Joseph A. Varbalow

JOSEPH A. VARBALOW was born in Russia on January 15, 1896, along with his twin sister Anna. The family came to America in 1897 or 1898, and settled in Philadelphia PA. The Varbalows moved to Camden around 1905, and became involved in construction, realty, movie theaters, and a shoe business.

Joseph A. Varbalow graduated from the Camden Manual Training & High School at Haddon and Newton Avenues in 1913. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School with high honors in 1917. After clerking for Circuit Court Judge Frank B. Jess, Joseph A. Varbalow began practicing law in July of 1919. He partnered with Ethan P. Wescott, and was appointed on April 3, 1923 as assistant Camden County Prosecutor when Wescott became County prosecutor. He would remain in this post until his resignation on September 8, 1928. He was succeeded in the position by Samuel P. Orlando. In May of 1934 he was nominated to serve as District Court judge in Camden, and he served as such for several years. He later returned to private practice, and had offices at 636 Penn Street in Camden.

Joseph Varbalow was involved with several business and civic groups, and was active in the fund raising drive that culminated in the building of the Walt Whitman Hotel at Broadway and Cooper Street.

Joseph Varbalow also served as vice-president and secretary of the Victoria Amusement Company, which operated several theaters in South Jersey including the Victoria Theatre in East Camden and the Auditorium, later known as the Rio, in Cramer Hill. His brother Samuel Varbalow was the president of this firm, which evolved into the Savar theater chain. A sister, Fannie Varbalow, was married to Adolph Newmeyer, who operated a shoe store and at one time a bar in Cramer Hill.

In 1928 Joseph Varbalow was the head of the company that operated the Walt Whitman Theater at 46th and Westfield Avenue in Pennsauken NJ. During this period the Walt Whitman became the first South Jersey movie house to show the new “talking pictures.”

When East Camden began to develop, the Varbalow family was one of the prominent Jewish families to settle there. By 1930 the family had moved to 2602 Baird Boulevard, where they would remain for many years. The next door neighbors at 2600 Baird into the 1940s was Camden builder Frederick Wielandt. By 1959, Joseph A. Varbalow had moved to 320 West Maple Avenue in Merchantville NJ.

During the early 1930s Joseph A. Varbalow brought Firmin F. Michel, who had graduated from the South Jersey Law School in Camden in 1930, into his law practice. Michel would become Camden’s City Solicitor in October of 1936.

A resident for many years of Merchantville NJ, Joseph A. Varbalow passed away in March of 1969, survived by his wife Dorothy, who passed in August of 1977.

3 Others Held by Camden Police as Leaders in Dope Peddling Gang

Operations Covered All of South Jersey

Tell of Making Buys With Auto Used as ‘Silent Salesman’

Captured after a lengthy investigation, Anthony ‘Babe’ Paradise, of Camden has confessed to being the head of a narcotic ring operating throughout South Jersey, it was declared yesterday by Captain John Golden, head of the city detective bureau.

Golden said, making the fact known when he became ill in his cell at the city jail and calling for Dr. W.G. Bailey, who has been treating him for the drug habit.

With three other men, who are accused as accomplices, Paradise is being held for a preliminary hearing in Police Court tomorrow morning. The four men, Golden said, will probably be held without bail pending grand jury action and be committed to the Camden County Jail. At the jail, detainers will be lodged against the quartette by Federal narcotics agents, who co-operated with city and county authorities in the investigation, which resulted in the arrests.

Golden declared that city detectives had purchased more than $500 worth of drugs from Paradise and his agents, in obtaining evidence against the ring, which authorities said reaches into Atlantic City and other South Jersey communities as well as Camden.

The three men arrested with Paradise are James Mucci, 18 years old, of 324 Stevens Street, Rocco DeCord, 21 years old, of 221 Spruce Street, and Andrew Hill, of Locust Street, near Kaighn Avenue. According to the detectives, the base of operations of the “ring” was in the Third Ward. Mucci and DeCord were arrested in a barbershop at Third and Locust streets, three blocks from the Wiley M.E. Church where the pastor, Rev. John S. Hackett, recently exposed vice conditions existing in the Third Ward and assailed the Department Public Safety for laxity. The arrest of Paradise and the others is believed to be a result of the clergyman’s scathing sermons.

Paradise and Hill were arrested several hours before the other two men. Fearing that they get word to other members of the “ring” police took the two men to Merchantville police headquarters, where Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Varbalow and Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran were waiting. Statements were obtained from the two, and meanwhile Mucci and DeCord were taken into custody. Paradise, who is 34 years old, served a year In State Prison five years ago for selling narcotics.

Detectives George Ward, Louis Shaw, and Thomas Cheeseman, of the city, and M.H. Shapiro and J.H. McFadden, of the federal office in Philadelphia, arranged the purchase of a ‘deck’ of heroin from Paradise, and ‘caught him with the goods’ when he met them at Nineteenth Street and River Road, near his home at 927 North Nineteenth Street.

Paradise was in his expensive automobile when arrested. It was the machine he had used to distribute narcotics to his agents and addicts during the past few years, the detectives said.

