Introduction
Mary W. Kobus, City Commissioner and Director of Public Safety
Mary Walsh Kobus was one of the first female politicians to rise to prominence in Camden NJ. Born Mary Walsh in New Jersey around 1876, she married well-known Camden businessman Joseph Kobus around 1910, and was the daughter-in-law of Anthony Kobus, who founded the Kobus shoe business and also served as president of the Broadway Trust Bank at Broadway and Walnut Streets. After women won the right to vote, Mary Kobus involved herself in politics. She also studied law, and was the only female graduate in 1930 from the South Jersey Law School, now a part of Rutgers University, in Camden NJ.
Mary Kobus was elected to the City Commission on May 1, 1935. She was a Democrat and a political ally of George M. Brunner, who served as Mayor of Camden from 1935 through 1959. When a recount added Frank Hartmann Jr. to the Commission, the balance of power shifted, and Mary Kobus was named director of public safety, and George Brunner replaced Frederick Von Nieda as mayor. Von Nieda sued to keep his position, but his suit was rejected in the New Jersey State Supreme Court.
Mary Kobus and her husband, Joseph Kobus, lived at 429 Haddon Avenue in Camden. Joseph Kobus passed away in June of 1939. Mary Kobus continued to serve in Camden city government after his passing. In February 1942, following a political upheaval on the bi-partisan City Commission, she was moved from director of public safety to director of parks and public property.
Mary Walsh Kobus, South Jersey Law School, class of 1930
Not checked against a scan. The following items on this page are transcribed from site copies or printed books whose scans are not in the scan mirror, or are captions for photographs with no printed text; their wording has not been verified against the printed page:
- Charity Battles Attract Big Crowd — Camden Courier-Post — January 28, 1928
- Patrons Announced for First Military Ball — Camden Courier-Post — January 28, 1928
- Bitting at Is Speaker Baird Meeting — Camden Courier-Post — October 21, 1931
- Campaign Planned by Salvation Army — Camden Courier-Post — June 6, 1933
- Point Pleasant P.-T. A. Hears Camden Woman — Camden Courier-Post — June 9, 1933
- Salvation Army Names Lippincott — Camden Courier-Post — June 24, 1933
- Johnson Gets Ward's Job as Kobus Orders Cop Shakeup — Camden Courier-Post — August 31, 1935
- Hartmann Names Dr. Baker Public Works Staff Physician — Camden Courier-Post — February 5, 1936
- Camden High Girls to Push Campaign for 'Play Streets' — Camden Courier-Post — February 8, 1936
- Shots Halt Flight After Car Hits Cop — Camden Courier-Post — February 11, 1936
- Commission Kills Circular Ordinance — Camden Courier-Post — February 14, 1936
- National Puzzlers to Hold Semi-Annual Session Here — Camden Courier-Post — February 20, 1936
- Mrs. Kobus to Address Realty Board Members — Camden Courier-Post — February 20, 1936
- Hartmann Defended — Camden Courier-Post — February 21, 1936
- Owner Held in Taproom Brawls — Camden Courier-Post — February 24, 1936
- Kobus Named Head of Puzzlers Group as Convention Ends — Camden Courier-Post — February 24, 1936
- Camden Votes to Pay Expert on Refunding of City Debts — Camden Courier-Post — February 26, 1936
- Wirtz Ordered to Face Inquiry by Mrs. Kobus — Camden Courier-Post — March 18, 1936
- Wirtz to Hear Fate in Bandit Quiz Today — Camden Courier-Post — March 19, 1936
- Board of Education Shifts 14 Teachers — Camden Courier-Post — February 1, 1938
- City Police Praised at Fete Honoring Acting Lieutenant Bott — Camden Courier-Post — February 4, 1938
- Is Zat So! — Camden Courier-Post — February 9, 1938
- Gloucester Group to Give Ball Here — Camden Courier-Post — February 12, 1938
- Is Zat So! — Camden Courier-Post — February 25, 1938
- Walsh Blocks Coup by Baird in Freeholders — Camden Courier-Post — January 2, 1940
- Changes Announced in Fire Department — Camden Courier-Post — June 5, 1940
- Mrs. Kobus to Ask More Cops, Firemen for City Next Year — Camden Courier-Post — December 4, 1940
- Mrs. Kobus Called Before Grand Jury — Camden Courier-Post — July 1, 1941
- Henry Magin Laid to Rest by War Veteran Buddies — Camden Courier-Post — August 26, 1941
- Hats 'Boss' Kobus Wears, Much Like Queen Mary's — Camden Courier-Post — September 17, 1941
Red Cross Active in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The National Red Cross headquarters at New York has sent a charter to the Camden County Chapter and it was stated yesterday offices will be opened this week in the Temple Building. The charter was issued to these directors: Mrs. Augustus Reeve, Mrs. Robert Patterson Finley, Mrs. N. F. Thomson, Mrs. Joseph Kobus, Miss Elizabeth Reeve, Walter L. Tushingham, A. W. Atkinson and Dr. Walter H. Smith. Next Friday night a mass meeting is to be held at the Y. M. C. A., at which the work of the society will be explained.
Charity Battles Attract Big Crowd
Camden Courier-Post —
Fifteen sizzling amateur boxing bouts, together with nine acts of vaudeville, were presented to a capacity crowd in the St. Joan of Arc Church gym, Fairview. The proceeds derived from the affair will go toward the church building fund.
In the feature bout, Bob Zimmerman, of Fairview, unintentionally fouled Eddie O'Tell of South Camden, in the first round and Referee Joe Bonnell immediately stopped the fuss. Zimmerman was in the lead when O'Tell, in attempting to avoid a left hook to the body, leaped into the air with the result that the punch landed low. Zimmerman, in order not to disappoint the crowd went three rounds with Mickey Murtha. Battling Mack and Pee Wee Ross staged a clown act, while Johnny Lucas met Billy De Lue; Tommy Lyons clashed with Jack Stanley; “Peaches” Gray tackled Terrible Pine; Joe Colon faced Billy Osborne, and George Anderson encountered Milton Bamford. All bouts were limited to three rounds.
Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh attended the affair, and when introduced by Announcer Bill Kennedy received an ovation that lasted fully five minutes. Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus, a member of the city board of censors also was present. Sergeant Ray Smith assisted Bonnell in refereeing, while John McGraw was timekeeper. It was one of the most successful affairs ever conducted by the church athletic association.
Patrons Announced for First Military Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 960, 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.
Days of Cap’n Kidd to Mark K. of C. Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Guests, Greeted by Regular Pirates, to Wander About Treasure Island
Members of the Woman’s Committee in charge of the Knights of Columbus ball to be given tonight in Convention Hall are pictured above. They are, from left to right: Front row: Mrs. Edward J. Kelly, Miss Catherine P. Kelly, Mrs. J. A. Reynolds and Mrs. Harry Copestick; Center row: Mrs. Cornelius Healy, Mrs. Charles Wade, Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus and Mrs. Alma Shemely; Top row: Mrs. Edward J. Connell, Mrs. John B. Brady, Mrs. E. Vincent DeWees, Mrs. Albert Maines and Miss Anna Shay.
Swarthy pirates with cutlasses will serve as the reception committee in Convention Hall tonight at the fifth annual promenade of Camden Knights of Columbus.
Captain Kidd days will be recalled in many ways. Guests will be greeted at the door by pirates, they will wander through “Treasure Island” scenes and everywhere about them will be decorations designed to take them back a few centuries in spirit.
The evening’s events will begin at 9 p.m. with a concert and promenade. The grand march will take place at 9.30 p. m., led by John A. Reynolds, grand knight of Americius Council, and Mrs. Reynolds. They will be followed by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Flaherty and Edward L. Whelan, state deputy, and Mr. and Mrs. Whelan.
Jules Landes orchestra, of New York city, will furnish music for the dancing which will follow.
During the evening entertainment will be furnished by Professor Wroe and his group of dancers known as the “Wroesbuda.”
Few suppers are planned before the affair, but many have been arranged by prominent residents of Camden and the suburbs, either at their homes, in the Hotel Walt Whitman or at the Tavistock Country Club to follow the dance. One host and hostess, however, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gallagher, are planning suppers both before and after the ball. They will entertain at the Hotel Walt Whitman before and at Overbrook Inn after the promenade.
Mary Walsh Kobus
The 1930 Archive (South Jersey Law School yearbook) — 1930
429 Haddon Avenue
Camden, N. J.
Class Sorority spokesman
Our charming feminine member is an “A” student and a very aggressive political leader. She has held each one of us at one time or another terribly interested in one of her spell binding discourses. It was Kipling who said, “A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke,” but we rise in unison to repudiate the theory of that illustrious poet.
Camden Law School to Give 67 Diplomas
Camden Courier-Post —
Commencement Will be Held Tomorrow in Hotel Whitman
Sixty-seven embryo attorneys will be awarded diplomas at the annual commencement of the South Jersey Law School tomorrow afternoon.
The exercises will start at 2.30 p. m. at the Walt Whitman Hotel.
Two valedictory addresses will be delivered by George M. Cabnet and Robert Howard Aaronson, Jr. The latter is the nephew of Judge Harold B. Wells, recently appointed lay judge of the New Jersey circuit court of errors and appeals. Judge Wells, who resides in Bordentown and who for the last decade has traveled through the country as a much sought-after dinner speaker, officiated in that capacity at the graduating class’ banquet here Monday.
Elmer G. Van Name, president of the school, will present the diplomas and confer degrees.
The commencement address will be delivered by former Supreme Court Justice James F. Minturn, dean of the John Marshall College of Law. Mantle orations will be given by Weidner Titzck, president of the 1930 college class, and Carl Joseph Geiges, president of the graduating law class. Van Name will also address the graduates, who will be presented to the assemblage by Arthur E. Armitage, registrar.
Dr. Harold Paul Sloan, pastor of the Haddonfield M. E. Church, and Dr. Camille Estornelle, pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church, will deliver the invocation and benediction respectively.
Of the 67 graduates, one is a woman. She is Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus, this city, who is known throughout the county for her various activities, and particularly for her work in charitable affairs and parent-teacher associations.
Bitting at Is Speaker Baird Meeting
Camden Courier-Post —
George B. Bitting, candidate for surrogate in Burlington County, was one of the principal speakers on behalf of the candidacy of David Baird for governor last night at a rally of the Pennsauken Township Republican Women’s League. Other speakers were Assemblyman George D. Rothermel, Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus and George R. Braunwarth and Russell F. Walton, candidates for reelection to the township committee. Mrs. Thomas Thorpe sang two solos and Mrs. Herbert Longacre gave a reading. More than 150 women attended the rally.
P.T.A. of Diocese Will Meet Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Kobus Will Preside at Sessions in Holy Name School Hall
Representatives from the six lower South Jersey counties will attend the regional conference of the Diocesan Council Parent-Teacher Association in Holy Name School hall here today at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, regent of the South Jersey district, who is one of the most active regents in the state and is in much demand as a speaker at parent-teacher events, will preside over the meeting, at which all secretaries of the associations will render reports.
Rev. Thomas J. Whelan, rector of Holy Name Church, will deliver the address of welcome at the morning session; addresses will be given by Right Rev. Monsignor William J. FitzGerald, rector of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and dean of the province, and Dr. Martin H. Collier, of Lakeland.
At the afternoon session Right Rev. Monsignor John J. Bonner, superintendent of parochial schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, one of the most prominent school authorities in this section, will deliver the address. Papers will be read by Mrs. B. McNally, of Trenton; Mrs. R. Dennett, of Princeton; Mrs. Shidell, of Atlantic City; and Mrs. C. Sullivan, of Perth Amboy. The children of the Holy Name School will give a short entertainment.
Invitations to hold the next meeting in September have been received from Vineland, Gloucester, Millville and the Sacred Heart and Ss. Peter and Paul's Churches in Camden, which probably will ensue a spifited [sic] friendly contest tomorrow in deciding on the next meeting place. The last meeting was held at Moorestown with a record attendance of nearly 500.
Permit to Examine Children Urged to End Tuberculosis
Camden Courier-Post —
Catholic Parent-Teachers in Conference Here
—Courier-Post Photo
Leaders of the Trenton Diocesan Council Parent-Teachers’ Associations who held their regional conference yesterday are shown above grouped in front of the Holy Name Church, Fifth and Vine streets. Front row: Mrs. Frank Scheidell, Atlantic City; Rev. Thomas J. Whelan, pastor of Holy Name Church; Mrs. B. J. McNally, Trenton, and Mrs. James Conway, Asbury Park. Back row: Mrs. Jules S. Thebaud, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, of Camden; Mrs. William C. Yard and Mrs. Nellie B. Kehoe, of Trenton.
Dr. Collier Tells P.-T. Regional Conference Disease Would Be Wiped Out in 15 Years If Legislature Ordered Tests of All School Pupils
Tuberculosis would be wiped out in 15 years in New Jersey’s Legislature would permit thorough examination of all school children.
This is the view of Dr. Martin H. Collier, superintendent of the Camden County General Hospital, at Lakeland, expressed yesterday in addressing nearly 600 women here. The occasion was the regional conference of the Trenton Diocesan Council of Parent Teacher Associations, held in Holy Name Church hall, Fifth and Vine streets.
Dr. Collier shared the speaqers’ [sic] stand with Catholic church leaders and officials of the Trenton Diocesan Council. Rt. Rev. Monsignor William J. FitzGerald, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, here; Rt. Rev. Monsignor John J. Bonner, superintendent of parochial schools in the Philadelphia archdiocese, and Rev. Thomas J. Whelan, pastor of Holy Name Church, also addressed the assemblage.
Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, South Jersey district regent, presided.
Dr. Collier pointed to the necessity of examining children to carry to a successful conclusion the struggle against the dreaded white plague.
Origin in Childhood
“Every case of adult tuberculosis has its origin in the child,” declared Dr. Collier. “Twenty-five years ago the annual death rate per 100,000 in New Jersey was 200. Now it is 86.
“Tuberculosis can be termed ‘Public Enemy No. 1.’ Medical science has learned many things about it during the last 25 years. It has learned that the disease is essentially an infection of childhood, that it is curable and not hereditary.
“There are a great number of people who get a ‘winter cough’ every year. That is tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is prevalent in every person, from birth up to 80 years or over. It is especially prominent in the age group between 15 and 35, especially in females.
“There is now a bill in the Legislature which would make it compulsory for every school teacher to undergo a physical examination. I know at least two teachers in primary grades, who are affected with the germ.
Fears Bill’s Defeat
“I am afraid, however, that the bill will meet the same fate as the one recently brought up which gave physicians examining public school children the right to examine them stripped. The bill was defeated, but will be brought up again soon. It is important to strip children when examining them for tuberculosis. We cannot tell just by looking at a child just what is wrong with him.
“If physicians were permitted to examine every school child in this state, it would be the greatest thing that could happen to medical science. If only one case was discovered in a school, the new law would be worth-
while. Examination of school children in other states has shown that 85 percent of children between 15 and 16 show evidence of the tuberculin germ.
“One of the main things to remember is that tuberculosis is not hereditary. When a mother has the disease and gives birth to a child the infection occurs after birth by contact. As soon as the attending physician deems it wise, the child should be taken away from the mother. This may seem cruel, but both will be happier in the long end.”
Stresses Parent Duties
Monsignor FitzGerald spoke on the duties of parents toward children. He reminded his listeners to remember when school vacation starts that “the churches are still open on Sundays.”
Monsignor Bonner stressed the importance of high school education to boys and girls and urged the women to encourage a desire for such training.
Mrs. Elsie McHugh, president of the Holy Name Parent-Teacher Association, delivered the address of welcome. Reports were made by secretaries of various associations. Papers were read by Mrs. B. J. McNally, Trenton; Mrs. C. Sullivan, Perth Amboy; Mrs. William C. Yard, of the Mt. Carmel Guild, and Mrs. Frank Scheidell, Atlantic City. An entertainment was given by children of the Holy Name School.
Officers Present
Officers of Diocesan council units who attended included:
Mrs. J. S. Theband, vice-president, Camden Council; Mrs. William C. Yard, president, Mt. Carmel Guild, Trenton; Mrs. B. J. McNally, president, Trenton Diocesan Council, Trenton; Mrs. Sarah Yearly, vice-president, regional conference, Riverton; Mrs. Frank Scheidell, Atlantic District Regent, Atlantic City; Mrs. Henry Girard, president, and Mrs. William J. Kenney, secretary, St. Mary’s Council, Gloucester; Mrs. James Conway, recording secretary, Trenton Diocesan Council, Asbury Park; Mrs. T. T. Fannin, president, and Mrs. J. F. Brown, secretary, Sacred Heart Council, Vineland; Mrs. H. E. Longaker, president, and Mrs. James E. Kelley, secretary, Our Lady of Good Counsel Council, Moorestown.
Mrs. F. F. Kauffmann, treasurer, regional conference, Camden; Mrs. Alice M. Manning, secretary, regional conference; Mrs. A. Laviano, president, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Council, Camden; Mrs. Margaret Bugbee, president; Mrs. William Eisele, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. L. Lyons, recording secretary, Holy Savior Council, Westmont; Mrs. Margaret Weatherby, president, and Mrs. Agnes Georther, secretary, St. Rose of Lima Council, Haddon Heights; Mrs. Frances Schwoeri, president, and Mrs. Mary Daruns, secretary, SS. Peter and Paul Council, Camden; Mrs. Catherine Schlitz, president, and Mrs. Catherine Belsey, treasurer, St. Joseph’s Council, Camden.
Mrs. Mary Goodfellow, vice-president, and Mrs. Mary Freely, secretary, St. Cecelia’s Council, Pennsauken; Mrs. Joseph Arnold, president, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council, Maple Shade; Mrs. Mary M. Kelly, president, and Mrs. Catherine V. Kurtz, secretary, Sacred Heart Council, Camden; Mrs. Mary Daley, president, St. Mary of Magdalen Council, Millville; Mrs. Hugh Shannon, vice-president; Mrs. Frances Dotora, recording secretary, and Mrs. Charles Murphy, financial secretary, St. Lawrence Council, Laurel Springs.
Navy Yard Employes Aid Courier-Post Fund
Camden Courier-Post —
Two additional contributions from Philadelphia Navy Yard employes who live in Camden county were received yesterday by the Courier-Post Relief Fund.
One of the contributions is $73 from the industrial department of the Navy Yard Development Association. The other is a money order for $56.32 from employes of the naval aircraft factory.
Acknowledgement of the contributions was made today by Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, chairman of the Courier-Post Committee, who thanked the donors in behalf of the many persons receiving relief.
Campaign Planned by Salvation Army
Camden Courier-Post —
Plans for a campaign to raise funds to cover the budget of the Salvation Army Corps here were discussed yesterday at a meeting of members of the executive board at Hotel Walt Whitman. William D. Sayrs, chairman of the committee presided and requested that a successor be appointed. The nominating committee selected Earl Lippincott, chairman; Mrs. Arthur Casselman and John J. Robinson, vice chairmen.
Brigadier James A. Harvey, commanding the Philadelphia region of the Army reviewed the work accomplished at the Camden headquarters, under direction of Captain Charles W. Schafter. An itemized report of receipts and expenditures together with a budget outline were submitted by Captain Schaffer.
Included among the members at the meeting were Reverend John Pemberton, Mrs. Charles A. Wolverton, Mrs. Casselman, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, Herman Hensgen, Joseph Tweedy, Frank C. Propert, and Robinson. Other members of the committee include Howard Hemphill, George C. Baker, Patrick Harding, Dr. James Rodgers, Dr. F. William Schafer and Dr. Albert Pancoast.
Point Pleasant P.-T. A. Hears Camden Woman
Camden Courier-Post —
Point Pleasant, June 8—Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, of Camden, South Jersey district regent, was one of the principal speakers today at the quarterly meeting of the Amboy District, Diocesan Parent-Teacher Association, in St. Peter’s Church. More than 300 attended. Other speakers included Rev. Father Reilly, rector of St. Catherine’s Church, Spring Lake, and chancellor of the Trenton Diocese; Rev. Michael Dalton, diocesan superintendent of schools, and Rev. Father Adolph, O.M.C., rector of St. Peter’s Church.
Salvation Army Names Lippincott
Camden Courier-Post —
Earl R. Lippincott, real estate broker, has been named chairman of the advisory board of the Camden unit of the Salvation Army, succeeding William D. Sayrs. Elections of officers for the group were held yesterday following a luncheon meeting at Hotel Walt Whitman. Vice chairmen of the organization include John J. Robinson and Mrs. Arthur J. Casselman. Other officers include Mrs. Charles A. Wolverton, treasurer, and Miss Elizabeth Magill, secretary.
Members of the executive committee selected the following committees: Woman’s committee, Mrs. Arthur H. Holl and Mrs. Wilfred W. Fry; finance committee, Dr. F. William Shafer, William D. Sayrs, Frank C. Propert, Mrs. Wolverton and Mrs. Holl; property committee, Howard Hemphill, John J. Robinson, Herman E. Hensgen, Arthur J. Casselman and George C. Baker; public relations and publicity, Rev. John Pemberton, Joseph G. Tweedy, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, Dr. Albert B. Pancoast and Patrick H. Harding; program committee, Dr. James Rodger, Propert, Robinson, Tweedy and John L. Shannon.
3 G.O.P. Rulers in Secret Session
Camden Courier-Post —
Hint Legal Bars Placed Around Jobs During Parley
NEW DEALERS NOT NOTIFIED
A special meeting held in secret session by the three Republican members of the Camden City Commission late yesterday, occasioned wide speculative rumors in political circles last night.
Reports persisted resolutions were passed placing legal barriers about jobs to prevent dismissals by the New Deal Non-Partisan group which takes control of the city today, with seating of Frank J. Hartmann, Jr.
Mayor Tells of Meeting
Reached at his home shortly after 1 a. m. today, Mayor von Nieda admitted the meeting was held to “correct some resolutions.”
“What were the resolutions about, Mayor?” he was asked.
“Why, I don’t know as I should say anything about them right now. You probably will get it all later,” the Mayor answered.
“Did the resolutions have anything to do with adding safeguards to the jobs of any present city employees?” he was asked.
“Yes, they did,” the Mayor replied.
“How many resolutions were there?”
“Oh, I don’t know, three or four, I should say.”
“How many employes are effected [sic]?” he was asked.
“Oh, I don’t know, three or four, maybe.”
“Who called the special meeting of the city commission?” he was asked.
“Why, I am not sure. But I think it was City Solicitor Bleakly who called it. He said the resolutions should be attended to.”
Asked why Commissioners George E. Brunner and Mrs. Mary Kobus were not notified of the meeting, the Mayor said: “So far as I know, they were not notified the meeting was to be held. It is possible, though, they were not notified.”
Another rumor held measures were passed placing various posts under civil service commission rules, while a third rumor, from more authentic sources, alleged several amendments were made to resolutions passed at meetings, of the commission, previous to the naming of Meyer L. Sakin and John R. DiMona as assistant city solicitors.
This rumor occasioned speculation that the measures appointing the two lawyers, as originally passed, were defective in original form and probably would not bear out Republican contentions the New Deal commissioners cannot remove the men from the three year appointments.
Report Finances Discussed
Other rumors indicated the measures concerned city finances.
The commissioners attending the meeting, it was said, were Mayor von Nieda, Harold W. Bennett and Leonard, with City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly, Sakin, DiMona and City Clerk Otto E. Braun in attendance.
Leonard said “nothing special” occurred, and he would “talk about it in the morning.” Commissioners George N. Brunner and Mary W. Kobus declared they were not notified.
The session, it was said, was not held in the commission chambers, but in an adjoining room on the second floor, and lasted half an hour, between 5 p. m. and 5:30 p. m. Other reports were the session lasted to 7 p. m.
Braun, reached by telephone, admitted a special meeting had been held but refused to give any further information.
Plums Discussed
Meanwhile, rumor and speculation continued on how the jobs will be divided among New Deal Republicans and Democrats today. The city clerk and city solicitorship posts will go to Republicans, and the city police judgeship and city purchasing agent jobs will be awarded to Democrats.
This was reported as the tentative agreement reached last night between the leaders of both wings in the New Deal forces.
Former City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman, defeated on the New Deal ticket, and Howard B. Dyer, former deputy city clerk, are mentioned as possibilities for city clerk. Reports also mention the name of William D. Sayrs, former commissioner, and until Tuesday an executive in the real estate division of the state highway department. He resigned the office, which paid a $5000 per year salary.
Carl Kisselman and former Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese are mentioned as the chief contenders for the solicitorship, with two Democrats to be appointed as assistants. Among these candidates are Thomas M. Madden, E. George Aaron, John Crean, Jr., Milton Nurock, Mitchell Cohen, John Morrissey and Leon H. Rose.
Sidney Kaplan and Gene Mariano are said to be receiving chief consideration for police judge. Reports were that it would likely go to Kaplan if he prefers it.
Abe Fuhrman is conceded the best chance for the office of city purchasing agent.
Richman Supported
There is a strong sentiment among Democrats to reward Grover C. Richman, former assistant attorney general, and there is a strong rank and file tide to have the Democrats demand the post of city solicitor for him. This may change the tentative agreement.
Because Reesman was a candidate and has been a supporter of Senator Woodruff for years, he is favored for the city clerk job. Reesman was formerly chairman of the Republican county committee.
Dyer was deputy city clerk under the late Frank S. Albright, and was dismissed after the split between former U. S. Senator David Baird, Jr., and the Woodruff-Verga-Sayrs group.
Dyer is a former secretary of the Republican County Committee and was a member of the committee from the Sixth Ward. He moved recently to the Thirteenth Ward. He is now an inspector in the State Alcoholic Beverage Control department under Commissioner D. Frederick Burnett.
It is expected that most jobs will be discussed at a conference to be held by the leaders today.
It is almost equally certain that the contemplated removals or some of them at least, will be subject to legal contest by the organization Republicans. What plans they may have have not been disclosed.
Police Force Politics Banned Commissioner Kobus Declares
Camden Courier-Post —
Calls for 100% Efficiency and Promises Square Deal for All in Talk to Commanders; Stresses Fact Colsey Is Chief
“I want 100 percent efficient police department and not a political machine.”
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, new director of public safety, made that declaration yesterday afternoon at a joint police-press conference in her office at city hall before she was served with a writ restraining her from taking over the office.
Commissioner Kobus was the kindly mother talking to her “boys” for the most of the conference, but at times she became the stern parent—with the birchrod in the cupboard—as she instructed the police heads to “divorce themselves from politics.”
“For many years I have nursed in my heart a desire to see Camden with a 100 percent efficient police department,” the commissioner said. “Now that time is at hand.
“I have known all of you men for many years,” she told the assembled commanders, “and I don’t care what your respective political affiliations might be. You have a right to your own opinions, but I want the police department to divorce itself from politics.
“You must know what is going on in your city and you must let me know. I must have 100 percent co-operation if I am to succeed in this new undertaking.
“If you have any complaints, don’t go around and growl, undermining the department. Lay your cards on the table. I guarantee you a fair deal.
“Chief Colsey is head of the police department and not in name only, but in fact. You others in the rank you occupy are also commanders in fact and not in name. It is up to you.”
The commissioner urged a closer co-operation between police and the press and concluded by saying she wanted her “family” to be honest-to-goodness policemen “because there is no room in the department for those who are not.”
Attending the conference were Chief Arthur Colsey, Lieut. Herbert Anderson, chief clerk of the bureau; Lieutenants George Frost, Ralph Bakley, Walter Welch, Samuel E. Johnson and George Ward.
City Votes $116,924 For 3 Departments
Camden Courier-Post —
Emergency Appropriations Passed as Commissioners Claim Funds Depleted
Five emergency appropriations of $116,924.29 were approved yesterday afternoon at a special meeting of the City Commission to make up alleged deficiencies to enable the public works, parks and public property departments to function until the end of this year.
Resolutions introduced by Commissioner George E. Brunner, director of parks and public property, and Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, director of public works, set forth that nearly all of the 1935 appropriations for their departments in the annual budget had been expended before they assumed office.
Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and finance, was given $17,000 to repair storm damage to a property on which the city has a tax lien. Hartmann was voted $80,000 for maintaining streets, and Brunner $18,324.29 for his department in three resolutions.
