Introduction
LEWIS LIBERMAN was born around 1895 to Jewish parents who had emigrated from Russia. His parents moved to New Jersey by the following year, when sister Lillian was born. Brothers Harry, Jacob, and David were born in New Jersey between 1900 and 1910. By January of 1920 the father of Lewis Liberman had passed away, leaving his mother, Ida Liberman to raise her five children. The 1920 Census reports that Ida Liberman was then the proprietor of a shoe store, and that the family lived above the store, at 2417 Federal Street. This building was sold to Aaron Fliegelman by the 1930s, who operated a store there into the 1950s. The Fliegelman’s son, Sidney, later went on to a long and successful career in radio under the name Sid Mark.
Trained as an attorney, Lewis Liberman had served in the military during World War I and was practicing law by 1920. He prospered in the 1920s. He married his wife Augusta, and a son, Stephen was born to them late in 1920. When the 1924 City Directory was compiled, the family lived at 2508 Federal Street. By the time of the April 1930 Census the Liberman family owned a home at 2603 Baird Boulevard in East Camden. His first law offices were at 307 Market Street, but by 1930 he had relocated to 300 Broadway, a building owned by real estate and insurance entrepreneur Carl R. Evered.
In general practice at the time of the Census, Lewis Liberman is recorded in the Camden Courier-Post in January of 1931 as holding the post of Assistant City Counsel for the City of Camden, serving under City Counsel Harold W. Bennett, in the administration of mayor Winfield S. Price. He later was appointed to the bench, and served as the Judge in Camden’s Police Court in 1934 and 1935. Many cases were brought to Judge Liberman by John Reiners and Samuel P. Orlando, who serving as City Prosecutors, Assistant Prosecutor Isaac W. Eason Jr. The Police Court of Camden was a very busy place in these years, and Judge Liberman’s name was in Camden’s Morning Post or Evening Courier newspapers almost every day during this period. Interestingly enough, both Samuel P. Orlando and Harold W. Bennett lived near the Liberman home at 2603 Baird Boulevard, at 2613 and 2625, respectively, during the early 1930s.
Lewis Liberman was aligned with the Republican Party in local politics. When control over hiring of city employees passed from the Republican Party to the Democrats late in October 1936, the result of a New Jersey State Supreme Court decision which finally settled the disputed May 1935 election for Camden’s City Commission, Judge Liberman was replaced on the City bench.
Lewis Liberman was active in the affairs of the Jewish community in Camden. A member of Congregation Ahav Zedak on Broadway, he was a member of Camden Lodge No. 915, Independent Order of B’nai B’rith, and served as president of the Lodge at some point prior to 1928.
Something went horribly wrong for Lewis Liberman in the spring of 1941. On Saturday, March 29th, he committed suicide by jumping out of a bathroom window on the ninth floor of the Broadway-Stevens Building. He was buried with full military honors on March 31st.
The 1947 Camden City Directory records his wife Augusta at that time still living at 2603 Baird Boulevard, and working as office secretary at the nearby Alfred Cramer Elementary School at 29th and Benson Street.
Lewis Liberman
South Jersey: A History 1624–1924
Signature of Lewis Liberman from South Jersey: A History 1624–1924
LEWIS LIBERMAN is a young lawyer of Camden, who has also become interested in various other lines of work. Temple Law School was the university where he pursued his legal studies, after graduating from the Camden High School in 1912. The war interrupted his work, for he cut his studies and enlisted in the army as a private the day after he took his bar examinations. At Jacksonville, Florida, he received his commission as lieutenant from the Officers’ Training Camp, and a few days later was shipped overseas for active service. He was not discharged until August, 1919, when he returned to the United States and again gave his attention to the matter of his professional career. After looking about, he decided to begin at once in an office of his own, and located at No. 307 Market Street, Camden, where he may still be found.
Mr. Liberman was born in Philadelphia, July 22, 1894, but his family soon after removed to Camden, where he has since resided, his father being a merchant of that city. He is a member of the Ahav Zedek Orthodox Congregation, and former vice-president of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association. He is a stock-holder in the Camden Community Hotel, the East End Trust Company, and the Land Title Company, and a director of two building and loan associations, the Victoria and the Progress. Mr. Liberman is actively connected with ex-servicemen’s organizations, being a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States. He is the Judge Advocate, Department of New Jersey, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Politically, Mr. Liberman’s sympathies are with the Republican party, and for a year he was assistant city solicitor. Professionally, he is connected with the Camden County Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He belongs to the Camden County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Camden Lodge, No. 293, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. For recreation, Mr. Liberman is especially fond of tennis and baseball.
Hebrew Society Holds Memorial for Members Who Lost Lives in War
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In memory of the five Y. M. H. A. members who lost their lives in the war, memorial services were held in the Y. M. H. A. building, 570 Walnut street, Camden, yesterday afternoon. The exercises opened with prayer by Rabbi Riff, followed by a piano solo by Miss Brewer; a recitation by Miss Dora Yuschinsky; an address by Rabbi Samuel Fredman, chaplain U. S. A.; a vocal solo by Miss Speckan; address, “Y. M. H. A. Boys in Service,” by Lieutenant Lewis Liberman; “Elmole Rachmin,” by Rabbi Mickelman, and choir; a eulogy, “Facts of the Unknown,” by Samuel Bashlow; an address by Rabbi Harry S. Davidowitz, chaplain 75th Division, and closing prayer by Rabbi Solomon Grayzel.
