Introduction
Walter Sekula
Walter Sekula was born on June 22, 1891. He founded a trucking business at 1635 South 6th Street in Camden in 1919. A Republican, he served as president of the 8th Ward Republican Club, at 1718 Broadway, for eight years. Walter Sekula had won election as freeholder from Camden’s 8th Ward by 1930. He was defeated for re-election in the primary of May, 1934. By 1959 his trucking company was known as Edward’s Express.
Walter Sekula lived the rest of his days at the 6th Street address in Camden. He died in September of 1968. His family still resides in Camden.
Italian Women Republicans Stage Second Annual Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Prominent Republicans gathered last night at the First Italian Republican League hall, 813 South Fourth Street, for the second annual ball of the Camden County Italian Women’s Republican Club.
The grand march was led by Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Mecca, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Laviano, Mr. and Mrs. Cascini, Mrs. Mamie Piraine, president of the club, with Anthony Di Marino, and Mrs. Anna Larusso with Harry Larusso.
Mrs. Mecca was chairman of the ball, assisted by Mrs. Laviano, secretary; Mrs. John Gargano, treasurer; Mrs. Frank Valeriano and Miss Mary Lario.
In addition to Mrs. Piraine, officers of the club are Mrs. Larusso, secretary; Mrs. Margaret Viggiano, secretary; Mrs. Josephine Tamru, financial secretary, and Mrs. Madeline Salvatore, treasurer.
Among the guests were Walter S. Keown, chairman of the Republican county committee; Assemblymen Frank M. Traveline, Jr., and George D. Rothermel, Postmaster Charles H. Ellis, County Detective Fiore Troncone, Miss Marie Doyle and Mrs. Pauline Caperoon, of Republican headquarters, and Walter Sekula, candidate for freeholder from the Eighth Ward.
Three-cornered Fights In Freeholder Contest
Camden Courier-Post —
Clementon and Delaware Township to Have Bitter Battles
38 TO BE ELECTED IN COUNTY, NOV. 3
6 Additional Offices Created by Law; Candidates Listed
Three-cornered battles in Clementon and Delaware township will mark freeholder contests at the November 3 election. Ballots will be casts for an entire new board of freeholders, with 38 to be elected.
Boroughs to have freeholders representation for the first time as a result of recent legislation are Clementon, Lindenwold, Oaklyn, Woodlynne, Mt. Ephraim and Runnemede.
Rivals in the three-cornered fight in Clementon are Theodore W. Gibbs, Republican Organization nominee; Frank C. Somers, running as a Republican Independent, and Herbert P. McAdams, the Democratic nominee.
The triangular race in Delaware township finds Frank N. Walton, Republican Organization; J. Watson Matlack, Republican Independent, and Augustus A. Cornet, Democrat, as the contestants.
Nine members of the present board of freeholders will not be on the ballot for re-election. All are Republicans. They are Benjamin W. Sykes, Eighth Ward; Joseph Tarpine, First Ward, Gloucester; Philip Stohlbergel, Audubon; Joseph H. Van Meter, Collingswood; William J. Dallas, Haddon Heights; James W. Davis, Clementon; Charles C. Durges, Haddon township; Theodore Schleinkofer, Waterford township, and William A. Robinson, Winslow.
Joseph Bennie, Third Ward, Camden, is the only Democratic member on the present board. He is seeking a re-election and is opposed by Daniel Auletto, Republican nominee.
Candidates listed on the ballots in the various wards and municipalities follow:
Camden Wards
First Ward—Samuel D. Payne, R.; Thomas J. Kittel, D.
Second—William H. Heiser, R.; William Kunitz, D.
Third—Daniel Auletto, R.; Joseph Bennie, D.
Fourth—William L. Roberts, R.; Nicholas A. La Marra, D.
Fifth—C. Leonard Brehm, R.; Leon Perozzi. D.
Sixth—Harry J. Burrichter, R.; A. W. Lazro, D.
Seventh—Mrs. Mary D. Guthridge, R.; Theodore Buczkowski, D.
Eighth—Walter Sekula, R.; George S. W. Spaide.