Decks of dope which sold for $1.50 each, police said, were placed in the automobile which was driven to a certain point as prearranged, and then Paradise would leave it parked, the detectives said.

Peddling Scheme Bared

At a stated hour an agent or addict would approach the machine, take the “dope” inside, and leave money as payment. Paradise would return and collect the money received, it was said.

That the ring extended to Philadelphia, New York, and other large Eastern cities was indicated by the many times the automobile was parked at Camden bridge plaza for hours, when exchanges would be made, the detectives said.

Important Addresses to Mark Ceremonies Inducting Sakin

B’nai B’rith Told Secrecy is Only Result of Prohibitions

Jury Out Less Than Hour; ‘Babe Paradise’ Up Next Week

Convicted by a Criminal Court jury of conspiracy and the possession and sale of narcotics, Joseph Colanduno, 29 years old, 431 Walnut Street, said by police to be a member of a powerful dope ring in Camden, will be sentenced by Judge Shay tomorrow morning.

The jury deliberated less than an hour before returning a verdict of guilty on seven indictments, marking the end of the first of a series of “dope” trials scheduled to be heard by Judge Shay. The most important hearing will be that of Anthony “Babe” Paradise, who has been indicted in eleven counts on narcotics charges, six of them true bills accusing Paradise and James Mucci with conspiracy to sell narcotic drugs. Another alleged member of the gang, Rocco DeCord, 221 Spruce Street, who recently pleaded guilty to six indictments and who turned state’s evidence at yesterday’s trial, will be sentenced later. Still another alleged “dope runner,” Alex Frumento, is being sought by police.

DeCord and three confessed addicts testified against Colanduno at the trial yesterday. DeCord said that he had been hired by the defendant and Frumento to sell small packages marked “H” and “C” to certain men who had been introduced to him. DeCord declared that he did not know what the packages contained, nor did he ever use dope.

The drug users, Nolan Clark, 28 years old who gave no address; George “Gyp” Haines, 29 years old, 527 Spruce Street, and Andrew Hill, 20 years, Locust Street and Kaighn Avenue, declared they had brought dope from Colanduno on various occasions.

Colanduno, who until last December operated the Primrose Inn at Barrington with Frumento as his partner, denied that he ever possessed drugs or hired DeCord. His arrest, he said, was a “frame-up” engineered by his “enemies.” His wife Hazel and his wife’s grandmother, Mrs. Laura Brakeman, who lives with Mrs. Colanduno, both testified that they never had seen DeCord or the three addicts buying drugs at the inn, as they declared on the witness stand.

James Gatti, 18 years old, of Philadelphia, who is serving a six-month term in the county jail for robbery, took the stand on Colanduno’s behalf. He testified that DeCord had told him in the jail that the confessed dope peddler’s statement implicating Colanduno had been forced from him by police.

Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Varbalow stated that the Paradise case probably would be disposed of next week with the return from Florida of Samuel P. Orlando, attorney for the alleged “Dope King of Camden.”

An automobile accident damage suit was about to go on trial before Judge Henry H. Eldredge in Supreme Court here yesterday when it was announced a settlement had been reached. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

Mary Madler, formerly of Camden, and now of 10 South Maryland Avenue, Atlantic City, asked $10,000, and Abraham Snyder, 2055 East Pacific Street, Philadelphia, asked $5000, for injuries they said they received. They sued Edna Trego, 651 Berkley Street, whose automobile was in collision with Snyder’s car October 7, 1928, at Richmond and Norris Streets, Philadelphia. Joseph Varbalow, counsel for the plaintiffs, announced the settlement when the case was called.

Composition of George Cohan Will be Presented at Rotary Revue

Varbalow Behind Show, Praises Aims of Club; Fuhrman Will Conduct

Garrett Waives Reading of Indictment for $19000 Systematic Thefts; His Wife Remains Loyal, Discrediting His Confession

Laughing at photographers who tried to snap a picture as he covered his face with his hat and joking with the officers who accompanied him, Burd S. Garrett, for seven years a teller employed by the East End Trust Company was taken from the West Jersey Hospital this morning at 11:15 to the County Courthouse.

When arraigned before Justice of the Peace Peter J. Wallace in the office of Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives he waived reading and hearing of the complaint charging him with embezzlement of $19,000 of the bank’s funds.

Less than ten minutes after he had entered Chief Doran’s office, the confessed embezzler, accompanied by Detective William Cleary, reappeared and walked to the county jail where he was committed.

Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott did not attend the arraignment and it was expected that he would set Garrett’s bail sometime this afternoon, when he would announce his intentions as to presentment of the case to the grand jury.

Garrett, who according to Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Varbalow admitted manipulation of the bank funds, which he lavished on his wife and the six children he had instructed from birth in the principles of honesty, appeared unmoved this morning by the proceedings.

His face has regained the color it had lost when detectives first began questioning him, as he lay in a coma on a cot at the hospital last Saturday. Since Sunday afternoon, when he broke down and admitted the charges against him, he has chatted with his constable guard.

Garrett’s appearance today was that of a businessman in comfortable circumstances. He was well dressed, in a gray suit, dark overcoat, and wore a light gray soft felt hat. His eyes, behind tortoise shell glasses, were bright, and minus the stare of three days ago.

