Firmin
F.
Michel

FIRMIN F. MICHEL was born in New Jersey around 1900. He married his wife, Gertrude, about 1927. At the time of the 1930 Census, Mr. and Mrs. Michel were renting at 518 Essex Street in Gloucester City NJ. At the time of the census, in April, he was finishing law school, and his wife was working as a bookkeeper at a printing company.

After his 1930 graduation from the South Jersey Law School in Camden, Firmin Michel took a position with former assistant county prosecutor and future judge Joseph A. Varbalow, in Camden. 

On October 21, 1936 after the New Jersey State Supreme Court handed down its final and conclusive decision regarding the Camden municipal election of 1935, Firmin F. Michel was named City Solicitor of Camden, replacing E.G.C. Bleakly.

A son, Firmin F. Michel Jr., was born in New Jersey on October 12, 1938. 

Firmin Michel died unexpectedly at home in early November, 1942.

Camden Courier-Post - October 14, 1931

NEW ENTERPRISES

Articles of incorporation filed in the office of County Clerk Charles F. Wise during the past week and , names of incorporators are:

Esther Osgenel Company, 215 Federal Street, real estate, 100 shares of common Stock without nominal or par value; Firmin Michel, 514 Essex Street, Gloucester; Benjamin J. Dzick, 3910 Westfield Avenue; Anna Cohen, 212 South Twenty-seventh Street.

Camden Courier-Post - October 20, 1931

DEMOCRATS TO STAGE MEETINGS TONIGHT

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

The meetings are:

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

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

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

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

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

Bellmawr Democratic C1ub, At home of Harry L. Maloney, Democratic State Committeeman; Leon H. Rose and John Delaney, speakers.

Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

SINCERITY OF G.O.P. FLAYED BY FRENCH
Former Bridge Official in Speech Asks Baird Seven Questions

Directing questions at David Baird, Republican candidate for governor, Samuel T. French, former president of the New Jersey Bridge and Tunnel Commission, last night attacked the sincerity of Baird's campaign speeches.

French addressed more than 200 voters at the headquarters, of the Woodrow Wilson Democratic Club, Atlantic and Louis Streets, in appealing for suffrage in the interest of A. Harry Moore, Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

"In a campaign speech at. Plainfield on October 17," French said, "Baird pledged himself to quick relief of the tax burden. In view of past events, I do not know what has come over Mr. Baird; I do not know what has changed his heart. He was a director of Public Service and the controlling power of the legislature when the legislature passed a bill, which relieved the Public Service of keeping the roadways and street surfaces in good condition between the rails on eighteen inches of either side. This resulted in a saving of millions of dollars to Public Service and put the bill in the hands of the taxpayers. Yet, Mr. Baird says conditions must be changed by a change of the taxation system. Is that the way to change taxation- by increasing it for the citizens and lowering it for the corporations?

Asks Seven Questions

"If Camden County is where Mr. Baird derived inspiration for his Plainfield speech, I ask him to publicly answer these questions:

"First, what was the idea of buying the ground upon a portion of which is erected the county court house and city hall, when the city owned a plot of land much better lo­cated on which it would have been unnecessary to destroy property, which was paying into the city treasury annually approximately $70,000 in taxes?

"Secondly, why was it necessary to buy that whole tract of land and destroy all the tax producing property when the city only had use for less than 25 percent of it?

"Thirdly, from whom did the city purchase a large portion of this tract? Why was it necessary to build a city hall at the particular time? What was the total cost of the city hall and court house annex? And, of utmost importance, why was the contract price paid in full on or about December 1, 1930, when the work was only about 80 percent completed?

"Fourth, did Senator Baird approve of all the acts of the City Commission and the Board of Freeholders in the city's and county's activities in the purchase of all the land and the erection of the building?

"Fifth, if Mr. Baird's answer is 'yes,' to that question, then I ask him why were former Mayor Price and Commissioner T. Yorke Smith, dropped from the Republican ticket in the municipal election? If Mr. Baird's answer is 'no,' then I ask him why were not the entire five commissioners dropped from the Republican ticket at the last municipal election, instead of making Price and Smith the goats?

“Sixth, I ask Mr. Baird if he offered objection to the selection of the site or the expenditures in connection with the enterprise?

"Seventh. I ask the Republican candidate for governor, believing as he says he does in his Plainfield speech that the spending orgy must stop: What would have been the saving to the taxpayers of Camden city and county if the new city hall had been erected at the Civic Centre instead of its present location?"

Praises Moore's Record.

French lauded the record of A. Harry Moore, the Democratic candidate for governor, and charged the Republican state administration with "wanton expenditure and gross extravagance of the first water."

"Property will be led to the point of confiscation if the Republicans are allowed to continue their orgy of spending." French concluded, "and the only remedy in election of Moore with a Democratic legislature to support him."

