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Frederick von Nieda |
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Frederick von Nieda |
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FREDERICK VON NIEDA was born in Bavaria in 1868. After graduating from a seminary in 1885, he intended to join the ministry. Illness changed his plans, and he emigrated to America in 1885. He worked at different jobs, including that as the first professor of German at Temple University in Philadelphia. He moved to the Cramer Hill section of Camden NJ in 1902. A civic minded individual, he began his involvement in politics shortly after moving to Camden. One of his earliest civic involvements came through his love of boating, fishing, and hunting. He was a founding member of the Farragut Sportsmen's Association in 1907, and was instrumental in the organization of the of the Delaware River Yachtsmen's League. With Dr. C.F. Hadley and John Schimpf among others, he co-founded the East End Trust Company in 1905. A lifetime Republican, Frederick von Nieda became Mayor of Camden in 1935, and served until 1936 when he lost a bitter political battle to Commissioner George H. Brunner. City finances at the time were troubled, and Camden in April of 1936 was paying its bills through the issuance of scrip. The defeat of Mayor Von Nieda marked the end of Republican dominance in Camden politics. He remained involved in local politics and civic affairs for most of the rest of his life. Frederick Von Nieda's greatest accomplishment was the filling in of Baldwin's Run, a creek that ran from the area near Beideman and Westfield Avenues down to the Delaware River. In the area around River Road, Baldwin's Run became "a mosquito-filled swamp" and a "public health menace". Frederick von Nieda campaigned ceaselessly for 40 years until the swamplands were filled in and the land turned into a park. This park was named Von Nieda Park shortly after his death on February 17, 1950. Since Frederick von Nieda's passing, the Delaware River Yachtsmen's League has held an annual picnic in his name, which is attended by hundreds of boaters up and down the Delaware River. |
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Von
Nieda Park
June 19, 2003 Click on Image to Enlarge |
| 3309
River Road, Camden NJ Home of Frederick von Nieda June 19, 2003 |
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Camden
Courier
February 12, 1922 |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1933 |
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CITY
ADOPTS CUT BUDGET AFTER CLASH By
WALT BATEZEL The Camden City Commission yesterday approved the 1933 city budget after hearing and rejecting economy recommendations of several civic and labor organizations. Eight speakers representing five organizations urged budget reductions and protested the total of $3,353,124.60. Verbal clashes over opinions were frequent between Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of finance and revenue, and former Councilman Frederick von Nieda and Thomas B. Hall, representatives of the Congress of Civic Associations of New Jersey. Nearly
300 persons attended the hearing, in marked contrast to the 5000 who
marched on city hall last year to demand budget reductions. The hearing
lasted three hours. The departmental budget appropriations of
$3,353,124.60 with the local school appropriation of $1,250,000 and other
appropriations, totaling $960,060.55 to be added in the tax ordinance yet
to be adopted, will give the city a total expense of $5,563,185.15 for
1933. Tax Bill About Same The tax rate will not be known until the tax ordinance is adopted. After the hearing Commissioner Bennett declared that due to equalization of assessments, the bills of some taxpayers will be a few dollars higher than last year, and a few dollars lower in other cases. The commission, after approving the budget on a motion by Commissioner Bennett, adopted a resolution leasing WCAM to the Broadcast Advertising Company for $1000 per year and a percentage of all receipts over $24,000. All maintenance costs will be born by the company, of which Rudolph Preisendanz, Jr., is head. After
the budget was adopted Bennett declared the City Commission would take
into consideration an allegation of Frank J. Hartmann,
Jr., secretary
of the Civic Congress, that the $125,400 appropriation for street lighting was $26,450 higher than it should be
according to figures obtained by him concerning the city's .lighting
equipment. "If there has been an error the budget can be amended at
any time,"
Commissioner Bennett said. Commissioner
Clay W. Reesman, under whose department street lighting comes,
declared that figures in his office concerning street lighting were
different from those quoted by Hartmann. The figures he used,
Hartmann
said, were obtained by him from City Comptroller Sidney P. McCord. Von Nieda Case
Von Nieda was the first citizen to address the commission. Shifting papers in his hands, he faced the commissioners and said: "We have here $40,000 for your Recorder's Court in 1932, and $25,000 for 1933." Commissioner Bennett jumped to his feet. "Those
1932 figures," Bennett said, "were merely an estimate of the
receipts to be taken in, but that amount did not come in. This year we
anticipate only $25,000, which we consider a fair estimate." "That's
fine" said von Nieda, "but we have never had a chance to sit in
with you on these figures." "You
can sit in with us at any time," responded Bennett, "We're glad
to have you." "I
see here," said von Nieda, "that the transportation inspector is
paid from fees, but you show no fees and the inspector should be paid by
the Public Service. I also suggest that you turn Convention Hall over to
the poor. Now in dealing with Station WCAM, I see you show a profit for
the last three months of $1000, while in 1932, you show no records of
receipts, and we are just wondering.'. Worried by WCAM "Do you want that answered now?" asked Bennett. "WCAM has given myself and the other commissioners some concern during the past year. It is our duty to see that we receive as much income as possible. Different methods have been used in the radio station to make it pay during the past three months, and during this time that station has been in the black. We figure that in 1933 there will be no deficit in this station, and we look for a profit of more than $1000." "Now in this matter of eliminating deputy directors," von Nieda said. He was interrupted by Commissioner Reesman. "I'll
tell you," said Reesman, "about my deputy director Carlton Harris.