His wife, despite his reported confession reiterated her belief today that “it can’t be true.” Firmly declaring that she used economic measures in her housekeeping.

Slayer in 6th Ward G.O.P. Club Fracas Released From Jail by Varbalow

Judge Shay, Wescott Not Consulted in Move

Findings of Grand Jury Will Not be Returned Until Tomorrow

Supreme Court Justice Will 'Inquire Into' Granting Bail to Devon on Murder Charge, Week Before Expected Grand Jury Action

Arraigned in Court as Echo of Fatal Shooting in G.O.P. Club

Youth of Two Bandits to Be Stressed, Attorney Indicates

Grand Jury Cites Janasz and Makowski for Killing of John Cullen

Youths Confessed to Fairview Holdup

Auto Fatalities and Kidnaping Listed in 94 True Bills Returned

Six meetings, three in the city and three in the county, will be conducted by Democrats tonight in the interest of A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local candidates on the Democratic ticket.

The meetings are:

Tenth Ward Democratic Club, Camden, 822 North Eighth Street, Firmin Michel, Frank Connors, speakers.

Woodrow Wilson Democratic Club, Atlantic and Louis Streets, Thomas Madden, speaker.

First Ward Democratic Club, 315 North Second Street; former Assistant Prosecutor C. Lawrence Gregorio, and David Visor, speakers.

Haddon Heights A. Harry Moore Club, Station Avenue; Ralph Wescott, Haddonfield freeholder candidate, speaking.

A. Harry Moore Colored Club of Delaware Township; former Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Varbalow and Rev. Robert A. Jackson, speakers.

Bellmawr Democratic Club, At home of Harry L. Maloney, Democratic State Committeeman; Leon H. Rose and John Delaney, speakers.

A. Harry Moore, Democratic candidate for governor, is scheduled to speak at the meeting of Gloucester Democrats in the city hall there next Wednesday night. The meeting will be in charge of Mayor J. Emerson Jackson and the county Democratic committee.

Gloucester Republicans tonight will hold a rally at the headquarters of the city committee, 104 North King Street.

The Polish-American Women’s Citizens Club, in its recent resolution pledging support to David Baird, endorsed a candidate for the first time in the club’s six-year history, according to Mrs. Priscilla Ciechanowski, secretary. The club is two to one for Baird, she said. Other officers are Mrs. A. Bec, president; Mrs. H. Stojak, vice-president, and Mrs. A. Skierska, treasurer.

A huge new sign, in vivid lettering, has appeared on the east side of Admiral Wilson Boulevard, south of Baird Boulevard, urging a vote for Baird November 3. It is one of the largest campaign signs in Camden County.

Congressman Charles A. Wolverton is appearing almost everywhere with Baird. The congressman is one of the gubernatorial nominee’s ablest campaign advisers. He was with the candidate at the Trenton convention of the New Jersey Taxpayers’ Association Wednesday.

David Tattersdill, Broadway merchant, is among the latest members of the Speakers’ Bureau at Republican headquarters, Broadway and Stevens Street. He is one of the organizers of the Forty-second Street Baird Boosters’ Club.

Seventy-two hundred applications for challengers were received Tuesday afternoon, the deadline, by the Camden County Board of Elections. Of the total, 4000 were for challengers for Republican candidates and the remainder for Democratic candidates, including those seeking office as governor, freeholder, justice of the peace and various borough and township offices. No Socialist or prohibition applications for challengers were filed here.

Joseph A. Varbalow, former assistant prosecutor, was so eager to read Moore’s speech he had to borrow a cent from Chief of County Detectives Lawrence T. Doran to buy the Morning Post.

Democratic speakers, urging suffrage in the interest of A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and the local Democratic ticket, will invade seven political clubs in the city and county tonight.

County meetings, all at 8 p.m. and speakers are as follows:

First Ward Democratic Club, Gloucester, Mercer and Burlington streets, E. George Aaron, Firmin Michel and Marie V. Kelly.

Pennsauken Colored A. Harry Moore Club, Magnolia and Scovel avenues, Merchantville, Dr. Clement T. Branch, Eugene Aumaitre and Albert Melnik.

Lindenwold A. Harry Moore Club, Garden Lake fire hall, C. Lawrence Gregorio, Leon Rose, Joseph Varbalow and Mrs. Florence Melnik.

Glendora A. Harry Moore Club, fire hall, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving, Gene Mariano, Samuel P. Orlando and John Crean.

Somerdale Democratic Club, fire hall, Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Edward L. Canning, Thomas Madden and John Delaney.

Fifth Ward Democratic Club, Fifth and Pine Streets, Samuel T. French, Rev. Robert A. Jackson, David L. Visor and Sabba Verdiglione.

Eighth Ward Democratic Club, 509 Ferry Avenue, Isaac Eason, Francis Homan, Charles Degnan and Judge Frank F. Neutze.

A Democratic rally sponsored by the Audubon A. Harry Moore for Governor Club will be held tomorrow night in the auditorium at Fire Hall No 1. Prominent Democrats will speak. Among the local speakers will be Fred Lange, Democratic candidate for freeholder and former mayor of the borough.