All but two of the resolutions directed that the funds be raised by issuing emergency notes payable within one year of the date of issue and bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 6 percent. They further directed Bennett to issue and sell the notes.
Spirited Debate Started
Reading of the Bennett resolution, which characterized damage done by a tornado to a property as an “act of God,” was the signal for spirited debate and was finally passed conditionally, with the understanding that City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly was to file a written legal opinion setting forth that the appropriation was necessary as an emergency.
Bennett was stricken by illness and left the meeting before any of the resolutions were introduced. All of the measures were passed unanimously by the three New Dealers and Mayor Frederick von Nieda.
One of Brunner’s resolutions, calling for $2629, directed that the amount be paid as a tax levy.
Bennett’s measure at one stage said the $17,000 he sought was to be raised by tax levy, and later specified the issuance of notes. The apparently conflicting situation was not clarified in subsequent argument, and the resolution was passed finally with the method of raising the sum left in doubt.
“Unforeseen Contingencies”
The resolution said the amount of $17,000 was needed because of “unforeseen contingencies” which included, it set forth, tax appeals and overdue collections.
Commissioner Kobus criticised the manner in which the measure was presented. Bennett was not present, and City Clerk Otto E. Braun had difficulty in reading it.
“This resolution is very vague,” Mrs. Kobus protested. “Passages are crossed out and others written in. What is the nature of this emergency?”
Bleakly said part of it was a property in South Camden on which the city holds a tax lein [sic] for $700, and which was damaged when struck by a tornado. He did not know the amount required to repair the damage.
Mrs. Kobus finally said she would vote in favor of the measure on condition Bleakly would file a legal opinion, and it was so passed.
Sets Minimum Amount
Hartmann introduced a resolution which set forth the city budget had appropriated $141,296.10 to the department of public works for use by the highway department. Up to July 31, he said, $128,316.49 had been expended, leaving a balance of $12,979.61 which he called insufficient to properly maintain and carry on the work in the department. He set $80,000 as the minimum amount required to carry on the work for the rest of the year.
Brunner, in his first resolution, said the budget had appropriated $43,200 for the city property department under parks and public property. Of this amount, he said, $36,296.73 has been spent already, leaving a balance of $6903.27 and requiring the addition of $10,759.29.
Brunner next introduced a resolution citing the amount appropriated for the division of cemeteries at $6082.83, all of which was expended by July 31, he said, leaving the department without funds to carry on its functions for the balance of the year.
As a result, he said, unless the sum of $4936 were appropriated, the department would be “unable to light, heat, maintain and repair the public properties under its control and will be unable to feed a horse owned by the city of Camden and used by it in the performance of its services.”
Even “Diamond” Mentioned
Mention of the famed “Diamond,” now serving his third boss, caused Mrs. Kobus to laughingly interpose:
“Was it necessary to mention the horse? What is this, a publicity stunt?”
Brunner’s third resolution called for an emergency appropriation of $2629 to finance a study of drainage areas, sewage disposal, slum elimination, revision of the building code, water facilities and proper city planning.
The commissioner recommended that this amount be raised by taxation, but his other resolutions called for the issuance of bonds at a rate of interest “not exceeding 6 percent.”
“I think they can be sold at less,” he said, “but I would set 6 percent as the top.”
Fund Transfer Ruled Out
Commissioner Kobus asked Mayor von Nieda if it were not possible to transfer funds from one department to another to prevent the issuance of further notes or adding additional taxes to next year’s levy.
The mayor replied that that could only be done at the end of the year to balance accounts.
The commission recessed to attend a conference with Works Progress Administration officials. After the recess a resolution was approved to appropriate $900 for Commissioner Hartmann’s department for the repair of water well pumps. The resolution declared an emergency.
Another resolution by Hartmann asked W. Gentry Hodgson, county director of emergency relief, to permit the City Commissioners to examine the entire relief list of the city. Brunner seconded the motion and Mrs. Kobus and von Nieda joined in voting for it.
New Dealers Prepare To Shift Key Officials
Camden Courier-Post —
General Housecleaning Predicted After Secret Parley of ‘Big Four’; Leaders Reported Not in Full Accord on Patronage
Editorial: “Upholding Faith of the People Is Keeping Faith in the Courts” appears on page six.
A general housecleaning of key city officials was predicted yesterday afternoon following a secret conference of the “Big Four” at Hotel Walt Whitman.
Attending the session were State Senator Albert S. Woodruff and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, Republicans, and Harry L. Maloney and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Democrats.
Rumors that the charges were to be made today could not be verified last night. Commissioner George E. Brunner said no meeting of the City Commission had been called for today. A meeting could be called if requested by Brunner, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus and Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., New Deal commissioners.
After the conference silence was maintained by the “Big Four.” They declined to discuss what happened.
Other reports filtering from the conference room were that a few surprises await the political public in new appointments to be made at city hall, surprises which will be contrary to the gossip on appointments circulated the last few weeks.
The leaders were together for two hours or more, but they were reported not in entire agreement about the patronage setup when their conference concluded.
Indications were that, with perhaps but one or two changes, the rumored lineup of appointees of the New Deal, as forecast in recent reports, will hold when the appointments are made by the city commission.
Favored for Jobs
Under the arrangements which has [sic] been conjectured by New Deal observers the last few days, the leaders are said to have agreed on these appointments:
For police judge—Firmin Michel, Democrat.
For city solicitor—Carl Kisselman, Republican.
For city prosecutor—Mitchell H. Cohen, Republican.
For assistant city solicitors—Edward V. Martino, Republican, and John Crean, Democrat.
For city clerk—Clay W. Reesman, Republican, former city commissioner, and for assistant city clerk, former Commissioner William D. Sayrs, Jr., Republican.
For director of charities—Pauline Caperoon.
For purchasing agent—Abe Fuhrman, Democrat. In the event Commissioner Harold W. Bennett resigns, as rumored, Fuhrman would be named by the New Deal commissioners to fill that vacancy.
The three New Deal commissioners who are to vote the appointments are Brunner, Mrs. Kobus and Hartmann.
Kobus Assumes Duties
Mrs. Kobus yesterday took over the directorship of public safety after a 15-minute conference with Mayor Frederick von Nieda.
“We spoke of routine matters in the department,” she said. “I wanted to know his ideas that he had started working on so I could continue them.”
Asked whether she intended to confer with police heads soon, Mrs. Kobus answered in the negative.
“I talked to them before the injunction proceedings were started,” she said, referring to von Nieda’s action which restrained her from taking over the duties of the department for several weeks.
“I hope for the co-operation of all members of the police and fire departments,” the city’s first elected woman commissioner added.
In addition to the police and firemen, Mrs. Kobus now has charge of the electrical bureau, bureau of charities, police court, traffic court, municipal motors, transportation department and city clerk.
The appointments may be expedited as a result of the ruling by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd Tuesday that the board of commissioners has specific legislative authority to allot the municipal departments as it sees fit. The decision validated the action of the city commission assigning Commissioner Kobus as director of public safety in charge of the police and fire departments, and included the ruling that von Nieda cannot be removed as mayor.
When asked whether the commission could remove present holders of key jobs and make new appointments Justice Lloyd said that it is a question he may have to pass on later. In view of his decision, however, pointing out that the commission has special legislative authority to transfer the directorships among the city commissioners, it is believed by observers that he also will permit ousters and reappointments in the key municipal jobs.
Von Nieda-Kobus Rulings Explained by Justice Lloyd
Camden Courier-Post —
Jurist Cites Precedents and Walsh Act as Basis for Decisions
FILES FORMAL OPINION
The decision of Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd, allowing a writ of certiorari to review the action of the Camden city commission in attempting to displace Frederick von Nieda as mayor, was based on a previous case in Long Branch, it was revealed yesterday when the Justice filed his formal opinion in Trenton.
At the same time, Justice Lloyd explained that the assignment of departments is subject to change “at any time in the interest of public service” under the Walsh Act, and that therefore the commission had the authority to take the public safety department away from von Nieda.
Von Nieda had been named mayor and director of public safety at the first meeting of the commission after the May 14 election. Subsequently, a recount declared Frank J. Hartmann elected in place of Frank J. Leonard, thereby shifting the balance of power to the New Deal faction of the commission.
Cites Precedent
At the first meeting of the reorganized commission after the result of the recount was announced, the New Deal majority elected George E. Brunner to succeed von Nieda as mayor, and Mrs. Mary W. Kobus to assume the duties of director of public safety. Mrs. Kobus’ previous department, public affairs, was given to von Nieda.
The Republican organization sought to have these two changes set aside, and filed certiorari proceedings.
“In considerinng [sic] the first resolution, it is only necessary to say that in the case of Woolley versus Flock, 92 N. J. L., 65, the Supreme Court held that the selection of a mayor under the Walsh act, once designated, cannot be altered in the life time of the board, four years next following their taking office,” declared Justice Lloyd.
“The result is that the selection of Mr. von Nieda was irrevocable and a writ of certiorari to review the action of the board in attempting to displace him, must be awarded.”
Concerning the second resolution under which the department of public safety was transferred from the mayor to Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, the opinion of Justice Lloyd said that it had been contended the designation of the mayor to be director of a department was as final as his selection as mayor, and that the language of the Walsh act provides only for changes in directors from time to time with respect to the remaining four members of the commission.
Upholds Shifts
Justice Lloyd said it did not seem to him that the commission government law could be given such a construction.
The opinion points out that the Walsh act of 1911, under section 4, provides that the mayor may be designated director of such departments as the majority of the members of the commission should in [cut off at the crop edge]
Johnson Gets Ward’s Job as Kobus Orders Cop Shakeup
Camden Courier-Post —
Shaw Made Assistant in Place of Koerner
In a shakeup of Camden police officials yesterday afternoon Lieutenant Samuel E. Johnson was named acting chief of detectives by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.
Lieutenant George A. Ward, who has been in charge of the detective bureau for a year, was transferred to take Johnson’s place in charge of headquarters.
Detective Louis Shaw was made assistant to Johnson, replacing Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner. Koerner was transferred to the Second District, for radio car and street duty. The new order became effective at 4:00 PM yesterday.
Police Chief Arthur Colsey announced the changes in the bureau after a two-hour conference with Commissioner Kobus yesterday afternoon.
Maurice Di Nicuolo, who has been an acting detective, was transferred to the First Police District, with former Acting Detective Clifford Del Rossi returning to his old post in the detective bureau.
In the only other transfer announced, Sergeant Harry Newton was switched from the First Police District to the Third, with Sergeant Edward Carroll going from the Third to the First.
Although no other changes were made public, it is believed yesterday’s are a forerunner of numerous shifts to be made today or early next week.
“These changes are being made for the good of the service,” Commissioner Kobus declared. “There will be other transfers of officers and men so that all the police may familiarize themselves with all the branches of the department.”
Lieutenant Johnson was appointed a policeman on January 1, 1910. After 10 years as a patrolman, he was promoted to a detective, where he made a splendid record. On November 28, 1928 he was made a sergeant, and again promoted on April 8, 1930, when he became a lieutenant.
Ward was appointed a policeman on August 2, 1917, promoted to detective January 1, 1927, sergeant November 14, 1928 and lieutenant on January 24, 1930.
Johnson was a detective sergeant when former Police Chief John W. Golden was head of that bureau, but later was transferred to police headquarters.
Ward has been in and out of the detective bureau several times. He served for a time as the commander of the First District and later was in charge of the police headquarters on the 12:00 midnight to 8:00 AM shift. He was a political lieutenant of former Public Safety Director David S. Rhone.
Third Hearing Set on Saloon License
Camden Courier-Post —
Rosedale Residents Object to Permit; Excise Board Ponders Action
The newly created city excise commission last night called a third public hearing on the application of Frank Caromano for a saloon license at Thirty-sixth street and Westfield avenue.
The hearing fas [sic] set for 10 a. m., Saturday.
The city commission held one formal hearing and one informal hearing on the application, protested by 881 citizens of the Rosedale section of the Eleventh ward, led by Rev. W. Douglas Roe, pastor of the Rosedale Baptist Church.
Granting the application, Roe and others have contended, will open the Rosedale section, now without saloons, to other applications.
The excise commission—formally the Municpal [sic] Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control—in practice adopted a policy of “go slow.” It was the first business meeting of the board, composed of John L. Morrissey, chairman; Mrs. Ann Baumgartner, secretary, and Curtis O. Sangtinette.
Takes Notes of Meeting
Mrs. Pauline F. Caperoon, secretary to City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, took stenographic notes of the meeting. She explained this was merely to keep the board straight until the new board becomes more familiar with procedure.
City Clerk Otto E. Braun also recorded the minutes and said he will continue to do so in collaboration with Mrs. Baumgartner.
The meeting was held in Braun’s private office. Only the members of the board, Mrs. Caperoon, Braun and newspaper reporters attended.
A license was granted to the Eleventh Ward Democratic Club, 1014 North Twenty-seventh street.
A transfer of the license of Charles T. Bateman from 600 Mt. Vernon street to 1900 South Sixth street was approved.
Police Probe Asked
Police investigation was requested by the board on the applications of Peter Bradsky for 801 Chestnut street and Frank D’Alesandro, 523 South Third street.
The police department will do the bulk of the investigating for the new board, Mrs. Kobus has announced.
A personal investigation by members of the board was decided upon in the application of Dominic Guglielmo for a transfer from 245 Chestnut street to 2222 Federal street.
Action was deferred on the application of a transfer of the license of Mary Hinkson to Edgar H. Beattie at 949 North Twenty-fifth street.
Read from the Courier-Post front page and its page 18 continuation, shown in the scan of the October 29, 1935 Morning Post.
Man Held in Robbery of Mrs. Shane as Cops Plan 2 More Arrests
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Character Jailed Without Bail; Another Questioned
JOHNSON SEES SOLUTION NEAR
Asserts Witnesses Link Suspect To Crime
Jailed and Quizzed in Holdup
Stanley Powell, 28, of 1256 Whitman avenue, right, who was jailed without bail last night on suspicion of holdup and robbery in connection with the $10,380.50 robbery of Mrs. Mary Shane, and Frank Gromacki, 28, of 412 Broadway, left, who is being questioned by detectives investigating the case.
Stanley Powell, 28, Camden police character, was jailed without bail last night in connection with the $10,380.50 robbery of Mrs. Mary Shane, wife of a Camden State motor vehicle agent.
Powell is charged with “suspicion of holdup and robbery.”
Meantime police were questioning Frank Gromacki, 28, of 412 Broadway, in connection with the same case.
Arrest of two others was predicted as Harry Gassel, 27, of 1282 Liberty street, owner of the car allegedly stolen and used in the holdup, still was being detained at headquarters.
Lieut. Samuel E. Johnson, in charge of the detective bureau, predicted police would solve the holdup before morning, or less than 48 hours after it occurred.
“Powell has been linked definitely to this job by witnesses,” he said.
Mrs. Shane was robbed early Thursday morning while en route to the American National Bank on Broadway, near Kaighn avenue, to deposit funds taken in by her husband, Samuel, at 1289 Kaighn avenue, she told police.
Bandit Flees in Auto
A man snatched the money, representing December 31 license fees from Mrs. Shane as she carried it across Broadway in an ordinary shopping bag near the bank. The thief escaped in an automobile with three accomplices. First break in the case came when the car believed abandoned by the bandits was found late Thursday night in West Collingswood Heights. A West Collingswood Heights woman, after reading the abandoned car had been used by the bandits, in the Morning Post appeared at police headquarters and declared she believed she could identify one of the men.
Detectives refused to divulge the woman’s name but said she was convinced the man had waited on her when she patronized a Kaighn avenue store.
Gromacki was taken into custody at Broadway and Kaighn avenue, a few feet from the scene of the holdup, by several Camden detectives and two motor vehicle inspectors.
Powell was arrested by Detectives Clifford Carr and Heber McCord as he was preparing to eat a meal in a restaurant on Market street near Second.
Both were taken to detective headquarters, where Powell calmly denied any implication in the holdup. He was removed to police headquarters, and after being “booked” was placed in a cell. Commissioner Mary W. Kobus was present during the grilling of Powell.
The State Motor Vehicle Department ordered the closing of the agency operated by Mrs. Shane’s husband. The order closing Shane’s office pending an investigation came from Acting Motor Vehicle Commissioner Arthur W. Magee.
“All agents were recently ordered to carry holdup insurance,” Magee said, “and since Shane reported he had none, this was in direct violation of the rules of the department.”
The number of the bandit car, which crashed into a truck while making a getaway, was obtained and the vehicle was reported stolen shortly after the holdup, police said.
Shortly before midnight Thursday detectives received a call from Fred Cannady, New Jersey and Washington avenues, West Collingswood Heights that the car probably used in the holdup had been found abandoned at Pennsylvania and Washington avenues. Cannady said he saw a man leave the car at 11 a. m.
Detective Clifford Carr made a preliminary investigation and declared all the glass in the windows and windshield was unbroken. Acting Sergt. Joseph Carpani ordered the car impounded at Lane’s garage, Haddon avenue and Line street, where it was investigated for fingerprints.
Carr reported the finding of a shopping bag, believed to be the one carried by Mrs. Shane at the time of the holdup, and a roll of adhesive tape in the car.
Following the holdup Mrs. Shane was taken to police headquarters and questioned for more than 11 hours. She was taken to her home at 11 p. m. by state motor vehicle inspectors, who talked to her there until 1 a. m. Previously, at police headquarters, she was shown numerous rogue’s gallery pictures and partially identified one of them as the suspect who stole her bag.
Hartmann Names Dr. Baker Public Works Staff Physician
Camden Courier-Post —
Civil Service Commission Asked to Approve $1500 Job
Action Declared Economy Move
The State Civil Service Commission has been requested to authorize appointment of a staff physician for the Camden City department of public works at an annual salary of $1500, and Dr. Maurice E. Baker has been named to the post on an ad interim appointment by Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr.
Dr. Baker, a Democrat, was a candidate for city commissioner last May on the New Deal-Non Partisan ticket, which elected Hartmann and Commissioners Mary W. Kobus and George E. Brunner. Hartmann said last night that Dr. Baker has been acting as staff physician for the past four days and has made 12 examinations. Some of these, Hartmann said, were for city employees with frost-bitten toes, fingers and ears, who are claiming compensation, and one was of a woman who slipped and fell on a sidewalk.
“Dr. Baker, of course, is not getting paid a salary now,” Hartmann said, “but we hope he can be placed on a salary as a money-saving movement. Heretofore the physicians examining city workmen on compensation claims have charged the city $10 for each examination. I expect Dr. Baker to make 600 to 700 calls a year, most of them examinations, and thus get the work done for $2 in each case. I expect also to save money on compensation claims by having Dr. Baker make examinations of any new men hired, so that we may be sure they are in good physical condition.”
Hartmann said all members of the city commission except Mayor Frederick Von Nieda have endorsed the employment of a staff physician. City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly also has approved the move as offering a chance to save money, Hartmann said.
Camden High Girls to Push Campaign for 'Play Streets'
Camden Courier-Post —
Members of Health Class Urge Areas to Cut Down Juvenile Delinquency
Mrs. Kobus’ Aid Sought
By E. Cecilia Cummings
Camden High School senior girls in 12th year health classes recommend play streets, especially in South Camden, as a preventive measure for juvenile delinquency. Death by automobile, vandalism and petty crime, they think, all spring from the same root—lack of safe places for supervised play.
This is a direct outcome of discussions in Miss Marjorie Van Horn’s health classes, and of a campaign whittled to make Camden residents “reform school disgrace” conscious. In their study of child welfare, they have been impressed above the eyebrows by the effects poor housing, crowded conditions and lack of recreation have on health, and how all these tie together to mould the typical reform school occupant.
Discussions during class period weren’t getting them anywhere, however. Up spoke Frances Allebach impatiently: “We talk and talk, but why don’t we DO something.” She was promptly voted chairman, and Margaret Baker, secretary, of an embryo campaign.
A group went to Director of Public Safety Mary W. Kobus and asked her to authorize the roping off of little-traveled streets. Reconnoitering on auto trips, armed with city maps and pencils, showed them suitable locations for play streets. Mrs. Kobus promised them her hearty support, but reminded them the signatures of all residents on those thoroughfares were necessary to rope them off as playground substitutes.
Girls active in the campaign as speakers were Olive Patterson, Madeline Danner, Lois Davis, Dorothy Schoellkopf, Henrietta McCausland, Miss Allebach, Margaret Baker, Rose Shectman, Helen Brown, Mary Burke and Ruth Austermuhl.
Shots Halt Flight After Car Hits Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
Policeman Fires from Ground and Liquor Raid Fugitive Stops
Four men were arrested amid revolver shots after a Camden policeman was knocked down by a police car during a raid yesterday afternoon. Acting on orders of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, who is continuing her drive to rid the city of speakeasies, three policemen and two detectives surrounded the home of James Ford, colored, at 1124 South Ninth street, shortly before 3 p. m.
Patrolmen Edward Shapiro and Thomas Kauffman arrived in a radio car. So did James Brown and John Houston, two colored detectives. Patrolman Earl Stopfer arrived on foot. Three policemen went to the back door. Kauffman stayed in the radio car at the front. Shapiro knocked at the front door. The policemen at the rear were ahead of those at front. As a result four men ran out through the front door and bowled over Shapiro. The man in the lead, who later was identified as Wilbur “Lackey” Davis, of 821 Mt. Vernon street, raced up the street, a quart bottle of liquor in hand.
Kauffman had driven his radio car behind another machine. He started the engine and attempted to back out to give chase. Shapiro ran behind the car and as he did, the machine struck him, knocking him into the middle of the street. Prone, Shapiro drew his revolver and opened fire on Davis. Three shots were fired in the air. Two others were closer to the fugitive, who halted. With the sound of shooting, the other three men yielded to the assembled policemen. They gave their names as Ford, Herman Hopkins, 21, of 1124 South Ninth street, and Harry McLane, 29, of 746 Kaighn avenue. All will be arraigned today. Ford, Hopkins and McLane will be charged with violating the state A.B.C. act. In addition, Davis will be charged with resisting arrest. Patrolman Shapiro was hurt but slightly.
Commission Kills Circular Ordinance
Camden Courier-Post —
Measure to Limit Size and Fix Fees Protested at Noisy Hearing
The ordinance approved on first reading January 29 amending the present law regulating the distribution of circulars was voted down by the city commission on second reading yesterday, after a public hearing. Public hearings scheduled on five other ordinances were postponed. These included three refunding measures, one amending present laws designed to stop littering the streets, and the other extending the closing time for barber shops.
Opposition to the circular ordinance, which would have restricted the size of such advertising matter to 6 by 4 inches and required a permit and tax for distribution, was voiced by merchants and representatives of the Socialist and Communist parties. The hearing was a noisy one, with sporadic outbursts from the audience causing Mayor Frederick von Nieda to rap for order frequently.
A. David Epstein, attorney representing the South Jersey Grocers Association, with a membership of 200 independent grocers, was vigorous in his opposition to the amendment. He argued that circulars provide the only means for members to advertise their wares and said the proposed size hardly meets their requirements.
Commissioner Harold W. Bennett said many justifiable complaints had been received declaring porches, steps and yards were littered with circulars and other advertising matter. He said such papers should be attached securely to doors or handed in. Commissioner Mary W. Kobus said she saw no need for the proposed amendment, declaring the existing law requires distributors to place circulars on a doorknob with a rubber band.
Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, original sponsor of the ordinance, then moved that it be tabled. Charles S. Danenhower, Camden and South Jersey organizer for the Communist party, objected that the measure should be killed outright “in the interest of the working classes.” Hartmann called for action on the ordinance, and it was voted down by unanimous vote.
National Puzzlers to Hold Semi-Annual Session Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Amateur Creators of Brain Twisters Open Three-Day Conclave Tomorrow; Mrs. Kobus To Greet Delegates on Arrival
Puzzledom, that world of cryptograms, psychology and pseudonyms, will have its capital in Camden beginning and continuing through Sunday. It will be the 105th semi-annual convention of the National Puzzlers’ League, Inc.
Back in 1926, sesquicentennial year of American Independence, the puzzlers held their 86th semi-annual convention here. The fact Joseph Kobus, retired Broadway merchant, is a charter member of the organization, founded in 1883, and that his wife, City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, is now first vice president, may have had something to do with the selection of Camden for both gatherings. Mrs. Kobus was president in 1929.
Close to 100 members, from all sections of the country east of the Mississippi, are expected. Convention headquarters are to be in the Walt Whitman Hotel. In puzzledom each is known by a pseudonym, self-chosen. Mrs. Kobus, for instance, is H. S. Law, which is a reverse spelling of her name before marriage, Walsh. Commissioner Kobus—beg pardon, H. S. Law—is chairman of the reception committee which will welcome members as they arrive tomorrow afternoon and night.
Many attractive entertainment features will be crowded into the two-day session. Features of Sunday’s program, after breakfast and church services, will be a puzzle broadcast from Station WCAM at 11:00 AM, the closing session of the convention in the afternoon, to be followed by award of a cup to the winner of a puzzle contest. The WPA leisure time band, directed by Joseph Fuhrman, will give a musical program at the hotel for the benefit of the visitors Saturday night.
Other officers of the league are: Charles Jacobsen (Oedipus), of Whitestone NY, president; Paul E. Thompson (Blackstone), Cleveland Heights OH, second vice president; Lewis Trent (C. Saw), New York NY, secretary; John Q. Boyer (Primrose), Baltimore MD, treasurer; Rufus T. Strohm (Arty Ess), Scranton PA, official editor, and J. H. Wickham (Wick O’Cincy), Cincinnati OH, Ohio trustee.
Mrs. Kobus to Address Realty Board Members
Camden Courier-Post —
City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus will deliver the principal address today at the Camden County Real Estate Board luncheon in Hotel Walt Whitman. Her topic will be “Vandalism and the Police Department.” Another speaker will be Emanuel Smith, who will speak on “The Development of a New Idea For State Taxation For Schools.”
Hartmann Defended
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
Sir—Will you please print the following article in your Mail Bag. Now, my fellow citizens, where IS your howling and crying over the moneys spent by the city not being used for anything productive? Folks like to talk about others, but never a good word for those who deserve it. Mr. Hartmann has treated WPA workers like men, and they responded like men. I am one of them. I worked all day February 13 in the snow and storm and have not heard any grumbling from any of my buddies.
Did the public ever stop crying the blues long enough to realize that I got $76 per month from relief? Of course I have a family and my wife never was satisfied, like lots of others, to take all and give nothing. Now I get $60 a month and we (my family) are happy again. Why? Because I can at least make an effort to earn what I get. It’s mine and I keep my kids dressed warmly and they go to the movies every Saturday afternoon. I feel 100 percent better than living on E.R.A.
I have two very close friends on E.R.A. who laugh at me for working on W.P.A., but when they need a few pennies they look me up. Due to Mr. Hartmann we were kept on our jobs instead of being laid off. His efforts put us on the snowy streets. I’ve lived in this town for 38 years, my mother 57 years and my dad 68 years and all of us say the same thing. God give us some more Hartmanns and Kobuses instead of David ? regime. That’s all, folks, your street improvements to date have cost you taxpayers practically nothing. Just a word to W.P.A. workers: Layoff of Kelly, he is a good man when you understand him.
HERBERT BARD
213 Penn Street.
Owner Held in Taproom Brawls
Camden Courier-Post —
Proprietor of Wall Street Club Charged With Hitting Policeman
Four persons were arrested early yesterday during a free-for-all fight in the Wall Street Club, 340 Federal Street, according to police. Edward Markowitz, 38, proprietor of the place, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Ambrose Brown, 31, and his brother, Asher, 27, both of 2104 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, were arrested on complaint of George Brown, 29, of 1214 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, who charged them with assault and battery.
Patrolmen Earl Wright and Gus Fortune were passing Fourth and Federal streets at 1:45 AM in a radio car with Commissioner Mary W. Kobus when a man ran out of the Wall Street Club and shouted to them that some men had been beating him. When the policemen entered, Markowitz is alleged to have tried to eject the police. He said they had no right in his place, according to Wright and Fortune. Markowitz was arrested with the three Browns. Wright alleges Markowitz struck him in the face.