Ninth—Francis B. Bodine, R.; S. V. Waddy, D.
Tenth—Samuel J. Edwards, R.; Edward J. Fox, Sr., D.
Eleventh—Howard Firth, R.; Charles T. Johnston, D.
Twelfth—John T. Rodan, R.; Wilbert H. Joslin, D.
Thirteenth—William P. Cotter, R.; Frank E. Zimmerman, D.
Fourteenth—Charles H. Genther, R.; George E. Brunner, D.
Freeholder Candidate
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor:
Sir—I have seen that the Republican ticket for May 15 primary met with a great response when the majority of people in the Eighth Ward revealed Walter Sekula “Regular Republican” for re-election of candidates for freeholder, as the popular people’s choice. The people in the Eighth Ward should re-elect Walter Sekula freeholder. He is the only candidate of his that has more good and was recognized. He does not make any foolish promises like other politicians do. His affairs are brief and to the point. He has spent hundreds of dollars on many occasions in helping the poor. Sekula operates a fleet of trucks and has arranged trucks on many occasions helping the people who cannot afford the price. He also has secured many positions for the people in need. Sekula is popular because he is a Republican who believes in a fair policy.
The Republican party of this ward has with Walt Sekula to continue a policy to help and serve the people who are in need. To increase and equip a bigger and better police force.
Sekula has served the public well before, now it is up to us to show our appreciation and re-elect him as freeholder May 15. The Republican party of the Eighth Ward has always been a leading organization and seeks to remain so.
CHARLES L. GRIFFITH.
2002 Arlington St.
Rival Candidates Enter Baird’s Fold
Camden Courier-Post —
Endorsements From Same Organizations Cited in Eighth Ward
Contests for the Republican nomination for freeholder and for Republican county committeeman and committeewoman will enliven the primary election May 15 in the Eighth Ward.
Freeholder contestants include Dr. Orris W. Saunders, 1700 Broadway, “Regular Republican,” and Walter Sekula, 1635 South Sixth street, “Regular Organization Republican”; for committeeman, Edmund A. Walsh, 1633 Broadway, “Regular Republican,” and William Tansky, 1903 South Sixth street, “Regular Organization Republican”; for committeewoman, Mamie F. Piraine, 2006 Broadway, “Regular Republican,” and Theresa Maloney Di Lello, 723 Ferry avenue, “Regular Organization Republican.”
Both the “Regular Republican” candidates and the “Regular Organization Republican” candidates announce that they are with the Baird-Baker faction. At the same time both groups claim the endorsements of Republican clubs in the ward.
Active in Politics
Dr. Saunders is a former Camden county coroner, a former member of city council from the eighth Ward, a former city commissioner candidate; a member of the Board of Managers of the Lakeland Tuberculosis Hospital; a director of the West Jersey-Parkside Trust Company.
Walsh has been a county committeeman for two years. He expressed confidence of re-election with a large majority.
Mrs. Piraine has been county committeewoman for three years. She predicts a big majority for the “Regular Republican” candidates at the primary.
Walsh said that Dr. Saunders, Mrs. Piraine and himself have been endorsed by the precinct committeemen and women of the ward; by the Eighth Ward Republican Association, and by the Regular William H. Jones Colored Republican Club, both men and women.
Walsh added that at a workers’ meeting last night at Mill Tavern, Broadway and Jefferson street, attended by 150, the Baird-Baker ticket was endorsed. Mrs. Florence Baker, candidate for state committeewoman, was among the speakers, he said.
Mass Meeting Friday
Walsh also announced that a mass meeting will be conducted May 11 at Empire Hall, Fillmore and Viola streets, when the Baird-Baker candidates will speak.
Sekula said the candidacies of himself, Tansky and Mrs. Di Lello have been endorsed by the Eighth Ward Republican Club and the Jones Colored Republican Club. Sekula said neither club has endorsed the candidacies of Dr. Saunders, Mrs. Piraine and Walsh, who, he added, have only the endorsement of a new Republican club in the ward that has just been organized. Sekula said that as to endorsements by precinct committeemen and women, they are divided in their support.