The Woodrow Wilson Democratic Club of Millville, which held a Moore rally last week, announced that another meeting will be conducted in St. Mary’s Hall, Millville, Saturday night.

Paraphernalia for Tuesday’s general election will be distributed Monday among city election boards in the basement of the new city hall courthouse annex. The boards will receive the ballot boxes, official ballots, poll books, registration books, stationery, cards of instruction, and a copy of the 1931 amendments to the election laws.

An enthusiastic Moore rally was conducted Tuesday night at the headquarters of the Haddon Heights Democratic Club, Station Avenue. Joseph A. Varbalow and Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving were among the speakers. Varbalow today congratulated the club on its pretentious new quarters, a three-story building.

Camden County Democratic freeholder candidates are circulating a pamphlet headed “Better Freeholders for Better Government,” which, among other things, shows a cartoon of Baird, with the Republican candidate saying: “I can’t understand why they don’t like me. I’ve always been for the people.”

Boyd Morrison, editor of Labor journals, is working double-time, what with taking care of his journalistic endeavors and keeping his engagements to speak in behalf of the candidacy of A. Harry Moore for governor.

David H. Farries, known to the radio world as Dave Ferris at WCAU, is receiving many tan letters lauding his composition and singing of the Baird campaign song in South Jersey. He asks the various audiences to join in the chorus. The radio songster also had the honor of writing a former campaign song for the late U.S. Senator Dwight W. Morrow.

Ballot-counting election night is expected to be comparatively easy for city election boards. Voters in the city will ballot for governor, three assemblymen, two coroners, and for justices of the peace. No more than eight offices are to be voted for, and with many citizens expected to vote a “straight ticket,” the returns in Camden are expected to be received early, with the first of them anticipated at city hall by 10 o’clock, two hours after the polls close. The polls open at 7 a.m.

Election districts in city and county total 263 for the general election, or three more than at the 1930 general election. The new voting districts are in the sixth district of the Eleventh ward, and one each in Laurel Springs and Delaware Township.

July 9 Set for Reception and Picnic to New Revenue Collector

“Harry L. Maloney Day” will be celebrated by South Jersey Democrats, Sunday, July 9, when the newly-appointed collector of internal revenue will be guest of honor at a picnic at Silver Lake Park. State leaders of the party will attend. Maloney, Democratic state committeeman from Camden County and Mayor of Bellmawr, was named by President Roosevelt to succeed Edward L. Sturgess and is expected to take office by July 1.

Plans for the outing were made last night at a meeting in Democratic headquarters, 538 Stevens Street, at which Albert S. Marvel, Jr., was named chairman of the general committee. Vincent de P. Costello was elected secretary and former Mayor Victor King treasurer.

The committees follow:

Ways and means — Sidney Kaplan, chairman; Judge Samuel M. Shay, Judge Frank F. Neutze, Victor King, Vincent Gallaher, Samuel P. Orlando and Thomas N. Madden.

Entertainment — Joseph A. Varbalow, chairman; Patrick H. Harding, Joseph E. Nowrey, Calogero Salvagio, Thomas Cavanaugh and Joseph A. Gorman.

Refreshments — Ralph W. Wescott, chairman; Raymond Hadley, Walter Bateman, Joseph Ackroyd, James Hainesworth, Joseph Harczynski.

Athletics — Frank Abbott, chairman; John Lyons, Joseph McVey and Daniel T. Hagans.

Music — John P. Bissinger, chairman; Ventorino Francesconi, William Bell, Bernard Tracy and Matthew P. Johnson.

District organization — Michael J. Powell, chairman; Dominick Josephs, Ralph Comilli, Herbert McAdams, William Noonan, Edward Huston, Harry Daly and William Kistner.

Transportation — Mayor Emerson Jackson, of Gloucester, chairman; Lewis C. Parker, George Cohen, John Bennett, Horace L. Brewer and Sabba Verdiglione.

Printing — Charles J. Clark, chairman; Raymond Saltzman, Jack Goldstein, Walter Kelly and William M. Williams.

Publicity — Edward C. Bowe, Herbert Beattie, Patrick Whalen, Alfred R. White and Luke Bates.

Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, state committeewoman, and Miss Marie V. Kelley, vice-chairman of the county committee, will head a women’s reception committee to be chosen later.

The committees will meet again Monday night to complete arrangements.

Anti-Trust Charges Against Warner Brothers May Go Over Until Fall

Arguments will be heard tomorrow in U.S. District Court here by Judge John Boyd Avis on fixing a date for the resumption of hearing testimony against Warner Brothers and 13 subsidiaries in a suit charging violation of anti-trust laws.

The suit to restrain Warner Brothers interests was filed in Federal court last January by the Victoria Amusement Company, independent owners of a chain of theatres in Camden and vicinity. Joseph Varbalow, part owner of the company and counsel, will ask the court to fix July 5 and 6 as days for taking additional testimony in the case, which has been postponed several times.

A. Merritt Lane, Newark, counsel for the Warner Brothers interests, will object to further testimony being taken until September. In affidavits filed with the court yesterday he states that he understood the case was not to be reopened until the Fall and he has arranged to take a Mediterranean cruise beginning July 1.

