clinton street, was in collision with another car at Kaighn avenue and River Drive, near Cooper River. Dixon declared that following the crash two men leaped from the second car and when he approached them the driver denied he was operating the car.
Instead, Dixon said, the owner of the car John Grey, 55, of 1141 South Second street, said he was driver of the machine and Thomas Hutchinson, 54, of 411 Liberty street, was a passenger. Dixon insisted the situation was reversed at the time of the accident.
Henry Magin Laid to Rest By War Veteran Buddies
Camden Courier-Post —
Trucks of Flowers in Funeral Cortege
Funeral services for City Commissioner Henry Magin were held today with his colleagues in official and veterans circles participating.
Services were conducted in city commission chambers on the second floor of city hall, in charge of Rev. Dr. W.W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church.
The casket was carried by war veteran associates of the public works director, who died from a heart attack Friday. A color guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion preceded the casket, followed by the four remaining members of the city commission, Mayor George Brunner and commissioners E. George Aaron, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus and Dr. David S. Rhone.
A guard of honor lined both sides of city hall steps, 22 policemen on one side and 22 firemen on the other, representing Magin’s age, 44 years.
Hundreds of men and women waited outside the building to pay their respects as the solemn procession filed by. Mayor Brunner had declared this morning a holiday for city employees. The casket was borne by Thomas Jackson and Samuel Magill, both past Legion commanders; Leon McCarty, past commander of August Walter Chapter, Disabled American Veterans; Richard Jermyn, past commander of Post 1270, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Benjamin P. Thomas, past captain of Sparrow Ship No. 1269. V. F. W.; and William Miller, past State commander, D. A. V.
Three trucks were required to carry the floral pieces from the scene of the services to the National Cemetery at Beverly, where burial took place.
An estimated 8000 persons from all walks of life paid their respects to the late official by viewing the body as it lay in state in the commission chambers.
The throng of mourners of Camden city and county was the largest to converge on a public building since the funeral of Fire Chief Charles Worthington, who was killed while fighting a fire almost 20 years ago. His body was placed on public view in the rotunda of the old county courthouse.
File Past Bier
A continuous progression of people filed past the flag draped bier for more than three and one-half hours. Scores of Republicans and hundreds of Democrats joined in the tribute.
Services were conducted by Camden lodges of Elks and Moose. Military rites were conducted by the Fairview Post, American Legion, of which Magin was a founder and past commander. The tribute was led by Mitchell Halin, post commander, and C. Richard Allen, past department commander.
James W. Conner, chief clerk of the city water bureau and past State Commander of the V.F.W., conducted rites at the grave.
Mayor Brunner and Commissioners Kobus, Aaron, and Rhone came early and remained throughout the hours of viewing. Mrs. Helen Magin, the widow, and daughter Helen, attired in deep mourning, arrived shortly after 7:00 PM.
Embraces Widow, Daughter
Commissioner Kobus, who knelt in prayer before the bier, arose and went over to Mrs. Magin and her daughter. Mrs. Kobus embraced and kissed the widow and daughter of the late commissioner. They were in tears.
Three firemen and three policemen maintained a vigil as a guard of honor. They were Patrolmen Jack Kaighn, George Weber, and William Deery and Firemen Arthur Batten, Warren Carter and William Reed.
American Legion and V. F. W. members in uniform alternated as members of the military guard of honor. A detail of 50 policemen was under command of Acting Lieutenant John Garrity. Fifty firemen, under supervision of Deputy Chief Walter Mertz, assisted the patrolmen in handling the crowd, which at times choked the stairways leading to the second floor.
Freeholders Arrive
Albert H. Molt, director of the Board of Freeholders and Freeholders John J. Tull, Oscar Moore, Ventorino Francesconi, Stanley Ciechanowski, Earl Armstrong and Emil J. McCall arrived shortly after 7:00 PM. Moore and Tull wore American Legion overseas caps. Albert S. Marvel, clerk of the board, accompanied the freeholders.
Employees of the various bureaus in the department of public works, headed by Commissioner Magin, came in delegations with the highway bureau having 150, the largest number.