My deputy receives $1750 a year. He has charge of all labor in the
Department of Parks and Public Property. He is on the job every
morning at 7:00 AM, and often works until 10 p. m., with the labor outside."
"In
speaking of the assessors," von Nieda continued, "we
should have assessors who are not influenced by politicians or political
dictators." "You
know I won't stand for that," answered Bennett. "The
readjustment of ratables is only a small part 1 of the work we are doing.
Each property is assessed on a basic principal. Any
time you have a suggestion that will help us in our work we will
be glad to hear from you but I firmly believe that real state must be
relieved of its heavy tax burden by an income and sales tax, and this tax
must come sooner or later. Seeking Relief"As far as the city commissioners are concerned, we are studying it from day to day, in efforts to get out of the wilderness. "In
speaking of the purchasing department," von Nieda continued, "we
know what happened there last year. You fired your purchasing agent, and
if you had not fired him it probably would have afforded the public some
interesting reading about this purchasing department. "All
of my men are working overtime,' replied Bennett. "It is true the
purchasing agent is out and his work is being done by an assistant (William
Dilmore) at half his salary. We have got rid of as many people in
these departments as we can. I had to let one girl go in the purchasing
department and one girl in Controller McCord's department. One man went on
pension in the tax office and two were let out in efforts to balance the
budget. "In .one of my departments where there were three girls I had, to make a $900 cut by leaving one girl out. called the three girls into my office and told them that one had to go and asked them what their home responsibilities were. One had to take care of her family, including a 77-year-old aunt; another a family with a 66-year-old aunt, and the third was supporting three or four brothers with the help of another brother, who is a barber working for practically what tips he could get. "But I had to make a $900 cut. The girls asked me not to dismiss any of them, as they each would take a $300 cut in addition to cuts .already applied. Another man took an extra $260 cut so that he would not be out of work. But I had the budget to take care of, and I am ready to challenge any city the size of Camden to show so nearly a balanced budget. Our plan is to pay as we go." "You
cite two or three instances," protested
von Nieda. "But I want
to show you scores of families which have no money and they are taxpayers.
You say you have cut to the bone, but you should cut through the bone.
This is no grandstand play by us. Maybe we can give you some help. Then,
too, the debt interest must be paid on this tragedy," he shouted,
pointing to walls of the commission chamber. "Maybe
you can tell me how to get rid of the bonds," suggested Bennett.
"You must remember this year we have cut $900,000 from the
budget." Offers
Recommendation Von Nieda said the Civic Congress recommended that work now being done by two city solicitors should be done by one, that when more policemen and firemen are needed "little fellows” be restored first wherever possible; that the city incinerating plant be closed; that the personnel of the city's two' sewage disposal plants be reduced; that the city's lighting bill be cut $40,000; that inspectors of lighting be abolished and their work done by policemen and the city's engineer's department. Personally he favored an income tax, he said, to relieve the I burden on real estate. "1
realize,” von Nieda said, "that the city commission has done a fair
job, but of the congress, with conservatively 15,000 members, think you
can do even better. Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, director of public works, interrupted von Nieda on the subject of the incinerating plant, which von Nieda declared could be abandoned because it did not burn garbage, but only rubbish. "Can
you see me at 9:00 AM tomorrow and go through my department with me?"