Thomas Madden also spoke at the meeting.  

Democratic rallies were also  held last night in three wards of the city and in Ashland.

C. Lawrence Gregorio, former assistant prosecutor, and David L. Visor spoke at the First Ward Democratic Club, 315 North Second Street;  Firmin Michel and Frank Connors at the Tenth Ward A. Harry Moore Club, 822 North Eighth Street; Albert Melnik, Gene Mariano and John Crean, at the Ninth Ward Democratic Club, 543 Washington Street, and Isaac Eason, former assistant attorney general of the United States at the A. Harry Moore Club of Ashland, Burnt Mill Road. 

Camden Courier-Post - October 23, 1931

7 DEMOCRATS RALLIES IN COUNTY TONIGHT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 29, 1931

DEMOCRATS TO HOLD MEETINGS TONIGHT
Candidacy of Moore to Be Expounded at Meetings in City and Suburbs

The campaign for A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local Democratic candidates, will be carried into six wards of the city and in seven communities or the county tonight.

All meetings and speakers are as follows:

Second Ward Democratic Club, 841 Market Sktreet; Eugene Aumetre, John Crean, Vincent Gallagher, Leon H. Rose and Charles Woods. 

Fourth Ward A. Harry Moore Club, 455 Berkley Street; Samuel T. French, Victor King, Thomas Madden, Leon H. Rose, Gene Mariano, Samuel P. Orlando and Rev. Robert H. Jackson.

Sixth Ward Democratic Club, Fourth and Walnut Street; Frank Connor, Albert Melnik and Thomas Madden.

Tenth Ward Democratic Club, Fifth and Vine Streets; Boyd Morrison, Joseph E. Nowrey, Charles Degnan and David L. Visor.

Seventh Ward A. Harry Moore Club, Seventh Street and Kaighn Avenue; Dr. Leroy Baxter, of Jersey City; Isaac Eason, Dr. Clement Branch, Rev. Robert H. Jackson, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving and Frank Suttill.

Eleventh Ward Democratic Club, 927 North Twenty-seventh street; Boyd Morrison, Firmin Michel, Victor King, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving.

Gloucester City Democratic Club, 308 Monmouth street; Boyd Morrison, Gene Mariano, Joseph Varbalow.

Magnolia A. Harry Moore Club, Evesham and Gloucester avenues; Firmin Michel, Edward L. Canning, John Delaney, Marie V. Kelley and Francis Homan.

Lindenwold Colored Voters' Club, Blackstone Hall, Lindenwold, Eugene Aumetre, William Williams and Oliver Bond.

Somerdale Club, Whelen home, Somerdale road and Oggs Avenue; Marie V. Kelly, David L. Visor and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland.

Somerdale Democratic Club, Leone Hall, Warwick Road and Helena Avenue; Samuel P. Orlando, Aaron Heine, Lawrence Gregorio and E. George Aaron.

East Haddonfield Democrat Club, Crescent and Berlin Road; Edward L. Canning, Albert Melnik and Judge Frank F. Neutze.

East Haddonfield Improvement Association, Batesville, Delaware Township; Ralph Wescott, Judge Frank F. Neutze and Mrs. Florence Melnik.

More than five speakers from North Jersey will appear at as many meetings as possible.

Camden Courier-Post - June 20, 1933

LLOYD CRITICIZES LOCALITIES FOR DIVERTING MONEY
Tells Them They Are Trustees for County's Share of Every Dollar Taken In
POSTPONES MANDAMUS

Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd yesterday "laid down the law" to four Camden county municipalities at a hearing of the county's mandamus proceedings to compel payment of $426,952 in back taxes for the years 1930, 1931 and 1932.

After stressing the importance of setting aside the portion owed the state and county out of every tax dollar collected, Justice Lloyd held the cases over until the September term of court "in the hope that these taxes will be paid."

'Out of Clear Sky' 

The four municipalities were represented by their respective borough, township or city clerks. The four and the amounts the county alleges are owed for state and county taxes are Pennsauken Township, $120,199.80; Gloucester City, $59,643.91; Lawnside Borough, $41,798, and Delaware Township, $31,958.03.

Firmin Michel, township solicitor for Pennsauken, pointed out that since December 15 his township has paid up $24,877 of taxes due and was making arrangements to pay the balance when the county's suit was filed "out of a clear sky." 

After listening to a brief outline by George Rothermel, representing County Treasurer J. Wesley Sell, and counsel for the other municipalities, Justice Lloyd spoke. 

"I understand that there are some officials of the municipalities here today," said he, "and I want to say something to them and also to the municipal officials who are not here." 

Responsible as Trustees 

"I am not unmindful of the serious financial conditions of municipalities but these governing bodies are in a degree trustees of the moneys received. When they receive moneys in taxes and a portion of this tax should be set aside for the county, they should not apply this portion for other uses to run that municipality.