Camden Courier-Post — January 4, 1928
Named: Hotel Walt Whitman, Congregation Beth El, Meyer Sakin, Congregation Ahev Zedek, Rabbi Nachman Arnoff, Joseph A. Varbalow, Lewis Liberman, Dr. David Cooper, Dr. Leopold Z. Goldstein, Herman Odlen, Fred Siris, Hyman James, Nathan Friedenberg, Maurice Wessell, Samuel Varbalow, Benjamin Shindler, Ellis Goodman, B’nai B’rith, and Camden’s Jewish Community.
Camden Courier-Post — January 7, 1928
Named: Hotel Walt Whitman, Congregation Beth El, Congregation Ahev Zedek, Rabbi Nachman Arnoff, Rabbi Archie Davidson, Lewis Liberman, Meyer Sakin, Dr. David Cooper, Dr. Leopold Z. Goldstein, Herman Odlen, Fred Siris, Hyman James, Nathan Friedenberg, B’nai B’rith, and Camden’s Jewish Community.
Patrons, Patronesses Announced Today for First Military Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 960, Veterans of Foreign Wars, to be held on Friday evening February 3 in the Elks auditorium, Seventh and Cooper Streets, are announced today.
The following prominent men and women are listed: Mrs. J.W. Connor, Miss C.M. Day, Mrs. J.H. Forsyth, Mrs. H.J. Goodyear, Miss B. Graham, Mrs. R.E. Green, Mrs. E.F. Haines, Mrs. J. Hood Jr., Mrs. W. Hurley, Mrs. J. Jarrell, Mrs. T. Keefe, Mrs. J.F. Kobus, Mrs. L. Liberman, Mrs. F.L. Lloyd, Mrs. M.A. Logan, Mrs. T.P. McConaghy, Mrs. F.F. Neutze, Mrs. L.K. Marr, Mrs. J.A. Pennington, Mrs. M.E. Ramsey, Mrs. E. Truax, Mrs. S.M. Shay, Mrs. W.J. Staats, Mrs. B.G. Tarburton, Mrs. R.W. Waddell, Mrs. E. Watson, Mrs. E.P. Wescott, Mrs. C.A. Wolverton.
David Baird Jr., William T. Boyle, Isaac Ferris, William Hurley, John Hood Jr., John Jarrell, Victor King, William J. Kraft, Thomas Keefe, Joseph F. Kobus, Hon. Edmund B. Leaming, Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, James H. Long, L.K. Marr, Dr. Thomas P. McConaghy, Hon. Frank F. Neutze, Samuel P. Orlando, Albert E. Simmons, Edwin Watson, Ethan P. Wescott.
Baird to Address Hebrew League
Camden Courier-Post —
David Baird, Jr., Republican nominee for governor, will make his final appearance in the current election campaign Monday night, in his “own home town,” when he will address a monster rally at the Hebrew Republican League, at the Talmud Torah, 621 Kaighn Avenue.
The Hebrew league reorganized formally at a luncheon in the Hotel Walt Whitman. Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor, was elected president; Sig Schoenagle, Samuel Shaner, Israel Weitzman, vice-presidents; L. Scott Cherchesky, secretary, and Samuel Label, treasurer.
Trustees of the league include Hyman Bloom, Mitchell E. Cohen, Benjamin Friedman, Jacob L. Furer, Isadore H. Hermann, Carl Kisselman, Edward Markowitz, Louis L. Markowitz, Harry Obus, Maurice L. Praissman, Samuel Richelson, Meyer L. Sakin, Julius Rosenberg, Jacob Rosenkrantz and Jack Weinberg.
In addition to former Senator Baird, speakers at the Jewish rally will include Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, Republican state committeewoman and vice chairman of the county committee; Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Congressman Benjamin Golder, of Pennsylvania, and State Senator Samuel Salus, of Pennsylvania.
American Jewish Yearbook, 1931–1932
Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia PA — 1931
Members
Camden — Annual Members
Adlen, R., 1455 Broadway
Arnoff, Rabbi Nachman, 1254 Langham Avenue
Brown, Barney B., 1222 Langham Avenue
Conston, H., 707 Broadway
Cooper, Dr. David E., 1314 Broadway
Cooperson, Leon, 40 North 4th Street
Feldman, J., 422 Kaighn Avenue
Feldsher, R., 800 Broadway
Fine, Florence, 520 Kaighn Avenue
Fox, P., 1122 Broadway
Fridrick, H. E., 2587 Baird Boulevard
Fuhrman, Abe, 444 Broadway
Furer, Jacob L., 602 Wilson Building
Goldstein, Dr. Hyman I., 1125 Broadway
Grossberg, J., 827 Broadway
Heine, Samuel, 910 Broadway
Hermann, I. H., 300 Broadway
Jaspan, H., 631 Grant Street
Kaplan, S., 804 Wilson Building
Levy, W. H., 2554 Baird Boulevard
Liberman, Lewis, 307 Market Street
Lichtenstein, H. S., 1450 Wildwood Avenue
Markowich, H. W., 1277 Kenwood Avenue
Markowich, S. N., 1221 Haddon Avenue
Markowitz, L. L., 808 Broadway
Marritz, Mark, 521 Cooper Street
Miller, S. N., 548 Federal Street
Naden, Jacob, 773 Kaighn Avenue
Natal, Benjamin, 1491 Greenwood Avenue
Newman, A., 1178 Haddon Avenue
Ostroff, William, 1196 Haddon Avenue
Palitz, Sarah L., 514 Federal Street
Polivnick, Miss C., 1449 Ormond Avenue
Rose, Leon H., 511 Income Insurance Building (300 Broadway)
Rosenfeld, R. H., 3046 Federal Street
Udell, W., 504 Kaighn Avenue
Visor, David L., 23 Broadway
Weitzman, Israel, 1456 Haddon Avenue
Yuschinsky, Miss Dora E., 520 Liberty Street
Zinman, Philip, 548 Federal Street
Funds to Aid Women’s Home, Talmud Torah and Free Loan
Camden Courier-Post —
A campaign to raise funds for the Federation of Jewish Charities of Camden was launched yesterday under the chairmanship of E. George Aaron. The drive will continue a week.