At police headquarters Mrs. Eleanor Brown, wife of Asher Brown, said she, her husband and brother-in-law were getting ready to leave the place when George Brown struck her in the face. She said her husband and brother-in-law struck George Brown in retaliation. Police said when they reached the interior of the taproom men were fighting, women screaming and tables were being overturned.
Markowitz was held in $1000 bail. Ambrose and Asher Brown in $500 bail each and George Brown in $200 bail as a witness. They will have hearings today in police court. Markowitz last night denied he struck Wright but alleged the patrolman knocked him unconscious at police headquarters. He said he was placed in a wheel chair and pushed into a cell. He charged he was not permitted to use a telephone until 7:00 AM. “There was no fight in my place,” Markowitz declared. “The fight was out on the street and Wright rushed into my place, grabbed me and hustled me to the patrol box.”
Kobus Named Head of Puzzlers Group as Convention Ends
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Nedmac’ (Spell It Backwards) Elected; Wife Retires as Vice President
By Thomas O’Halloran
Joseph F. Kobus, retired Camden merchant, was elected president of the National Puzzlers League, Inc. at the closing session yesterday of its 105th semi-annual convention. The convention opened Saturday in the Hotel Walt Whitman. The new president, husband of City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, was one of the earliest members of the organization, founded in 1883. His nom-de-plume in puzzledom is Nedmac. Mrs. Kobus, retiring first vice president, is H. S. Law in the world of cryptograms, “flats” and “posers.”
Others elected were: R. P. Woodman (Macropod) of North Quincy, Mass., to succeed Mrs. Kobus; Mrs. G. H. Ropes (Evero), of Detroit, Mich., second vice president; Lewis Trent (C. Saw), of New York, secretary for his 26th consecutive term; John Q. Boyer (Primrose), of Baltimore, treasurer; Rufus T. Strohm (Arty Ess), of Scranton, Pa., official editor, and J. H. Wickham (Wick O’Cincy), of Cincinnati, O., trustee.
Following the business session about 50 members participated in a prize puzzle contest in the junior ball room of the hotel and the M.M.M. (Minute Men of Mystery), a social organization within the league, held a dinner meeting. A silver bowl was presented to C. Saw as a testimonial to his 25 years’ service as secretary of the league.
Mrs. Kobus, who was chairman of the convention reception committee, introduced several members as speakers on a broadcast program from Station WCAM in the morning. Anderson recalled the organization of the league by a group of young men who met in Pythagoras Hall, on Canal Street, New York City, July 4, 1883. Boston was selected for the 106th convention which will be held September 5, 6 and 7.
Camden Votes to Pay Expert on Refunding of City Debts
Camden Courier-Post —
Commissioners Agree on Kobus Suggestion
Camden’s city commissioners yesterday agreed to select a paid financial adviser to guide the city out of its financial morass. A special gathering of the commissioners in Mayor Frederick von Nieda’s offices at noon today was arranged to hear applications of candidates for the job. No candidate will be considered unless he has a plan to submit that looks attractive to the commissioners.
Decision to select the paid adviser came near the end of a hectic two and one-half hour conference of the commissioners with their citizens’ advisory committee, members of the Freeholders budget committee, various bond brokers, and bankers and attorneys for the city and the bond dealers. The commissioners decided to engage the adviser against the recommendation and despite an eloquent plea of their bond attorney, L. Arnold Frye, of Hawkins, Delafield and Longfellow, New York attorneys. It was at the suggestion of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus that the decision to bring in paid help was taken.
Wirtz Ordered to Face Inquiry by Mrs. Kobus
Camden Courier-Post —
Carr and Koerner Will Be Questioned In Holdup Case
Caution Is Urged by Justice Lloyd
Detective Stanley Wirtz, suspended by Police Chief Arthur Colsey yesterday pending investigation into charges that he supplied the guns and an automobile for a holdup, has been ordered to appear today before Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety. Wirtz, who has been in charge of the city accident bureau, will be asked to “give his side of the story,” Commissioner Kobus said. Later the public safety head will question City Detective Clifford Carr and Police Sergeant Gus Koerner in connection with the capture of an alleged bandit last Friday night, in an attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll clerk.
County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran yesterday charged that Wirtz had supplied the guns and automobile to be used in the holdup and then posted Carr and Koerner inside the plant to capture the bandits. Wirtz, Doran said, admitted the charges in a statement given in the office of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.
Doran’s statement follows: Stanley Wirtz, Camden city detective, supplied the gun and the automobile used in the attempted hold-up of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll office Friday night. Statements were given us by three suspects all tally. Walter Lewandoski worked at the Eavenson & Levering plant, but was laid off there February 28. On March 3 he had money coming to him and he returned to the plant. Joseph Powell accompanied him. Powell talked to Lewandoski then of the payroll, and suggested the holdup. Powell then got in touch with Stanley Wirtz, and told him that Lewandoski was going to stick up the payroll March 4. Wirtz on that night loaned Powell a car but someone got cold feet, and the holdup was not attempted. The following week, on March 13, last Friday, Wirtz took a car to Powell’s home and there turned over to him two guns and the automobile. Wirtz then had detectives posted at the scene to arrest the bandits when they made the holdup attempt.
Wirtz is 37 and lives at 1197 Thurman Street. He was one of the first of the new policemen to be appointed to the department in 1924 after Civil Service was put into effect following the adoption of Commission government in 1924. He is a veteran of the World War and got a special rating for that reason when he took the Civil Service examination. In 1931 Wirtz was appointed as an accident investigator in the detective bureau and has served in that capacity ever since.
Wirtz to Hear Fate in Bandit Quiz Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Colsey Doubts Cop Will Face Charges; Case to Go to Grand Jury
Decision on any action to be taken against Stanley Wirtz, suspended Camden detective charged with having furnished the guns and automobile for a holdup, will be made today by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and Police Chief Arthur Colsey. Wirtz, with Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, was questioned yesterday, and decision was reserved. Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, however, said he would place the case before the grand jury.
“No charges have been preferred against Wirtz,” Mrs. Kobus announced after the investigation. “And I don’t believe any charges will be made,” Colsey commented, adding: “Commissioner Kobus and I are going over the reports and statements of all concerned at 10:00 AM tomorrow and a decision will be made then.”
Asked for a statement at the conclusion of the investigation, Mrs. Kobus said: “No charges have been preferred against Wirtz. This was not a hearing on any charge. This was an investigation of reports which I read in the newspapers. It is the duty of the police officials to investigate any such report, and Wirtz and the other two detectives who figured in the case were called in to make statements. This was not a trial and I do not care to make a statement now about what went on.”
Mrs. Kobus Signs Fire Prevention Proclamation
Camden Courier-Post —
City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, recovering at her home from an accidental fall in July, is shown signing the Fire Prevention Week proclamation of the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association, with Battalion Chief Charles Erickson, of the city fire department looking on. The above is the first newspaper picture of Mrs. Kobus since the accident.
Fire Prevention Week to Start Tomorrow Aided by Churches
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Kobus Gives Official Approval to Proclamation to Be Read to Congregations; School Drills Included in Program
City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, as director of public safety, yesterday gave official approval to a proclamation of the fire prevention committee of the Camden County Fire Chiefs’ Association calling for observance of Fire Prevention Week, beginning tomorrow.
Municipal heads throughout the county also have subscribed to the proclamation, which will be read in many churches at tomorrow’s services.
The proclamation follows:
“The President of the United States has proclaimed the week of October 4 to 10 as Fire Prevention Week. A campaign is being waged by the Camden County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Camden city fire department to save life and property in the city and county.
“Such activities result not only in safeguarding lives and property but in reducing fire waste due to carelessness, reducing taxes to cover fire department expenditures, stmulating [sic] civic pride and helping to remove fire hazards in the 58,364 homes in the city and county.
“The public is urged to support plans which have been perfected to conduct a comprehensive and vigorous campaign in every city, borough and town of Camden County during the week to remove all fire hazards in the homes and inspect all chimneys, smokepipes, heating systems, electrical wiring and all other appliances in the home that may be the direct cause of a fire.”
Commissioner Kobus at 3 p. m. tomorrow will give the first of five daily radio addresses on fire prevention to be broadcast from Station WCAM.
On Monday at 4 p. m. there will be a radio talk by Chief John H. Lennox, of the Camden fire department. At the same hour Tuesday the speaker will be Deputy Chief William Harring; on Wednesday, Deputy Chief William Mertz; on Thursday, Battalion Chief Walter Mertz, and on Friday, Clifford F. Evans, president of the chiefs’ association.
The program of activities throughout the week includes lectures on fire prevention by fire chiefs and fire drills in the schools; inspection of firehouses, and equipment by school children, accompanied by teachers; inspection of stores, factories, garages and public buildings by members of fire departments upon request of owners; inspection of homes and instruction in cleaning of flues and other fire-prevention work by firemen upon request, and demonstration of fire-fighting equipment for the general public throughout the county.
A special exhibition drill is to be held at the Firemen’s Training School, Ninth street and Morgan boulevard, Friday afternoon.
Clayton Named ‘Chief’ in Colsey’s Absence
Camden Courier-Post —
Acting Chief Clerk George Clayton was named to head the Camden police department during the absence of Police Arthur Colsey yesterday by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus.
Chief Colsey leaves today for Kansas City where he will attend the International Police Chief’s convention. En route to the convention, Chief Colsey will stop at St. Louis and will return here via Chicago after the convention ends next Friday.
The Chicago and St. Louis visit will be on police duty, Chief Colsey said. He will discuss improvements, supervision, and police methods with police officials of those cities.
Lodge Finds County in Revolt on Baird
Camden Courier-Post —
Democratic Assembly Nominee Says G.O.P. Campaign Has Collapsed
Henry Lodge, Audubon Democratic Assembly nominee, declared last night that both the Landon-Knox campaign and the Republican Organization county drive have collapsed “in the face of a county-wide revolt against a political dictator.”
Lodge spoke at a record-breaking Roosevelt rally at Merchantville Hall, Maple and Park avenues, which was preceded by a big parade. His remarks also were contained in a publio formal statement.
Lodge said the best evidence that the citizens of Camden county want no more of Baird is the disappearance of former Republican majorities. Those, he declared, have dwindled from 40,000 to almost zero, since so many G. O. P. voters have quit the party because of disgust “with the man who keeps insisting that he’s the Republican boss, when in truth, he is the Democratic party’s biggest asset.”
Another evidence of the citizens’ repudiation of Baird was when Camden city voters cast an avalanche of ballots against him to defeat his referendum last March, whose object was to foist back on Camden the old councilmanic government, Lodge declared. The Democratic Assembly nominee said that at that election “they were practically all anti-Baird votes,” so few of the ballots were for Baird-sponsored councilmanic government.
Revolt Against Dictator
“There is only one answer to the revolt of the people of Camden county against the Republican political dictator, and that is the dictator himself,” Lodge said.
“This self-appointed boss is trying now to save his own Republican county ticket from the wreckage of the Landon-Knox campaign in this county. The national ticket’s drive has collapsed, and the county’s Republican Organization leaders, so far as the national candidates are concerned, have given up the ghost.
“One sees signs of what is happening in the Republican Organization ballyhoo. Do you still see Landon and Knox in the biggest lettering on the billboards? Rather are not the choicest spot on the billboards, and the largest letters, those of the candidates on Boss Baird’s county ticket?
“With one ship, the Republican national ticket, sunk in Camden county, how desperate the Baird organization has become to save the other, the county ticket. But that county ship, too, is wrecked and nothing can save it because it has been found by the people of Camden county to have as its pilot a political buccaneer whose sole aim is advancement of his own interests at the expense of the citizens of the county.
Attacks Rivels
“Why this county-wide revolt? Is it not because of the smoke-screened political finesse of this Republican county czar, whose policy is, ‘I come first, and let the public try to catch up with me. What I want, I want, and who’s the public to tell me what it wants and what I or my order-takers are to do?’
“The proof of the direct tieup between Baird and the three present assemblymen is in his own remarks when he speaks in Trenton, and refers to them as ‘My assemblymen.’
“His idea of an assemblyman ‘standing up’ is one who follows out his orders no matter how much harm they are causing the county and state, which means the assemblymen under his control can never fight for the people.
“All of the county knows how because he could not have his way to ‘rule or ruin’ the Republican party in Camden county he had ousted the Committee of Six which comprised Congressman Wolverton, Surrogate Hanna, Commissioner Kobus, Sena-
Veteran Fire Captain Honored At Retirement Ceremonies
Camden Courier-Post —
Eli Hunt Bids Farewell to Fellow Members of City Force
Officials Laud Term of Service
Quits Chasing Fires
Capt. Eli Hunt
The sound of a fire alarm means nothing except fond memories to Junior Capt. Eli Hunt, now, as he sits in his chair at home and lives over the many experiences he has gone through while a fireman with Engine Company No. 3, 1813 Broadway.
Captain Hunt took formal leave Saturday from his comrades, the smoke-eaters of one of the busiest fire houses in the city. The 55-year-old veteran was retired March 1 for disability, and the lads he led in many a fierce battle with flames, decided to show their old skipper that their hearts were with him now that he would respond to no more alarms.
Captain Hunt, his face seamed and lined with years of activity as a fire-fighter, sat silent while Battalion Chief Charles Erickson [sic] told the old smoke-eater that he was only retired, but that in spirit he was still a member of the Camden fire department.
The captain smiled with satisfaction as Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, told Captain Hunt that he was a gallant old fire-fighter, and had fought along the traditions that had made the Camden department one of the best.
Flowers Presented
Satisfaction and smiles still rode the captain’s face as Acting Capt. Edward MacDowell presented him with a bouquet of flowers. He was still grinning in glee when Acting Captain Rich gave him another gift. He still retained that smiling face as Commissioner Kobus presented him with a beautiful smoking set, the gift of his old comrades.
Then, as he sat silently in his chair, the fact that he was no longer a fire-fighter of Camden save in memory and spirit, rolled down upon him and the pent emotion gave way, it could not longer be dammed.
Tears ran like rivulets down the grizzled face of the retired captain, and he didn’t attempt to stop them either, as one handkerchief against that torrent of weeping would have been as effective as trying to stop a hole in a levee with a toothpick.
Standing in formation, too, were his old boys, and everyone of them had a suspicious moisture in his eye, as they gazed upon the old skipper, now ready to retire to a merited if not entirely welcome retirement.
It was 8 a. m. when the ceremonies started down in the ancient camp of the firefighters on Broadway. Battalion Chief Erickson [sic] made a neat and effective speech.
Remains In Spirit
“You are not retiring from the department,” he said, “you are still a member though no longer active. Don’t figure that you are done as a fireman because you are not.
“You’ve earned your rest and you can feel assured now that you have retired that you owe the city of Camden nothing, you have given her the best that was in you, the finest ability you commanded and the loyalty which you know.
“Your boys are sorry to see you depart, but when you go they know that you go to a rest you have merited and an ease that rightfully belongs to you.”
Commissioner Kobus followed in like strain, expressing her delight as being able to have a part in the ceremonies.
“We have to hurry this up,” said the commissioner laughingly, “for I never come down to this firehouse that an alarm does not sound.”
“You are not retiring from the department,” said the director, “you have come up from the ranks and will remain an inspiration to these young firemen, even if you be away from them.
Set Good Example
“You have given them a splendid example to follow by your own loyal, splendid service to Camden. You are something of an ideal for these men to follow, and so long as they stand by the ideals of yourself and the gallant old firefighters of the department, Camden will still have the best department of any city in the United States.
“You are getting a rest period and you earned it. You don’t want to feel that you have retired, you just want to remember that the boys in the department will be with you as you take the rest that you have earned.
“You retire with the respect of everybody in the department, and no higher honor could be paid to any member of the fire department than to merit and hold such respect.”
Captain Hunt was compelled to retire as the result of injuries received in an automobile accident on Oct. 20, 1935. He had been to National Park where he has a kennel of hounds, the captain having been an ardent hunter when physically sound.
Hurt Severely
It was his usual 24-hours off day and as he drove through Woodbury on the way to Camden his car was struck by another at Thorofare. Captain Hunt was injured so badly that he was in the hospital for two months, with concussion of the brain, his injuries leaving a lesion that has made locomotion a mite difficult, although Captain Hunt is able to stand without the aid of his cane.
“I’m going to take life easy,” he said, after he had gathered his presents and been photographed numerous times.” [sic] I have many relatives living around whom I haven’t seen for some time, so I guess I spend a good bit of leisure going around and getting acquainted with them.
“But don’t forget, retired or not, I’m still a fireman and will probably jump out of bed as usual when I hear the alarm.”
Junior Captain Hunt joined the department on August 1, 1918, as a hoseman in Engine 3, where he was honored today. He was promoted to junior captain and assigned to Engine 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets in April, 1928. He returned to his old company, however, as a junior captain in March, 1932, and retired on a pension last Monday.
Captain Hunt battled against some of the worst fires in Camden’s history.
For five and one-half hours he was on duty when flames attacked the plant of the Eavenson Soap Works on Delaware avenue and Penn street on Jan. 21, 1919. He worked straight through for 28 hours when Sitley & Sons’ grain and feed plant, burned at Chelten avenue and the Pennsylvania railroad.
In connection with the latter fire it started on Hunt’s day off, and he was compelled to forego his leisure, as the department had but a single platoon in those days. He was in the fight against the fire at the U. S. Naval aircraft factory in Gloucester, June 8, 1920, the Baker-Flick blaze on Dec. 21, 1921 and another fire in the Eavenson Soap Works on Oct. 20, 1922.
‘Ireland Night’ Set by 6th Ward Club
Camden Courier-Post —
G.O.P. Unit to Honor Patrolman John S. McTaggart Tuesday Night
The third annual “Night in Ireland” which is given each year in honor of Patrolman John S. McTaggart by the Sixth Ward Republican Association, will be held March 16 in the Eagle’s Hall, 415 Broadway.
More than 3000 tickets have been sold. A number of Camden city officials and civic leaders are expected to attend.
Among the guests will be Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, Surrogate Frank B. Hanna, Chief of Police Arthur Colsey and several state executives.
The committee arranging the details is headed by Sergeant Edward Carroll, chairman, Sergeant John Garrity, Mrs. Katherine Cunningham and Deputy City Clerk William D. Sayrs.
McTaggart has been in the city employ for 27 years. He was appointed to the fire department in 1910 and a few years later was transferred to the police department. He was the youngest member of the fire department in the few years he was attached to that bureau.
He is widely-known in the Sixth Ward for his charitable work among the poor and is one of the “old school” policeman who believes it is better to explain the law to a trivial offender than arrest him.
He is rarely seen in the police court and has often told his friends he prefers to take an intoxicated man home than send him to jail.
He has lived in Camden for 48 years, most of the time in the ward in which he now resides. His parents are natives of Ireland.
A number of acts of vaudeville have been engaged as well as two two [sic] orchestras which will furnish music for dancing.
John M’Taggart’s Wife Dies As Friends Honor Him at Party
Camden Courier-Post —
“They’re there to have fun and don’t let anything interfere with their good time.”
That was the message of Policeman John McTaggart, “charitable cop of the Sixth ward,” to his boss, City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, last night as hundreds were assembling to dance and make merry at a “Night in Ireland” in his honor given by the Sixth Ward Republican Association.
McTaggart was at the bedside of his wife, Ruth, 4[?], who was dying in West Jersey Hospital, while dance orchestras swung into live rhythms at Eagles Hall, 415 Broadway.
At 8.32 p. m., Mrs. McTaggart died, but few of the “Night in Ireland” celebrators learned of it and, in accordance with the wishes of the absent guest of honor, “the show went on.”
Biggest Show Ever
The irony of it all was that it was the biggest “show” ever put on for McTaggart, whose “Night in Ireland,” since it was established several years ago, has become a Camden tradition.
Mrs. Kobus was there and she had as a guest State Senator Arthur F. Foran, Republican, of Hunterdon county. Also Mayor George E. Brunner, of Camden, Democratic state committeeman; James V. Moran, Camden merchant and president of the New Jersey Sales Tax Repeal Association; Police Judge Gene R. Mariano, of Camden; Police Chief Arthur Colsey; Police Lieut. Ralph Bakley; Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino; City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, and Horace R. Dixon, president of the Good Government League of Camden.
Two floors and a basement, with dancing on each, were required to accommodate the throng.
Commissioner Kobus and Senator Foran were called on for short addresses, but each carefully avoided reference to the death of Mrs. McTaggart. The absence of McTaggart was generally noted but the word passed around he would be along “later,” being detained on “special duty.”
Ill Since Feb. 20
On previous similar occasions, one of them attended by Governor Harold G. Hoffman, Mrs. McTaggart was equally with her husband a guest of honor. McTaggart, widely known for his interest in civic affairs and charitable deeds in the Sixth Ward, is an honorary bodyguard to Governor Hoffman at Sea Girt on each Governor’s Day for Camden county.
Mrs. McTaggart was admitted to the hospital from her home, 1293 Sayres avenue, February 20, for an operation.
Members of the committee for last night’s party were Edward Carroll, chairman; William D. Sayrs, assistant city clerk, John McGarrity and Kathryn Cunningham.
Mrs. M’Taggart Rites to Be Held Tomorrow
Camden Courier-Post —
Fellow officers of Policeman John McTaggart will form a guard of honor when friends call to pay their last respects to Mrs. Ruth McTaggart tonight at the funeral home of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway.
Mrs. McTaggart, who was 46, died in West Jersey hospital Tuesday night while friends of her husband were staging their annual frolic in his honor at Eagles’ Hall. Policeman McTaggart, known as “the charitable cop of the Sixth ward,” was at his wife’s bedside when she died.
Police Chief Arthur Colsey and Commissioner Mary W. Kobus have arranged for the guard of honor tonight and for a police escort for the funeral procession tomorrow. High requiem mass will be celebrated at 10 a. m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery. Pallbearers have not yet been selected.
Hundreds Pay Tribute to Mrs. M’Taggart
Camden Courier-Post —
Hundreds paid tribute last night to Mrs. Ruth McTaggart, wife of Patrolman John McTaggart, at the funeral home of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway.
Mrs. McTaggart died Tuesday night in Cooper Hospital while hundreds of her husband’s friends were paying tribute to him at a St. Patrick’s Day party in Eagles Hall.
Patrolmen William Hughes and Otto Topercer were a guard of honor last night at the funeral home. Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and Police Chief Arthur Colsey have arranged for a police escort for the funeral today. High requiem mass will be held at 10 a. m. in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
‘Babe’ Clayton’s Son Appointed as Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
Howard Clayton, a son of Acting Captain George “Babe” Clayton, chief clerk of the Camden police department, yesterday was appointed a policeman by Chief Arthur Colsey upon instructions from Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, on vacation in the West.
The appointee is 28 and lives at 408 North Fortieth street. He has been assigned to the police motorcycle division. He is a graduate of Camden High School, class of 1929, where he excelled in football and basketball. His father was a baseball star in his younger days.
Clayton Promoted to Chief Clerk in Police Department
Camden Courier-Post —
Commissioner Kobus Continues Move for Elimination of ‘Acting’ Officers
In line with her plans to eliminate acting offices in the police department, Commissioner Mary W. Kobus last night announced the promotion of Patrolman George Clayton to chief clerk of the department.
Clayton, whose promotion has been rumored since last December, has been acting chief clerk for two years and was named chief clerk, August 16. The promotion carries an increase in salary of $360, the position paying $2400 annually less the 15 percent economy reduction now in effect. As a patrolman Clayton received $2040 a year.
The city commission is expected in the near future to pass a resolution giving the title of captain, as outlined in a city ordinance, and he then receives an additional increase of $180 in salary bringing the total to $2580. Clayton will act as chief of police in the absence of Chief Arthur Colsey.
Clayton Record Lauded
Commenting on Clayton’s promotion, Commissioner Kobus said: “This is another step toward the elimination of acting officers in the police department and more are to follow in the future. It is my purpose to replace all acting jobs wherever and whenever it is possible. Clayton is a fine officer with a splendid record and his promotion will increase the efficiency and uphold the morale of the department.”
Clayton, who is 49 and lives at 912 Mt. Ephraim avenue, was appointed to the department on February 2, 1918, while Charles H. Ellis was mayor. He has served in nearly every capacity in the department, having been a motorcycle patrolman, mounted policeman, jailor, acting desk sergeant and acting detective.
Clayton has been cited for bravery on several occasions.
Capturing a fugitive bandit single handed at the Camden postoffice on December 20, 1932, was one of Clayton’s most sensational exploits. The bandit, Robert I. Mears, was wanted in Delaware for more than a score of robberies and was spotted in Camden.
Floors Irate Interferer
Police were notified and Clayton was assigned to the postoffice to grab Mears when he appeared for mail. Clayton waited for several days before he was rewarded with the appearance of Mears. Not knowing whether the bandit was armed or not, Clayton pulled his gun.
A bystander thought a holdup was in progress and Clayton was the culprit. Clayton was assaulted by the bystander, making the chances of the capture look slim, but he promptly “floored” the would-be rescuer with a punch and then took Mears to headquarters where he was held for Delaware authorities.
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
KUDOS, orchids and a Happy New Year to the Camden police and firemen. They have proved beyond a doubt that a generous heart beats beneath a blue tunic, and that a gruff manner and stern sense of duty can be a mask to conceal a tender heart and a generous spirit.
Personally, we think that the idea of the police and firemen giving a Christmas dinner to 305 needy kids was one of the finest observances of the day that came to our attention. It was also the first time in our memory that we ever knew the police and firemen of a city to do such a thing for the youngsters.
Youngsters from 5 to 6 years old, possibly 7 and 8, make the policeman their hero. There is something sturdily heroic, too, to the young minds in that blue uniform, about the locust that swings, the power he irradiates, which hits the youngster of those extremely young years right where he lives.
I know from one experience with the apple of the Mackays’ eye that her old man made a bigger hit by having the policeman on the beat hail, chat and swap talk with him than if the President or the Governor had performed in such manner.
The daughter’s hand was in the clasp of the old man’s horny fist one day, as he was taking her on the errands. At the corner stood a bluecoat waiting to see that the kids got safely across to school.
He gave us the old cheerio. We crossed to the other side. Whereupon the idol of the domestic circle said in awe, wonderment and astonishment. “Dad, do you know that there cop?”
GET UP THERE ON PEDESTAL, DAD
“Sure,” we said, with due modesty. Right then and there the old man was hoisted to a pedestal to which he could never have been lifted had a mere nobody like a Governor or a Mayor hailed him. What booted it to this young maid that her father had known President Coolidge when he came down from Northampton, Mass., a rube legislator?
What booted it that her old man had sipped a highball in Senator Frelinghuysen’s home at Somerville, N. J., with Warren Gamaliel Harding, who was to be elected as President of these United States to succeed Woodrow Wilson?
Nothing! This young miss had something real to toss to her little friends and playmates whenever childish boasting became the order of the day. Her old man knew the cop on the beat. The cop on the beat had spoken to them both. That was glory enough for all the young Mackays to bask in—my dad knows the policeman on the beat.
It seems a might awry to be handing a compliment to the average policeman for a Christmas deed such as the Camden police and firemen performed. Usually the policeman’s lot is all snarled up with crime, criminals, Grand Jury investigations and the sordid happenings of the community life in any city.
The police, particularly, get a kicking around that to my mind is scarcely deserved. The average wise guy, who doesn’t know a thing but assumes plenty, figures that Jesse James in his will left a white horse to each policeman. People seem ready and willing to believe the worst of the police, without giving the bluecoat a chance to talk in his own defense.
But the fact that each policeman and fireman dug right down in his own pocket to see that 305 kids on Christmas could eat until they burst, seems to me to be the subject matter for a column like this, and then the half of it hasn’t been told.
IDEA STARTED FIVE YEARS AGO
It was five years ago that this plan to feed the hungry, to give the needy youngsters a taste of the Christmas that there luckier fellows know, fructified. The plan is a beautiful one, too. Each policeman and each fireman weighs in for his contribution, a caterer does the rest. Each kid can be filled until it seems that if he eats another nut, or takes one more forkful of turkey, he’ll actually bust.