asked Hanna. “Any time," replied von Nieda. Warns of Tax Strike "However," von Nieda continued, "we are wondering what the figures in the right hand corner of the tax bill will be. Assessments may be lower and the tax rate higher, and that does not give a true picture. I fear the bills will be more for 1933 and for one am willing now to take the 1932 assessment on my home. "The
congress vigorously opposes this personality tax. You expect to tax the
homeowner for everything he has. I warn YOU gentlemen that if this tax is
imposed in Camden there will be a run on banks and building and loan
associations. If that happens homeowners and renters will leave this
unfortunate city. There will be a tax strike here, and so help me God, I'm
helping it!" Von Nieda was followed by William Hughes of 578
Mickle street, who spoke for
the Unemployed Council of New Jersey. Hughes
reiterated demands of the union for increased relief payments to
unemployed, urged a municipally-owned lighting plant,
operated at a profit, the same as the city's water department; a municipal
lodging house; use of hand labor instead of machinery in all city
contracts and the employment of labor to "tear down the slums in
Camden." Hartmann
was the next speaker. He read from a prepared statement which he declared
was an analysis a\of the city's 1932 lighting expenses, and which, he
said, could be lowered “had we used larger lamps.“ Reesman Contradicts After enumerating the individual costs of lamps of various candle power, and contending a change in the lamps would effect a saving this year, Hartmann charged the city has overpaid for electric energy in street lighting. Commissioner Reesman declared that figures used by Hartmann were in error and that therefore, his computations as to possible savings were wrong. He announced, however, he would study the situation to discover if there was any error in the budget concerning street lighting, as alleged by Hartmann. "The
Civic Congress is now circulating petitions for a referendum on a
municipal lighting plant," Hartmann said. "We now have 10,000 of
the required 11,000 signatures, and we do not intend to stop until we have
25,000. You commissioners can stop these petitions by adopting a
resolution declaring a referendum on the question." He
then asked that the work of the city electrical inspector be taken over by
the National Board of Fire Underwriters,
and that "when the next tax sale is held, all properties be
advertised, including banks, garages and to whomever the property
belongs." Commissioner
Bennett then arose and said: "I've used' discretion on that. There
are some who are paying as low as $5 per month, and I think these people
should be helped. We commissioners do not want to sell the home of anyone.
That is what we are trying to stop. We are in perfect agreement on
that." Debt
Moratorium Asked "How
about the Bridge Garage?" some one in the audience shouted. "The
Bridge Garage has just paid $1500," Bennett said, "and promises
to pay something every month. We are trying to make the tax bills lower by
getting in all the monies we can,
and where possible to take in delinquent payments no matter how small. Clarence Moullette, secretary of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey, then arose. He asked for a moratorium on the city debt service for five years, and urged the commission to adopt such a resolution memorializing the Legislature for that relief: He announced opposition to the personality tax. "We
are not questioning the actions of the commissioners, Moullette said.
“Spending less money will not help the situation. Commissioner Hanna.
told me if he had $51,000 additional in his department six closed garbage
trucks could purchased. This will help give work. By cutting down salaries
you decrease purchasing power. Work must be had. Eventually you will pay
in Hall
asked that Convention Hall be abandoned and the building used for
hospitalization work for the needy, and urged the city commission to
"meet in the evenings so that citizens will know and see what is
going on." He asked for abolition of the positions of plumbing,
building, sewer and heating inspectors. 'Close High Schools' "The commission should face conditions as they are," he said. "I speak for myself, and not the Civic Congress. I ask that the high schools be closed. I heartily approve closing of the Vocational School, but if choice was to be made between high schools and the Vocational School, I would say close the high schools. Before selling the home of anyone to meet impossible taxes, I say cut to the bone by getting rid of everything that is not absolutely necessary. "You
commissioners must be made to realize that increased taxation is what has
destroyed purchasing power in America. Meet this condition! Commissioner
Bennett challenged the statement of Hall that government costs were
responsible for conditions of today. "There
are numerous causes," Bennett said. "I
would rejoice in debating it with you or anyone you select," Hall
replied, "including United States senators, and convince them in 20
minutes." "I’ll
debate that with him," shouted Morris Stempa of
Audubon from the audience. Stempa later addressed the commission,
speaking for the Socialist party, and urged the moratorium advocated by
Moullette, also a Socialist. Eugene
Wasilewski, speaking for you the South Camden Civic Association, denounced
the commission for failing to call in civic association representatives in
their preparation of the Budget. Bennett
Gives Reply "You
called in the bankers, but not those others of us who also are interested
in city costs," Wasilewski said. "You tell us now there is a reduction in
assessments and then come along and wallop us with a higher tax rate. That
is not fair. You were elected to look after our interests and that you
have failed to do. You are making us eat red herring, and we want you to
eat red herring with us." The
last citizen to address the commission was Salvadore Guadelli, president
of the Citizens-Taxpayers' League. He made a general indictment of
conditions, ,and asked that the city commission "do not let
sectionalism creep into city affairs." Commissioner
Bennett then arose and addressed his fellow commissioners and the
audience. "All these things suggested here today have been considered," he said. "We five men came into office with the idea of serving the people. I know the business of financing the city is a. serious problem. We have endeavored to move the budget into that realm of 'pay-as-you-go! We appreciate everything presented here. Every taxpayer we look upon as an employer. "Looking
at it from every angle, this budget cannot be delayed any longer. You'll
find we were severe in preparing this budget; you'll find we were severe
last year. Last year we cut a half million. This year we cut $702,890.74,
and to that the board of education, we hope, will add a cut of $250,000.