Funds raised will be contributed to the support of the Hebrew Ladies’ Sheltering Home, the Talmud Torah, and the Free Loan Fund.
The campaign, Aaron announced, will be aided by the Jewish charitable organizations of Camden and the following have been named team captains:
Rabbi N. Riff, Samuel Shane, L. Tarter, S. Lippman, A. Barbell, J. Grossberg, H. Odlen, Leon Rose, Lewis Liberman, Mrs. S. Litow, Mrs. M. Shapiro, Mrs. H. Kaplan, Mrs. S. Shane, Mrs. R. Bukstel, Mrs. F. Bloom, Mrs. V. Gerber and Mrs. S. S. Lewis.
There will be a meeting in the Talmud Torah tonight, when Rabbi B. L. Levinthal, of Philadelphia, will speak in support of the campaign.
Jewish Charities Raise $1500 Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Federation to Continue Campaign All This Week
More than $1500 in pledges and in cash have been received in the campaign of the Camden Federation of Jewish Charities, it was announced last night by E. George Aaron, chairman of the campaign committee. The drive will continue through this week.
Campaign workers seeking funds for the Hebrew Ladies’ Charities, Sheltering Home, Camden Talmud Torah and Free Loan Fund follow: Rabbi N. Riff, Mr. and Mrs. S. Shane, Mrs. R. Bukstel, Mrs. S. Litow, Mrs. M. Shapiro, Mrs. H. Kaplan, Mrs. L. Creskoff, Mrs. B. Ostroff, Mrs. S. Goldstein, Mrs. A. Goodman, Mrs. S. Masel, Mrs. M. Koll, Mrs. F. Bloom, Mrs. M. Cornrich, Mrs. V. Gerber, Mrs. L. Weiss and Mrs. S. Soloff, Leon H. Rose, Lewis Liberman, A. Barbell, S. S. Lewis, J. Grossberg, B. Greenberg, S. Lippman, J. Ruttenberg, S. Stein, H. Odlen, J. Block, O. Praissman, S. Naden, D. Lefkowitz, and David Epstein.
More Religion Needed, Graduates Here Told
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden High Presents Diplomas to Class of 261
1500 Relatives View Exercises
Many Prizes Awarded; Judge Wells Makes Address
Esther Hill and Cecelia Cummings, who were granted awards at graduation ceremonies at Camden High School
The need of more religious education was stressed by Judge Harold B. Wells, of Bordentown, in addressing 264 graduates of Camden High School and more than 1500 relatives and friends who attended commencement exercises yesterday.
Awards of the main scholarships and prizes were announced as follows:
Alumni Scholarships—Tuition in University of Pennsylvania, awarded to C. Albertus Hewitt, president of Senior class; $300 toward tuition in any college chosen, awarded to Esther Hill, first honor student.
W. F. Rose Public Speaking Contest prizes of $15 each—Awarded to Cecelia Cummings and Jack Sosenko, both of January Class.
“We need more religion and more devotion,” Judge Wells said, “not more money or more education. Don’t boast that you don’t believe in God. The whole world and all the progress it has made is based on a belief in God.
“Don’t sneer at religion until you know something about it—and then you won’t sneer. Live for today. Don’t worry about yesterday and don’t think of tomorrow. Don’t be a grouch—the divorce courts today are filled with grouches.”
Thomas W. Trembath, vice principal of the high school, brought a momentary hush on the large audience when he announced that Miss Clara S. Burrough, high school principal who is retiring, was not well enough to attend this, her last commencement.
Trembath announced at the same time that students were planning to present Miss Burrough with a chair and other gifts. The movement, he said, began among students a week ago and had swept through the school surprisingly swift.
All members of the board of education were present. In the absence of Miss Burrough, Samuel E. Fulton, president of the board, presented diplomas. Trembath presented members of the class for graduation honors.
The invocation opening the exercises was offered by the Rev. W.W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfred’s Episcopal Church, Camden.
Among the officials present were Albert M. Bean, county superintendent of schools; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, city superintendent; Charles S. Albertson, former county superintendent; Dr. William H. Pratt, chief medical inspector; Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the education board, and Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor.
The valedictory and salutatory addresses were dispensed with at the high school last year and supplanted with faculty choices of speakers to represent the boys and girls of the class. Robert Knox Bishop, chosen to represent the boys, delivered an essay entitled “Capital Punishment and Modern Civilization.” Representing the girls, Clara E. Marie Krause delivered an essay on “Music and Moods.” Other honor students are Esther E. Hill, Caroline Emhof and Evelyn Harriet Ratcliffe.
The musical part of the program follows: “Die Schone Galathea,” by Von Suppe; Farandole from “L’Arlesienne,” by Bizet; Washington Post March by Sousa; Triumphal selections from “Blossomtime,” by Romberg—all by the High School orchestra. There will be one chorus, “Blue Danube Waltz,” by Strauss.