Actual trial of the case has not been started as Warner Brothers have filed a bill of appearance, contending Judge Avis lacks jurisdiction in the matter because the contracts for New Jersey theatres owned by the defendants are signed in home offices in other states. Lane contends the New Jersey theatres merely apply for picture contracts and they do not become legal until approved by the home office in New York.

Lane lost a legal skirmish when Judge Avis refused to permit the transfer of the case to the U.S. courts in New York for the taking of testimony.

The Victoria Amusement Company contends that Warner Brothers interests exercise an unlawful monopoly and restraints in distributing 100 motion pictures. It is charged favoritism is shown Warner Brothers theatres over independents, in violation of the Sherman and Clay anti-trust laws.

Thirteen subsidiaries of Warner Brothers and Albert Warner have been cited to appear tomorrow by Varbalow, who will have Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and Harvey F. Garr, as associate counsel. Among the defendants are the Stanley Company of America, First National Pictures Distributing Corporation, Vitagraph, Inc., First National Pictures, Inc., Warner Brothers Theatres Inc., and Stanley Company, of Camden. A number of secondary defendants are mentioned.

Committee Named to Arrange Program for Mass Meeting

Pair Seized Few Hours After Neutze Gives 12 Heavy Sentences

When Mikey Brown, former stormy petrel of Eighth ward politics, moved to Runnemede recently he thought his appearances in Camden courts were over. But it was not to be.

Mike, who is engaged in the fertilizer business, appeared before Judge Joseph Varbalow in District Court yesterday on complaint of Ross J. Brown, of Mendenhall, Pa., near Villanova.

The Mendenhall Brown claims that on November 14, 1934, he paid the Runnemede Brown $712 for fertilizer. Mikey delivered $462 worth, and refused to deliver the rest, according to the complainant. Ross Brown demanded his $250 worth of fertilizer or the money back.

Mikey Brown, in a counter-claim, said Ross owes him $489 for fertilizer he delivered and for which he never was paid.

Judge Varbalow dismissed the counter-claim and gave Ross Brown a judgment for the $250.

The Browns, incidentally, are not related.

Sergeant-at-Arms Accused of ‘Holding Up’ Order Issued by Court

Edward Martin, sergeant-at-arms in the Camden District Court, has been suspended by Judge Joseph Varbalow on charges that he attempted to hold up a court order, and used profane language in a public office.

The suspension is indefinite, Judge Varbalow said, until he “turns the matter over to see if any further punishment should be given.” Martin had no comment to make when questioned on the suspension.

Judge Varbalow said the charges arose over a case in his court involving Frank Schofield and James Pennington. The former had obtained an attachment on funds of Pennington, who is leader of an orchestra known as Pennington’s Californians.

“When the case came up for a hearing in my court,” Judge Varbalow said, “Schofield, who was the plaintiff, failed to appear. I then signed an order directing the clerk of the court to return the money held up in the attachment, to Pennington.

“Martin acted as a constable in the matter. He went to the clerk, Charles Ferat, and told him to hold up the order for an hour or so, until he, Martin, could get in touch with Schofield’s counsel, Rudolph Eisener,” Judge Varbalow continued.

“Ferat refused to hold up the order, and Martin called him a profane name. The matter was reported to me and I summoned Martin, Ferat and two other witnesses to my office on Saturday.

“At that time Martin admitted he had made a mistake and said he was sorry it had happened. He said he meant no wrong by his actions.

“I have suspended Martin for two reasons. First, because no sergeant-at-arms has the power to hold up a court order and second, because he was engaged in an argument in a public office, during which he used profane language.”

Herbert Richardson, counsel for Martin, would not discuss the case today. “I don’t know what it is all about as yet, so naturally I have nothing to say. I feel that the matter will straighten itself out,” Richardson said.

To the Editor:

Sir — Whatever the motive of Mr. Scovel may be in trying to abolish the Camden City District Court, the Camden Bar Association should strongly object to such action on the part of Mr. Scovel. Politics have no place in our courts, and certainly should never have any place in our court system.

While Judge Neutze was judge of the Camden City District Court he established a fine record in keeping its docket clear. Judge Varbalow has done an equally fine job. While under the guidance of these able men the District Court always carried itself financially. The younger men of the Camden bar, of whom I am one, can readily appreciate the work of Judge Varbalow and the purpose of his court. And as for the lay citizens of Camden, this court may be termed as “the poor man’s court.

It seems to me that a child can readily read through Mr. Scovel’s action. The Camden City District Court has served its purpose and is now serving its purpose. Why change? Is there not enough legislation to pass upon which needs reform or change? Why not do first things first? If ever the Camden County Bar Association did anything to voice its protest in defense of our legal profession now is the time to do it.

SAMUEL W. STRAUSS
300 Broadway, Camden

By JOHN J. FITZGERALD

When Henry F. Chmura, 11, of 1245 Kaighn Avenue, grows up he may become a member of the United States Supreme Court. Well, anyway, Henry demonstrated in the City District Court today that he has a legal mind.

The boy delivered one of the snappiest legal arguments ever heard in that courtroom. Judge Joseph Varbalow and a score of attorneys sat with opened mouths listening to the youth plead his case in a damage suit in which he was the plaintiff.