Imagine the glamor and the power that these youngsters feel on Christmas, too, when the cop on the beat waits on him. For each policeman and each fireman available for this task is set at it. Chief Colsey does the honors, so does the Director of Public Safety, Commissioner Mary W. Kobus. So do all the grandees of police and fire bureaus. They do it with gusto, delight and a thought that these poor shavers for once shall know that there is “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men.”
Pampered youngsters of wealth and station may have stiff-necked butlers to pass the turkey and the fixin’s on Christmas. In stately mansion and stuccoed pile, maids and flunkies may wait upon boys and girls. But who are these scions of wealth served in such manner compared to the kids who can get a plateful of turkey from a policeman and fireman in uniform?
It’s a hundred to one shot, too, that if the boy and the girl whose childish mouth knows the silver spoon were given an opportunity to swap places with the boy and the girl in the 305 fed on Christmas, the youngster in purple and fine linen would duck to the police and fire clubhouse in a jiffy.
There is something whole-souled about this generosity, too. Take the last “feed” that youngsters relished at the hands of their police and fire hosts.
Originally the guests were expected to be only 250. Physicians, social workers and others told of cases where youngsters would go not only without a Christmas dinner, but might actually be hungry on the day that marks the greatest festival on the Christian calendar.
“Send ‘em along,” was the reply of the police and firemen.
Then individual cases came to the attention of the policemen and firemen. There was the poor Mexican family with 10 mouths to feed—the mother dead, the father earning a beggarly pittance.
Those 10 kids had a dinner fit indeed for a king. So did the children of the poor woman whose husband deserted her. She didn’t have money enough in the house to feed her brood. Herself and her children were dined by the policemen and the firemen.
Dozens of similar cases could be cited, revealing that generosity, sympathy, charity are just as large and stirring under a blue tunic as in the guise of welfare organizations which have done such work for years.
Altogether, then, the bluecoats and the fire-fighters deserve this feeble notice. No better finis could be written than in giving kudos orchids and a Happy New Year to the man on the beat and the lad in the fire house...
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
REORGANIZATION of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders on the drizzling New Year stands as a monument to “Mickey Finn.” The latter, in the words of the vocation followed by my urbane and experienced friend Jimmy Fleming, means a concoction loaded with “knockout drops.” It is used to silence recalcitrant gentlemen who have gazed upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, by putting them to sleep.
Likewise “Mickey Finn” is the potion used to create a void in a stomach already surcharged with the cargo of the cup that cheers and also inebriates. To any hard-shelled drinker a “Mickey Finn” is any drink that knocks him cock-eyed with malice aforethought and prepense.
Hence when surveying the list of the casualties that came in the wake of the reorganization, by which the Democrats elected the first director of that party persuasion in the 94 years since Camden county sliced off from Gloucester, it is apparent that “Mickey Finn” was the busiest bloke in the whole proceedings.
If you want one of those deep and hearty laughs, not a mere gurgle or giggle, you want to hear some of the stalwart Republicans of the New Year vintage orate about “the renegades” who went over to the Democrats and sold out their party and their souls and honor.
I say you’ll laugh and no more so than when this pillar of profundity and temple of truth tells said truth in all its garish and unvarnished bluntness. We were led to write as we will after over-hearing the remarks of a gentleman named James Kershaw, of Mt. Ephraim, where men are men and Republicans occasionally have harmony.
KERSHAW SORE OVER COALITION
Mr. Kershaw is extremely incensed over the coalition that was formed to take over control of county affairs. Mr. Kershaw thirsts for blood and hungers for scalps, and makes no bones about his feelings on the matter. Mr. Kershaw is so low-spirited, too, over the revolt that tipped the apple-cart that he recently declared “there are only two Republicans left in Camden county, me and this fellow sitting alongside of me and he is not naturalized.”
Unless my history is a mite askew there was a glorious day in the history of the G. O. P. in Camden county when even “the other Republican” would have been voted, without the useless preliminaries of taking out his citizenship papers.
Perhaps some of my readers will recall a play by Max Marcin, called “Cheating Cheaters.” Well the genial gentlemen who now berating the coalitionists are in the exact position as the main characters in that amusing and suggestive play. We will take them up one by one.
There was that splendid body of representative R e p u b l i c a n s, so staunch in party loyalty, so true to party traditions, so baptized in the faith that they could never backslide. They started out to be regular Republicans by attending every meeting that any faction held, and they had a definite program.
The Republican League and its brethren together with the few Baird members, waved the olive branch at Mrs. Mary W. Kobus and her associates. The opening way the olive branch was waved was to instigate a grand jury investigation, destined to make a monkey out of the police department and also to cast aspersion on the Lady Leader of the policemen and firemen. It did neither.
This tactful start developed into another “harmony” tactic that was a bird.
HOW TO ACHIEVE REAL HARMONY
So the G. O. P. factions, including “Les” Rogers and Baird, proposed that the Kobus clique support Wood for director, Rogers for county treasurer, Taylor for county engineer. This plan was broached to the Kobus faction, and the latter replied:
“What about the committees?”
Whereupon the astute Republican League answered: “Oh, we’ll take that up later.” In other words the Republican League and their little brothers of Baird simply said to the Kobus combine: “That’s a nice throat you have, here’s a knife, go and cut it.”
When this brand of harmony that wouldn’t have fooled a nitwit fell through, the same band of loyal, devoted job-seeking Republicans began to skirmish on Democratic terrain. Their brand of party loyalty while sturdy was nevertheless a mite flexible. The Wood adherents would not deem it a major catastrophe or a rank desertion of G. O. P. principles if the Democrats would make Wood director and grab the county treasurer’s job for Eddie Kelleher.
Meanwhile the Republican League was sending scouting parties into the Democratic camp also. They wouldn’t consider that the G. O. P. was double-crossed or that party loyalty was jeopardized a mite if the Democrats chose Mullin director and then wishing to reward a stalwart Republican, a disciple of party loyalty, come weal, come woe, would make “Les” Rogers county treasurer. They would gladly have entered into a “deal” of that value.
The Democrats, however, having already had their campaign mapped out and five freeholders elected as Republicans safely bound to their chariot wheels, turned down the approach of the Wood cohorts and the Rogers-Driscoll adherents. But your average Republican leader is bold, dashing, courageous and he steps in where angels would never go.
In fact so certain were these stalwart, loyal Republican Leaguers that the Democrats finally would be forced to do business with them that they held the lines of communication open till 11 p. m. December 31,
Just to show that this temple of truth scorns to falsify, we’ll tell those upstanding stalwart Republican freeholders that the liaison officer chosen to carry the tidings betwixt the sturdy, stalwart, loyal Republican leaders and the Democratic chieftains was Edward V. Martino, who can do his duty as he sees it and laugh at the merry pranks of men and mice.
Thus with this record in the pre-reorganization doesn’t it make the hearty laughs ring out when those birds are charging anybody with “disloyalty” or any coalitionist with being “a renegade?” Having sipped a political Mickey Finn that was prepared for us a couple of years ago so that we feel rather an expert on the subject, especially do we commiserate with our friend, ally and associate, Lou Gale.
But those birds who are talking about “loyalty,” “renegades,” “traitors” and other opprobrious terms to characterize the coalitionists should look in the dictionary and get the meaning of two words:
One it “truth,” the other is “sincerity.” It will hold them all for awhile.
Kobus Warns Cops to Keep City Clean
Camden Courier-Post —
Expresses Belief Camden is ‘Remarkably Free of Vice and Gambling’
Expressing the belief that Camden is “remarkably free of vice, gambling and other unlawful elements,” City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, yesterday said she wants the police to keep it that way.
Failure to comply with her order, she told a dozen police officials at an hour-long conference in her office, will result in “serious consequences.”
The session was held behind closed doors, but Commissioner Kobus later said she “laid down the law to those in charge of enforcing it.”
Believes Good Job Done
Police Chief Arthur Colsey headed the group, the others being Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, director of police personnel; Acting Lieutenant Herbert Botts, Acting Lieutenant of Detectives Louis Shaw, Acting Lieutenant John Skolsky, Lieutenant George Frost, Lieutenant Walter Welch and Sergeants Frank Evans, Nate Pettit, August Koerner, Edward Hahn and Harry Newton.
Colsey, with the others, declined to comment on the conference and referred all inquiries to Mrs. Kobus.
“I told them,” the latter said, “that I believed they and their men had done a good job in cleaning up conditions in Camden six months ago.
“I think Camden is remarkably free of vice, gambling and other unlawful elements and I want it kept that way.
It’s a 24-Hour Job
“Law enforcement is a 24-hour day in and day out job. It is a job requiring everlasting vigilance and those in charge of enforcement have got to be on their toes all the time.
“I think our police department is doing a good job, but just the same, I don’t want any letdowns and I told Chief Colsey and his subordinates that I don’t. We have rid the city of a lot of unpleasant elements and we are going to keep rid of them.
“I also told Chief Colsey and his staff that I want all members of the department to co-operate fully with other law enforcement agencies of the county. I particularly desire that reports on cases submitted to the grand jury be as complete and detailed as possible.”
Kobus Orders City Drive on Numbers Ring
Camden Courier-Post —
An ultimatum that numbers racketeers must be driven out and kept out of Camden was issued yesterday by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus as G-men opened a probe in an endeavor to link a half million dollar numbers bank, uncovered in Camden Monday, with a Philadelphia gambler.
The director of public safety issued her edict at a conference attended by Police Chief Arthur Colsey, Lieut. Ralph Bakley and police sergeants of the First district, in which the numbers bank was located.
Mrs. Kobus revealed:
That she was satisfied the bank was operated by two Philadelphia “big-shots” and believed it had been doing business but three or four days.
That she would investigate fully a report that a Camden patrolman had been storing his car in the garage over which the bank was found.
That she would investigate to find on whose orders recovered stolen cars were stored in the garage.
That police would be ordered to check on every other garage and building in the city which might possibly house a numbers bank.
Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of Philadelphia, entered the picture in an effort to determine whether backers of the bank were working under “big shots,” believed to be the brains of a nation-wide lottery based on U. S. treasury report numbers.
FBI Checks Seized Articles
Three agents spent several hours minutely examining all papers, telephone addresses, adding machines and records seized by local police after discovery of the bank when a small fire had summoned them to a garage operated by John Gallen, 1136 Linden street. The bank was located over the garage.
The FBI agents, whose identity was not made public, were taken to the “office” of the bank and spent more than an hour in examining every nook and corner of the 12 by 12 room used as the “bank.”
The conference between Mrs. Kobus and police officials lasted nearly an hour.
“The men who operated this numbers hide-out are known to the police of this city and Philadelphia,” Mrs. Kobus said after the conference. “I am satisfied this place had been running for only three or four days.”
The Commissioner said she does not believe any of the First district officers had time to ferret out the place. The paraphernalia, consisting of six adding machines, telephones and other supplies indicated the layout of the place was not fully complete.
“I ordered Chief Colsey and others attending the conference to exercise more vigilance,” Commissioner Kobus continued. “Further I demanded that every garage or other type building where gambling or numbers hide-outs may be set up to be inspected.”
Demands Curb on Numbers
“So far as I know, numbers big shots and small-time writers in our own city are afraid to open up. This place on Linden street, we know, was headed up by two notorious Philadelphia numbers big shots.
“I am serving notice on all those engaged in the writing of numbers that they will not be permitted to locate or work in Camden as long as I am director of public safety. Every member of the police department understands just what I mean.”
Those attending the conference in the commissioner’s office, besides Colsey and Bakley, were Sergeants Walter Rowand, John Deith and Edward Hahn.
Mrs. Kobus said she plans to talk to detectives, plain clothes officers and the lieutenants of the Second and Third police districts either today or later in the week.
To Quiz Detectives
“I also intend to ask detectives in the accident bureau by whose orders stolen cars which have been recovered and cars figuring in accidents were stored in this same garage,” added Mrs. Kobus. “I have issued an order to check every garage for other possible stolen cars as well as numbers gambling joints on upper floors.
“I am investigating a report that one patrolman has been storing his own car in the Gallen garage.”
Earlier in the day Commissioner Kobus said she would order Sergeant Rox Saponare, identification expert, to go over all of the equipment, including six telephones and six adding machines “with a fine-tooth comb” in an effort to locate fingerprints.
“And if any fingerprints are found, I want them sent to the Federal Bureau of Identification to see if we can identify the criminals who had this numbers bank.”
“I am certain this numbers bank was running with the full knowledge of John Gallen,” the commissioner continued. “I had a talk with him and told him I was convinced he knew what was going on. I asked him to be fair with the police and to give them whatever information he possesses so that they may arrest the backers of this band.”
Seeks to Fix Date
“I also will summon City Fire Marshal Bernard Gallagher to my office and ask him when he made his last inspection of this garage. In that manner we may be able to place the exact date of these people coming here.”
Discovery of the “bank” with its alleged half-a-million-dollars-a-year business and seizure of a book, said to contain names and addresses in Philadelphia, caused four Philadelphia officials to confer Monday with Commissioner Kobus.
Three men were held following the discovery of the numbers bank, police admitting they were not among the three alleged “bankers” who fled the scene shortly after the fire broke out.
The “little black book” which caused the Philadelphia officials so much concern, was found in a locked filing box, which police broke open. It disappeared into the pocket of Acting Detective Sergeant Louis Shaw, after examination by other police officials who declared the information contained “may prove of great value in the investigation.” The book contains at least two Philadelphia addresses, which will be investigated.
The “bank” was discovered on the second floor of Gallen’s garage shortly after noon on Monday when firemen and police answered a fire alarm.
The garage was one of two used by the police department to which to tow disabled automobiles or stolen cars when they were removed by the city from the streets.
Colsey ordered that no more cars were to be taken to the garage by the police.
Three Men Held in Bail
Gallen, who is 37 and lives at 631 South Eighth street, was arrested on the spot and was charged with “possession of a lottery.”
Joseph Millis, 32, of 4018 Girard avenue, Philadelphia, who gave his occupation as automobile dealer, was arrested when he drove into the garage.
The third man arrested was John Shaffer, 54, of 1136 Linden, address of the garage, who is a welder.
The three men all were held for the grand jury when arraigned yesterday before Police Judge Gene R. Mariano. Bail was set at $500 for Shaffer, $1500 for Gallen and $2500 for Millis.
Explains Bail Figures
The higher bail was asked for Millis, Judge Mariano explained, because he was a resident of Philadelphia and “sometimes persons from out of town who are released in bail forget to show up when they are wanted.”
Cariton W. Rowand, member of the Camden Board of Education, was counsel for the defendants and requested a postponement, but City Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen insisted the case be heard yesterday because “it involves the biggest number bank ever seized here and should be given to the Grand Jury as quickly as possible.”
Commissioner Kobus was in police court when the case was called and left after it had been disposed of.
Millis drove into the garage soon after police, who answered the fire call with the firemen, had confiscated the office equipment and other evidence.
Detective Clifford Del Rossi was waiting in the garage. He told reporters that Millis’ face changed instantly when he observed the bustle resulting from the raid and that he “looked guilty.”
Ruse Fails to Work
Detectives in charge of the case expressed the belief the bank is operated by Philadelphians and also said they do not believe Millis is the brains or chief of the operators but is a member of the operating crew with “big shot” rating.
Stove Gets Overheated
An overheated stove set fire to a window sill, firemen said, and burned it slightly. The blaze was extinguished in a minute. The damage, firemen said, could be as much as $10.
But hundreds of dollars’ worth of adding machines, filing cabinets and other equipment of a big-time gambling racket were seized by the police, who respond to all fire alarms.
Sergeant Rowand, the first policeman on the scene, arrested Gallen. Gallen said he had rented the quarters on the second floor of his building, facing the street, to a group of Philadelphians a week ago, but did not name them.
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
“LIFE begins at 40” is one of the modern day axioms, but certain employers would discount Dr. Osler 20 years in putting the average man on life’s shelf.
Present day screen stars, particularly the more recent crop of young singers, will be listed among the once greats when they pass the two-score milestone in life.
The producers have figured it out that no screen star among the younger artists in the entertainment firmament will have box office value after they have passed 40.
While big-wigs of the screen and talkie world will discount the authenticity of the statement, all players reaching the top or featured role class have their ages discounted three or four years.
Press agents turn out columns of publicity anent certain juvenile stars and emphasize the tender youth of their proteges of adolescent age.
As a matter of fact the singing star of 15 or 16 years is more than likely 18 or 19 years old. By lopping off three or four years the particular prodigies serve additional years as box office attractions.
Theatregoers are a fickle lot. Once a stellar artist or great favorite wanes in popularity those in the audience soon forget him. That is why the youth angle is considered so seriously in the cinema world.
Few juveniles have endured either as actors or singers once they have grown to young manhood or womanhood.
A movie star is as old as the producers want them to be.
LONG, LONG AGO
“The Kid” was the greatest silent motion picture in which Charlie Chaplin starred. This flicker opus gave the diminutive British pantomimist his real start on the high road to fame.
Jackie Coogan, then a boy of not more than six years, “stole” the picture from Chaplin. Other film features in which this so-called kid star was featured were produced, but none topped his work in “The Kid.”
Through the sagacious investments of his parents, who were old-time vaudeville troupers and his legal guardians, young Coogan amassed a fortune well over a million dollars. The boy star of the Chaplin era is today playing bit parts in Hollywood, his fame obscured by the ingratiating beauty of his lovely wife, Betty Grable, who, too, was a “wonder child.”
Lila Lee was the kid star of Gus Edwards’ original stage musical, “School Days.” She in later years became a screen star and was the wife of Jack Kirkwood, one of the better known screen heavies of silent films. Today Lila Lee is just another forgotten star.
A child prodigy who a few years ago was destined to future fame was a lass they called “Baby Rose Marie.” The writer was the master of ceremonies at a local exposition in which the young lady was the stellar attraction.
After handling the temperamental Marie for three nights I was convinced she would never make the grade—and she never did.
Shirley Temple is the greatest of all the child stars of the screen. She is great because she is just a natural little girl. As Bill Robinson, the daddy of all the dancers, said, “Miss Shirley is the most lovable and the easiest great actress I ever worked with.”
‘ROUND THE TOWN
Incongruity: Signs in the No. 4 trackless trolley buses...”Press the buzzer when nearing your stop” . . . There ain’t no buzzers in the buses . . . You gotta use “pull” to get off.
Commissioner Kobus: Just thinkin’ it was swell of you to give every city fireman a new mattress for his firehouse room bed . . . The boys who battle the fires deserved a break . . . After many years.
WCAM: The report goes that a number of local merchants are considering a plan to lease the local radio percolater [sic] . . . By chipping in a hundred dollars each and raising a big sum for station operation . . . And studio and remote control programs . . . A Philadelphia station is also said to be interested. . .In using it for a short wave outlet.
Leighton Noble: Your band is the tuniest and best that has played Philadelphia in a long, long time . . .Please let that swell young lady songbird warble more tunes into our radio sets . . . She’s got a great voice.
Belle Baker: No wonder the folks patronize New York’s great Paradise . . . Time has been kind to your voice . . . I heard you sing 20 years ago . . . and you can still give the others the laugh . . . Your rendition of the reigning song rage . . . “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” tops them all.
Radio Producers: More than one of the newer comedy programs . . . Smack of vintage slapstick . . . And it’s not comedy . . . The Heinz program is a radio program . . . That jells swell.
Auditions: One of the Philly stations will hold auditions for sports announcers to broadcast the A’s ball games next Summer . . . They ought to give auditions for some of the guys who should be selling shoes in a department store . . . Instead of lisping into microphones and calling their jargon . . .Sports!
FERRY HOUSE
Shuffling down the hill from Front and Market streets to the Pennsy ferries in Philadelphia . . . For the first time in years and years . . . The old Ridgeway House is no more . . . The old Ferry house looks much the worse for wear . . . Then dropping a nickel in the slot . . . No more ticket sellers. A flippant young damsel . . . Inhaling a cigarette in the men’s cabin . . . The ubiquitious [sic] bootblacks who still give you those two-minute shines. Remembering way back when . . . The boys met their best girls . . . Under the old waiting room clock . . . And not seeing the clock. Guess we’re getting old.
JUST THINKIN’
Something should be done about the electric bulbs on the west hands of the new City Hall clock . . .It’s been midnight, according to the lights since we don’t know when. A welcome voice of the past back on the air after a long absence . . . Arthur Tracy, the “Street Singer.” Remembering the early flickers . . . Wondering what became of Emil Jannings . . . That great German thespian and his never forgettable role in “The Way of All Flesh.” That new English tune, “Ten Pretty Girls,” has swing and lyrics that blend beautifully. One of the better radio gags recently heard about the birth of Bing Crosby’s fourth son . . . Calling the event a “Crosby canter” . . . After the hoss races, you see.
* * *
NOCTURNAL ODE
To sit back in our comfy chair with the dressing gown snugly wrapped around this lithe frame and listen to the radio and hear those fine old talented friends, George Vail, the WFIL pianist; Harold Micklin, the fiddle maestro, and Francis Lapitino, the nimble-fingered harp virtuoso, blend in a rendition of that lovely old ballad, “When Day Is Done.” You can’t stop me from dreaming.
* * *
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
By GORDON MACKAY
BRANDISH the snickersee and wave the pikestaff, our G. O. P. women are on the march again. The writer, as your listening post, wants to reveal to the readers today that Woman, Lovely Woman, is furnishing the biggest items of political news these days.
Since the “Mickey Finn Republicans” crept back into the shelter of their tents, talk centers today on the future activities of three women whose political abilities and energies are listed as among the most vigorous and ablest in G. O. P. councils.
We refer to Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, city commissioner and Director of Public Safety; Mrs. Florence Baker, state committeewoman from Camden county, and Mrs. Elizabeth Crotty Verga, of Audubon and who was ousted from the state committee job by Mrs. Baker.
According to the chatter that we hear, and its source appears rather authentic to this car, there will be a coalition of Mesdames Kobus and Baker, while Madame Verga will be left to co-operate with David Baird, Jr., from whose side she fled several years ago to aid political enemies who pined for the Baird scalp.
Mrs. Baker’s friends are constantly telling that handsome matron that she has stuck her chin out long enough, to receive nothing but cuffs and blows which otherwise she might avoid. Mrs. Baker’s intimate friends, or at least some of them, inform her that she will only be pulling somebody’s else chestnuts out of the fire if she continues to pursue her present political trail in the G. O. P.
Meanwhile Mrs. Kobus, whose shrewdness and abilities are such as to make her political enemies grind their teeth in their rage, which is as lavish as it is futile, is riding serenely along, gathering 50 percent of the spoils that came to the political coalition that reorganized the Board of Freeholders.
MRS. BAKER TOOK SOCKS
Mrs. Baker, who happens to be one of the friends whose amity I cherish sincerely and who, to my mind, is all wool and a yard wide, has been informed that she cannot expect to go on forever, getting socked on the button whenever there is a political fight. Her friends tell me that they figure she has given every evidence of loyalty to the cause of David Baird, Jr., and that the time has come for Mrs. Florence Baker to look out for herself.
These friends have told me that Florence did not favor a change from commission to council form of government, a movement with which I am duly familiar as I happened to be one of those who went down with the ship. They say she but went along with the movement, because of her intense loyalty to the Baird banner.
Since that time Florence has been consistent in supporting the Baird campaigns, although they have ended behind the eight ball. Meanwhile Mrs. Kobus has been winning consistently. Moreover she has been showing signs of political leadership that suits Florence Baker’s ideas of the way to fight, rather than the leadership in the campaigns that have been waged in her own camp.
Meanwhile Florence has been given her post as state committeewoman with Frank B. Hanna as state committeeman. Both have been so beautifully ignored that they are scarcely consulted even when somebody wants to close a window.
Hanna knows how to circumvent such tactics. Florence, so her friends insist, through her own mistaken loyalty, plows straight ahead and rams her head against a wall she didn’t erect herself.
Which means that Florence goes along because she doesn’t want even the hint of disloyalty to attach to her name, although her own political judgment tells her that the campaign in which she is interested hasn’t got a Chinaman’s chance to get anywhere.
RUMORS STICK ON GRAND JURY
There exists no real personal enmity between Mesdames Baker and Kobus, although they have battled on opposite sides of the party fence. Nothing has occurred between them that couldn’t be straightened out speedily. Just between ourselves we figure that both would welcome a chance to join hands and forces.
Which brings us to the matter of Mrs. Verga. The tip is out that she is again the directing brains behind the Baird forces nowadays. I have met the lady several times. My impression is that she knows what it’s about, although she may have moved in the wrong direction some of the time.
There are many rumors as to who started the recent grand jury fiasco. A fiasco that incensed the good folk who wanted to raise money for charity via bingo games and who found those games ruled out, as well as a fiasco that was so partisan and biased in its outlook that everybody became either amused or disgusted.
The idea of stressing the program for an ox roast as a bitt [sic] of sculduggery was so foolish and inane as to look like the brain child of a nut. I can tell anybody who wants to make a mountain out of such a molehill as the numerous “Compliments of a Friend” that appeared in that program, that there was nothing suspicious about it.
It is the avenue that many many merchants use to give an advertisement to some intimate friend and at the same time make sure that the merchant won’t be besieged and “broke” by other organizations approaching him for an advertisement, too. In other words the whole rumpus was a twobit attempt to put the police department and Mrs. Mary Kobus in a hole. It didn’t even get half way down to first base.
If you can’t pop a political foe with anything stouter than a water pistol and a bean-shooter, then you better quit altogether.
We presume that there will be many who will attempt to tear down this temple of truth. There will be others who will state that we are hare-brained, or having a pipe dream. Which is all right with the writer, he has been called worse names by better persons than can insult him nowadays.
Nevertheless, when that Baker-Kobus coalition comes around, with Frank Hanna as one of the “Three Musketeers” allied with the two mesdames, don’t hand me any bunk that you knew it all the time but were pledged not to reveal it.
Ere we close we want to thank the executive committee of the United Republican Club of Pennsauken for wanting to present us with a brick house—one brick at a time. We also might inform G.O.P. rulers that one of the main reasons why James H. Turnbull voted with the Democrats was that young Republicans in Collingswood are getting tired of having that borough taken for granted all the time.
These youngsters say that the G.O.P. bosses hand Collingswood all the crumbs, feeling that the borough is safely Republican anyway, and will stay in line without any patronage or recognition. The youngsters told Turnbull to go ahead and fuse with the coalition, they would stand by him. They will do so, too.
In other words, Collingswood can no longer be taken for granted. When there are tidbits to be passed around, the borough wants to find a few on its own plate. The youngsters expect to dislodge the Old Guard soon, then will let those birds put on their slippers, sit by the fire and get their future political activities by radio.
Mrs. Kobus Lauds Clee’s Relief View
Camden Courier-Post —
Commissioner Withholds Opinion on Finances But Praises Permanent Aid Plan
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus hailed Senator Lester H. Clee’s relief plan, as outlined in his radio address last night, as “the first public expression by a ranking state official recognizing that relief is a permanent problem for the state and municipalities rather than a temporary or emergency problem.” Relief administration in Camden comes under Mrs. Kobus’ jurisdiction.
After listening to Clee’s speech, Mrs. Kobus said:
“Of course, I look at relief in a different light from many people. My experience goes back to the old cracker-box days, when we used to write on a scrap of paper an order for flour and so forth and hand it to the individual to meet a pressing emergency need.
“To my mind the outstanding feature of Dr. Clee’s plan is that it is the first public expression by a ranking state official recognizing the fact that relief is a permanent problem for the state and municipalities rather than a temporary or emergency problem, and that the problem must be faced as a permanent one by the state and the municipalities with a definite, permanent plan.
“As to the financial details, they will have to be worked out. I would not commit myself on the financial details until I have given the matter more consideration.
“I am of the opinion that a permanent plan must be adopted—a plan to be met definitely on a sharing basis by the state and municipalities.
“I think the state should share the cost of relief and that the plan should be just as definite as that providing for education, the police and parks.