As a special tribute to her work for Camden High, Miss Lucy Dean Wilson, in charge of public speaking and dramatics, and formerly musical director, was invited by Fulton to conduct the chorus in its final number. Miss Wilson took the baton from Robert B. Haley, musical director, and directed the singers. Miss Wilson is retiring this year.
The commencement was the thirty-fourth and last annual commencement at the High School. In September it will become the Camden Academic High School under a reorganization plan that will make Woodrow Wilson Junior High School the Camden Commercial High School.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
Philomathean Society Prize, $10, Ruth Brennan, student in fourth year class doing most meritorious work in English composition.
Class of 1916 Prize in Drawing, $5, Ida Marland.
Solomon J. and Rosa Goldstein Prizes, $5 each, given by Dr. Hyman I. Goldstein, to Howard Ruffie and Clara Krause, students attaining highest standing in science covering not less than two years of work.
B’nai Brith Prizes, one of $15, to Elmer Pont, and $10, to Clara Krause, for high standing in mathematics.
Class of 1923 prizes, two of $10 each, to Richard Call and Esther Hill; students showing greatest ability in athletics.
Class of 1924 prizes, four of $5 each, to Rose DiMuro, Esther Hill, George M. Minter and Samuel Blood, good students of January and June class with highest standing in commercial subjects.
Woman’s Club prize in American History, $10, to Charles Bray, highest standing in American History.
Department of Literature of Camden Woman’s Club prizes of $10, to Alfred Pikus and Constance Di Giuseppe, for standing in English in junior year.
Woman’s Club prize in domestic science, $10, to Evelyn Cowgill, to sophomore with highest standing in domestic science.
Mary McClelland Brown prize, $10, established by classes of 1931, to Cecelia Cummings, highest average in French through three year course.
The Phi Beta Kappa Association of Philadelphia award, a book, “The Epic of America,” autographed by the author, James Truslow Adams, to Clara Krause, highest average in academic course on completing four years of Latin.
Beethoven Club, prize for Musical Activity (new) awarded to Leonard Zondler.
Jews Will Push Aid for Hitler Victims
Camden Courier-Post —
All Organizations Join in Plan to Raise $10,000 Relief Fund
Representatives of every Jewish organization in Camden were in attendance last night at an emergency meeting of the United Committee for relief of German Jews, held in Talmud Torah Hall, Kaighn Avenue near Seventh Street, when plans to complete a drive for $10,000 by July 3 were adopted.
Leon H. Rose, Camden attorney and chairman of the committee, appointed a special committee to push the drive for funds to aid the 600,000 German Jews, victims of Hitler persecution.
Addresses were made at the meeting by Rabbi N. S. Arnoff, of Beth El Synagogue and Rabbi N. Riff, of Sons of Israel Synagogue. The committee includes Mark Marritz, Samuel Shane, Bella Ostroff, Joseph Shapiro, Mrs. Esther Rosen, Mary Mann, Benjamin Friedman, Herman Odlen, Harry W. Markowitz, Mrs. William Laud, A. David Epstein, M. Snyder, Louis Tartar, Dr. I. S. Siris, J. Richterman, Mrs. David Esterman, Harry Steinberg, Sylvia Sandgrund and Mrs. Hattie Michel.
An additional $300 was collected at the meeting and turned over to Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor, who is treasurer of the committee.
Colored Elks on Parade Here as Convention Opens
Camden Courier-Post —
State Lodge to Elect Today; Ball at Convention Hall Tonight
Cheered by Thousands
More than 2000 members of the I.B.P.E., Colored Elks, participated last night in a colorful parade here as climax to the opening day of the tenth annual state convention of the order.
The marchers were reviewed from a stand at the courthouse by J. Finley Wilson, of Philadelphia, grand exalted ruler of the order and his staff.
Pride of Camden Lodge, No. 83, which is acting as host to the visiting members, was led by G. A. Gerran, exalted ruler. Thousands along the line of march applauded their fine appearance in blue and white uniforms.
Among lodges represented were Atlantic City, Orange, Plainfield, Quaker City and O. V. Catto of Philadelphia, Chester and Wilmington lodges and Manhattan Lodge of New York.
Music was provided by many bands, fife and drum corps and string organizations.
The convention was opened in the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church, Ninth Street and Kaighn Avenue.
William C. Hueston, former assistant solicitor of the U. S. Post Office Department, and Elks’ commissioner of education, addressed the meeting, reporting that the organization spends more than $9000 a year for scholarships for colored students.
The delegates were welcomed to Camden by Assistant Solicitor Lewis Liberman.
Speakers also included William C. Russell of Atlantic City, second vice president of the state association; Ira Hall, past state president; and W. L. Carter, general chairman of the state association committee.
The business sessions are being held in the home of Pride of Camden Lodge, 711 Kaighn Avenue, while the temples are meeting in Wesley A. M. E. Church.
Elections will be held today and the convention will close tonight with a ball at Convention Hall.
Camden Courier-Post — August 28, 1935
Camden Courier-Post — August 31, 1935
Jasper Street — Lewis Liberman
Triple Counties Post Will Install Officers With Liberman as Commander
Camden Courier-Post —
Triple Counties Post, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, will meet tomorrow night, at Hotel Walt Whitman, for the installation of officers. Abraham Kraditor, of New York, national commander-in-chief, is expected to be the installing officer.
The post was organized October 20, with the election of Police Judge Lewis Liberman as commander, and Isador S. Worth, Riverside, assistant U. S. district attorney, vice commander; Harry Bush, Camden, adjutant, and Morris Segal, Camden, quartermaster.