Sekula is seeking the nomination for a second term as freeholder. He is in the trucking business and served as president of the Eighth Ward Republican Club, 1718 Broadway, for eight years.
Tansky, who has lived in the ward 24 years, served three enlistments in the Army and the Navy and is in the cafe business. He was 15 when he served in the World War, the youngest soldier. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wards, Post 980.
Sekular [sic] predicted victory for himself, Tansky and Mrs. Di Lello.
Club Endorsement Denied in 8th Ward
Camden Courier-Post —
Action Rescinded Due to Choice of Running Mates, Candidate Says
Denial was made yesterday by three Eighth ward candidates, Walter Sekula, William Tansky, Jr., and Mrs. Theresa Maloney Di Lello, that their opponents have the endorsement of two political clubs.
Sekula is candidate for re-election as freeholder; Tansky is a candidate for Republican county committeeman, and Mrs. Di Lello is running with them for county committeewoman.
All three are “Regular Organization Republican” candidates, and announce their endorsement by the Baird-Baker faction.
Opposing them are Mrs. Mamie F. Piraine, for committeewoman; Dr. Oris W. Saunders, for freeholder, and Edmund A. Welsh [sic], for committeeman. Their designation is “Regular Republican.”
The Regular Organization Republican candidates deny their rivals have the support of the Eighth Ward Republican Club, 1718 Broadway, and the William Jones Republican Club, 707 Ferry avenue.
“Mrs. Piraine,” said Tansky, “was endorsed by the Eighth Ward Republican Club with the understanding she would run with two other candidates. After secret meetings, she picked up two candidates who were not members of the club, Walsh and Dr. Saunders.
“As a result, the club held a special meeting and rescinded its motion endorsing Mrs. Piraine.”
“Dr. Saunders cannot rightfully claim affiliation as a Regular Republican by virtue of his candidacy in 1927 on a Non-Partisan ticket,” Tansky added.
Tansky has served in the United States Army and Navy with three overseas enlistments. He has resided 24 years in the Eighth ward, is married and has two children. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wards, Post 980.
Sekula has been in the trucking business for 15 years at 1635 South Sixth street, while Mrs. Di Lello conducts a confectionery store at Kossuth street and Ferry avenue. She was born and reared in the Eighth ward.
Dozen Battles Draw 1000 as Victory March Pays Serenade
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth Cut in Chest by Bullet; Bystander Cut on Head
POLITICAL LEADERS PUT TO QUIZ BY DETECTIVES
At least one person was shot and many were hurt in a street battle last night that was the aftermath of a bitter political contest at the primary election between rival Republicans factions in the Eighth ward.
When nearly a score of police arrived in response to a riot call from Sixth and Viola streets a crowd of 1000 excited residents of the ward had gathered there and a dozen or more individual combats were in progress.
Bullet Hits Boy
Nicholas Sustich, 15, of 1804 Hale street, was treated at Cooper hospital for a flesh wound of the chest, which police said was caused by a ricocheting bullet.
Joseph Samenick, 1005 South Sixth street, was treated at the West Jersey Homeopathic hospital for cuts on the forehead. He claimed to be an innocent bystander.
Others were treated for minor injuries by local or family physicians, having been taken away from the scene of the riot by friends before the arrival of the police.
Detectives investigated a report that Isaac D. Shute, former city detective and former county committeeman from the Eighth Ward, had been shot in the leg. According to Detective George Zietz, he learned from a member of Shute’s family that he had received treatment by a physician for cuts of the right hand resulting from a fall.
After questioning a score of persons at detective headquarters last night, including leaders of each of the rival Republican factions, John Hess, 34, of 1825 South Sixth street, was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of firearms and held in $1000 bail for a hearing in police court this morning.
Parade Starts Melee
According to Zietz, the melee started when a parade led by Nicholas Scarduzio, of 1863 South Fourth street, former summer policeman, stopped in front of the saloon of William Tansky, Jr., 1903 South Sixth street, two doors below Viola street.