“I like Dr. Clee’s way of facing the problem in a human and business-like manner. It is human in devising a program of adequate relief to meet the needs of the family and business-like in the provisions that its cost be kept within the ability of the taxpayer to pay.
“Dr. Clee advances a very definite plan to keep out of the distribution of relief any politics. That is the effect we have achieved in Camden city throughout the incumbency of Mr. W. W. Logan as municipal relief director.
“I am in favor of state aid to municipalities and in regulation and administration by the municipalities.”
Mrs. Kobus did not comment further on the financial angles of the plan. While she did not refer to the local effect of the Clee plan, Arthur Mudd, director of the State Financial Assistant Commission, asserted last week the Clee plan would cost Camden city $132,881 more in 1938 than the 1937 relief costs. He listed the city’s 1937 relief cost at $75,300 and the 1938 costs under the Clee plan at $208,181.
Such a trend would reverse the situation brought about under Logan’s administration. He announced last week the city’s 1937 relief costs dropped $107,633.62 from those of 1936, when the total was $273,629.13.
Logan said the city’s direct relief dropped from $1,091,446.99 in 1936 to $846,936.35 in 1937. This is paid largely by the state.
The city’s administrative costs, Logan announced, dropped from $114,667.17 in 1936 to $95,197.90.
2-Way Radio Cars Due Soon for Cops
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Kobus and 27 Members of Police Department Pass Tests
Camden’s two-way radio police equipment will be placed in complete operation not later than February 15, James A. Howell, chief of the city electrical bureau, stated yesterday.
Three police squad cars are already equipped with two-way communication equipment and are being used for test purposes, Howell said. Ten cars will be equipped and will be operated by officers trained in oper- [...] ating the sets and who hold third-class radiotelephone operators licenses.
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, and 27 members of the department passed examinations required by the Federal Communications Commission and have been given their licenses. The Federal commission requires such licenses, Howell asserted.
Members of the department, in addition to Commissioner Kobus, who have received licenses, are:
Capt. Clayton, Sergts. Walter Rowand and John Potter, Patrolmen Thomas Kauffman, William Taylor, Louis Brill, Clarence Barnes, August Reihm, Anthony Skolski, William Deery, Charles Stone, Henry Leutz, Carl Josting, Joseph Keefe, George Nicktern, Oliver Morgan, Joseph Fearon, Joseph Leonhart, Walter Vecander, Raymond Carson, Wilbur Prentiss, John Houston, John Roloff, Louis Schmidt, Richard Donnelly, James McLaughlin and Edward Leonard.
“Camden’s police radio equipment will be one of the most modern and efficient in the country,” Chief Howell stated. “Recent tests made with the three cars containing the two-way communication equipment operated on ultra high radio frequencies, have proven one hundred percent efficient.
Sees Cut in Crime
“The operation of these cars will prove powerful agencies in reducing crime in the city. By use of the two-way system the transmitter operators in the electrical bureau will be able in a few seconds to virtually put their finger on every car on patrol duty.
Howell said the new system will reduce traffic on the police roll call board at least 40 percent. [...] their hourly “pulls” by radio. Other patrolmen will continue to use the call boxes.
To Reduce Signal
When all the cars are in service the usual three-dot warning which is used to signal operators of the squad cars preliminary to the sending of a message will be reduced to one, he added.
Howell said the present method in sending messages requires about 20 seconds. Through the two-way system only one preliminary signal will be required. In the event the officers do not get the message they merely have to press a button and ask that the message be repeated.
The new equipment is being installed by Camden engineers of the RCA Manufacturing Company.
Board of Education Shifts 14 Teachers
Camden Courier-Post —
Appoints 2 Instructors and Pensions 2 Others; Wilson Enrollment High
The Camden Board Education last night approved transfers of 14 teachers, the appointment of two new instructors and the retirement on pension of two others.
The board then adjourned until 11.45 a. m. today and it was announced the 1938-39 board will be organized at noon when Commissioner Mary W. Kobus is expected to be re-elected president.
When the report of the teachers committee making recommendations for appointments, transfers and retirements was read it was approved by unanimous vote and without comment.
Following the meeting Carlton W. Rowand explained that most of the transfers were made to meet emergencies in teaching classes at Woodrow Wilson High School, where more than 1500 students will be enrolled for the second semester, beginning today.
Rowand explained that enrollment at the Wilson school is the highest in its history, due to many students taking up English and commercial courses instead of entering Camden senior high school, which will have an enrollment of approximately 1540 students, the smallest in several years.
List of Transfers
Transfers affecting teachers in junior high schools are: Louis E. Feinstein from Hatch Junior High School to commercial business organization, Wilson High School; Frank E. Sias, from Cramer Junior High to physical education, Wilson High; Jessie W. McMurtrie from Cramer Junior High School, to physical education, Wilson High; Wilton D. Greenway, from Cramer Junior High School to mathematics, Camden High; Elizabeth Dickinson, from Bonsall; to English, Cramer Junior High; Mrs. Mildred C. Simmons, from English to mathematics, Cramer Junior High; Miss Celia Boudov, from Hatch Junior High to departmental geography, science, and penmanship, Liberty School; Mrs. Elizabeth R. Myers assigned to English, Hatch Junior High;
Thelma L. Little transferred from, Grade 5 to Cooperative Departmental; Dudley school.
The following elementary school transfers, also effective today, are:
Beatrice W. Beideman from Starr to Sharp school; Mrs. Esther S. Finberg from Cramer to Broadway school; Dorothy M. Lippincott from Parkside to Dudley school; Mrs. Alva T. Corson from Washington to Broadway school, and Mary G. Cathell from Washington to Dudley school.
Teachers whose retirement was approved are Carolina W. Taylor, Grade 2, Broadway school, and William M. Thayer, mathematics Camden senior high school. Both teachers had resigned and applied for their pensions, the report read.
Appointments Made
Nathan Enten was appointed as physical education teacher in the Cramer school and Harry S. Manashil was appointed commercial teacher in Hatch school. Each will receive $1400, annually. The board also approved the appointment of Florence M. Dickinson as principal of Lincoln school at a salary of $2200 annually.
The assignment of Miss Grace Hankins as principal of Parkside school to succeed Miss Dickinson also was approved. Ethel Thegen was approved for appointment as assistant librarian at the Camden senior high school at a salary of $5.50 a day. All appointments are effective today.
To relieve overcrowded conditions among pupils the board approved the transfer of 7A and 7B classes from the Washington to the Cramer school.
The board vote to open a library in the Cramer school and Raymond G. Price, supervisor of building was instructed to provide the necessary equipment.
A resolution of condolence upon the death of Ethel C. Wenderoth, for 19 years a teacher in the Broadway School was passed and secretary Albert Austermuhl was instructed to send a copy to members of the deceased teacher’s family.
2 New Faces on Board
The board received and filed a letter from Mayor George E. Brunner in which he stated he had appointed Mrs. George W. Tash, Samuel T. French Jr. as new members and had re-appointed Robert Burk Johnson as a board member.
William B. Sullender, of the Tenth Ward, who was not re-appointed, was commended by the members for his services. E. George Aaron said he regretted the fact that Sullender was leaving as a member and wished him success. Others joined in this tribute.
Sullender in reply thanked the members for their co-operation during his term of office.
Auxiliary of V.F.W. Schedules Banquet
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Courier-Post, February 1, 1938
Turnbull Out of P.U.C. Post
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Courier-Post, February 2, 1938
City Police Praised at Fete Honoring Acting Lieutenant Bott
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden police and firemen gathered last night to pay honor to Acting Lieutenant Herbert Bott, retiring president of the Policemen and Firemen’s Association, heard their highest superiors make these statements:
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of Public Safety, declared she had heard stories about the policemen “taking” but that she wanted to say “that the entire force was honest and she was proud to say that it was as good, as honest and efficient as any in the United States.”
Mayor George E. Brunner asserted “the city had gone to ____ before the three New Deal commissioners took charge, and they had brought order out of chaos, collected taxes so thoroughly that on January 1, 1939, the policemen and firemen will be given back the last five percent reduction that had been made in their pay.”
Bott, who has been at the head of the association for the past five years, retires because, as he stated, he felt he could not give such service as he felt he had rendered in the past. The affair was held at Kenney’s and the ranking officials of the police and fire departments were on hand, together with guests from other parts of the state.
Wallace Lauds Men
Bruce A. Wallace was toastmaster, and he emphasized the remarks of Commissioner Kobus as to “the honesty of the men.”
“When you got that 30 percent reduction in pay,” said Wallace, “I know how you came to my office, worrying about how you would meet your building and loans, how you would pay various debts that you owed, and I know that some of you even gave up your homes, because you couldn’t afford to pay for them longer. That would never have happened if you were doing any ‘put and-take stuff.’”
Mrs. Kobus started with a tribute to Bott, for his own efficiency as a policeman and his fighting qualities as shown in the battles he made for his brother policemen.
“I knew Herb Bott,” she said, “before I got into the department but once in there my sweet dream changed to a nightmare, because every day Bott was there with a delegation wanting something done for the policemen, or asking that something be not done to them.
“We have gone through stormy times together, through strikes and labor troubles and of course I have always found out, through others, naturally that ‘the police are always wrong.’ I have told the employers where they were wrong, and told the strikers that the police could not have abused them or wronged them because they belonged to an association of their own, fighting for the things that the policemen and the firemen felt that they wanted.
Citizens Gave Praise
“I hadn’t been four weeks in the department before I thought every-body in Camden was affected by ‘letter writingitis.’ But after four weeks the other kind of letters began to come in, and the police were being given the credit which they had deserved and which they had won for themselves.
“And the longer I am in the department the prouder I am of the police and the fire departments of the city of Camden. I am proud of every policeman and of every fireman in both departments. I have been out at 1:30 a.m. and heard a call come for the car in which I was riding, and in one minute and a half that car was at the scene, in two minutes there was another and in four minutes a half a dozen cars had appeared on the scene.
“I want to say for the men of the police department that nowhere in the United States is there a more honest or more faithful group of men.
“I hear a lot of talk about policemen, I hear lots of talk of how they are ‘taking,’ but I also want to say that I haven’t found one yet who wasn’t honest and to prove it crime today in Camden is at its lowest ebb.
“Crime today in Camden has been lowered 40 to 60 percent, and I say to anybody who wants to know that you couldn’t have had this condition unless Camden was guarded by an honest, efficient police department.
“That crime in Camden is at its lowest ebb is due entirely to the vigilance of the police department, and to its loyalty to duty. I want to pay tribute to Chief Colsey, to Babe Clayton, to Herb Bott and the other officers of the department for having the police department where it can be proudly acclaimed as without a superior in the whole United States.”
Mayor Brunner, after paying his tribute to a personal friend, Herb Bott, declared “Mrs. Kobus is your superior but I’m the man who has to find the money to pay you. And that hasn’t been any easy job, I can tell you, as the tax collector’s job in any community is a tough one.”
“I want to say that things in Camden have gone to ___ in the past, and until the three New Deal Commissioners took charge of affairs, things continued in just that manner. And that we have given an honest, efficient administration is the thought of the average citizen of Camden today.
Promises Pay Restoration
“When we first came into power the people thought they had to pay no taxes. I say now that we have collected the taxes as they should have been collected in the past and as they will be collected in the future.
“Camden doesn’t need any new taxes. We have been successful in collecting the taxes because we made those who could pay to pay. The men we put in front, for the first collection of taxes, were the politicians who thought they stood in a favored group and could get away with it.
“I want to assure you policemen that on January 1, 1939, I feel sure that we’ll be able to give you back the last five percent that we had to take from you, when things were left in such a shape for us that we could not do anything else.
“People are responding to our tax collections, and the people feel that we are giving them 100 cents for a dollar and that’s the reason.
“We have no favorites on the tax rolls. We saw to it that the politicians headed the list of those who were the first to pay, and we’ve given the little fellow a chance. We’ve let him pay by the week, or the month or anyway that would suit him best, because we believe that the little fellow is entitled to his own homestead, and we’re going to see that he keeps it, but those who can afford to pay and wont are going to be made to pay.”
Carlton W. Rowand related that his father, a former police official, had recently told his son that “the police department today was the best in the history of Camden.”
Surrogate Frank B. Hanna also added his tribute to the department and to the guest of honor.
“The spirit of the police department,” Hanna said, “is shown to no better advantage than in the manner your association aids the underprivileged children of this city. I know, too, that whenever a committee is formed for a job to be done for the men in the department, Herb Bott jumps into action and does his level best for his associates.”
N. J. Crime Bill 10 Millions
Harry B. Gourley, of Paterson, president of the State Police Beneficial Association, declared that crime was costing the state of New Jersey $10,000,000 every year, and that the crime bill of the nation was more than $15,000,000,000.
He asked co-operation in crime prevention and declared that “any attempt to break down the morale of the police was wrong, and the way in which it was easiest broken down was when you dip into the pay check.”
He cited numerous instances of the heroism of the policemen, and asked that every citizen stand squarely behind the men in the matter of pensions.
Commissioner Harold W. Bennett also lauded the guest and the police department, as did Harry Wilkers, who succeeds Bott as president of the association and Robert Wonstetler, who becomes delegate to the state convention to replace Bott.
Mrs. Emma Shriver, retiring president of the Ladies Auxiliary, presented Bott with a check, while Wallace gave him the gift of his associates, 50 silver dollars. Mrs. Bott was remembered with flowers.
Willard Schriver was chairman of the committee having the dinner in charge, and associated with him were Charles Cook, Arthur Batten, Maurice F. O’Brien, William Marter, Edward Leonard, Mrs. Schriver, Mrs. Anna Gleason and Mrs. William McGrath.
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
May we not at this time proffer a suggestion to Mayor Brunner, Eddie Kelleher and the other party sachems that should be a sure-fire plan to make Camden county safe for Democracy? We advise that the Democrats gather a fund of $4000, the money to be expended in giving testimonial dinners to Republican leaders, near-leaders and persons who figure themselves to be both.
Engage tables enough to accommodate about 350 persons. Invite representatives of all the various G. O. P. factions in the county, give a half dozen tickets to boisterous Democrats, so that the latter can sit back in their seats and enjoy the subsequent dogfight on a full stomach.
This idea that I am advancing to register about 5000 more Democrats in the county and paralyze the remnants of the once-powerful county G.O.P., was born when I attended the recent testimonial dinner to Louis Bantivoglio, freeholder from the Fifth ward.
Naturally my attendance was purely in a professional capacity. Speeches were made by divers and sundry spokesmen, the high-light being the sales talk for Bantivoglio and Baird by David Baird, Jr. The latter waxed wrathfully but warily in castigating the “half-breeds,” as he once sarcastically termed the Republicans of the ilk and stature and political leanings of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus.
Rarely, too, have we ever attended a banquet, either in the capacity of guest or reporter that ever awakened so many echoes of the past as did the dinner to the Fifth ward freeholder.
Mrs. Kobus Elected Louis
First came the information from friends of Commissioner Kobus that she was responsible for the election of Bantivoglio from the Fifth ward as freeholder. In view of the fact that Squire Baird seemed to feel that the freeholder’s election was a personal triumph, this appeared strange to yours truly.
We moseyed about, however, and discovered that whether the squire likes it or not Mary W. Kobus and her minions did elect Bantivoglio. The leaders of the Kobus faction who put the thing across were headed by a woman named Madeline Salvatore and a gentleman named “Bucky” Branch.
Bantivoglio was elected by something less than 40 votes. These votes could easily have been given to his opponent but there were strategic reasons why the Kobus faction didn’t want a Democrat chosen from the Fifth ward.
So Branch, who is a policeman, I believe, and who was not working on election day, it being his regular day off, went into his precinct and put over the votes that elected Bantivoglio.
And Mr. “Bucky” Branch, I have been informed, has been so sore at the fact that he did elect Louis Bantivoglio that he moans and cries and berates himself ever since the trick was turned.
Politicos who told me the story about the Kobus support for Bantivoglio gave a rather sensible reason for the step that was taken by the anti-Baird folk. The New Dealers among the Republicans sensed that the division between the Republicans and Democrats in the 1938 Board of Freeholders was going to be exceedingly close.
Too close, in fact, to take any chances. So it was decided to support Bantivoglio in the Fifth ward, because he was a regular Baird Republican and couldn’t be won to the coalition. The reasoning of the Kobusitees was clear and correct.
Had Bantivoglio been beaten by a Democrat, the board would have been divided equally. The Democrats would then have been able to deal with an individual rather than a faction. One vote would have given either side control. Thus by putting Bantivoglio across the Kobus faction made it imperative for the Democrats to deal with that clique; in fact Brunner and his minions had to do that little thing.
In view of this analysis I’m content to believe that the Kobus claim that the New Dealers elected Louis Bantivoglio is absolutely okay.
Lady “Copper” Not Trade Party
Now don’t get the information askew. Mrs. Kobus had no official or personal hand in this matter. It was the keen thought of some of her lieutenants, whose judgment appears to have been excellent, that fashioned this plan and executed it.
Meanwhile numerous politicos have been jibing Baird’s statement that he would “rather have one Louis Bantivoglio than 1000 ingrates.” These political seers and soothsayers declared that such a declaration proved that its author was all wet in his political judgment and short sighted in his political history.
These politicos ambushed Mackay the other day, crammed him into a corner and told him that if it “hadn’t been for Bantivoglio Baird would have control of the city commission today.”
These chuckling anti-Bairdites not only bearded me in my den, but dared me to disprove their statements by taking a look at the record. A stranger to politics in Camden, I didn’t know the import of this statement until I squinted at the ward returns for the 1935 city commission election.
There in black and white is the proof that Baird lost the city commission fight because of the Bantivoglio-Leo Rea alliance in the Fifth ward. Just to take a look at the record again and to refresh jaded memories, the regular Baird slate received the following votes in the Fifth ward:
Bennett, 1016; Leonard, 1001; Lummis, 962; Rhone, 963; von Nieda, 1081. The New Deal ticket, then supported by the Messrs. Bantivoglio and Rea, polled these votes: Baker, 1032; Brunner, 1022; Hartmann, 1001; Kobus, 1024, and Reesman, 930.
We would call your attention particularly to the Leonard-Hartmann vote. Louis and Leo supported candidates Brunner, Kobus and Hartmann, of the New Deal.
Leonard and Hartmann polled exactly the same vote, 1001. And the recount revealed Hartmann a winner by SEVEN votes, the box score showing Hartmann, 17,338, and Leonard, 17,331. And the Fifth ward turned the trick, for it would have been easy for Louis and Leo to have given Hartmann the same vote that Reesman received, or 71 less, and elected Leonard. There would have been no recount then.
Which scrutiny of the returns would seem to show that Bantivoglio as a friend of the squire proved his valor and vigilance in the cause by seating a New Deal commissioner and owing his seat in the Board of Freeholders to the Kobus clan.
In connection with this fund which the Democrats should raise to give testimonial dinners to G.O.P. leaders et cetera we might suggest that on each occasion they have, David Baird Jr., named for a new office. In order, that my friend, Florence Baker, can show her loyalty and friendship to the Old Guard Field Marshal by asking his election to the said office.
This suggestion to the Messrs. Brunner, Kelleher and the others is made tax-free, and no charge for usage. If that scheme doesn’t make Camden county safe for Democracy, nothing will.
Florence Winters, 1938
Florence Winters, who was to lead the grand march at the Beauticians and Barbers Association ball in February 1938.
Gloucester Group to Give Ball Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Officials to Attend Barbers’ and Beauticians’ Fete Monday
To Lead March — Florence Winters. She will lead the grand march of the first annual ball of the Beauticians and Barbers Association of Gloucester, to be held Monday night in the Moose ballroom, 808 Market street.
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.
Assembly Approval Assured on Housing
Camden Courier-Post —
Further Delay Held Endangering Chance of Obtaining Federal Funds
Assembly approval of the long-delayed housing bills is expected tonight, Assemblyman Rocco Palese declared yesterday in announcing all difficulties confronting the measures have been “ironed out.”
Senate action also is expected, Palese reported.
Horace R. Dixon, secretary of the Camden Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committee has warned repeatedly, as have other members of the committee, that further delay will endanger the chances of obtaining Federal housing funds. Camden expects to apply for $8,000,000, Dixon said.
It has been estimated New Jersey will be allotted about $30,000,000 for slum clearance and low cost housing.
Felix Pitett, a Paterson banker, who is named in one of the bills as State housing administrator, told the members of the Assembly Housing Committee that if the job carries a salary he “would not be interested,” Palese said.
Paid Administrator Opposed
The local committee, which was instrumental in the formation of the New Jersey Conference of Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committees, opposed the naming of an administrator in the bill. Opposition was based on the creation of a high salary position.
Assemblyman Oscar R. Wilensky, of Passaic, drew the bills and named Pitett as administrator, but did not fix his salary. The bill named a deputy director at $4000 annually. The Camden group and members of other State committees withdrew their opposition when Wilensky agreed to drop his plan to set up county regional housing authorities.
“Pitett’s surprise statement changed the complexion of the bill,” Palese said. “I think Pitett’s action is almost without precedent. He is to be commended for his action. He told the committee he cannot give full time to the job but is willing to serve on a part time basis without compensation.”
Dixon scored rumors that municipalities have committees, and those which will set up local housing authorities to conform with the State legislation, seek to spend money for salaries of committee members.
$2500 Limit Demanded
“The local committee and those in the State group have definitely opposed any plans or schemes to set up a lot of salaried jobs,” Dixon said. “We want low-cost housing for Camden and we don’t intend to spend a lot of money for salaries and useless surveys.
“No municipality can spend more than $2500 for anything in connection with low-cost housing. One of the Assembly bills contains this provision.
“Camden is badly in need of low-cost housing. The slum areas must be eliminated and people shall have the right to rent modern, sanitary housing quarters at nominal rentals.”
The local committee and members of the State group, Dixon asserted, have opposed all political influence in the matter of obtaining enabling legislation for Federal funds.
Newark May Recall Action
Dixon said he understood an ordinance recently passed by the Newark City Commission, appointing a housing administrator and providing an annual appropriation of $10,000 for salary and expenses will be repealed, because it may conflict with the Assembly housing bills.
The present Newark ordinance also provides for the appointment of five housing commissioners each for a term of three years, and stipulates the City Commission shall fix the salary of the administrator.
Dixon said the local committee would be opposed to the appointment of a local administrator with a city salary.
Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, who sponsored the present committee approved by the Camden City Commission, probably will present an ordinance at tomorrow’s meeting of the City Commission for a local housing authority and the appointment of five members as commissioners.
The present committee was created through a resolution approved by the commission.
Housing needs in Camden are more acute now than they were four years ago, Dixon told legislators in Trenton Monday night as he sought action on the housing bills.
Dixon, S. Raymond Dobbs, another member of the committee; Joseph Hettel, technical adviser, and City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, solicitor for the group, all attended the legislative session, but no action was taken on the bills.
Mayor Brunner and Commissioner Kobus joined in approving the resolution, but whether or not a vote to name members of an official local authority would be unanimous is a question. Recently, however, Bennett was named counsel for the present committee, indicating he and Commissioner von Nieda will go along with Hartmann if it comes to a controversy.
Bennett is studying the Newark ordinance creating a housing authority.
Lodge Plans Tribute to 7-Term President
Camden Courier-Post —
Benedette Palumbo, president of Societa’ di M. S. Unione e Forza, will be honored at a testimonial dinner tonight at the Licata Restaurant, 417-21 Walnut street. Palumbo recently was re-elected president of the society for his seventh term.
Others invited as guests are Judge Gene R. Mariano, Mayor George E. Brunner, Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, Edward V. Martino, assistant city solicitor, and John L. Morrissey, chairman of the Camden excise board.
James J. Scarduzio, chairman, is assisted by John Colleretti, vice chairman; Antonio De Marco, Sam Barbarossa, Nick Carramanna, Carmen Calzanetti, Ernest Tartaglio, Rocco Melfi, Antonio Marchior, Joseph Mascio, Michael Rossi and Louis Bush.
Tax Lien Bureau Planned for City
Camden Courier-Post —
Rulers Approve Resolution Setting Up New Department Under Brunner
A city bureau of tax liens will be created through an ordinance passed yesterday on first reading by the City Commission.
Approval was given a resolution placing the proposed bureau under the direction of Mayor George E. Brunner, director of the department of revenue and finance.
Personnel of the bureau will include a chief counsel and three assistants. The chief counsel will receive $4500 annually, and the assistants, $2250, minus five percent.
The bureau will have charge of foreclosures, purchases, sales and assignments of realty and direct appointment of receivers to collect rents on city-owned property.
In the absence of an ordinance the work has been carried on by Isadore H. Hermann, head of the bureau, and Robert Burk Johnson, Benjamin J. Dzick and Joseph Lipkin.
An ordinance passed on first reading fixes the salary of deputy clerk of the city district court at $1600 annually. The Commission approved the ordinance and received and filed a letter from Joseph Varbalow, judge of the court, advising he had appointed Frank J. Suttill, of the Seventh ward.
William H. Bovell, of 516 Clinton street, and Albert Thompson, of 421 North Front street, were elected constables by nomination of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus. Bonds of three constables were approved.
The Commission approved on first reading an ordinance amending an existence [sic] ordinance regulating dealers in junk transferring jurisdiction from the department of park and public property to the department of public works.
A section fixing penalties for violations was amended to provide fines totaling not more than $200, a county jail sentence not to exceed 90 days, or both.
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
Fair, charming and clever, Mrs. Rocco Palese is one of my “favorite girl friends”—this is rather an exclusive organization—to be found in South Jersey. When this charming matron proceeded to rebuke me with the chastening rod the other day, I was obedient to the command of Camden’s fair daughter.
“The great trouble with you,” opined Mrs. Palese, who was talking with Mrs. Florence Baker, Republican state committeewoman, who is also one of the “F. G. F.,” is that you don’t write enough about women.”
“Why you should have column after column about the fine women we have in Camden,” she added.
As I left the charming Mrs. Palese and the equally winsome Madame Baker it was my fortune to encounter one of the others who are ensconced in the Circle of “F. G. F.” She is Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, postmaster of Camden and for years the brave matron who carried aloft the banner of an unterrified but unwelcome Democracy.
Mrs. Hyland smiled in that manner so disarming, and in her own diplomatic way. My thoughts meanwhile ran back to a banquet that was held a few nights before, in which the winsome Mrs. Hyland administered one verbal spanking to that glutton for punishment who writes this potpourri.
Mrs. Hyland verifies sapient remarks made by that astute counselor, Samuel P. Orlando, to wit: “The great wonder in my mind has been that Mrs. Hyland could battle in politics the way she has and still retain her femininity to such a marked degree.”
Harmony Dwells in Democracy
The sentiments expressed so tersely but eloquently by the limb of the law named Orlando meets with my emphatic “aye.” Therefore, when Mrs. Hyland proceeded to chastise this scribe because the Mackay hinted that harmony does not dwell in Democracy’s tents, the lady appeared vocally ruffled as she proceeded to shoot Mackay at sunrise.
We acknowledged the lambasting, but still there lurked in our mind the same old seed of suspicion. We recalled when Harry Moore was inducted into office as the only Governor to thrice have held that exalted office. The inauguration tickets were not profuse in the Brunner-Kelleher camp, hence we wondered why.
At the same time we remembered an innocent remark that we had read in the column of our able colleague, the cheery sprite, known as Charlie Humes. It was to the effect “that I am not supposed to bring people up here now.”
As we trudged along the streets our minds burrowed in thought and our brains deeply immersed in imagination we pulled up near Broadway and Stevens street in front of the red brick building which the unrighteous now call “No Man’s Land” or more formally the Republican county headquarters.
We were startled out of our reverie by hearing a dulcet voice shouting: “My car is afire! My car is afire! I can’t put it out!”
Instantly we knew that voice. It was that of another of our “F. G. F.” in trouble, this time Mrs. Baker. Her gasoline chariot had come ablaze. She was in quandary terrific as to extinguishing the flames.
Squish! Squish! Out Goes Fire
Don’t tell me why woman loses her head in an emergency. Out of a store came a lady; racing with a can in her hand. She was Sadye Levinsky, one of the few women pharmacists in Camden county.