The post was organized by Dr. David Coyne, past commander of Hoboken Post and national organizer. A membership drive is under way with Jewish war veterans of all wars of the United States in Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties invited to join.
The organization is a leader in a fight to prevent American athletes from participating in the 1936 Olympics, if held in Germany, according to E. M. Fredman, secretary to the commander-in-chief, with headquarters at 276 Fifth avenue, New York. Fredman said the organization aims to get 1,000,000 names on petitions to be presented to the national convention of the American Athletic Union in New York on December 3.
Pair Held for Jury in Theft of Liquor
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with possession of stolen goods, Leon Grenkwicz, 21, of 1213 Louis Street, and George Sanders, 22, of 307 Walnut street, Haddonfield, yesterday were held without bail for the grand jury by Police Judge Lewis Liberman.
Charges were placed against them by Detective Benjamin Simon after they had been arrested in Audubon for being drunk and disorderly. Simon said his investigation indicated they were the men who, on September 25, stole a liquor truck belonging to James Thompson, wholesale beverage dealer, from Fourth and Arch Streets, where it was parked.
Simon said that he has the sworn statement of Hugh Gaffney, of 3 Albertson avenue, Westmont, and John Whelan, of 831 Linden Street, that Grenkwicz tried to sell him some of the stolen liquor, for which Thompson is the sole agent in Camden.
Furthermore, said Simon, he has the evidence of a Merchantville man and his sister, whose names he did not reveal, that Sanders sold them a case of the same brand.
Woman Clears Man of Paternity Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Leon Lokaj, 21, of 1040 Everett Street, was held in $500 bail for a further hearing November 19 when a woman who previously accused another man, charged in police court yesterday that Lokaj was the real father of her baby.
The woman, Sue Carroda, 22, of 2040 Arlington Street, also told Police Judge Lewis Liberman that Lokaj is the father of a second child she expects soon.
On October 17 the Carroda woman finally cleared the name of Stanley Wrotney, 22, of 1070 Everett Street, who had been paying her $3 a week because she testified on February 19 that he was the father of her firstborn. She retracted to Mrs. Etta C. Pfrommer, of the bureau of charities, because her conscience troubled her, she said. The woman testified she lied about Wrotney because she was threatened by Lokaj, who also pleaded not guilty yesterday.
Fine or Jail Term Ordered To Make Bootleg Buyer Talk
Camden Courier-Post —
Reveal Rum Source or Else, is New Rule of Police Court
2 Wilkie Nabbed Are Among First ‘Victims’
Unless they tell where they bought it, drinkers of bootleg liquor arrested by Camden police henceforth will receive the full penalty of $200 fine or 90 days in jail, Police Judge Lewis Liberman decided yesterday.
The new policy of getting to the bootleg seller through the bootleg drinker was announced by Judge Liberman when he imposed maximum sentences on two men arrested by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie at Eighth and Cooper streets last night.
The men were Albert Waite, 29, of 916 Pearl Street, and John Barrett, 34, of 237 North Eighth Street. In the latter’s pocket, Wilkie said he found a half pint of “white mule.”
Barrett refused to tell Wilkie where he brought it, so in a pre-hearing conference with Judge Liberman and Court Clerk Edward Smith, it was decided to give Waite and Barrett, originally arrested as just drunk and disorderly, a trial on the more serious charge of possessing illicit liquor. If Barrett gets a change of heart and names the seller, his sentence later will be suspended, said the judge.
“This is a fine idea to make the purchasers of illegal whiskey tell where they got the stuff,” said the judge. “There will be mighty few willing to pay $200 or spend three months in jail rather than tell on a speakeasy.”
Camden Courier-Post — February 11, 1936
Levi Karafin, 19, of 329 North Thirty-fourth street, stood in police court yesterday and declared his suicide attempt Sunday was in earnest.
“My parents are dead. I’ve got no job. What’s the use. I tell you I’ll do it again,” the lanky youth insisted. Karafin was arrested for making an attempt to take his life by drinking poison Sunday.
Fully recovered from the effects of the potion, Karafin refused to promise the court he take a renewed interest in life.
At the request of the Jewish Welfare Board of Philadelphia who notified Police Judge Lewis Liberman they were acquainted with Karafin’s case, the despondent youth was released in the custody of the board.
Offer to Exile Self Rejected by Judge
Camden Courier-Post —
Although he offered to exile himself forever from Camden, Francis White, 36, of 916 Pearl Street, must spend the next 30 days here in jail for repeating an old offense.
White, termed a “habitual drunk” by City Prosecutor John H. Rieners, Jr., because of his frequent appearances in police court, was arrested near the Haddon Avenue armory on Saturday. He had been released from jail on January 26.
“I’m willing to leave Camden for good and to go to Philadelphia,” White pleaded, but Police Judge Lewis Liberman rejected his offer and sentenced him to jail.
Meal Causes Arrest of ‘Tommy’ Moreland
Camden Courier-Post —
Arrested early yesterday when he refused to pay a 50-cent check in a restaurant on Kaighn Avenue near Broadway, “Tommy” Moreland, of 1616 Broadway, was arraigned in police court and released with a suspended sentence.
Moreland, a well-known South Camden figure whose name has been connected with numbers activities in Philadelphia’s Sixty-ninth street section, pleaded guilty to trying to dodge the meal charge.
Although he urged Police Judge Lewis Liberman to dispose of his case quickly in order that he might proceed to his employment as a stevedore in Philadelphia, Moreland was held here until both Camden and Philadelphia police notified the court he was not wanted on other charges.