"In some cases the municipalities have made a serious effort to pay their taxes but I want to stress the fact that these governing bodies can not use all of this money for general purposes.

"When local governments take in $1 in taxes, the persons in charge should immediately deduct the amount due the state and county and put it in a separate fund. If that had been done, this situation would not have arisen. 

Word on 'Fancy Schools' 

"Now. another word to those operating governments. The present occasion calls for the close scrutiny of expenditures not only by municipal bodies but by school boards. The public is fed up on extravagance. Instead of the old fashioned 
modest school house, we now have those fancy high schools. These extravagances have aroused the taxpayers as never before.

"I'm not criticizing the school boards for what they did in the past, but they should try to amend in the future extravagance and waste. It is important, as you can see today by what is happening here, for drastic economy in local government.

"I am going to hold these writs until the opening day of court in the hope that these taxes may be paid."  

Camden Courier-Post - June 20, 1933

Pennsauken Orders Tax Money Divided

Segregation of the state's and county's share of Pennsauken taxes was ordered last night by the Township Committee meeting in an adjourned session. The taxes so collected and segregated will be turned over to County Treasurer J. Wesley Sell at convenient periods. 

Walter Jones was granted a retail beverage license for his establishment at 6300 Magnolia avenue.

August 15, 1933

WCAM

January 20, 1938

Richard St. John
Patrick St. John
John Dieth
Gene R. Mariano
North 7th Street

Camden Courier-Post - February 5, 1938

HARTMANN URGES DIME ROUND TRIP TO PHILA. ON SPAN LINE
Commissioner Favors Modern Bus Terminal Along With Cut In Fare

A 10 cent round trip high-speed line fare between Camden and Eighth and Market streets, Philadelphia, and the establishment of a modern bus terminal in Roosevelt Plaza is favored by Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann:

Hartmann said the low fare terminal would produce these results: 

The reduced train fare would increase high-speed line riding and save thousands of regular Camden and suburban riders between $20 and $30 yearly in transportation costs.

Receipts from operation of the high-speed line would be increased and losses reduced.

Bus operating companies using the proposed terminal would save additional thousands of dollars now paid in high bridge tolls and profits would be increased.

Camden merchants would enjoy more prosperity through, increased sales and greater numbers of buyers.

Commissioner Hartmann made his statement to a committee representing the Broadway Businessmen's Association at a conference in his office when the proposed bus terminal was discussed.

The committee, headed by James V. Moran, vice president of the Hurley Stores, conferred with Hartmann to get his views on a proposed bus terminal. A movement to arouse interest in the terminal was recently inaugurated by businessmen.

"I do not propose to be a part of any plan that will make the city of Camden a financial Santa Claus to resuscitate a $10,000,000 half-dead goldfish called the high-speed line," Hartmann told the committee.

"While I favor erection of a bus terminal, if one is to be built in Roosevelt Plaza then I will insist that it be a structure comparable to the architecture of the $10,000,000 noble experiment we call the new City Hall.

"Neither will I approve a terminal with pup tent shelters, hot dog stands and waiting sheds that will make the present beautiful plaza look like a shacktown neighborhood."

Hartmann said a modern terminal would cost at least $400,000. He pointed out that the present new bridge loll booths at the bridge entrance were built at a cost of about $90,000.

"If a modern bus terminal is decided upon”, Hartmann continued, "then Public Service, the Bridge Commission and all other bus operating companies should pay the costs of building the terminal and the city should receive some revenue for the land acquired for a terminal.

"The fare, from Camden to. Eighth and Market streets should be five cents in each direction instead of the present 10 cent fare with free transfers. With such a fare rate regular riders will save from $20 to $30 annually.

''If P.R.T. and the Bridge Commissioners want to save the high-speed line they should agree to reduce the fare and, encourage more riding. A reduced fare and a modern bus terminal would cause people to flock into the terminal and the high-speed line service would be increased instead of curtailed.

The commissioner said a passenger survey of the high-speed line will show that the majority of Camden and suburban riders travel as far as the Eighth street station in Philadelphia and usually walk the rest of the distance.

Previous efforts to settle the question of establishing a bus terminal proved futile. Last May the Broadway Businessmen's Association went on record as favoring a terminal in the plaza at the City Hall.

The question as to whether bus companies operating through Camden could be compelled to use the terminal in interstate operation has never been decided.

At yesterday's conference Charles H. Heritage, president of the association, asked Hartmann if the city legal department had ever given an opinion. Hartmann said he will ask for an opinion from City Solicitor Firmin Michel.

Others who attended the conference as members of the association's committee were Morris Futernick, Samuel Auerbach, Irving Levinsky and Simon Abramson.