It appears from what Henry told the court that on September 19, 1934, he purchased a ticket to enter a Parkside motion picture theatre. He ran into the theatre after depositing his ticket in the box.

Thought He Sneaked In

The manager of the theatre saw him run in and went after him, thinking that the boy had “sneaked in” according to suit papers. He grabbed the boy who struggled, and the youth’s head banged against a wall knocking him unconscious, the suit stated. His mother, Mrs. Anna Chmura, through her attorney, Samuel T. French, brought suit against the theatre in the district court. The boy sought $300 damages and his mother $200 damages.

The case was listed for trial Wednesday but in the interim a settlement was suggested between the opposing parties. The attorneys, Mrs. Chmura and her son appeared before Judge Varbalow. One of the attorneys told the court that a settlement had been reached for $200 and asked to have the case dismissed.

Judge Varbalow asked Mrs. Chmura: “Is the amount of the settlement for your son satisfactory to you?”

“It certainly is,” the woman replied.

“How about you, Henry?” the court asked, “are you satisfied to get the $200?”

The boy rose, glanced around the courtroom and, facing the court, said:

“Your Honor, the amount of the settlement may be satisfactory to my mother, but it certainly is not to me. When my head banged against that wall it felt as if 500 pounds of iron fell on me. I still have headaches from it.”

“Well, why don’t you think $200 is a proper settlement?” asked the court.

“I do not think it is a proper settlement for the simple reason it is only $200 and $200 is not much money these days. I think about $500 would be the proper amount,” the boy stated.

Predicts He’ll Be Judge

The court looked flabbergasted at the boy, and the attorneys looked in astonishment at each other. Judge Varbalow stroked his chin in thought for several seconds and then broke into a big smile.

“What are you going to be when you grow up to be a man?” the court asked.

“I want to be a lawyer,” the lad replied.

“I’ll make a bet you reach the United States Supreme Court,” the judge replied.

The court then held up the settlement until and unless he receives a letter from the boy’s physician stating he is in perfect health. If such a letter is received the settlement will stand.

If Henry is not satisfied with the decision he can carry his appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

2 Families of Fanciers Take Kennel Clash to Court; Varbalow Is Puzzled

The City District Court literally went to the dogs yesterday.

And that is no joke with District Court Judge Joseph A. Varbalow, who is being called upon for a Solomon judgment in a case involving a half-dozen champion Boston terriers, two well-known Camden county families, a claim for $190 and a counter-claim for $212.50.

Mrs. Bertha Denny, wife of former Coroner Benjamin Denny, brought the original suit against Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Thomas of 300 Cuthbert Road, Haddon Township. Mrs. Denny resides at 736 Market Street.

She contends she sold to the Thomas’ pair several champion dogs during 1936, for which she was to receive $440. She said she has received $250 and that there is a balance of $190, which Mr. and Mrs. Thomas refuse to pay.

In a counter suit the Thomas family asks $212.50, which they claim is owed to them for board for three dogs they kept at their kennels for Mrs. Denny, one dog remaining four weeks, another for 11 weeks and a third for 32 weeks.

Such fancy names as “Pretty Girl” and “See-Me-Hagerty,” to say nothing of “Pal-Mino-Joy” seemed to further confuse the judicial issue as Judge Varbalow struggled to reach an amicable decision. The case continued throughout the day.

Jewish Community to Fete Dr. Goldstein, President of Palestine Fund

Rabbi Israel Goldstein, of New York, president of the Jewish National Fund of America, will speak tonight at a mass meeting at the Hotel Walt Whitman, in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Jewish National Fund.

Preceding the meeting, he will be the guest at a dinner tendered by members of the Jewish community here.

Leon H. Rose, Camden attorney, who is president of the Jewish National Fund Council of Southern New Jersey, will be toastmaster. Rabbis N. H. J. Riff and Philip L. Lipis of Congregation Beth El will speak.

Dr. Goldstein is rabbi of Congregation B’nai Jeshrun, and active in Jewish communal, civic and interfaith movements. He is a member of the New York Regional Relations Board and of the National Executive Committee on Workers and Farmers Rights, and president of the Jewish Conciliation Court of America. The Jewish National Fund of America, of which he is head, has for its purpose the purchase of land in Palestine.

Those at the dinner will include: David Breslau, Ben Zion Steinberg, Isaac Singer, Mrs. Samuel Kaplan, Mrs. Abraham Kaplan, Samuel Varbalow, Meyer Adelman, E. George Aaron, Jacob Leventon, Jesse Satenstein, Lewis Liberman, A. J. Rosenfeld, Judge Joseph Varbalow, Elias Klein, Mark Marritz, Albert B. Melnik, Dr. Samuel H. Blank, Barney B. Brown, Jacob Naden, Samuel Ginns, Ernest Dubin, Ellis Goodman, Leon Naden, Louis Rovner, Joseph Ruttenberg, Morris Liebman, Albert Caplan, Lester Abrahamer, I. J. Milask, Isadore H. Hermann, Milton C. Nurock, Harry Trautenberg, Manuel Winigrad, Hanan Yarden, Morris Drob and Mrs. Dora E. Rose.