Moreland has previously been convicted for receiving stolen goods and for voting illegally in the Eighth Ward.
Vet Sought by Cops; Found by Wilkie
Camden Courier-Post —
Ex-Marine Was in City Hall Basement Aiding Pals on Bonus Data
A former U. S. marine who spent a week in the basement of city hall helping veterans make out their bonus applications while police searched throughout the city for him, was arrested by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie Saturday night.
Edwin W. Eddington, 26, who said he has no home, was held without bail for the grand jury by Police Judge Lewis Liberman on two charges of larceny. A warrant for his arrest was issued on complaint of Joseph Cohen, of 1406 Broadway, three weeks ago, after Cohen told police he stole electric wire and tools valued at $54.75.
The warrant was given to Wilkie and he immediately began a search for Eddington. He visited several former homes and a number of tap-rooms where Eddington was known to spend some of his time, but he evaded arrest each time.
On Saturday night Wilkie was approached by Harry Taylor, of 567 Mickle Street, a retired U. S. Navy machinist, who told the officer that a man named Eddington had stolen a suit of clothes and some other wearing apparel from his room. He said Eddington occupied an adjoining room.
“Why, I’ve been looking for that fellow for nearly two weeks,” Wilkie said. “Where is he now?”
“I don’t know where he is now, but all last week he was in the basement of city hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. helping veterans make out their bonus applications,” Taylor said. “You might try the Naval Veterans’ clubrooms at 304 State Street.” Wilkie explained he works from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wilkie immediately went to the State Street address, and while he stayed in the car, Taylor went inside.
While he was in the place, Eddington came along accompanied by a woman and went in. Taylor brought him out under the pretext of taking him to a tap-room. When he reached the pavement he shouted to Wilkie, “Here’s your man.”
Wilkie then took Eddington to city hall and in the basement where the applications were made out he found Eddington’s personal belongings. Several of the articles of clothing were identified by Taylor. In court he pleaded guilty to both charges and said he sold the suit in Philadelphia.
Two Women Exiled by Liberman Order
Camden Courier-Post —
Two young women were ordered to leave Camden by Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday when they were charged with disorderly conduct on a complaint made by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie.
Miss Dorothy Mendenhall, 24, and Miss Peggy Schultz, 24, both of whom gave addresses of 523 Penn Street, were arrested by Wilkie Saturday night after he received a complaint from a boarding house proprietor at the Penn street address.
Three men also were arrested as a result of the investigation made by Wilkie. Two were released with a warning while the third was fined $10.
Wilkie testified he went to the address in response to a radio call and was told by Mrs. Harry Barton, the proprietor, that Miss Mendenhall and Leonard Angelastro, 28, of 258 Pine Street, created a disturbance when she ordered them to move. The Schultz woman went to live in the room with Miss Mendenhall Wednesday, Wilkie said.
Wilkie testified both girls had been arrested before. Judge Liberman said if they were found in Camden again they would be given six months. Both girls denied that Angelastro lived at the room they occupied. Angelastro was fined $10.
Ex-Convict Jailed Here; Numbers Writer Fined
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday sent one man to jail for violating the city criminal registration ordinance and fined another for being a numbers writer.
Arrested in a raid on a South Camden house Saturday, Willy Smith, 25, colored, of 220 Washington Street, was found to have served a term in state’s prison. Although he declared he had failed to register this fact with the city police because he didn’t know about the law requiring registration, he was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail.
Dominic Vespe, 35, of 419 Grant Street, was ordered to pay $200 fine when he pleaded guilty to being a numbers writer. Vespe testified he had been in the numbers business but two weeks and that he turned daily receipts over to a man named “Frank” at Fourth and Cherry Streets.
Swung at Sgt. Smith, Sentence Suspended
Camden Courier-Post —
A man who allegedly aimed a blow at Sgt. Ray Smith, ex-heavyweight champion of the A.E.F. Tuesday night received a 30-day suspended sentence in police court yesterday.
Police Judge Lewis Liberman said he suspended sentence on George Gordon, 40, of 1018 Segal Street, because the blow he aimed at Smith never landed.
Gordon after starting an argument with the doorman at a theatre at Broadway and Market street, tried to punch Smith when he remonstrated with him. Smith, a special officer, arrested Gordon on a disorderly conduct charge.
Delay in Paying Fare for Taxicab Adds $5 to Cost
Camden Courier-Post —
If Mr. Blazy Finch had paid his cab fare in the first place, he would be $5 richer today.
William Berkley, of 139 Reading Avenue, Barrington, a cab driver, told Police Judge Lewis Liberman he was called by Finch to a South Camden cafe Wednesday night. There, Finch, who is 38 and lives at 1609 Norris Street, told him he had been thrown out of a saloon and had a broken leg, the driver declared. Berkley said Finch asked him to take him to Cooper Hospital. Berkley said he helped Finch into the cab and when they arrived at the hospital had Finch carried in on a stretcher. Then physicians told him, Berkley testified, that the man had no injury.
Berkley demanded his fare—60 cents—and when Finch refused to pay, called police.
When Judge Liberman asked Finch why he hadn’t paid the fare, Finch said: “I’ll pay it now.” He handed Berkley the fare and a 15-cent tip and Judge Liberman added $5 for disorderly conduct.
Liberman Discharges 2 Held in Ring Thefts
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with stealing seven diamond rings valued at $4000, two men were discharged by Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday when the complaining witness failed to appear in court.