Miss Levinsky knew her stuff as she also knows Mrs. Baker. Sadye went at her job in calm matter-of-fact fashion that would have won the envy of any volunteer fireman who ever borrowed Fred Lynch’s rubber boots.
Squish! Squish! Squish! went the pump in the can. Out, pronto went the flames. Mrs. Baker was profuse in her thanks as Miss Levinsky waved the emergency treatment of the fiery chariot aside, it was all in the day’s work.
“Boy,” we were saluted. “I’ve just seen the best emotional thespian, that hasn’t made Hollywood. She’s a knockout, about the prettiest girl in this county.”
“Where is this paragon,” we queried, wanting to know something about such a lady myself.
“She is in court trying to get alimony from her husband, Dr. Eppelman,” said the barrister. We trudged over to the courthouse where we met a group who were discussing the Ethel Barrymore who had just asked her dentist husband be compelled to support her and a child.
“Phew,” said Walter Keown, who was hubby’s counsel, “what an actress, what an actress;” Now that was some tribute for we’ve seen Pete Keown in court and he can do a John Barrymore, too.
It was at that moment that a petite blonde; with a face that rivaled Helen of Troy’s and could launch a thousand ships from any dock in the world came around the corner. She was fetchingly dressed and surrounded by a flotilla of males; all members of her families.
She was Mrs. Eppleman, and that lawyer’s description of her glamour and charm was a prize bit of understatement. If she can act as good as she looks they better get Carole Lombard, Lucille Ball and some of those other gals an annuity right away, for they’ll be pushed off the map.
Hardly had we sauntered away from this beauty when we encountered Mrs. Pauline Caperoon, our best bet for the prize politician among all her sex in Camden County. Pauline was as energetic, as politic and loquacious as is characteristic and we had a talkfest about certain folk and their foibles that was enriched, by the strength of Mrs. Caperoon’s vocabulary, with an added trimming of a most conservative type from the writer.
After we had chatted with Pauline and learned plenty we should know we walked away again. Just in time to see Mayor Brunner and Mrs. Kobus hiking for a train to Trenton. Of course, we knew they were just running up to see the Governor, but nothing political. We subsided.
Thus, Mrs. Palese, we feel that we have covered the ground pretty well today in a single column, to bring to the attention of our readers something about women.
Erickson Reports Fire Loss in City Is Lowest in 15 Years
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Department Advances to Third Place in State Among Second-Class Cities for Prevention Work; Ranks 22nd in U.S. and Canada
Camden’s fire loss last year was the lowest in 15 years, it was revealed yesterday by Battalion Chief Charles Erickson.
Erickson also disclosed the city fire department was advanced to third place in the state and to 22nd among second class cities in the United States and Canada for work in fire prevention.
The department also received a certificate of award from the International committee of judges of the National Fire Protective Association.
In 1936 the local fire department was rated fourth in the state and 54th in the nation and Canada. The advances in rating were merited by the program held in Camden during Fire Prevention Week, October 3 to 9. Chief Erickson directed the activity.
Camden’s total loss last year was $101,120, with 958 responses to alarms. The figure for 1936 was $168,339. The per capita 1937 loss was 85 cents, compared to $1.42 in the preceding year.
The highest fire loss in the last 15 years was $208,120 in 1933, when the per capita cost was $1.75.
Chief Erickson said he with Chief John B. Lennox and other members of the department are proud of both records. He said Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, expressed her pleasure on the records of the department.
“We can build fireproof buildings but we have not found a way to fireproof occupants of homes and buildings,” Erickson said. “The nearest we have come to that is through fire prevention by making people fire conscious.”
Certificate Won by Camden Fire Department
Camden Courier-Post —
National Fire Protection Association. Committee on Fire Prevention and Clean Up Campaign. Hereby Certifies that City of Camden has been awarded Honorable Mention for the State of New Jersey in the Record of Merit For Educational Activities Promoted During Fire Prevention Week, October 3rd to 9th, 1937. In Witness Whereof the undersigned have affixed their signatures this twentieth day of December, 1937. Managing Director. Committee of Judges. Chairman of Fire Prevention and Clean Up Committee.
Reproduction of the certificate of award presented the local fire department by the National Fire Protective Association, for activities in connection with Camden Fire Prevention Week last October.
250 Arrested in Raid on Show in Eagles Hall
Camden Courier-Post —
25 Cops, Detectives Led by Mrs. Kobus Invade ‘Smoker’ Given by Group
CHARGES MADE OF GAMBLING
More than 250 men, most of whom gave Philadelphia addresses, were arrested shortly after 1 a. m. today when a squad of police, led by Commissioner Mary E. [sic] Kobus, director of public safety, raided the Eagles Hall, Broadway near Washington street.
The men seized, according to Sergeant Walter Rowand, who led the raiding party, were viewing a lewd motion picture when the 25 detectives and uniformed men rushed up the stairway and into the auditorium.
In a side room, the raiders found a “bird cage” dice game, Rowand said.
Officers of the lodge, summoned there as the raid was being completed, said the auditorium was rented for the night for a “druggists’ convention.”
Rental Paid In Advance
“The lodge had nothing to do with the show or whatever it was,” said Fred Eckard, of 445 Liberty street, a trustee and one of the three lodge officials in charge of the building.
“A man whose name I do not recall, came to see me Saturday and said he wanted to rent the auditorium for some sort of convention for a druggists’ association. I told him the rental would be $85 and he paid it in advance.”
Support was given Eckad’s statement of a “druggists’ convention,” police said, when most of the first 20 prisoners booked—all on material witness charges—gave their occupation as druggist or pharmacist’s clerk.
The raid, Commissioner Kobus disclosed, resulted from radio patrol car policemen reporting an unusual number of automobiles, most of them with Pennsylvania license plates, in the vicinity of the hall.
“The police,” the commissioner said, “are to be commended for their vigilance in spotting cars parked in the vicinity of the hall and their investigation that resulted in the raid.
“I want to give notice now that the police department is determined that Camden shall not be the dumping ground for things of this nature.”
Tickets Sold For $2.50
A number of tickets, said to have been sold for the affair, were recovered by police. The men said they paid $2.50 in advance for each ticket. Printed on cardboard about an inch and half by three and a half inches, each read:
“N. E. June Frolic—The Eagles—413 Broadway, Camden, N. J., Tuesday, May 31, 1938.”
Each ticket was numbered, the highest number on those recovered being 422.
Three patrol wagons were pressed into service to transport the men seized to police headquarters, each wagon taking 15 prisoners on each trip.
Rowand and Detective Sergeant Clifford Del Rossi, assisting in booking the men, said they did not expect to complete that task before 6 a. m.
No one had been charged as the proprietor or manager of the affair two hours after the raid, each of those booked insisting he had just gone there “to see the show.”
Appeal on Ouster Filed by Camden Fireman
Camden Courier-Post —
Trenton, Nov. 30.—A hearing on the appeal for reinstatement of Tenny Hutchinson, discharged Camden fireman, was authorized today by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. No date was set for the hearing.
Hutchinson was a hoseman in Hook and Ladder Company No. One, and was removed from his position last August by Director of Public Safety Mary Kobus for absence without leave, failure to pay debts, and actions unbecoming an officer, after repeated warnings. Mrs. Kobus’ action was upheld early this month by the trial board of the Camden Fire Department and Hutchinson was discharged.
Trial Board Dismisses Suspended Fireman
Camden Courier-Post —
Dismissal was the sentence handed down yesterday in the case of Tennie Hutchinson, attached to Fire Truck Co. No. 1, Fifth and Arch streets.
Hutchinson was suspended by Fire Chief John H. Lennox August 8, on several complaints involving absence without leave, running up unpaid bills and other charges. He was found guilty of the charges two weeks ago by the bureau’s trial board, comprising Chief Lennox, Deputy Chief William R. Harring and Public Safety Commissioner Mary W. Kobus.
Mrs. Kobus Appoints Patrolman and Fireman
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Kobus also announced the appointment of two new members to the Department of Public Safety to fill vacancies, both to take effect Monday.
Charles S. Lawyer, of 1175 North Thirty-fifth street, is made a patrolman to replace Patrolman Nicholas DiNicuolo, who was pensioned, while Edward Y. Scott, of Apartment 65, Westfield Acres, becomes a fireman in place of Tenny Hutchinson, who was discharged after being convicted of unbecoming conduct by the fire trial board.
Checked and Double-Checked
Camden Courier-Post —
By JIMINY
Politix: The question mark of the budding city commission campaign is, of course, Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann. The latter was apparently defeated on the face of election day returns four years ago, but the organizations of Mayor George Brunner and Commissioner Mary Kobus put up the money to finance a recount. The result was that Hartmann was declared the winner, and the Brunner-Kobus-Hartmann majority ran the city’s affairs.
The results accomplished by the Brunner-Kobus-Hartmann administration have caused numerous persons, political and otherwise, to express the wish that the three commisioners [sic] run on the same ticket at the May election. Mayor Brunner and Mrs. Kobus are committed to run together, but to date Hartmann has made absolutely no move to join them. In fact, it appears that he has gone out of his way in an effort to antagonize them.
Moreover, his actions of the last week or so have created doubt in the minds of some observers as to whether he intends to run on any ticket, as a lone wolf, or not al [sic] all. The last point is easily answered. Hartmann himself declared this week: “I’m GOING to be re-elected!” Furthermore, he has been busy buliding [sic] up an organization of his own. Employes in his department have been ordered to form “Hartmann for Commissioner” Clubs in their wards. A campaign fund is being raised among his employes for his election expenses. He has been having conferences with County Treasurer Ed Kelleher, Democrat, and Irving Levinsky, a Verga Republican, among others.
But some of the things that Hartmann has done or attempted during the last few days has caused a goodly portion of our citizenry to wonder whether someone hasn’t been misleading Hartmann with a great deal of very bad advice.
For instance, this week Hartmann offered a departmental budget that exceeded his last year’s budget by approximately $90,000, which would have meant about a seven-cent increase in the city tax rate for 1939. That is just about political suicide before a city election, and is not at all in line with Hartmann’s past pledges and performances. As head of the finance department Mayor Brunner cut out the greater part of this unusual increase, and was justified in doing so to protect the taxpayers.
There were a few other unusual little affairs this week. Hartmann shouted “Liar!” at City Comptroller Sid McCord this week, but apologized later. “Sid” is probably the best liked city employe and certainly one of the most efficient public servants these last ten decades. One of Hartmann’s employes went to the comptroller’s office Monday—the city payday—and asked for all the salary checks for highway department employes.
Moreover, since his own extra-high budget was trimmed, Hartmann has had an employe going over the Brunner and Kobus payrolls to see how many were hired since 1936. His own payroll might be scrutinized in the same manner.
And his attitude at the budget hearing was not in line with his previous policies. While he and Brunner were arguing over Hartmann’s request for $7000 for playgrounds, Hartmann finally said: “If you want to cross it out, it’s okay by me.”
Then remembering a reporter was at the hearing, Hartmann asked the scribe whether he had jotted down that remark, and whether he intended printing it. The reporter replied he would print whatever he considered news.
“I thought this was a meeting to go over my budget,” commented Hartmann.
“It’s a public meeting to go over your budget, the sort of thing you always yelled for before you were elected,” the newspaperman reminded Hartmann.
“Well,” retorted Hartmann, doing an about-face, “see if you consider this news: I’m going to get up at the commission meeting and fight for $7000 for playgrounds.”
Personals: Charlie Swing, majordomo of the Farragut Yacht Club in East Camden, has bought himself a boat...The vessel is the “Helma,” which has been lying off Twenty-fifth street...It was sold by the U. S. marshal in admiralty and Charlie, with the legal aid of former Senator Al Woodruff, bought it in for $100...In its heyday, this little ship was worth about $20,000, and it has quite a history...For it was the ship you often saw in that old hair-raising thriller, “The Perils of Pauline”...Pearl White fell off it or was thrown off it quite consistently...Incidentally, Al Woodruff is off to the Virgin Islands to brush up on his Shakespeare and on his game fishing...Speaking of vacationing, E. Heulings Antrim, Merchantville’s director of public works, is in Florida...So is Bill Lehman, of the election bureau...And Funnies Fitz sent us a card from North Carolina a week ago, probably his last clarified mome[?]t...
Frank Van Never, a Camden Bridge policeman, and former Secret Service man during the war, is very ill at the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia...”Red” Holder, the strongest man in the Campbell Soup A. A., is wearing a bearskin coat these days...He wrestled the bear for it...Hoseman Herbert Baxter, of No. 8 Engine Company, 619 Kaighn avenue, rounded out 20 years of service in the fire department this week...He has an unusual record...Another firefighter, John Peterson, of the Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue station, was operated on at West Jersey Hospital this week...The engagement of Miss Alberta M. Beaumont and Dale W. Petross (well known outdoor showman) was announced at Dempsey’s place in New York Saturday...Frank Donio, Republican member of the Winslow township committee, probably wasn’t any too pleased when C. P. Van Winkle and the Democrats begain [sic] calling his “Boss” Donio, but now he can laugh at it...He even gave out cigars with a wrapper bearing the legend “Compliments of Little Boss Hague Donio”...Incidentally, we haven’t heard from Van Winkle since he claimed to have affidavits from a dozen people charging relief irregularities...That was several months ago...Elmer Lee Hettrick, 16, former Wilson High student, has had three poems accepted for publication in the Crown Anthology of Verse...Walter J. Beer, of York street, Camden, probably believes, like the Bard of Avon, there can be something to a name...He works for a bottling concern.
Extry: Sam Orlando’s term as prosecutor expires tonight...Attorney General Wilentz will probably name Sam as a special assistant attorney general while the office is vacant...Wilentz may also permit Ike Eason and Pat Harding to continue as assistant prosecutors or may name Tom Madden as Orlando’s assistant...Incidentally, the governor intends to submit Orlando’s name to the Senate over the objections of Vince Gallaher, state committeeman...But Moore will have to wait until Senator Al Driscoll returns to the job, as Al is still ill of the grippe...Moreover, opposition to Orlando’s reappointment is now developing among the Republicans in the Senate...And while we’re on the subject, Prosecutor Loveland, Cape May Democrat, will NOT be confirmed, according to our best information from Trenton...Senator I. Grant Scott won’t sponsor Loveland’s nomination.
* * *
Here and There: The Dugan-Buck dart feud is now at a deadlock...The feather merchants from Dave Buck’s emporium (Cove road and Westfield avenue) defeated the Joe Dugan (Forty-fifth street and Crescent boulevard) sharpshooters in the first clash, but the Dugan team won out in last Monday’s test, the scores being 140-120, 160-183, and 161-158...The playoff will be on Tuesday night at Dugan’s...Jack McDougall, Ninth and Market streets saloonkeeper, has ordered 20 pounds of corned beef and cabbage...Getting ready for his St. Patrick’s affair...The Front Page is hitting the front pages these days...Joe DeLucca is putting on some nifty floor shows at his Red Hill Inn these evenings...
Don’t forget the Mary Kobus party for children at the Savar[words missing between crops] on Feb. 18...The now famous baseball film will be shown...The All Ireland Ball will be at Turner’s Hall, Broad and Columbia, Philadelphia, next Friday...The new storms have made Merchantville streets, particularly Maple avenue, look like Swiss cheese...The Public Service Drum and Bugle Corp, Post No. 231, was invited to participate in the Fortieth Annual Military Ball and Drum Corp Contest at the Arcadia Ballroom, Brooklyn, today...A red car was running around with one light an evening or so ago...
Peter McGlade, Gloucester City treasurer, is disappointed in the small number of old shoes he received for the WPA shoe-mending project for schoolchildren...A hot school election is brewing in Haddon Heights...Aside to Carl Christians: Joe Dugan has returned from the hospital sans operation; does that change Tuesday’s Battle of the Century?...Hank Collins’ cafe at Thirteenth and Samson is a popular nightspot with the local gentry...
The Feb. 23 reunion of the Cranmer School graduates of 15 or 20 years ago is gaining impetus...In addition to the “contact men” announced in this column last Saturday, Mrs. William Reed, the former Grace Cummings, 3006 Mickle street, is trying to locate members of the ‘20 and ‘21 classes...Dr. Richard Cranmer, 3416 Federal street, is handling general arrangements...Another aside...To Boots Pinner: How about getting our crew together and joining in on the festivities?
Police Seeking Hidden Motive in Bar Slaying
Camden Courier-Post —
Doubt ‘Brawl’ Explanation in Fatal Bellmawr Shooting of Andrew Scarduzio
COUNTY DETECTIVE CHIEF ORDERS MORE QUIZZING
Police sought a “hidden motive” for the slaying early Sunday of Andrew Scarduzio, Eighth ward political worker, in a Bellmawr taproom.
Little credence was given to the story that the shooting occurred during a brawl which followed the barring of three men from the taproom at 5.30 a. m.
County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran today ordered the questioning of two women, one a resident of Camden, who were at the establishment when the shooting occurred.
Fresh Quiz Ordered
Doran also ordered further questioning of Dale Rose, proprietor of the saloon where the shooting occurred, on the Black Horse pike, at Bellmawr.
A third man was taken to City Hall early today for questioning by police, but whether he was held was not disclosed.
He is Joseph Romanowski, 28, of Mt. Vernon street, near Orchard street. According to Doran the latest man questioned denied he was present at the time of the shooting of Scarduzio, but was there two hours before when there was an argument over who was to pay for the drinks.
Romanowski was taken into custody in a tavern near his home by Detective Sergeant Thomas Murphy.
“I was at the Bellmawr saloon at 3 a. m., when the bartender closed the place for the night,” Romanowski told Doran, the detective chief said. “But I did not return at 5 a. m., when the murder was committed.”
Two Others Held
Police said the only criminal record against Romanowski was an arrest 10 years ago for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Disposition of the case is not on record.
The second man questioned and held in connection with the investigation is Joseph Lenkowski, 29. According to Dominic “Mickey” Hanley, bartender, who had an argument with five men over payment of drinks at 3 a. m., Lenkowski was one of them. Lenkowski is being held as a material witness.
Stephan Jaskiewicz, 22, a criminal registrant who came here from Pittsburgh in 1937, was held for investigation Sunday night.
Two other men are being sought. They are believed to have been members of the trio which forced its way into the Black Horse pike tavern, engaged in a free-for-all battle, fired seven shots from three guns and ran out.
Scarduzio, Eighth ward political worker, was shot in the groin and the ankle and died several hours later in West Jersey Hospital. The dead man was a brother of Nicholas Scarduzio, recently employed by City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, to check parking law violations. Nicholas was a witness to the shooting.
Lenkowski, who was arrested yesterday, first broke into police records in May, 1931, when he was convicted of being one of four bandits who broke into the old Bridge Cafe at Front and Pearl streets. One of the bandits was killed by Policeman Everett Joslin. A jury convicted Lenkowski and on its mercy recommendation he was sent to Rahway.
Still Seeking Motive
When arrested by Chief Doran and City Detective Harry Kyler, Lenkowski gave his address as 535 South Eighth street. He was booked after being taken to Bellmawr for identification.
Hanley told the police that when the men refused to pay for what had been served to them, he said: “Okay. It’s my mistake and we’ll call it a little Christmas party on the house.”
A. B. C. Enters Case
No guns were flashed on the first visit and no reports of threats by the departing quintette have been made public.
Three agents for the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission entered the case yesterday to determine why Rose’s place was open at 5.30 Sunday morning. The agents are William Brooks, Bayard Sullivan and Roscoe Lockwood. They went to Bellmawr and took statements from Rose and others who were in the tavern at the time of the shooting.
The A. B. C. entered the case after the borough council at a special meeting Sunday afternoon suspended Rose’s license pending investigation by the council, mayor and county officials.
Housing Unit Reorganizes to Get Funds
Camden Courier-Post —
Present, Former Members Resign to Prevent Long Litigation
Dixon Given $4600 Position
Housing Director
HORACE R. DIXON Who yesterday was elected executive director of the Camden Housing Authority. He has served as chairman of the authority since it was first established. His salary will be $4600 a year as fixed by the Federal government.
Present and former members of the Camden City Housing Authority resigned yesterday to facilitate obtaining funds from the U. S. Housing Authority for administration and other purposes.
The resignation of the authority members were climaxed when the City Commission named a new authority, which immediately organized and elected Horace R. Dixon, former chairman, as secretary and executive director, at a salary of $4600 year.
John W. Diehl was elected new chairman of the authority, Dr. Howard E. Primas vice chairman and Walter S. Anderson was reconfirmed as solicitor.
Then the new authority approved all contracts existing between the U. S. Housing Authority, the City of Camden and private individuals. A temporary office force, as required by Federal regulation, was set up.
All this legal action, which required 12 hours, was put into motion so the local authority today may obtain a check for $73,000 from Washington. As a matter of fact the check has been signed but it was necessary to carry out the reorganization to satisfy government objections to the removal of three former members after the recent city commission election and to comply with requirements of the Federal housing setup.
New Job Created
The office of statistician was created at a salary of $2000 but no appointment was made. The government also required the employment of a stenographer, clerk and accountant in the central office along with the executive director. These jobs were created and a clerk now in service was continued. Two furloughed employes were renamed in the same status.
The government questioned the removal of William H. White, Dr. M. F. Wheatland and John Green as members of the authority. City Solicitor Firmin Michel explained any litigation might tie up Federal funds for a year as it would take that long to get the issues settled in court. The other course, he pointed out, was to have the former and present members resign. The city commission, after an executive session, accepted the
resignations of White, Dr. Wheatland and Green and those of the present members, Dixon, Dr. Primas, Diehl and Burnell S. Hartman. There was no legal question raised over the appintment [sic] of Wilbur F. Dobbins last April and he continued in office.
Then the commissioners re-elected Dr. Primas, Diehl and Hartman. Charles W. Anderson, 1019 North Twenty-eighth street, was elected to succeed Dixon as a member of the authority.
Mrs. Kobus States View
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus announced at the outset she intended to vote for accepting the resignations and electing a new authority but she disagreed with the government’s contention, branding the action as “technical.”
“I concur in anything to bring a low cost of housing project to the Negro population of our city,” the commissioner said. “I don’t want any delay. But I stand on advice of counsel. Our solicitor advised us it was legal to remove these members of the authority from office and I feel we have done no wrong.”
She continued she did not wish to hold up the proposed project for Negroes to be known as the Clement T. Branch Village.
Dr. Wheatland said in his resignation:
“For several days past I have given careful consideration to the advisability of resorting to litigation for the purpose of challenging the action taken by you at your meeting of May 25th, 1939, when, by resolution, you declared vacant the offices of several of the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden. My hesitancy in this respect has in nowise been prompted by any doubt concerning the soundness of my position. I am convinced that the said resolution was, in all respects, improper, imprudent and illegal.
Housing First Interest
“Rather have I delayed taking positive action in this matter for the reason that I have been informed that any litigation which might be commenced relating to the Housing Authority would result in the loss of funds with which it is hoped we may build in this city better houses for Negro residents of Camden. My interest in any movement which has as its purpose a benefit to members of my race necessarily transcends any purely personal consideration I may have.
“In the hope that by so doing I may assist in the early continuation of the work of providing a low cost housing project for Negro residents, I herewith tender to this Honorable Board my resignation as a Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, New Jersey, the same to be effective upon lawful acceptance thereof.
“I respectfully request that this communication be incorporated in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners at which it may elect to accept this resignation.”
According to Mayor George E. Brunner, he requested the present and former members of the authority to submit resignations whereupon a new group was to be appointed. White was the first to comply with the request.
Prior to the city commission election last month, Brunner charged White with engaging in political activities at Westfield Acres. The charges subsequently were dropped when White, Green and Dr. Wheatland were replaced.
White’s Statement
In his resignation, White said:
“It is now a matter of general knowledge that the low cost housing program in the city of Camden has become jeopardized as a result of the doubt which has arisen concerning the legality of the recent action in vacating offices of commissioners of the housing authority. Together with others who were affected by your action, I share the belief that you have acted improperly and without legal justification. I am unwilling, however, that my personal concern in this regard should in any way contribute to the loss of low-cost housing projects in Camden. I therefore tender herewith my resignation, the same to be [cut off at the crop edge]
Walsh Blocks Coup by Baird in Freeholders
Camden Courier-Post —
Prevents Meeting and Halts Plan to Make Wood Director
By A. Charles Corotis
An attempted coup by David Baird in his drive to rebuild his fallen fences for the primary election next May was frustrated yesterday by one lone freeholder, and the baby member of the board, at that. Edmund A. Walsh elected from Camden’s Eighth Ward to fill the unexpired term of the late Ferdinand J. Larkin, foiled Baird’s well laid plans when he refused to attend the annual organization meeting after the Republican League bloc of freeholders had been maneuvered into a position of agreeing to support James W. Wood, Baird satellite, for director.
Walsh’s loyalty to City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, long-time political foe of Baird, had the effect of stalemating the 1940 organization, the last under the large board, since the Democrats, upon learning of the G.O.P. decision to support Wood, bolted the meeting room. Walsh took the stand that to vote for Wood would be to sell out to Baird. Walsh was ready and willing to vote for any other Republican. The 20 Republican freeholders present could have transacted business and elected Wood if they had gone into session, but Walsh’s refusal to be a party to the Baird-Wood scheme left only 19 freeholders willing to meet, and that number is one short of the quorum required by law.
Walsh emphasized that he favors Republican organization of the board and agreed to support any Republican for director except Wood. These are the sentiments of Mrs. Kobus. Too, it was the stand of the Republican League until at yesterday’s joint conference of the three G.O.P. factions the group headed by Raymond G. Price cast its lot with Wood. This in itself was a major surprise of the day, since Price and Edward J. Quinlan both elected with Kobus support had been considered anti-Baird-ites.
Scarduzio Jailed by Orlando After Gun Play in Restaurant
Camden Courier-Post —
Action Follows Police Failure to Report On Shooting
PROBE ORDERED BY MRS. KOBUS
Nick Scarduzio, 39, former Summer policeman, was held last night without bail for grand jury action on a charge of atrocious assault and battery and intent to kill as a sequel to a gun-play row at 3 a. m. Saturday in a South Camden restaurant.
Scarduzio was taken into custody by County Detective Wilfred Dube on orders of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.
Investigation of police failure to report immediately the shooting affray was promised by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.
“I wasn’t apprised of this case until 4.30 o’clock yesterday,” Mrs. Kobus said. “Ordinarily our policemen aren’t required to report little barroom brawls. This is different. I intend to investigate thoroughly. I shall interview these policemen this afternoon and until I have talked with them, I will await developments.”
Brother Slain December 24th
Scarduzio was a brother of Andrew Scarduzio, Eighth ward political worker, who was fatally shot in a Bellmawr taproom on December 24 during a brawl in which the brothers sought to eject three men who demanded entry to the place at 5.30 a. m. after the cafe had been closed for the night. Andrew was employed as the cafe handyman.
Arrested by Dube on “information received,” Nick Scarduzio, who lives at 419 Webster street, and who has had numerous encounters with police, allegedly went berserk when requested by a patron of Mike Patsourakas’ restaurant at 1806 Broadway to refrain from profanity in the presence of several women diners.
Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, said he obtained statements of several witnesses.
Doran said he learned Scarduzio entered the restaurant after visiting a nearby taproom and was in a “disagreeable mood.”
Taking a place at the counter, Scarduzio became loud, Doran said he learned, and was accosted by Robert Wolfe, 32, of 1128 Langham avenue, another diner.
Wolfe requested Scarduzio to calm down, witnesses told Doran, whereupon Scarduzio reached across the counter and seized a knife with which he threatened Wolfe and later picked up a heavy sugar bowl and hurled it, striking Wolfe on the head.
Wolfe raised his hands in defense, Doran quoted the witnesses, and Scarduzio whipped out a gun and fired two shots. His aim was diverted when Patsourakas grabbed his arm and Wolfe dashed toward the rest of the place as the other diners scattered.
More Shots Fired
Scarduzio attempted to follow Wolfe, according to Doran, and the fleeing man hid behind a box in a rear room. Scarduzio raced past him into an alleyway where, the detective chief said, he saw another figure and fired two more shots. Wolfe later was taken to Cooper Hospital where three stitches were used to close the wound caused by the sugar bowl.