District Court Judge Joseph Varbalow yesterday held under advisement an action by Police Judge Gene R. Mariano seeking to recover $150 from Mrs. Marietta Branin, wife of Police Chief John S. Branin, of Delaware township.

Judge Mariano testified that the $150 represents the balance of a $250 fee for “at least” 25 conferences he held in his office in July and August of 1936 with Mrs. Branin and “other persons interested” in her suit for divorce. Each of these conferences, he said, lasted from an hour to an hour and a half.

“One day I woke up and found out I was not her attorney,” Mariano declared, “so I sent her a bill for $250 for my fee for the conferences. I received a check for $100 on account with the balance promised within two weeks.”

Chief Branin and his wife filed cross suits for divorce last November. No date has been set for a hearing. Both charge infidelity and extreme cruelty.

Judge Mariano also testified he had other conferences with Mrs. Branin’s daughter and “a Mr. Roberts who was interested in the divorce action.”

Coalition Majority Reported Agreed on Successor as County Legal Aide

Caucus Acts to Cut $77,000 from Budget

By W. OLIVER KINCANNON

Walter S. Keown, of Haddon Township, is ready to resign as county counsel to make way for a Democratic successor.

That was announced at a Democratic freeholders caucus last night by Edward V. Martino, an assistant city solicitor and a lieutenant of City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, after a caucus of Democratic freeholders at the home of Judge Joseph Varbalow, 2636 Baird Avenue.

Martino asserted also that the Democratic successor would be named at next Wednesday’s meeting of the freeholder board.

Vincent L. Gallaher, chairman of the Democratic county committee, has been mentioned for the post.

A group of Democratic freeholders were at the meeting, which was attended also by Martino and Isadore H. Hermann, another Kobus lieutenant who is a member of the city legal staff.

Mrs. Kobus and Mayor George E. Brunner appeared at the Varbalow home after the meeting had been adjourned.

Budget Cut Acceptable

Freeholder Maurice Bart, of Oaklyn, majority leader of the Board of Freeholders, said the caucus was ready to cut the county budget by $77,000 to bring the 1938 county tax rate down to the 1937 level of 80 cents from its present level of 83.5 cents.

“That’s against my wishes and advice,” Bart said, but seems to be in line with the desires of Dr. W. Carlton Harris, who has just been named as county fiscal adviser.

Bart said the Democratic freeholders agreed to lop $8000 off the county farms’ appropriation to eliminate the chicken farm. He said the 1936 records showed eggs were produced for county institutions at $1.65 a dozen when they could have been bought for 35 cents a dozen.

He announced the freeholders practically agreed to refuse to add an insulin therapy department to the mental hospital and said this would cut the budget about $15,000.

“The rest of the cuts will be effected by slashes all along the line of departmental appropriations,” Bart announced.

Hits Remington Fee Cost

Bart said the Democratic freeholders revolted against payment of a bill of $2207.86 submitted by J. C. Remington, consulting engineer for the county park commission, and his partner, for consulting fees in connection with the recent improvement at the county sewage disposal plant at Lakeland.

“We have paid that firm — Remington and Goff — $4440.80 already and this new bill came to my attention only today,” Bart said.

The caucus also entertained a request by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando that the three process servers transferred from the prosecutor’s office to the sheriff’s office during the term of Judge Clifford A. Baldwin as prosecutor be returned to the prosecutor’s office to effect efficiency, Bart said.

Coalition Reported Decided on Move to Name Gallaher for County Post

Safe, Incumbent Says

A legal battle over the county solicitorship loomed yesterday following a caucus of Democratic members of the Board of Freeholders Thursday.

A decision to name Vincent L. Gallaher, chairman of the Democratic County Committee, to the post at next Wednesday’s regular meeting of the board reportedly was reached by the caucus.

However, Walter S. Keown, Republican counsel, said yesterday he feels his job is “secure legally,” pointing out that he was appointed January 1, 1937, to a three-year term.

Keown denied reports that have been circulating for weeks through the municipal and county buildings that he will resign.

“There is absolutely no foundation to such rumors,” Keown said today. “I have no intention of resigning and I know of no legal technicality that will permit a successor to be named.”

Dislikes ‘If’ Questions

Asked whether he would fight in the event a solicitor were named, Keown replied: “I don’t like to answer ‘if’ questions. But you can say for me that I feel my job is secure legally. I don’t know of a thing on which they could base an attempt to dismiss me.

“Don’t forget, too, that most of the present members of the board were in office when I was reappointed last year.”

The position pays $5000 in annual salary, less 15 percent economy salary reductions. Last year Keown actually received $4250 in salary, $1287.50 for office expenses and $200 for other expenses.

Thursday’s meeting was held at the home of District Court Judge Joseph Varbalow.

A group of Democratic freeholders were at the meeting, which was attended also by Edward V. Martino and Isadore H. Hermann, lieutenants of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and members of the city legal staff.

Mrs. Kobus and Mayor George E. Brunner appeared at the Varbalow home after the meeting had been adjourned.