John Burke, 42, of 736 Berkley Street, and John Bryan, 31, of 3009 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, were arrested on complaint of Mrs. Anna Ricco, of 40 Terrace avenue, who accused them of taking her jewelry during a party on February 18.
Both men denied the charges and when Detective Thomas Murphy testified he notified Mrs. Ricco several times to appear at the hearing, they were dismissed.
Saloon Proprietor Held in $1,000 Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
Markowitz Faces Grand Jury; Terms Suspended on 3 in Fight in Place
Waiving a police court hearing, Edward Markowitz, 38, proprietor of the Wall Street Club, 340 Federal Street, was held in $1000 bail for the Grand Jury yesterday by Police Judge Lewis Liberman.
Markowitz was charged with assault and battery on an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. His arrest followed a police call early Sunday when a fight allegedly took place in his cafe.
Three other men, arrested in the case, received suspended sentences.
Ambrose Brown, 31, and his brother, Asher, 27, both of 2104 Spring Garden street, Philadelphia, were accused by George Brown, 29, of 1214 Mt. Ephraim Avenue. The latter, who is not related to the Philadelphians, charged the brothers struck him. Ambrose countered with an assault charge against George Brown.
Ambrose testified that he was standing at the bar in Markowitz’ place when George Brown insulted his wife. He admitted he struck Brown after an argument over the alleged insult. Asher said he tried to separate his brother and George Brown.
Judge Liberman said he believed the trouble was caused by George Brown. He found all the Browns guilty and suspended sentence.
No testimony was offered in the charges against Markowitz. He was held for the Grand Jury at the request of Firmin Michel, his attorney.
At the time of his arrest, Policeman Earl Wright said that Markowitz tried to eject the police. When they refused to go he is alleged to have struck Wright. After his arrest Markowitz said the fight was not in his place. He charged that Wright knocked him unconscious at police headquarters.
18 Drivers Cleared Due to Icy Streets
Camden Courier-Post —
Judge Liberman Takes Weather Into Consideration in Showing Clemency
Eighteen motorists arrested for minor traffic violations were shown clemency last night in traffic court by Judge Lewis Liberman because of the recent icy condition of the streets.
Walter E. Phillips, 24, Palmyra, was summoned because his car was parked on a sidewalk near Broadway and Kaighn Avenue. He said the ice was so thick he could not tell which was the sidewalk. The charge was dismissed.
Sakaris Vatne, 45, of 70 Franklin avenue, Laurel Springs, and Leroy Kester, 33, of 53 Park avenue, Oaklyn, who were driving in the rear of Brodgen and followed him past the light, were dismissed. Vatne testified he is on relief and Judge Liberman asked him where he was getting his gasoline. He said on credit.
“I guess your credit is good here,” Liberman remarked.
Ferdinand Gordon, 26, of 23 Miles avenue, Bordentown, posted $2 security also for passing the light at “Fort Laib” at Admiral Wilson and Baird boulevards and appeared in court to answer the charge.
“How much did it cost you to come to this hearing?” Judge Liberman asked.
“One dollar and 75 cents,” Gordon replied.
“Well I’ll return your $2,” Liberman said. “You won’t make much profit at that.”
Fourteen other cases were dismissed and five were postponed.
7 Held as Cops Raid Card Game in Home
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Seize 2 Decks of Cards, Pair of Dice; Miss Cash
Seven men were arrested last night when police raided a private home after receiving a “tip” that a card game was in progress.
William J. Stephan, 29, of 403 Friends Avenue, the scene of the raid, was arrested as the alleged proprietor and held in $2000 bail for a hearing today before Judge Lewis Liberman.
Others arrested are John H. Ridge, 42, of 418 North Third Street; Ernest Ridge, of Milner Hotel, Delaware avenue and Market street; Nat Green, 34, of 562 Carman Street; John Podhar, 31, of 1944 Bristol street, Philadelphia; Charles Luffy, 32, of 1418 Erie avenue, Philadelphia, and Robert Ramsey, 23, of the Camden Y.M.C.A. All were held in $100 bail as material witnesses.
Detectives John Trout, John Kaighn and Patrolmen Marshall Thompson and Earl Hamby conducted the raid and said they confiscated two decks of cards and a pair of dice. They said a quantity of money on the table was scooped up by the players before they reached the playing room.
Loser in Taproom Fight Halts Assault Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Harry Crothers, 45, of 705 Pearl Street, told Police Judge Lewis Liberman he was sitting peacefully in a taproom at Seventh and Birch Streets when John Albert Waite, of 318 Point Street, walked in.
“The next thing I knew he hit me on the nose,” Crothers testified. “I attempted to find out the reason for the unexpected attack and he hit me in the mouth.”
“Then I got angry and socked him four times.”
Waite appeared in court with a fractured nose, two discolored eyes and puffed lips.
Motorcycle Patrolman James Wilson, who was called to quell the disturbance, said Crothers was charged with assault and battery and Waite was a material witness.
“I was drunk—I don’t remember what happened,” Waite mumbled. “I want to withdraw the charge.” The court complied and they walked out arm-in-arm.
Woman, Students Taken in House Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Residents and Phila. Visitors Arrested in Parkside Dwelling
Three Camden women and two Temple University students were arrested in a raid on an alleged disorderly house at 1450 Kenwood Avenue last night.
Charged with being proprietress of the place is Mrs. Charlotte Grimes, 48. She is the wife of Elmer Grimes, employed by the city as a custodian at Convention Hall and formerly custodian of the Camden High School athletic field, according to City Prosecutor John H. Reiners, Jr.