That is a total cut of $952,890.74. Other cities in New Jersey show
nothing to compare with it. Budget Adopted
"I
hesitate in making more cuts. I speak from experience when I say I'm a
taxpayer. In the past two weeks I've been trying to raise money to pay
taxes. I want all of you to know we commissioners can sympathize. It is
not easy being at the head of a government in times like these. I hope
that municipalities will receive federal relief in payment of debt
service. There has been a tremendous cut in our budget, including the
board of education figures. I feel the commissioners are to be commended
for the work they've done this year. "If
we pass the budget we won't stop at that particular point, but will see
what else we can do all along the line. I feel the essential thing is to
pass the budget. I'm proud of the fact we came through 1932, and are
started in 1933 the same way, although I make no promise for the future. I
wish for a moratorium for interest on bonds. There are the bondholders on
one side and the taxpayers on the other, and the man out of work to be
considered. We
are in sympathy with the man out of work. I say let the federal or
government put some money into to the interest rate. We must pass this
budget this afternoon. Do not delay longer. This is not an arbitrary 10
stand on my part. I make a motion the budget now be passed." City
Clerk Frank S. Albright called the roll and all five commissioners voting
'unanimously. No demonstration followed passage
of the measure. *Eugene Wasilewski referred to in this story was Eugene Waleskiewicz, who was later known as Eugene Wales. |
| Camden Courier-Post - June 1, 1933 | ||
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400 Friends Pay Homage To 'Good Gray Poet'
Men
and Women From Many Sections Visit Walt Whitman's Tomb
and
Old Mickle Street Home on His 114th Anniversary “It's
just a little street
where old friends meet" That's Mickle
Street where Walt Whitman, the "Good Gray Poet," once lived,
and old friends came back here from near and far yesterday to mingle under the portals of the house in which he wrote his famous
works, on the 114th anniversary of his birth. Among them
was Mrs. Augusta K. Dole, 71, of Metuchen, whose husband has been a sports writer on New York newspapers for
45 years. "They
call it a dingy street and some are ashamed to return and say they
lived there," Mrs. Dole said. And with a gesture of the hand she
pointed out the homes of some of neighbors, who became famous. Among, them
was Button;
famous artist [architect
-PMC]. Another
was the grandmother of J. B. Van Sciver. "I lived
at 319 Mickle
Street when I was a young lady," she said. "I was
one year old when we moved into the house right across the street from
Whitman. I remember when he lived on Stevens
Street before he moved to Mickle
Street. Knew Whitman Well "We
lived at the Mickle street address
about 15 or 16 or 20 years; I knew Whitman well. He always stopped and
exchanged greetings with me. I frequently, saw him on the ferryboats
crossing the rivers. "I want
to take, issue right here with those, who have questioned his
chastity. He was more like Christ than anyone else. I saw him admiring me as a young woman one day
on a ferryboat.” "Years
later I read a description of myself in one of his works. I did not begin to read his work until 30 years
ago. He wrote of the true things in life. He wrote of life as it is
and as we see it. I am glad to come here today at the invitation of
the committee," Mrs. Dole sat
in the last chair in which the poet rested before his last illness.
She was introduced to Dr. Alexander MacAlister, who was his personal
physician in his last illness and who is a member of the Walt Whitman
foundation. Then she
posed with an etching by Lewis Daniel, New York artist, at the Walt
Whitman art gallery, 641 Market
Street. It is one of 14 the young artist drew on "The
Song of the Open Road," Two lines taken from' the book are
sketched under the etching as follows: "The
earth is crude and incomprehensible at first- Nature is rude and
incomprehensible at first." 400 Visit Home More than 400
guests visited the home of the poet during the day to be welcomed by
members of the foundation, Mrs.