One man was sentenced to 60 days in jail yesterday while another was given a suspended sentence when arraigned on the charge of attempting suicide by turning on the gas in their homes.

When Joseph Dadich, 52, a plumber of 1438 Louis Street, faced Judge Gene R. Mariano, the man’s wife, Emma asked the court to send her husband away for the “cure” because he had been drinking for several months. Mrs. Dadich found her husband lying across the kitchen stove Sunday with the burners turned on. She got him into the open air and he was revived, after which he was arrested. Dadich drew the jail sentence.

Joseph Grochowski, 22, of 915 Mechanic Street, the second man to be haled before the court on the suicide attempt charge, was found with his head bent over the burner of a hot water heater in the cellar by his brother-in-law, Edmond Kincher. When Stanley Ciechanowski, Freeholder of the Seventh Ward, said Judge Joseph Varbalow had promised to give Grochowski a position, Judge Mariano suspended sentence, and he was released.

Camden Officials to Attend Barbers’ and Beauticians’ Fete Monday

More than 700 persons, including Camden city and county officials, will attend the first annual ball of the Beauticians and Barbers Association to be given Monday night at the Moose ballroom, 808 Market Street, Camden.

The group, a Gloucester city organization headed by Peter A. Sessa, president of the Gloucester Master Barbers, and Miss Florence Winters, president of the Beauticians, voted to hold the event in Camden because ample quarters are not available in Gloucester due to condemnation of the old city hall.

Guests at the ball will include City Commissioners Mary W. Kobus, Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., Harold W. Bennett, Frederick von Nieda and Mayor George Brunner. Other guests will be Postmaster Emma E. Hyland, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, Judges Joseph Varbalow and Gene Mariano, Mary Soistmann, Democratic state committeewoman, and Frank B. Hanna and Mrs. Florence Baker, members of the Republican State Committee; City Solicitor Firmin Michel; Mayor John F. Gorman, of Gloucester; A. L. Kuhn, of Trenton, and Charles E. Paglucia, of Plainfield, members of the State Board of Barber Examiners; Lewis Waldman, of Trenton, president of the State Master Barbers’ Association, and Vincent Ferrante, president of the Camden Master Barbers’ Association.

Music will be furnished by Bob Horton and his orchestra, and dancing will be supervised by Prof. Edward Daisey.

The committee in charge includes Lewis Kelly, chairman; Johanna Fox, secretary; Peter Pellegrino, treasurer; Verna Casey, Margaret Shuster, Catherine Moran, Effie Jones, Anna Caldwell, Florence Winters, Jean Gorman, Arthur Kinch, Nicholas Casto, Dominick La Bascio, Rocco Burgo, Peter Sessa and William Cheeseman.

Charter Left Open for 300 Additional Members; 18 Trustees Elected

Rulers Approve Resolution Setting Up New Department Under Brunner

By JIMINY

Feed Bag: Former Judge Joseph Varbalow will soon announce he has purchased the Towers and Broadway Theatres from the Ellis family … Circuit Court Judge V. Claude Palmer will probably file his decision today in the fraud charges made by the Republican League against the election of Freeholders Ciechanowski and Francesconi … Since Judge Palmer told the Democratic attorney, Alex Feinberg, that Feinberg must complete his entire case in a half a day “because, frankly, I don’t see what answer you can make to this testimony,” you can draw your own conclusions about what the decision will be … Incidentally, Judge Palmer will take a plane July 12 for a vacation at Calgary in the Canadian Rockies … The name of Walter Uliase, Seventh ward Democrat, has been withdrawn from powwows on appointments to the county tax board … Senator Al Driscoll was willing to okay Joe Ackroyd, Democrat, as successor on the board to Fred Schorpp, whose term expired a few weeks ago … The Republicans are said to have figured that in that way, they could hold Victor King on the board awhile longer, even though his term expired more than a year ago … Lee Smith, former WPA director, is still a possibility for the tax board job … The Democrats are holding frequent conferences on who the assistant prosecutor shall be … Police Judge Gene R. Mariano, a strong contender, has reportedly been dropped with Ben Dzick, Tony Mitchell, Charlie Rudd and the Kraft boys still in the running … Police court habitues believe that Gene himself announced indirectly that he had been eliminated when he said from the bench, while hearing a case, “Lady, you’ll find that even your best friends sometimes stab you in the back. I found that out myself only 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon” … That was on Thursday … Mayor George Brunner told the dept that our guess was still as good as his, so that leaves Ben Dzick still with the fence position in the race … Mariano may be considered for the $5000 State job as sealer of weights and measures …

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Miscellany: Neil F. Deighan, the saloonman who led the opposition to a legislative bill which proposed that liquor manufacturers and wholesalers be prevented from selling goods to any retailer who owed them money and that all purchases be made with cash or quick payment credit plan (the bill will die in committee), is having his troubles with some wholesalers … Suits have been filed against Deighan and the Old Mill Inn, Inc., by Galsworthy, Inc., for $1713.51 plus interest; Joseph A. Reinfeld, Inc., for $1366.43 plus interest, and Majestic Wines and Spirits, Inc., for $1579.80 plus interest … The suits are in the New Jersey Supreme Court and allegedly represent unpaid balances of liquor bills …