The students under arrest gave their names as Sidney Goldberg, 19, of 1400 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, and Herman Katz, 19, of 2601 Wilder Street, Philadelphia.
Welch Leads Raiders
The arrests were made by Police Lieutenant Walter Welch and Detectives Benjamin Simon and Joseph Mardino.
According to Welch, Mrs. Grimes signed a statement in which she said she had resided at 1450 Kenwood Avenue for 27 years, and maintained a disorderly house there for the last seven years. He has had men watching the place for a year, to get evidence on which to base a raid, he said. He declared that only persons recommended by patrons were admitted, and then only after making telephone calls.
Simon, who lives three blocks from the house, and Mardino saw a car with Pennsylvania license plates parked near the place last night, Welch said. They waited until they saw Goldberg and Katz leaving the house, and questioned them. It was on the strength of statements by the two youths that the raid was made, Welch added.
Cases Continued
The five prisoners were taken to police court today. After waiting until 10:05 for Simon and Mardino to appear, Welch asked that the case be continued until tomorrow.
Judge Lewis Liberman set bail for $1000 for Mrs. Grimes; $500 each for the other two women, $200 for Katz and released Goldberg in the custody of his brother, an attorney.
The latter said the two youths were willing to plead guilty to disorderly conduct charges, admitting they had been in the place, but Judge Liberman said he preferred to wait and hear the entire case tomorrow.
In answer to the query by the court as to how the two knew about the existence of the “disorderly house,” Katz said: “Oh, things like that get broadcast around the university.”
RCA Strikers Lose Appeal on Terms
Camden Courier-Post —
State Supreme Court Refuses to Set Aside Conviction of 3 by Liberman
Trenton, Oct. 27.—The New Jersey State Supreme Court today dismissed the appeal of three defendants convicted in Camden Police Court as disorderly persons in activities growing out of the recent RCA strike in that city.
Appellants are Fred Barone, Catherine Bretschneider, and Irene Adair, each of whom was given 60 days and fined $100 on conviction of being disorderly persons. Samuel L. Rothbard, their counsel, attacked the validity of the complaints upon which the three were arrested, in his argument before Justices Trenchard, Bodine and Heher.
City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly opposed the setting aside of the convictions. John R. DiMona, also represented the city at the hearing.
Rothbard asked for a writ of certiorari to set aside the action of the Camden Common Pleas Court, which upheld the convictions of the Police Court. He argued that the complaint on which the three were convicted was invalid and ineffective under section three of the Disorderly Persons Act, in that the complaint failed to be specific and accurate in the charges made against them in the police court.
Bleakly contended that the defendants’ counsel had twice waived his right to get a review of their convictions. He claimed that under the Police Court Act of 1927 the matter could have been brought up to the higher court as soon as the complaint was made, or 30 days after the convictions.
Bleakly argued that Camden Common Pleas Court Judge Neutze, after reviewing the whole case could have granted the defendants a new trial, but instead upheld the proceedings in the police court.
He also argued that the Common Pleas finding could not be reviewed by a writ of certiorari. Rothbard contended that no other kind of an appeal from the Common Pleas ruling could be taken.
Two Tipsy Drivers Fined by Liberman
Camden Courier-Post —
TWO TIPSY DRIVERS FINED BY LIBERMAN
Judge Refuses Alibi Offered That One ‘Drowned Grief’ in Friend’s Death
Two drunken drivers were given the alternative yesterday of Police Judge Lewis Liberman of paying fines of $200 or spending 90 days in jail.
They are Samuel Boykin, 42, of 514 Lawrence street, and George Kendig, 41, of 2332 Broadway.
Boykin was arrested Monday at Broadway and Federal streets by Patrolmen William Stibi and Gus Rhiem, after they noticed his driving in a zig-zag manner.
Boykin pleaded not guilty, but admitted having “taken a drink to drown my sorrow over the death of a friend.”
“There is no question in my mind that you were drunk,” Judge Liberman told him, “because I have personal knowledge of it. I saw you in my office shortly after your arrest.”
Kendig, who was arrested last Thursday after his car was in collision with another car, was first arraigned yesterday, but the hearing was postponed to permit police to make further investigation.
Yesterday Sergeant Walter Mattison and Patrolman Maurice DiNicola testified they were on duty when Kendig was brought in to police headquarters and that he was under the influence of liquor. Kendig pleaded not guilty but admitted having had a “few glasses of wine.”
Both sentences carry with them automatic suspension of drivers’ licenses for one year.
Noted Rabbi Speaks in Camden Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
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.
Jewish War Veterans Plan for Busy Year
Camden Courier-Post —
Commander Jacob L. Furer, commander of the Tri-County Post, Jewish War Veterans, wants to make 1938 the outstanding year in the history of the post. Among his objectives will be close co-operation with other veteran organizations, the purchasing of a home and formation of a uniformed drum and bugle corps for the Sons of Jewish War Veterans.
Appointments announced by Commander Furer are Morris Bloom, quartermaster; Mitchell Blank, adjutant; Julian Jaspan, officer of the day; Judge Lewis Liberman, the first commander of the post, judge advocate; Harry Bush, chaplain; Louis Berg, liaison officer; Lew Bryen, service officer; Harry Mendell, patriotic instructor; Samuel Shepard, historian; Samuel Herman, post guard; trustees, Isador S. Worth, past commander; Samuel Shapiro and Nathan N. Wolpert.
Camden Courier-Post — March 31, 1941