Doran said three city policemen arrived later at the scene, but that subsequent investigation revealed no account of the incident was on city police records. No report was made to the city detective bureau.
Orlando ordered the county detective bureau to investigate the case and Scarduzio’s arrest followed. Doran also related that the weapon which was taken from Scarduzio by Patsourakas and “broken” was later taken over by city police.
Chief of Police Ralph Bakley, who was taking reports from the three city officers, said there was nothing said by them about taking the gun from the restaurant owner. He will question them on that phase of the case later today, he said.
Was Special Officer
Scarduzio was employed last month by Commissioner Kobus as a special officer making a check on all-day parkers in the city business section. Doran said he learned the man is no longer employed by the city.
The city police report, made yesterday afternoon, according to Mrs. Kobus, follows:
“I have to report that about 3 a. m. Saturday, Jan. 20, we were cruising in scout car south on Broadway. We were stopped by a young man at Broadway and Ferry avenue. He told us there had been a fight in a restaurant located two doors south of Ferry avenue on the east side of Broadway. Officer (Oliver) Morgan and I entered the restaurant and we saw all the patrons sitting down. We asked if there had been any trouble and they said there had been a fight but that it was all over. So we left the place after we searched all persons in the place for a gun, not finding any. ‘One man had been hit on the head with a sugar bowl.’ He refused to make any charge and also refused to go to a hospital.”
The report was signed by Carl Fredericks and Oliver Morgan. Policeman Paul Jackson, the foot patrolman on that beat, made a similar report, Bakley said.
Cops Seek Owners of Chance Boards
Camden Courier-Post —
60,000 Pieces of Illegal Paraphernalia Taken to City Hall
Camden police were searching last night for the owners of 60,000 illegal punchboards seized in a raid late Thursday night at a South Camden three-story building.
Acting on Commissioner Mary W. Kobus’ orders, Detectives Thomas Murphy and Clifford Carr were trying to uncover evidence which would lead to the arrest of the punchboard owners on charges of possessing illegal gambling devices. Commissioner Kobus directed that charges be placed against the proprietors when located.
Seizure of the boards was made by Carr, Murphy and Patrolman Marshall Thompson when they entered a building situated on the south side of Viola street, east of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines tracks.
Last night the paraphernalia was being transferred from the building to a room on the fifth floor of the City Hall in city-owned trucks by city employees. The boards were valued at between $10,000 and $15,000.
The Viola street property is listed on city records as belonging to the Goodwin Company, Inc., with a notation that all tax bills are to be sent to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
The seizure was made on the first floor of the building, which was vacant on the second floor and housed a dress shop on the third. The raid followed orders by the commissioner for police to watch any transfer of the business from Philadelphia to this city following police raids last month in Philadelphia.
Photos — May 1, 1940
Mary Kobus and friends, in her City Hall office, on her birthday, May 1, 1940. Far Right: Carrie (Mick) Loughrey. Photo courtesy of Carrie Loughrey’s granddaughter Karen Coon.
Changes Announced in Fire Department
Camden Courier-Post —
Truck Disbanded, Engine Company Created; 13 Men Transferred
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus yesterday announced a number of changes in the fire department, including the disbanding of Truck Company No. 4; creation of a new engine company, No. 10, and the transfer of 18 officers and men, 12 of them captains. Most of the new captains have been serving as acting captains and promotion to full rank will involve no pay increases, inasmuch as the men signed waivers foregoing the raises. Commissioner Kobus explained most of the changes were made to conform with regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
The commissioner also announced she had appointed Junior Captain Raymond Smith as director of the school for firemen at Engine Company No. 10, Ninth and Morgan streets. Smith, one of the youngest of the recently appointed junior captains, will succeed the late Battalion Chief Rollo Jones. Senior Captain Leonard Megee was appointed acting battalion chief to succeed Jones. Junior Captain William Spencer, of headquarters company, was named relief captain.
Engine Company No. 10 will use the headquarters of the old truck company, at Ninth and Morgan streets. To the new company Mrs. Kobus assigned Senior Captain Mortica Clark and Firemen Frank Burt, Frank Esperance and Clifford Lane. Junior Captain Frank Oberman was transferred from Engine Company No. 10 to Engine Company No. 1, at fire headquarters. Other assignments include: Junior Captain Robert Wonsetler, Engine Company No. 11, to Engine Company No. 2; Fireman Harry Kleinfelder, Engine Company No. 6, to Engine Company No. 2; Junior Captain Edgar Ellender, Engine Company No. 2, to Engine Company No. 6; Junior Captain Ralph Bingemann, Truck Company No. 2, to Engine Company No. 7.
Camden Jury Asks Police Shake-up
Trenton Times —
Mrs. Kobus Ouster Urged As Head of Public Safety Dept.
CAMDEN, N. J., Aug. 9 ([?]P).—In a sweeping report charging “mismanagement and inefficiency,” a Camden County Grand Jury recommended the resignation of City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and proposed a drastic shake up in the city’s police department.
Informed of the action, Mrs. Kobus declared:
“I am not resigning. I was elected by the people.”
The jury, which has been sitting since April, made these specific recommendations:
1—That Mrs. Kobus resign as director of public safety and be replaced by another city commissioner.
2—That Lieutenant George Frost be named chief of police to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Captain Arthur Colsey. The position has been held by Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, as acting chief.
3—That Lieutenants Bakley, Walter Welch and George Ward be assigned to duty in charge of the first, second and third police districts, respectively. They have all been on other assignments.
4—That all acting lieutenants and acting sergeants revert to their regular rank, and that hereafter all promotions be decided by examination “with utter disregard for politics.”
5—That the Camden police personnel be increased from 176 to “at least 250” officers and men.
Its report, the grand jury said, was based on evidence “which has convinced this body that the police department is functioning in an exceedingly inefficient and desultory fashion.”
The jury declared that Bakley’s appointment as acting chief was made “for purely political reasons” and added that “the rank and file of the department has little or no respect for its superiors.”
Pair Believed Seeking to Rob Numbers Auto
Camden Courier-Post —
Flight Ends with Crash into Pole; One Captured in Newton Creek Swamps
MASKED MEN PURSUED WHILE CHASING VICTIM
Pistol shots spitting from a speeding sedan at a fleeing coupe ahead—
Police in red cars and private motorists in wild pursuit—
A splintering crash against a pole, two men firing in the air to scatter playing children as they ran in headlong flight—
One frightened fugitive captured by a doughty citizen trying to hide in a garage.
The second trapped in the swamps of Newton Creek by squads of police and firemen and finally tracked down in the glare of floodlights as hundreds of curious watched—
Real-life Drama
That’s the outline of a real-life melodrama enacted on the southern fringe of Camden last night with the resultant capture of two ex-convicts and subsequent detention of a third man in what detectives believe was an attempt by hijackers to rob a numbers writing banker believed to be carrying a large sum of gambling money.
The spectacular shooting—at 80-miles-an-hour—started near Gloucester and the grim man-hunt ended in the marshes of Newton creek south of Collings road, Fairview, with half a dozen public servants and private citizens performing heroic deeds at the risk of their own lives in a drama whose meaning they did not learn until hours afterward.
The two men held as the attempted hijackers are Stanley Geda, 25, of 1273 Whitman avenue, a paroled convict, who only last Monday was held without bail in Camden police court on a charge of holdup and robbery, and Stanley A. Gasior, 25, of 930 Mechanic street, another police character with a criminal record.
Bullet Hole in Car
The man taken in custody for investigation as the intended victim of a number bank hijacking, is George Pestridge, 46, of the Milner Hotel, Second and Penn streets, who was convicted of number writ-
(Continued on Page 3—Column 2)
2 Ex-Convicts Seized in Gun Chase After Auto Crashes into Pole
(Continued from Page One)
ing and fined $50 in Camden police court October 8, 1937. Police say they recovered his coupe with a bullet hole through the right side window and other marks of having been the target of marksmen.
The alleged hijacking attempt first came to notice at Crescent boulevard and Market street, Gloucester, about 4:10 p. m. Edward Garrity, 21, son of Chief of Police James Garrity, of Bellmawr, said he was driving his father’s car and had stopped for a red light.
“I saw two speeding cars cutting in and out of traffic from Gloucester,” said Garrity. “One man in a coupe seemed to be trying to get away from two pursuing men in a sedan, each of whom wore Halloween masks on his face. The coupe sped through the red light and swerved in a sharp turn on two wheels into Crescent boulevard, headed for Fairview. The sedan followed it an instant later through the red light and around into the boulevard.
Joins in Chase
“My father’s shotgun was in the car and I gave chase. I opened up the siren (my father uses his car for police business) and we did 80 miles an hour to the West Collingswood Circle on the Black Horse pike, with the masked man beside the driver in the sedan blazing away out his window at the coupe ahead with a revolver, and the coupe swerving from side as if to duck the bullets zig-zagging.
“At one point I saw the coupe miss a woman pedestrian by inches. At the pike both cars ahead swung around the island at the circle and the coupe suddenly pulled by with screeching brakes before a row of stores. The men in the sedan, seeing they were being pursued, swung off the pike into one of the streets of Fairview. I followed them and a moment later saw the sedan, approaching a right angle turn in the rear of the Church of St. Joan of Arc, leap the curb, dash across the lawn and smash against a pole. The two men got out and ran.”
Fire Into Air
Accounts varied as to exactly what happened there, but several Fairview residents said the two fugitives from the badly damaged sedan, still wearing false faces, flourished revolvers and fired into the air to scatter children playing on the lawn of the combined church and school at Collings and Alabama roads as they darted toward the Fairview baseball park and adjoining swamps along Newton creek.
George Hess, Sr., 38, of 1332 Merrimac road, a husky electrician at the New York shipyard, who was a Summer cop from 1927 to 1930, saw the first fugitive run past his windows, then the second. At some distance back came a group of citizen pursuers. Hess, shirt-sleeved, dashed after the fugitives and caught the second as he tried to hide in a vacant private garage. That man was Geda.
Struggles With Suspect
Hess struggled with the suspect and was aided a moment later in subduing him by George Datz, High street, Mullica Hill, and Elmer Ulrich, 119 Virginia avenue, Audubon, both used car salesmen at a lot on Black Horse pike near Alabama road, and other citizens who had joined the chase.
The first fugitive—Gasior—disappeared into the high reeds of the creek bank with a dozen or more men at his heels as Geda was taken prisoner to a telephone in the candy store of William Hastings, 73, at 1384 Collings road. Hearing Haddon township police had been chasing the men, Hess telephoned the police there and Patrolman Charles Craig, who had joined in the chase himself, only a short time before, arrived and handcuffed Geda.
While Geda was being taken to Haddon township police headquarters and then to the Camden city hall detective bureau, the alarm was spread and Camden police red cars began arriving with sirens screaming to join in the search. Public Safety Commissioner Mary W. Kobus sped to the scene, surveyed the situation and called out first one, then a second fire department emergency squad, with powerful flood lights on long extension cords.
Blaze of Light
As police deployed along the north bank of the marshland to prevent the fugitive from circling around and escaping, Junior Captain Raymond Smith, of the fire emergency squad, in hip boots and carrying a powerful hand flood light, worked his way into the mud of the swamp and beat the reeds to east and west while more powerful lights atop the roofs of the high emergency trucks pierced the blackness in wide sweeps.
In the course of the search, Garrity had fired several shots at suspected movements with his father’s shotgun and policemen had let loose occasional barrages of pistol fire to keep the fugitive from breaking cover.
After approximately two tense hours combing through the reeds and sloshing hip-deep in mud, John Githens, 1032 Monitor road, a Public Service bus driver among the volunteer searchers, came upon the figure of a frightened, coatless fugitive, more than half-buried in the water and mud of the creek’s edge. It was Gasior, shivering and shaking, and he cried, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” Githens did not even have a weapon. He brought his prisoner to shore. Gasior was rushed to the detective bureau, stripped of his wet clothes and in nothing but an overcoat taken to Cooper Hospital for treatment for exposure by orders of Mrs. Kobus.
Detective Sergeant Murphy said Geda refused to answer any questions or make any kind of a statement, while questioning of Gasior was postponed until the danger of pneumonia was past. From descriptions detectives obtained of the coupe that had been pursued by the men in the sedan, detectives went to the West Jersey Cafe, Third and Market streets, and took Pestridge into custody for questioning.
At City Hall he told them his car was parked near that corner. It was taken to City Hall and, reputedly, three bullet holes were found in it. Murphy would not reveal for the present whether Pestridge gave them any information. One report had it he is prominent in a numbers bank in or near Gloucester, was known to carry large sums of money at that hour in the afternoon, representing collections from numbers writers, and had been pursued by the men in the sedan for several miles on roads south of Gloucester before young Garrity joined in the chase. It was reported Pestridge had several narrow escapes from being shot and also forced off the road by his pursuers.
‘Looking for Trouble’
According to Patrolman Craig, the coupe disappeared after having stopped in front of the Crescent Theatre on the Black Horse pike in West Collingswood, as the pursuing sedan swept past it with bullets spitting from its right side window at the coupe. Daniel Campbell, 30, of 306 Landis avenue, Woodlynne, proprietor of the gasoline station there, ran up to
the coupe and asked the driver what was wrong, Craig said. The answer was, “They’re looking for trouble,” then the coupe sped off, turned into a side road, and disappeared.
The sedan, an almost new car is owned by Harvey E. Stewart, a commission merchant at 123 Dock street, Philadelphia, and was stolen from the driveway at his home at 430 Thomas avenue, Riverton, sometime between 10 p. m. Monday and 3 a. m. Tuesday, he said. He discovered it was gone when he arose to go to business at 3 a. m. Tuesday.
**Threw Away Guns**
Detectives said Geda and Gasior apparently threw away their guns as they ran from the wrecked sedan. A Halloween false face was found in Gasior’s water-soaked clothes. Patrolman Craig said Geda threw away a similar mask as Craig was taking him, handcuffed, the [sic] police station, leering.
“See, I don’t have anything!”
Haddon Township Patrolman George Hyrup was cruising on Crescent boulevard and saw the speeding coupe, sedan and Garrity’s car in hot pursuit. He joined the chase but his gears inexplicable slipped from high into low as he was making top speed and were stripped, putting the car out of commission.
**Record Listed**
Geda’s police record was given out at the Detective Burea [sic] uas [sic] follows:
Sept. 27, 1930, Camden, larceny; disposition not given.
March 9, 1931, Camden, larceny of auto; disposition not given.
April 8, 1932, Camden, atrocious assault and battery; disposition not given.
July 11, 1932, arrested at Vineland; charge, burglary, nol-prossed.
Nov. 14, 1932, arrested by State police at Bridgeton; charge, burglary; disposition not given.
Nov. 26, 1932, returned to Camden county jail; chair [sic], attempted breaking and entering; disposition not given.
July 7, 1933, arrested in Atlantic City; charge, breaking and entering, released on bail; same date arrested Somers Point; charge, disorderly person and suspicion of breaking and larceny; sentenced to 90 days in Atlantic county jail.
Jan. 22, 1934, arrested in Gloucester; charge, loitering and attempt to steal; fined $25 and costs.
June 18, 1934, arrested in Philadelphia; charge, holdup and robbery and fugitive; turned over to Camden police; June 21, 1934, sentenced to seven to 10 years in state prison.
**Held Without Bail**
Geda was held without bail for the grand jury in Camden Police Court by Judge Gene Mariano only last Monday morning after John Miller, 39, of 2827 Clinton street, who operates a used car lot at 2031 Federal street as the M. and M. Motors identified him as one of two masked robbers who held him up at the point of revolvers and robbed him of $2046.49 in the driveway of his home October 12.
On parole from the state prison, Geda was arersted [sic] when he reported to Albert Brager, parole officer, after Miller had identified his photograph in the rogues’ gallery. He denied the charge and offered and alibi. In court Monday, Miller charged Geda was trying to disguise his voice.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Murphy, in charge of the Detective Bureau last night, said he knew nothing of Geda having been released after Monday’s hearing until Geda was brought in under arrest last night. He said he had no idea how a paroled convict with a long police record, held without bail on a holdup charge, could have obtained his liberty.
Two Ex-Convicts Seized in Gun Chase
Figures and Scenes in Chase and Capture of Suspects
Top view shows flight’s finish for fugitive Stanley Gasior (center), suspected would-be hijacker of a number writing banker, as he was brought out of the swamps along Newton creek, south of Collings road, Fairview, last night, after a two-hour chase and search, by Fire Captain Raymond Smith (right), and a patrolman. Lower photo shows part of the crowd of 300 Fairview residents who watched the manhunt by the light of powerful flood lights brought into play by the Camden fire department emergency squad.
Mrs. Kobus Names 3 Cops, 4 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Son of Former Fire Captain Among Men Appointed to Police Force
Appointment for three policemen and four firemen, all of whom will report for duty today, was announced yesterday by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.
The new policemen will be assigned to duty in company with older officers to gain experience. The new firefighters will be trained at the police fire school.
Edward D. Tatem, of 565 Mt. Vernon street, one of the new patrolmen, is a son of former Fire Captain William Tatem. Tatem is a graduate of Camden High School. Roland E. Comerford, of 2931 Cramer street, who also was appointed to the police force, is a son of Fireman William Comerford, chauffeur for Battalion Fire Chief Charles Erickson. Young Comerford is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.
The third new policeman is Joseph Hooven, of 918 North Nineteenth street. He is a Camden High graduate and also studied two years at Villanova College.
Those appointed firemen are Phillip H. Farrow, of 529 Newton avenue; John Gryckiewicz, of 810 North Front street, Thomas Winstanley, of 329 Bailey street, and Anthony Bretschneider, of 1621 Louis street.
Farrow and Gryckiewicz graduated from Woodrow Wilson and Gryckiewicz served a four year enlistment in the Navy. Bretschneider graduated from a Philadelphia high school and attended evening classes at Woodrow Wilson.
All appointments were made from a State Civil Service Commission list of eligibles. Commissioner Kobus has adopted a policy of appointing high school graduates to both the police and fire departments.
Mrs. Kobus to Ask More Cops, Firemen for City Next Year
Camden Courier-Post —
New Appointment Return Forces to 1938 Status; Defense Increases Need
Mrs. Kobus to Ask More Cops, Firemen for City Next Year
Camden Courier-Post —
New Appointment Return Forces to 1938 Status; Defense Increases Need
Appointment of 22 patrolmen and 10 firemen by City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus during the past three months has brought the personnel of the public safety department to figures comparable to 1938.
That announcement was made yesterday by Commissioner Kobus, who expressed the hope the city could afford additional members of both departments in the near future “as a safety measure and because of the great national, State and local defense programs, in which we must participate.”
“Camden is rapidly taking its rightful place as one of the greatest industrial centers of the entire nation. Thousands have been added to the payrolls of our various great industrial plants. Houses are at a premium within the city, and it is natural for the public safety department to keep in step with the times,” the commissioner stated.
“We have hundreds of new traffic problems confronting us today, that never existed back in 1931, when the police department was manned by 247 regular members and 83 special policemen and investigators.
Comparable to 1938 Figures
“Today the personnel of the police department totals 194 men, with no special investigators. This is comparable to 1938, when we had a total of 192 members of the department. Since 1938, 12 policemen have died and eight others requested to be placed on pension, after long and honorable service to their city.
“No replacements were made until a civil service examination was held and a list of eligible men provided. I have appointed 22 policemen from that list and 10 men as members of the city fire department, which had nine vacancies due to deaths and retirement.
“I will ask that sufficient money be placed in my budget for next year to appoint a few additional policemen, due to the defense measures which have been set up, and in which the public safety department is expected to participate.”
All of the new police and fire appointees must serve for one year at a salary of $1500. The second year they receive $1560, with their salaries going to $1680 for the third year and $1800 for the fourth year.
Normally they would have received $2040 for the fifth year, when they become full-fledged members of the department, but a referendum approved by the voters at the last general election sets the salary of police and firemen at $2400 annually after 1943.
As it will be after that year the present appointees will reach the end of the five-year period during which they receive annual increments in their pay, it was indicated they would jump to $2400 after their fourth year in the two departments.
Appointments Listed
The new policemen appointed by Commissioner Kobus were:
Joseph Caputi, 332 Mt. Vernon street; Joseph M. Carroll, 427 Lansdowne avenue; Roland Comerford, 2931 Cramer street; Vincent Conley, 423 Beideman avenue; James Eskridge, 716 North Seventh street; Joseph Hooven, 501 Beideman avenue; Julius Kaunacki, 1183 Sheridan street; William E. Kelly, 55 State street; William F. Large, 729 Mickle street; William H. Neale, 773 Line street; Francis J. Nelson, 720 Penn street; John E. Opfer, 323 North Second street; Cecil H. Picou, 1127 Cooper street; Earl Quinton, 687 Jefferson avenue; Edw. W. Tatem, 565 Mt. Vernon street; Harry Tracy, 2003 Federal street; Harold I. Vecander, 1039 North Twenty-sixth street; John H. Watkins, 2902 Constitution road; Edward Watson, 1048 Haddon avenue; Donald R. Watson, 841 Lois avenue; George T. Weber, 1231 North Thirtieth street; Stanley Zuckowicz, 1157 Thurman street.
The new appointees to the fire department are:
Philip H. Farrow, 529 Newton avenue; Anthony W. Bretschneider, 1621 Louis street; John Gryckiewicz, 810 North Front street; Thomas Winstanley, 329 Bailey street; William Palese, 900 South Fourth street; Anthony Dzinski, 1230 Atlantic avenue; Joseph R. Guarino, 25 Morse street; Martin B. Nelson, 561 Spruce street; William Cleary, 614 Federal street; Otto Kaiser, 904 North Twenty-sixth street.
Captain Mortica M. Clark Retires After 30 Years as City Fireman
Camden Courier-Post —
Oldest Member of Department in Point of Service Honored by Fellow Workers, Officers and School Children in Exercises at Station House
Camden’s oldest fire captain in point of service retired yesterday after more than 30 years of answering alarms.
He is Captain Mortica M. Clark, who was honored at a gathering of fellow firemen and officers.
The exercises, which included the presentation of a fishing rod and reel, a ring, smoking utensils and flowers, took place at his home company’s headquarters, Ninth and Morgan streets. The presentations were made by Fire Chief John H. Lennox.
The gifts were from his staff, other captains, the Three-fifteen Association, local school children and his family. Captain Clark expects to pass considerable of his time fishing and boating near his home at Palermo.
“He is one of the best firemen and one of the best leaders I have known,” was Safety Director Mary W. Kobus’ tribute to him.
Captain Clark served as senior captain for 21 years and during his years with the department was never late for duty. He never reported any of his men for any violation of the rules. Many times he was cited for heroic acts.
During the State Street church fire he dragged Chief Peter N. [sic] Carter from the flaming building as the roof collapsed. He rescued four children from the burning Mary J. Ball Home and worked 49 consecutive hours during the Hollingshed fire last July. He was responsible also for efficient work at the Kaighn avenue ferry blaze and the fire at the Graves Varnish works, Twelfth and Federal streets.
In addition to his wife, Emma, Captain Clark’s family includes four children, Mrs. Florence Kolman, Catherine, George and Archie.
Senior Fire Captain Receives Gifts on Retirement
Camden Courier-Post —
—Courier-Post Photo, by William J. Augustine
Captain Mortica M. Clark, oldest captain of Camden Fire Department, is shown receiving a fishing rod and reel and a ring from Fire Chief John H. Lennox (right) yesterday on his retirement after serving more than 30 years in service. The gifts were presented at ceremonies at Captain Clark’s fire house, Ninth and Morgan streets, attended by members of his family and many friends in the department.
Mrs. Kobus Called Before Grand Jury
Camden Courier-Post —
Probe Concerns Vote Fraud Case; Court Asked to Oust 2 Freeholders
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, is to be among seven witnesses tonight before the grand jury investigating election frauds in Camden. This was announced yesterday by Assistant Prosecutor Patrick H. Harding after Circuit Court Judge V. Claude Palmer took under advisement the application of Republican attorneys to unseat Democratic Freeholders Stanley Ciechanowski and Ventorino Francesconi.
The court was asked to “declare the election of their Republican opponents, Charles A. Burkett and George Farrell, because of ‘fraud, corruption or malconduct’ in nine precincts of five Camden wards ‘sufficient to permit the court to reject the entire vote in those districts.’” Mrs. Kobus was summoned before the grand jury with six other persons whose identities were not revealed by Harding. It was reported the jury intended probing the police and firemen’s pay increase referendum in the last election.
In final arguments before Judge Palmer, Benjamin Friedman, counsel for the Republican candidates, characterized the persons who made the illegal markings as “culprits” and “stupid individuals without any degree of finesse.” He told the court that “these boxes are rife and reek of fraud and the results of the districts are fraught with doubt and fraud and should be thrown out.”
Alex Feinberg, attorney for the Democrats, told the court: “Giving the petitioners (Republicans) the benefit of every doubt and crediting to them the votes they contend the losing candidates were deprived of by alleged illegal means, the three Democratic freeholders still maintain substantial pluralities to continue in office.”
Danger Spot
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
What are you doing about the need for a traffic light at Fourth street and Kaighn avenue?
Don’t you—or Madame Kobus—know that it’s impossible for pedestrians to cross there safely?
A fatality, Sunday, at Runnemede, made me wonder. Must we wait for the same tragedy to happen before we get protection at Fourth and Kaighn?
JOHN TRUCERO.
Two Suits Filed for $95,000 in Hollingshead Fire Damage
Camden Courier-Post —
One Plaintiff Asks $70,000 for Cleaning Establishment; Another Seeks $25,000 For Loss of Two Homes
The first law suits resulting from the disastrous Hollingshead fire a year ago, were filed in Camden today. They ask damages totalling $95,000 of the R. M. Hollingshead Corporation and are filed in the State Supreme Court.
Plaintiffs in two separate actions are Joseph R. and Mary F. Hendricks, who ask $70,000, and Mrs. Sue K. Devenny, who seeks $25,000. Counsel for plaintiffs in both suits is Bridge Commissioner Bruce A. Wallace, formerly associated with Vice Chancellor Albert S. Woodruff.
Hendricks’ suit papers state that at the time of the fire his home, tailoring, cleaning and dyeing establishment and garages were at 910 Cooper street. He also had an apartment on the third floor. The fire destroyed the building, its equipment, his personal property and deprived him of income from the business and the apartment, Hendricks sets forth. For this he asks $50,000.
Mrs. Hendricks asks $10,000 for injuries she received in the fire, some of which, she asserts, are of a permanent nature. Her husband also asks $10,000 for loss of his wife’s services and for medical bills.
Mrs. Devenny asks $25,000 for loss of two properties, one a 12-room house at 916 Cooper street, and the other at 910 Market street. She asserts she lost real and personal property, and income from the furnished rooms.
In both actions, the corporation is charged with negligence. The suit papers charge that the plant was operated without explosion-proof equipment, that precautions had not been taken to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors or to remove such vapor, that highly flammable liquids were stored in buildings not sufficiently separately or protected by fire walls, equipment was not properly grounded repairs were made under conditions tending to cause an explosion, properly modernized sprinkler systems were not maintained, and preventatives against spread of fire to other buildings were not maintained.
Mrs. Hendricks is Republican county committeewoman from the Second ward. Mrs. Devenny is an employe in the office of Director of Public Safety Mary W. Kobus.
The explosion and fire occurred last July 30, took 10 lives, razed the plant at Ninth and Market streets and destroyed or damaged stores and dwellings along Cooper, Ninth, Carpenter and Market streets.
Schoolyard Playgrounds
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
At this time I would like to thank former Mayor Von Nieda for his very interesting letter and for interest he has taken in helping me obtain playgrounds in our City schoolyards. It is impossible for me to name everyone who has come to my aid for this campaign for playgrounds. Therefore, I suggest that everyone who is interested in his campaign send their letters to Commissioner Mary W. Kobus or to the members of the Camden Board of Education so that they make take [sic] our playground campaign under advisement.
I am sure the members of the Board of Education will go along with Commissioner Kobus and help to obtain these schoolyards for playgrounds.