Charles
A. Wolverton, wife of Congressman
Wolverton, was chairman of the reception committee. Many of the
guests visited the tomb of the poet in Harleigh Cemetery where the door is ajar at his request "that his spirit may come
and go as I choose.'" But no flowers were placed there as he
requested none. Born on May
31, 1819, near Huntingdon, Long Island, he had a varied career
as a writer, war correspondent and poet. During the Civil War he ministered the wounded of both
the North and South at Washington. He spent the last 19 years of his
life in Camden, where he died in
1892. Under the bed
in his second story front bed room today is a huge metal bathtub,
which he designed for use in his invalid days. His library, horsehair
furniture, his favorite rocking chair and a cane with which he knocked
on the floor to call his housekeeper. Some
of his writings, manuscripts and
other works are the property of Miss Ann Harned and Madge Barton Feurer. They are now, at the New
Jerseyanna Exhibition at the State House at Trenton. New Painting Viewed A new
painting of Walt Whitman has been completed by Byron T. Connor, of
4320 Manor Avenue, Merchantville, and is now on display at the Hotel
Walt Whitman. The painting was completed in three weeks, so as to be ready for the birthday
ceremonies. Later it will
be moved from the hotel and placed either in the Whitman home or hung in the lobby of the Walt Whitman
Theatre. Miss Harned,
daughter of the late Thomas B. Harned, one of Whitman's literary executors; Joseph Praissman and Mrs. Martha
Davis curator of the Whitman home, were members of the anniversary
committee headed by Mrs.
Wolverton. With few
exceptions, members of the Walt Whitman Foundation attended yesterday's program, including Dr. Macalister, chairman; Dr.
Cornelius Weygandt, vice chairman; Mrs. Juliet Lit Stern, Joseph M.
Conover, Mrs. Helen Taft Manning, Mrs. Allen Drew Cook, Mrs. Nicholas
Douty, Dr. Herbert Spencer Harned, J. Frederick Harned, Roy Helton,
William T. Innes, Eldridge R. Johnson, William H. Ketler, Dr. Rufus M.
Jones, former Mayor Victor King, Oscar Wolf, John Frederick Lewis,
Jr., Dr. Bliss Perry, Harrison S. Morris, Agnes, Repplier, former
Mayor Winfield S. Price, Vernon Whitman Rich, Dr. J. Duncan Spaeth, Dr. Felix E. Schelling, Dr. Robert E.
Spiller, Mrs. David Abeel Storer, Frederick von Nieda and Ralph W. Wescott. Among the visitors was former Assemblyman William H. Iszard, who is secretary of the committee, which acquired the home as a national shrine. Iszard sponsored legislation in the Assembly for its upkeep. |
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Camden Courier-Post - June 6, 1933 |
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Suit
to End Relief Secrecy Planned by Civic Congress; Irregularities Are
Charged Court
action to force the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration to
reveal its books for public inspection is planned by the Congress of
Civic Associations of South Jersey. This
was announced last night at a meeting of the North Camden Civic
Association in the headquarters of the Pyne Poynt Social Club, 939 North
Fifth street. Frank J.
Hartmann, Jr., secretary of both organizations,
disclosed the proposed step. Affidavits
charging irregularities in the relief administration are being gathered,
Hartmann
asserted. Wayland
P. Cramer,
director of the county relief board and Captain Albert S. Howard, deputy
director, were charged with evading public inquiries. 'Fathers
Fired-Girls Hired' "They've
given us a grand run-around," Hartmann
said in relating his efforts in behalf of a destitute family. The
Congress of Civic Associations, headed by Fred
von Nieda, is determined to force inspection of the relief records
by applying for a court writ, Hartmann
said, Vince
Marinelli, member of the North Camden association and active in the
Civic Congress,
declared a number
of married men were discharged
from
positions
in the relief administration and single women engaged for their posts. Protest
Rally June 11 The
association agreed to
join
with the Unemployed Union of New Jersey in staging a public mass meeting
to protest against the relief board. The
meeting is scheduled for June 11, at the Convention
Hall. Clarence
E. Moullette, executive secretary of the unemployed group, addressed
last night's session, which two score persons attended. 'Only
8 In 25,600 Rejected'
Hartmann
declared that of Camden's'
117,000 persons, 25,600 are receiving emergency relief. The figure in
the county is comparable, he said. Quoting
Dr.
