Introduction
Dr. Howard Emmitt Primas Sr. — Camden Courier-Post, June 30, 1939
DR. HOWARD EMMITT PRIMAS was born in Camden NJ in 1893. He was educated in the Camden public school system, and graduated from Camden Manual Training and High School, at Haddon and Newton Avenues. Dr. Primas was a 1914 graduate of Howard University and a 1918 graduate of the Howard University College of medicine. After interning at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington DC in 1919, Dr. Primas returned to Camden and established a general medical practice.
Dr. Primas lived for many years at 772 Pine Street in the Kaighnsville section of Camden. Deeply involved in civic affairs, he was appointed vice-chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden in June of 1939, serving in that capacity into the 1950s. During his tenure the Clement T. Branch Village, the William Stanley Ablett Village, and the Chelton Terrace public housing projects were completed, and temporary emergency housing was provided to returning war veterans.
From 1942 until 1956 Dr. Primas was the Chief of the Medical Department of the Camden public school system. He was also a member of the South Jersey Medical Society, and served as both President and Secretary of that body at different times during his career.
Dr. Primas was married to the former Josephine Strother. They had four children, Howard Emmitt Jr., Garnett Nicholas, Josephine Marie, and Clara Williams.
Dr. Howard Emmitt Primas passed away in 1956. Primas Court in East Camden is named in his memory.
WOMEN—AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING
Camden Courier-Post —
Race Relations Committee of Camden Y. W. C. A. Plans Extensive Program for Week; Mrs. Harold Bennett to Broadcast
By M. IRENE FROST
THE committee on race relations of the Camden Young Women’s Christian Association, whose endeavor it is to promote greater understanding between the races, is participating in the nation-wide celebration of Negro History Week now in progress.
The committee is sponsoring an extensive program covering both the youth and adult membership and including three broadcasts. Today, Mrs. Harold W. Bennett, of this city, will speak over Station WCAM at 2.15 on “Race Relations and Good Neighbors.” On Wednesday, Mrs. Wilda Townsend will broadcast over the same station at 2.30 on “Contributions of the Negro to the Culture of America.” A recital will be given over WCAM at 2.30 on Friday by James Marshall Wheeler, pianist, and Lawrence Lawson, tenor.
Following a short business meeting of the board of directors of the Camden Association tonight in the headquarters, Miss Marjorie Penney, executive secretary of the Young People’s Interracial Fellowship of Philadelphia, will speak.
Girl Reserves have been invited en masse to a meeting on Thursday night in the headquarters, to hear Allan Freelon, one of the nation’s leading artists, and supervisor of art in the Negro schools, of Philadelphia. Mr. Freelon, who will speak at eight o’clock, will also exhibit some of his work.
The Frances Harper branch committee of management will be piloted by the following new officers for 1938: Mrs. C. T. Branch, chairman; Mrs. Sadie Wright, vice chairman; Mrs. Howard Primas, secretary; Mrs. Louis Smith, assistant secretary. Dr. M. O. Lee will speak on “The Makers of Negro History” next week before the Phyllis Wheatly Club of the branch.
Housing Unit Reorganizes to Get Funds
Camden Courier-Post —
Present, Former Members Resign to Prevent Long Litigation
Dixon Given $4600 Position
By Frank Sheridan
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.
“I respectfully request that this communication be incorporated in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners at which it may elect to accept this resignation.
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.
Prior to the city commission election last month, Brunner charged White with engaging in political activities at Westfield Acres. The charges subsequently were dropped when White, Green and Dr. Wheatland were replaced.
White’s Statement
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 be[ing effective upon acceptance.]
New Housing Authority Holds First Regular Meeting
Camden Courier-Post —
Above are commissioners and officials of the newly-organized Camden Housing Authority, who held their first regular meeting last night in the authority’s new offices on the ninth floor of Camden City Hall. Seated left to right are Dr. Howard E. Primas, vice chairman; Charles W. Anderson, John W. Diehl, Jr., chairman; Burnell S. Hartman and Wilbert F. Dobbins. Standing left to right are Horace R. Dixon, executive director and secretary-treasurer, and Walter S. Anderson, Jr., legal adviser of the Authority and the Westfield Acres housing project. — Camden Courier-Post, June 30, 1939
$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.
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.
Photos
Named: From Left: Unknown, Wilbert F. Dobbins, Horace Dixon, Bartholomew Sheehan, Dr. Howard E. Primas Sr., and Unknown.