Yes, a number of property owners who are next to the schoolyards may object to these playgrounds.
But these children must have a place to play other than the city streets.
In these playgrounds they would be off the streets and have a contented mind and their mothers would not have to worry about the safety of their children.
HARRY A. BEACH. 943 St. John street.
Connie’s Athletics Get 1400 Child Rooters from Camden
Camden Courier-Post —
It was a big day for the juvenile population of the Thirteenth ward in Camden yesterday when Edward Garrity, Republican committeeman, conducted his annual outing at Shibe Park in Philadelphia to see the Athletics oppose the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game. Above are seen the children aboard the buses which left from Louis and Whitman avenues. Included in the party were Commissioners Mary W. Kobus and Dr. David S. Rhone, Mrs. Marion Garrity and Police Lieutenant George Frost.
Magin’s Body to Lie in State In Commission Room Monday
Camden Courier-Post —
Acting Director
Abbott Named as Temporary Department Head by Mayor
CHURCH SERVICES TUESDAY MORNING
Frank A. Abbott.
Deputy director of revenue and finance, who was named yesterday by Mayor George E. Brunner as acting director of the department of public works to take over the duties of City Commissioner Henry Magin, who died suddenly of a heart attack yesterday. Abbott is Democratic leader of the Fifth ward.
The body of Commissioner Henry Magin will lie in state in the city commission chambers Monday night.
Mayor Brunner made that announcement today following completion of funeral arrangements with members of Commissioner Magin’s family. Magin died suddenly yesterday from a heart attack at the city incinerator plant.
On Tuesday morning, the body will be moved to the Church of St. Joan of Arc, Fairview, where a Requiem Mass will be sung at 9 a. m. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Half-Holiday Declared
The public will be permitted to pay its last respects after 7 p. m. Monday. Mayor Brunner has declared a half-holiday Tuesday morning so that city employes can attend the funeral. The mayor said employes of as many departments as can conveniently be closed will be given time off.
The four city commissioners will act as pallbearers. Commissioner Kobus is in Buffalo, attending a convention, but will be home Monday.
In addition to the commissioners, Thomas Jackson, an employe of the highway department, and Samuel Magill, a former commander of Fairview Post, American Legion, also will be pallbearers.
Jackson served as a sergeant with Magin during the World War and the two men had been close friends ever since. He was named a pallbearer at Mrs. Magin’s request. A list of honorary pallbearers is being compiled by Mayor Brunner.
City, county, State, Federal and veterans’ officials are expected to view the body Monday night. Several veterans’ organizations of which Magin was an officer or member will conduct their rituals at the cemetery.
Mayor Brunner said that James O’Brien, commander of the Disabled American Veterans and president of the Veterans’ Political League which sponsored Magin as a city commissioner, will be in charge of the arrangements for services by veterans.
Edward J. Quinlan, a vice commander of the Camden County American Legion, will be in charge of memorial services in the commission chamber Monday night and military services at the grave. The funeral will be a military one, Brunner said.
Quinlan requested all veteran groups assemble at the City Hall Plaza at 7.45 p. m. Monday so they can attend the services at 8 p. m. in a body.
The police and firemen also will attend the Monday night services in a body. Firemen will be led by Chief John H. Lennox while the police will be in charge of Chief Clerk George Clayton.
Brunner said parking at the plaza will not be permitted Tuesday morning until after the funeral party has left for the church.
Commissioner Magin collapsed in the arms of James Carr, assistant superintendent of streets, a minute after he had been photographed while conversing with Samuel Burgess, an official of the Nichols Engineering & Research Corp., New York, who was inspecting the plant. The commissioner was 44.
Mayor Goes to Home
When Mayor Brunner was informed the Commissioner was dead he immediately went to the Magin home at 3043 Alabama road to console the widow, Helen, and a daughter, Helen, 20. The Mayor remained two hours until Mrs. Magin regained her composure.
Mayor Brunner announced Frank A. Abbott, deputy director of revenue and finance, will assume temporary charge of the public works department, beginning Monday.
“I appointed Mr. Abbott acting director of the department of public works in order that business and functions of the department will not be curtailed,” Mayor Brunner said. “This is the largest department in the city and it requires a directing head until such time as a successor to Commissioner Magin is elected by the City Commission.”
Abbott is familiar with workings of the department, having been acting director several weeks last year when Magin was ill in a hospital. It is reported he will be named to succeed Magin.
Although he has the title of deputy director of revenue and finance, Abbott actually is first assistant to Mayor Brunner who heads the revenue and finance department.
Abbott is serving his second consecutive four-year term as deputy. For more than 15 years he has been Democratic leader of the Fifth ward. He lives at 346 Cherry street.
Native of Camden
Born in Camden, Abbott attended Fetters school and later learned and worked at the plastering trade. He was a Fifth ward Democratic leader in days when Democrats ran for but seldom were elected to public office.
He went through several torrid political campaigns against the late John Carroll, Republican leader of the ward and political lieutenant of the late former U. S. Senator David Baird, Sr.
Abbott learned to play baseball on the rocky vacant lots in the Fifth ward. He was regarded as a fleet-footed outfielder and a fast base runner.
For a short time he had a brief fling as a dancer in vaudeville, but Pater Abbott put his foot down, ordered him to return home and learn the plastering trade.
Close Friend of Mayor
The Damon and Pythias like friendship between Mayor Brunner and his deputy is a legend in the Democratic party of Camden. One of Brunner’s first acts when he was elected a city commissioner six years ago was to name Abbott as his deputy at a salary of $3000 a year.
Brunner has stated publicly that Abbott will be his aide in any position to which he is elected or appointed. Abbott’s loyalty to Brunner is little short of devotion.
It’s Abbott’s job to keep Brunner’s appointments, admit those the mayor wants to talk to and give the gate to those the mayor doesn’t want to meet. Abbott makes a perfect buffer for the city’s chief executive.
Henry Magin Laid to Rest by War Veteran Buddies
Camden Courier-Post —
Trucks of Flowers in Funeral Cortege
Funeral services for City Commissioner Henry Magin were held today with his colleagues in official and veterans circles participating. Services were conducted in city commission chambers on the second floor of city hall, in charge of Rev. Dr. W.W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church. The casket was carried by war veteran associates of the public works director, who died from a heart attack Friday.
A color guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion preceded the casket, followed by the four remaining members of the city commission, Mayor George Brunner and commissioners E. George Aaron, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus and Dr. David S. Rhone. A guard of honor lined both sides of city hall steps, 22 policemen on one side and 22 firemen on the other, representing Magin’s age, 44 years.
Hundreds of men and women waited outside the building to pay their respects as the solemn procession filed by. Mayor Brunner had declared this morning a holiday for city employees. Three trucks were required to carry the floral pieces from the scene of the services to the National Cemetery at Beverly, where burial took place. An estimated 8000 persons from all walks of life paid their respects to the late official by viewing the body as it lay in state in the commission chambers.
Commissioner Kobus, who knelt in prayer before the bier, arose and went over to Mrs. Magin and her daughter. Mrs. Kobus embraced and kissed the widow and daughter of the late commissioner.
Among prominent officials and citizens who came to pay their respects were Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and his son, Donnell, Assemblymen Joseph W. Cowgill and J. Frank Crawford, Sidney P. McCord, city comptroller, and others. Also former Assemblyman Rocco Palese, former Freeholder Maurice Bart and wife, County Detective James Mulligan, Deputy City Clerk William D. Sayrs, Postmaster Emma E. Hyland, and Samuel E. Fulton, member of the Camden local assistance board.
Photos — September 17, 1941
Camden Courier-Post, September 17, 1941
Hats 'Boss' Kobus Wears, Much Like Queen Mary's
Camden Courier-Post —
The political boss of Camden is a motherly, gray-haired woman who wears hats like those effected by Queen Mary of England. Nevertheless, and in spite of the fact that she denies it vehemently, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, Camden’s Director of Public Safety and president of its Board of Education, is one of the shrewdest politicians in New Jersey and in no small degree responsible for the victory of the “Good Government” slate in yesterday’s primaries.
“Naturally I’m very much pleased with the results of the election,” she said today at her office in Camden City Hall. “I’m particularly pleased because it engendered no bitterness. Primary fights are always dangerous for that reason. The fact that there was no bitterness this time augurs well for the success of the party in the November elections.”
“I’m naturally interested in the career of Bruce Wallace because he’s been with me ever since I entered politics and even before that.” Wallace was nominated for State Senator by Mrs. Kobus’ partisans. He is a member of the Delaware River Joint Commission and was a member of the South Jersey Law School class from which Mrs. Kobus was graduated in 1930.
“I got interested in politics accidentally, son,” she continued. All men are “son” to her. The police and firemen are her “boys,” and her interest in the welfare of Camden is real and quite apart from any political ambitions she may have. “You know I always have been interested in welfare work and people. I knew nothing of the mechanics of politics then. In 1935 there seemed to be some anxiety on the part of some people to change our form of city government. It seems that the women wanted some representation in city government. Specifically, they hoped to elect a Commissioner. I guess they just said eeny-meeny-miny-mo—and I was it.”
Since those days, Mrs. Kobus has built up a political machine that is sometimes nothing short of terrifying to the regular Republican steamroller in Camden County. It is more than coincidence, too, that her machine has benefited the city of Camden. A single instance should illustrate the shrewdness which Mrs. Kobus brings to her job. A certain fire engine had reported being at a certain spot one day. It was generally believed it was somewhere else. Mrs. Kobus went down to the fire house and poked around the truck. On the rear step she found five small stones. The stones were nothing like what was to be found in the neighborhood and to her they indicated one of two things—either the truck had not been cleaned for some time, or the stones had been picked up when the truck was somewhere it shouldn’t have been. The firemen broke down and confessed she was right. They got a gentle reprimand and the stones now are kept in her desk as a memento of her amateur detective work.
As Director of Public Safety and President of the Board of Education, Mrs. Kobus controls the police and fire departments, the city clerk’s office, police court, the excise board, the municipal motor transportation bureau, the detective bureau and the bureau of charities. She is chairman of the police and firemen’s pension funds and is also fire marshal. She is also regent of the Camden District Parochial Parent Teachers Association and once taught school. She is a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She is, as well, the only woman member of the International Association of Police Chiefs and attends all of the association’s conventions.
Mrs. Kobus was one of the five original organizers of the Camden County Chapter of the American Red Cross and she is a member of the board of directors of West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. She is famous for her handling of the strike at the New York Shipbuilding Company yards several years ago. During the disastrous Hollingshead fire, she got no sleep for almost 72 hours. She was not merely on the scene, directing activities, but she administered first aid personally, visited the homes of victims and tore around in a frenzy of activity that soon had the rescue work well organized.
Mrs. Kobus’ day begins at 9 A. M. It should end at 5 P. M. It never does. Mrs. Kobus’ father was one of Camden’s original settlers. He ran a coal yard. Her husband owned one of Camden’s first shoe stores. He died two years ago. She now lives with a sister, Mrs. Anna Connor, at 429 Haddon Avenue. For relaxation Mrs. Kobus goes in for movie photography.
Board of Education
Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook — 1942
Dr. Ethan A. Lang President of the Board of Education
Dr. Ethan A. Lang, President
Dr. Henry Wisniewski, Vice-President
Albert Austermuhl, Secretary
Mrs. Mary W. Kobus
Mrs. Alice Kline Predmore
Dr. Richard Bowman
Benjamin Mackler
Albert E. Osmond
Russell L. Weldy
Dr. Leon N. Neulen, Superintendent of Schools
Alfred L. Dudley, Superintendent of Supplies
Raymond G. Price, Supervisor of Janitors and Buildings
Woman Police Head Ousted in Camden
Trenton Times —
CAMDEN, Feb. 27.—As the result of a political upheaval in Camden’s bi-partisan City Commission, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus was ousted yesterday as director of public safety and relegated to the comparatively minor post of director of parks and public property.
The change was made by the commission only a few minutes after Mrs. Kobus had appointed Police Lieutenant George Frost to the post of chief of police, and Assemblyman Rocco Palese to the office of judge of the police court. The former will receive $4,080 a year, the latter $4,500.
Named to succeed Mrs. Kobus as director of public safety was Dr. David S. Rhone, who held the position she now will occupy. Dr. Rhone said that although it was an attempt to embarrass him, he would confirm the appointment of Mr. Frost and Mr. Palese.
Soon after affecting the transfer, the commission elected County Detective James J. Mulligan to fill a vacancy on the commission. He succeeds the late Henry Magin and will receive a salary of $4,500.
Lt. Bakley Quits, Is Granted Pension
Camden Courier-Post —
Served 27 Years, Rising to Acting Chief; Fire Captain Retires
Police Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, 61, yesterday was granted a pension by the Camden Police and Fire Pension Board, meeting in the office of Mayor Brunner.
He was pensioned at his own request, after nearly 27 years’ service in the police department, where he rose from patrolman to acting chief for several years.
The pension board also granted a similar request made by Captain Daniel Smith, 69, who has been a member of the fire department for 42 years. He has been senior captain of the fire station at Twenty-seventh and Federal streets.
Bakley’s pension will become effective April 15, but he will leave the department at once on vacation due him for the last two years.
Smith’s Retroactive
Smith’s pension will be retroactive to March 1, when he made the request.
Bakley resides at 934 North Thirty-third street. He had been a member of the police department for 26 years, 10 and one-half months, having been appointed in 1915 by the late Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Bakley begin [sic] as acting chief two years ago after the death of Chief Arthur Colsey, then the New Jersey Civil Service Commission called for an examination for the post. He placed third in the examination, which was headed by Police Chief George Frost.
For two years, Commissioner Mary W. Kobus refused to name a police chief, but suddenly changed her mind a week ago and named Frost a few minutes after she had been informed she was to be relieved of the directorship of the public safety department.
Frost Named by Rhone
The new public safety head, Dr. David S. Rhone, named Frost chief of the department last Friday.
Bakley has stated to friends on several occasions during the last two years that he would like to retire, but he had always been prevailed upon to remain in the department.
Smith resides at 224 South Twenty-seventh street. He was named a fireman in 1900 and distinguished himself in the line of duty on several occasions to win several promotions.
429 & 431 Haddon Avenue
Mary and Joseph Kobus lived at 429 Haddon Avenue (the right-hand part of the twin home pictured). Photo of 431 & 429 Haddon Avenue taken June 15, 2003.
4 Cops, 4 Firemen, Widow of One Win City Pensions
Camden Courier-Post —
Johnson, Garrity, Crawford, Stahl Retire Aug. 31
Four police officers and four firemen applied for pensions under the mandatory 65-year-old retirement law today.
The applications, all approved by the police-firemen pension board, are in line with Commissioner Aaron’s order in December, 1948, advising chiefs of the respective services that state law requires retirement of all personnel who have reached 65.
Police officers to be pensioned are Detective Capt. Samuel E. Johnson, 71, Capt. John T. Garrity, 65, Detective Frank Crawford, 69, and Patrolman Harry Stahl, 68.
Fire department members include Deputy Chief Clarence Madden, 67, and Firemen John Prucella, 75; Spencer Smith Sr., 68, and Frank L’Esperance, 66.
The eight men will retire Aug. 31, with each receiving one-half of the average annual salary of the last three years.
Also approved today was an application for a widow’s pension by Mrs. Carrie Bean, 1103 North Twenty-sixth street. Her husband, Patrolman Howard Bean, died June 8, eight days after being pensioned. She will receive $1000 annually.
Captain Johnson, of 211 Elm street, is considered the dean of the police department, having served 40 years.
Johnson, who will receive $2019 annually, was appointed in April, 1910, and was made a detective 10 years later. He was elevated to sergeant in November, 1928, and to lieutenant in 1930. One year after he was cited in 1942 by former Public Safety Director Mary Kobus, Johnson was raised to captain. He served as acting police chief from December, 1947, to December, 1949.
Captain Garrity will receive $1601 annually. He served as commander in each of the three city districts. Garrity was appointed in January, 1920; made sergeant July, 1930; lieutenant in 1940, and captain on June 30, 1944. He lives at 2515 Morgan boulevard.
Following a “pep” meeting with city detectives Thursday, Aaron announced he had transferred Captain Garrity to his office for “special assignments.” Sgt. William Schultz was named acting captain to head the third police district to replace Garrity.
Crawford, of 578 Chestnut street, will draw $1501. He was named to the force in 1912 and resigned eight years later. In 1931 he was reinstated and received a promotion to detective status in 1942. He was cited by former Chief John Golden.
Stahl Appointed in 1917
Stahl lives at 1513 Baird avenue. After his appointment in 1917, he saw service in most departments of the bureau. He will receive an annual pension of $1401.
Chief Madden, 2760 Mickle street, is serving as fire commander for the second fire district at Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. He was appointed July 1, 1910 and assigned to Engine Co. 5, Fifth and Arch streets.
In 1922 he was raised to lieutenant, and six years later became senior captain. Madden was named battalion chief Nov. 21, 1944 and deputy chief on Dec. 16, 1949.
Madden will receive about $2000, with the others drawing approximately $1358 annually.
Prucella, 919 Penn street, was sworn in on Nov. 1, 1911 and joined Engine Co. 5. Since 1933 he has been serving at No. 6 Engine Co., Front and Linden streets.
Smith was appointed May 1, 1914 and assigned to No. 1 Engine Co., Fourth and Pine streets. He has been attached to No. 10 Engine Co., Ninth street and Morgan boulevard, since 1920.
Frank L’Esperance, 604 Clinton street, is also a member of No. 10 Engine Co., where he has been attached since 1938. He was appointed June 6, 1918 and served with No. 5 and No. 3 engine companies.
Chief Colsey Dies at 67 of Heart Attack
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Head Succumbs During Sleep While Suffering From Cold
MEMBER OF FORCE IN CAMDEN 27 YEARS
Chief of Police Arthur Colsey, veteran of 27 years in the department, died of a heart attack in his sleep at his home, 2937 Stevens street, last night. He was 67.
Apparently in good health except for a slight cold, Chief Colsey left his office in City Hall at noon yesterday, telling his assistants he was going home “to nurse the cold.”
Shortly after 5 p. m., Chief Colsey asked his son, Arthur, Jr., to take Mrs. Colsey on a shopping trip. When they returned two hours later, they found him dead on a couch. The son said his father told him he was going to take a nap before he went to a doctor’s office to receive treatment for the cold.
Chief Colsey was a Camden merchant before entering the police department. For years he was active in the Republican party. He was highly respected by all men in the department. The chief was quiet in manner and the excitement pertaining to strikes in the city a few years ago found him calm in the most delicate situations.
Born in Kidderminster, England, in December, 1872, he came to this country when 17. He was in the department store business with his brothers at Ninth and Market streets for years. He served in the old City Council from 1907 to 1911 from the Second ward. At that time he lived at Eighth and Linden streets.
Joined Force in 1912
Colsey was appointed a patrolman by former Mayor Charles H. Ellis on March 13, 1912, while Elisha A. Gravenor was chief. After several months as a street patrolman he was assigned to the First District patrol wagon. Then he was made a district detective. Next he was promoted to a full ranking detective under Detective Chief William Schregler.
After being appointed a detective he was assigned as a plainclothesman and secretary to Mayor Ellis. He served in this capacity seven years. In 1923 he was appointed chief clerk of the police department with the rank of captain.
In 1924 he was made chief of the vice squad, which made 380 raids for prohibition law violations. The squad also assisted the federal authorities in 180 more liquor raids and participated in 54 raids on disorderly houses and 38 gambling places.
In 1927 the City Commission abolished the rank of captain in the department and Colsey remained as chief clerk without the title. The rank of captain was restored to him by the City Commission in 1932 by motion of Commissioner David S. Rhone.
When former Chief John W. Golden retired on a pension on June 11, 1934, Colsey was named acting chief by Mayor Roy R. Stewart. He was named permanent chief on August 30, 1934, by Mayor Stewart. At the same time John H. Lennox was named permanent chief of the fire department.
During the absence of City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, Chief Colsey was acting director.
Colsey was one of the most popular men who served as chief, both in his department and in civic and political circles. After he was made a full ranking captain in 1932 a series of testimonial dinners were given by the East End Republican League, Twelfth Ward Republican Club and Eleventh Ward Republican Clubs. He was boomed for chief at each of the dinners. Another testimonial was given when he was acting chief by the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association.
In February, 1931, his appointment as chief was urged to succeed Chief Lewis H. Stehr but Golden was named.
While a resident of North Camden he served as president of the Second Ward Republican Club. He was president of the Twelfth Ward Republican Club in 1932.
Prominent Lodgeman
Chief Colsey was a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Trimble Lodge, No. 117, Free and Accepted Masons; Crescent Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Camden Forest, No. 5, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He also was a member Camden Lodge, No. 293, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Camden Lodge, No. 111, Loyal Order of Moose; Camden Aerie, No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Sons of St. George, Foresters of America, Improved Order of Red Men, Camden Local, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association; International Police Chiefs’ Association, New Jersey State Police Chiefs’ Association, Camden Police and Fire Association, and the Camden County Republican Association.
Coroner Ernest Larossa issued the death certificate due to a heart ailment.
The funeral will be held at 2 p. m., Wednesday with burial in Arlington Cemetery. Other arrangements have not been completed. The body will be on view from 7 to 9 p. m., Tuesday at the home.
The chief is survived by his widow, Lillie; a brother, Thomas Colsey, a merchant and ranking officer of the Loyal Order of Moose; and two grandchildren, Arthur Colsey, 3rd., and Lillian Colsey. The grandson, a student at Western Maryland College, was notified last night of his grandfather’s death and left immediately for Camden.
Stained Church Window Saved in Miracle Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
This is the seventh and last of a series of articles linking the history of fire fighting in Camden from volunteer days of 1819 [sic] to 1936. The series was published in co-operation with Fire Prevention Week, observed last week under the sponsorship of the Camden Fire Department and the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association.
When flames wrecked the interior of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State streets, on January 11, 1916, a miracle was written into the history of Camden fire fighting. On the south side of the building along State street, is a magnificent stained glass window of gigantic proportions. It depicts Christ breaking bread with Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazurus [sic].
The flames, breaking out at 9.53 p. m., destroyed the organ on the west side, the roof and the Sunday school room to the north was wrecked. When the firemen extinguished the flames four granite walls stood. The window of the scene from the life of Christ had withstood the heat. It was not blistered, scorched or marred in any way. It has never been retouched [words cut by the crop seam] and still stands as a miracle surviving one of the most disastrous church fires in the history of the city.
Chief Peter B. Carter was injured directing the battle against the flames when he fell through an areaway between the main church auditorium and the Sunday school building on the north and was in the hospital several weeks.
Second Church Fire
It was the second serious church fire in the history. St. John’s Protestant Episcopal Church, Broadway and Royden street, was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day, 1870. The church was originally the floating chapel of the Redeemer and was brought here from Philadelphia and converted into a church.
Candles on the altar set fire to Christmas decorations and in a few minutes it was a pile of ruins, a “burnt offering to the Babe of Bethlehem,” the rector said.
The P. R. R. Y. M. C. A., Third and Mickle streets, was badly damaged by fire on March 1, 1932. The fire broke out at 5.33 p. m. and swept the interior of the building, which was originally the Third Street Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as First Church.
Other Serious Fires
Other serious fires in the history of the city were as follows:
Sitley & Son, grain elevator, Sixth street and Chelton avenue, April 23, 1905.
David Baird, lumber yard, Delaware avenue and Pearl street, 1.05 p. m., June 17, 1907.
Toone & Hollinshed, department store, Broadway and Kaighn avenue, August 8, 1915.
New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Broadway and Bulson street, fire in hold of battleship Oklahoma, 8.50 p. m., July 19, 1915, eight hours’ service.
Victor Talking Machine Company, river front, 4.09 a. m., February 14, 1918, sawdust conveyor, ten and one-half hours’ service.
Evanson Soap Company, Delaware avenue and Linden street, 8.17 p. m., January 21, 1919, six and one-half hours’ service.
Frank G. Hitchner, Fifth and Mickle streets, wallpaper showrooms and warehouse, February 19, 1919.
Baker-Flick department store, Market street between Second and Third streets, 1.21 p. m., December 1, 1921.
Toone & Hollinshed department store, Broadway and Kaighn avenue, 12.29 a. m., December 14, 1921.
Morris Handle department store, 427 and 429 Kaighn avenue, 12.07 a. m., January 18, 1922. Capt. Martin Carrigan, Engine Company No. 2, killed.
Frank G. Hitchner, Fifth and Mickle streets, wallpaper showrooms and warehouse, 5.32 a. m., December 10, 1924.
F. W. Woolworth, 550 and 552 Federal street, 10.29 p. m., November 23, 1928.
Campbell Soup Company, Front and Market streets, 1.31 a. m., January 15, 1929, ammonia leak.
Shulte-United store, 21, 23 and 25 Broadway, 2.34 a. m., December 30, 1929.
Sitley, Sixth street and Chelton avenue, grain elevator, 4.17 a. m., April 18, 1930.
Public Service garage, Starr avenue, 2.55 a. m., July 29, 1932.
Bolen Brothers, 23 and 25 Broadway, 12.41 a. m., December 25, 1932.
Martin’s, cleaning and dyeing, 222 Federal street, 2.50 p. m., January 3, 1933.
Curry and Van Fossen, 121 Federal street, printers, 7.16 a. m., January 29, 1933.
Samuel Bernstein and Son, Tenth and Elm streets, wool scourers, 8.38 p. m., January 20, 1933.
Linden School, Tenth and Linden streets, 8.46 p. m., February 11, 1933.
Taylor Brothers, Point and State streets, grain elevator, 6.13 p. m., August 22, 1933.
New Broadway Theatre, Broadway and Carman street, 4.22 a. m., April 29, 1934.
Bell and Evans, 551 North Twenty-seventh street, poultry dealers, 1.34 p. m., May 5, 1934.
Helped Other Towns
The Camden department has never failed to render assistance to other cities and towns. The department performed valiant work at Pennsgrove, Atlantic City, Gibbsboro, Collingswood, Woodbury, Riverside and Woodlynne.
The Camden firemen responded to a call for help from Atlantic City at 11.40 a. m., April 3, 1902, and fought a Boardwalk fire with backfire and brought it under control.
The department battled for nine hours a fire, which destroyed Woodbury High School. The alarm was received at 6.15 a. m., on December 19, 1910.
Camden went to the aid of Collingswood on February 26, 1913, when the postoffice, Masonic hall and an entire block in the business centre was destroyed and numerous houses were set on fire by sparks.
In response to a call from Riverside Camden joined in a fight against a fire at the Taubel hosiery mill on January 2, 1916. The alarm was received at 1.48 a. m.
The Pennsgrove Fire
The most disastrous out-of-town fire fought by the Camden department was at Pennsgrove on March 1, 1932. The alarm was received at 1.30 p. m. Fifty-seven buildings, mostly dwellings, were destroyed. There was a water scarcity and the blaze got beyond control of Salem county fire companies. Camden placed a pumper on the wharf and relayed water from the Delaware River to check the blaze.
In August, 1915, the department sent its motorized equipment on its first out-of-town call to Gibbsboro, where the Lucas paint works was burning beyond control and threatening to destroy the town. The town was without a fire company and the Camden firemen pumped water from the Gibbsboro lake to check the flames.
Woodlynne, without a fire company, summoned Camden to battle a blaze which destroyed Woodlynne Park on March 15, 1914.
On February 23, 1914, the department aided Collingswood in fighting a fire at the home of Burleigh B. Draper, Camden banker.
The department established a Fire Prevention Bureau on July 1, 1933. A training school for firemen was established July 5, 1934. A card fire alarm system was established on September 1, 1933, showing every company’s record, assignments and transfers.
The new fire alarm office on the eighth floor of the new City Hall went into service on April 13, 1934, with all new and modern equipment. The city has a total of 1574 fire hydrants, 331 of which are in East Camden.
The department was placed under the jurisdiction of the director of public safety with the adoption of commission form of government in 1923. The present commissioner is Mary W. Kobus.
When the department attacks a two-alarm fire the water pressure is increased at the city pumping stations. The deputy water chief responds to the alarm and the chief on the third alarm.
THE END