Tansky was unsuccessful candidate for the post of county committeeman in the Tuesday primaries. He was reputed to be backed by the Woodruff-Verga faction.
The parade was in celebration of the victory of Dr. Orris W. Saunders, who won the Republican nomination for freeholder, defeating Walter Sekula, the incumbent, of Edmund A. Walsh, who defeated Tansky, and of Maime F. Piraine, re-elected county committeewoman over Theresa Malony Di Lello. The successful candidates were of the Baird-Baker faction.
Walsh and Miss Piraine were in the parade, according to Zietz. The celebration of victory had started the night before and centered largely throughout the day in the saloon of Celie Ellis, across the street from that of Tansky.
More than 100 persons were in the procession, which was led by an improvised band of accordians, fifes, drums and bugles.
When it stopped in front of the Tansky place, according to the police, Benjamin Tansky, 30, a brother of the proprietor, came to the door of the saloon and objected to the political jibes that were hurled by the parading factionalists.
Bloody Free-For-All
When the paraders remained, the police said, hot words were exchanged, a dozen or more others who were in the Tansky place came out, and the battle started.
Eye-witnesses described it later as a bloody free-for-all in which fists and “billies” were used. The riot call was sent to police at 7.30.
Motorcycle policemen converged to the scene and a squad of detectives arrived led by Zietz and including Leon Branch, Fiore Troncone and Richard Donnelly. Many of the combatants fled, but hundreds remained as police and detectives strove to locate the injured, most of whom had been removed.
Scarduzio Beaten Badly
They learned that Scarduzio had been badly beaten on the head and that two shots had been fired in the melee.
According to Zietz, Hess admitted at detective headquarters that he had fired the shots from a revolver which he had procured from back of the Tansky bar, and that he had aimed the shots at the pavement for the purpose of “scaring” the parade crowd away.
Benjamin Tansky told police that when he remonstrated with the rival political group about 15 of them attacked him. They knocked him down, he said, and poked him in the eye with a pole. He exhibited a black eye to substantiate his story.
Zietz said he found a loaded revolver, with two shells fired, in a radio cabinet in the living room behind Tansky’s barroom.
Shooting Suspect in 8th Ward Riot Held in $1000 Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
John Hess Accused of Firing Two Shots; Denies Illegal Possession of Pistol
FACTION SPITE REVEALED
Alleged to have fired two shots in a riot at Sixth and Viola streets Wednesday night, staged by groups of political factions in the Eighth Ward, John Hess, 34, of 1825 South Sixth street, was held in $1000 bail for the grand jury yesterday by Police Judge Garfield Pancoast.
Hess pleaded not guilty to a charge of illegal possession of firearms. A 15-year-old boy was slightly wounded by a ricocheting bullet and several persons were badly beaten in factional melees.
It was learned yesterday that among the injured was a 14-year-old girl, Stella Wojciechowski, 1907 South Sixth street, who said that someone punched her on the mouth. She and the boy who was shot, Nicholas Sustich, of 1804 Hale street, were treated.
The disorder was over the ward contest between Republicans in the primary contest, it was stated yesterday by Walter Sekula, defeated candidate for the freeholder nomination, who said he arrived at the scene of the riot at the time the police patrol appeared in response to a riot call.
Sekula asserted that candidates on both local tickets had worked on behalf of the Baird-Baker county slate, but that he had been accused of working for the Woodruff-Verga ticket. He said he confronted his accuser with David Baird, Jr., and forced the admission that the accusation was without foundation.
During that conversation, Sekula revealed, Edmund A. Walsh, successful candidate for county committeeman, asserted there had been “cutting of the head of the Baird-Baker ticket.” It was in front of Tansky’s saloon, at Sixth and Viola streets, that the riot occurred when an impromptu parade in celebration of the victory of the opposing faction halted there.
The man who allegedly fired two shots during Wednesday’s Eighth Ward rioting, John Hess, 34, of 1825 South Sixth street, is shown at the left in police court yesterday. To the right is his counsel, Edward V. Martino. Hess pleaded not guilty to illegal possession of firearms and was held for the grand jury.