Frank A. Abbott, acting director of the department, accompanied by James P. Carr, superintendent of Streets, led the highway bureau employees. Abbott is deputy director of revenue and finance and first assistant to Mayor Brunner. He was named by Brunner as acting director until the City Commission elects Mr. Magin’s successor.
County Clerk Frank J. Suttill, City Clerk Clay W. Reesman, Fire Chief John H. Lennox and James A. Howell, chief of the city electrical bureau, attended, as did Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the board of education. Every city department sent a floral piece.
Outstanding Floral Tribute
Outstanding among the floral tributes was a six-foot broken circle of varied flowers, an offering from Mayor Brunner and Commissioners Kobus, Aaron, and Rhone.
A floral chair was sent by the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association. The word “Rest” was made up of flowers. The offering of the Veterans League of South Jersey, an organization formed by Commissioner Magin and of which he was the first president, was a large floral pillow.
The freeholders and county officials gave a large floral basket. Floral tributes came from the employees of the board of education, the RCA Manufacturing Company, the police and fire bureaus, Pyne Point Athletic Association, the Elks, Moose and several Democratic clubs.
The floral tributes came in such numbers yesterday afternoon that Funeral Director Harry Leonard and his assistants could not find room for them in the commission chamber proper. They were banked on both sides, in the rear and over the casket.
Among prominent officials and citizens who came to pay their respects were Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and his son, Donnell, Assemblymen Joseph W. Cowgill and J. Frank Crawford, Sidney P. McCord, city comptroller, Thomas C. Schneider, president of Camden County Council No. 10, New Jersey Civil Service Association.
Others at Bier
Others were Sue Devinney, secretary to Mrs. Kobus; Fred S. Caperoon; Henry Aitken, city sealer of weights and measures, Horace R. Dixon, executive director of the Camden Housing Authority; George I. Shaw, vice president of the board of education.
Sgt. Ray Smith, chairman of the Elks Crippled Children Committee and commander of East Camden Post, V.F.W.; Albert Becker, commander of Camden County Post 126, Jewish War Veterans; Dr. Howard E. Primas and Wilbur F. Dobbins, members of the Camden Housing Authority; Postmaster Emma E. Hyland; Samuel E. Fulton, member of the Camden local assistance board.
Also former Assemblyman Rocco Palese, former Freeholder Maurice Bart and wife, County Detective James Mulligan, Deputy City Clerk William D. Sayrs, Mary King, secretary to City Clerk Reesman, Charles W. Anderson and John W. Diehl Jr., former members of the housing authority, Walter P. Wolverton, chief clerk of the public works department; Thomas J. Kenney, Maurice Hertz, Isadore Hermann, chief of the city tax title bureau; S. Raymond Dobbs; acting chief of city property, John Oziekanski, building inspector, Harry Langebein, city assessor.
Oliver H. Bond, housing manager of Clement T. Branch Village; former Judge Joseph Varbalow, acting city counsel John J. Crean, assistant City Counsel Edward V. Martino, Paul Day, secretary of city board of assessors, former Assemblyman William T. Iszard, Harry Roye, district director of NYA; Victor J. Scharle and Martin Segal, Democratic and Republican registrars, respectively, of the Camden County permanent registration bureau.
Mrs. Marian Garrity and Mrs. Mary F. Hendricks, vice chairman and secretary respectively, of the Republican City Committee; Dr. Ethan A. Lang and Dr. Richard P. Bowman, members of the board of education; Edward J. Borden, Carl Kisselman, Harry A. Kelleher, Samuel T. French Sr., former Freeholder Walter Budniak, Coroner Paul R. Rilatt, County Treasurer Edward J. Kelleher, William Shepp, of the city legal bureau, Marie Carr, stenographer, mayor’s office; Samuel T. French Jr., member, board of education.
Also John C. Trainor, member of the Camden County Board of Elections; Antonio Mecca, funeral director; Alexander Feinberg, solicitor of the housing authority, former Freeholder John T. Hanson, Sterling Parker and Paul Reihman, member of the county park commission.
James O’Brien, commander of the Camden Disabled American Veterans, was in charge of services by veterans at the cemetery. Former Freeholder Edward J. Quinlan, county vice-commander of the American Legion, directed last night memorial services and was in charge of the firing squad at the grave.