Introduction
John F. Blackson was born in Delaware on April 10, 1889. By the 1930 census, he had moved to Camden, New Jersey, where he operated a paperhanging business. He lived with his wife Mary at 638 Cherry Street, later moving to 238 Sycamore Street.
In the mid-1940s, Blackson was selected as the first manager of the Chelton Terrace Public Housing project located at 8th and Chelton Avenue. He was discharged in 1946 but reinstated after a New Jersey civil service appeal. In 1948, he was suspended with intent to terminate and subsequently arrested for misappropriation of federal funds.
Blackson died in Camden, New Jersey in November 1967.
Blackson Jailed On Federal Fund Theft Charges
Camden Courier-Post —
John F. Blackson, 59, of 238 Sycamore street, manager of the Chelton Terrace housing project, was arrested early today charged with misappropriation of federal funds. He is being held in city jail in default of $5000 bail.
Blackson was arrested at the direction of Joseph A. McComb, chairman of the Camden Housing Authority. Acting Desk Sgt. Henry Leutz set the bail pending Blackson’s arraignment Monday before a U. S. commissioner.
Blackson, under a five-day suspension as project manager for failing to carry out instructions of the Camden Housing Authority, was arrested on complaint of the authority, McComb said.
The arrest followed a three and one-half hour meeting of the authority in its offices in city hall. Blackson was at the meeting attended by McComb, William F. Barnett, executive director; Martin F. McKernan, an authority member, and Joseph J. Jablonski, chief accountant.
Call for Audit
McComb said the authority has wired John Kervick, in New York, regional area director, calling for a federal audit by the Public Housing Authority.
The charge against Blackson, McComb said, was brought after several project tenants who were believed delinquent in their rent, were questioned by the authority. McComb said the tenants had receipts showing they had paid their rent. The accounts had not been credited by Blackson, McComb declared.
McComb said the investigation will continue, but he declined to say how much money he thought would be involved. Preliminary reports showed a shortage of more than $300, McComb said.
Barnett announced Blackson’s suspension on Wednesday following instructions from McComb.
Was Reinstated
Barnett said Blackson “failed to make proper rent collections, and operated his office contrary to instructions from the authority.” He said Blackson failed to make daily reports as required by the authority.
Two years ago, Blackson was discharged when the authority charged there were discrepancies in his accounts and that he failed to adhere to regulations on submission of records and accounts.
Through Camden Council No. 10, New Jersey Civil Service Association, Blackson filed an appeal with the state civil service commission which ordered him reinstated. Blackson has been project manager for about five years. He received $3000 annually.
Alfred Zimmerman, president of the Camden Civil Service Association, said Blackson subsequently was suspended from the association for non-payment of dues. This was after the association had succeeded in having $1500 in back wages restored to him, Zimmerman added.