Arthur L. Stone,
who recently resigned as city director of emergency relief, Hartmann
asserted 6828 of the 11,400 city's colored are in the relief line. "In
all these cases the great Emergency
Relief Administration has found only eight this year that were not
worthy of receiving aid," Hartmann
said he was informed. "The
taxpayers are paying the bills and they have every right to know how the
money is being spent. "If
Director Cramer
and Captain Howard can be out of their office all day without anyone
knowing where they are I think there is ground for investigation,"
he insisted. Cites
Backyard Fires Hartmann
reviewed the plight
of 11 families on State
Street who were forced to cook meals over a backyard
fire last Saturday after gas and electric service had been suspended for
non-payment of bills. Thirty-five children were affected. Hartmann
estimated that Public Service could produce electricity to supply the
apartment house for one month at a cost of $2. The charge is $22, he
said. Hartmann
described advantages of a municipal electric plant, for which more than
11,000 persons have signed
petitions circulated by the association and civic congress. He compared
this city's tax rate and assessments with those of Jacksonville, Fla.,
and said the southern city earned $2,000,000 profit from its municipal
light and power plant in 1932. A
campaign to further sentiment in favor of the municipal plant idea is
being advanced daily, Hartmann
reported.
A staff of speakers is being enrolled. Dr.
Stone's Work Reviewed Moullette,
in appealing for support of the civic association for the mass meeting
next week, said that the resignation of Dr.
Stone
was a political
move, designed to create a position with pay for some Republican
organization favorite. "Dr.
Stone spent $25,000 for emergency
relief in Camden. "As
a result of the efforts of Dr.
Stone in his office as municipal relief
director there are children in more than 500 families who obtained milk
that was not given them before he took the position," Moullette
said. "The purpose of the mass meeting is to bring forcibly to the
attention of the authorities here and in the state that there is need
for an investigation of the Camden County
Emergency Relief Administration."
New
Fire Alarms Protested Joseph
Munger, of East Camden,
asked the association to protest against proposed expenditure of more
than $50,000 for a new tire alarm system
in Camden. He
charged that the project is needless, and said that transfer of the
present system from the old city hall to the new courthouse annex could
be made for $2500. "The
present system is sufficient for this city," Munger said. "The
cost of removing it to the new building would be less than what the city
might pay in interest for one year on $50,000." Hartmann
said that a new system in the fire department would require employment
of additional employees and thereby add more expense to the taxpayers. Mrs. Stephen Pfeil, William Coughlin and Miss Elsie Stein were named by Harry Walton, president, to a committee with instructions to ask Mayor Roy R. Stewart to move against alleged vandalism. They charged that young boys are destroying vacant properties throughout the city. |
|
Camden Courier-Post - June 6, 1933 |
|
THE
MAIL BAG But
the Greatest of These is
Charity
To
the Editor: Sir-Beautiful
words, well spoken. Especially
when Charity means, in a general sense, love, benevolence, goodwill,
that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and do them good. We read where
Dr. Stone was asked to
resign because his heart ruled his head. In your editorial, Mr.
Editor, something seems wrong somewhere. There seems that Mr. Cramer
is unaware of the meaning of charity. Dr.
Stone may or may not be the man for the job. When one has a
comfortable job at the taxpayers' expense one can easily dispense
charity, especially if he uses somebody else's money. Dr.
Stone has a comfortable job, and, perhaps, he was better suited
for the job because he was sure of where the next meal was coming from
but Mr. Cramer
evidently was of another opinion. To him Charity is a business. Since
the taxpayer and the philanthropist both practice charity, the former
directly or indirectly through taxation, the latter of
his own free will and accord. The latter knows where his money is
going or he does not give it; the former has a right to know if he so
desires, Because whether it be salaries or relief, he is the one
paying the bill. The present
way the relief is being run is, perhaps, the most
autocratic thing ever done in the city of Camden. The ones in charge
think they are above question or reproach. But one thing is certain,
and that is the citizens do not think that way about it. If these in
the seats of the mighty refuse to give interviews without long waits,
then the citizens should inquire from someone who will give them
satisfaction. We want to know who is working for the relief, where
they live, how long they have lived there, their salaries, where they
came from and their qualifications. Also who is getting relief and
where they live. There is little to fear for those who need relief,
who are, either getting it or not getting it, it is the people who do
not need it that causes those who do need it not to get it. Imagine, if
you can, 6828 people of one race out of a total of 11,400 getting relief; imagine, if you can, 25,600
people getting relief in the city of Camden alone and, perhaps more
than that number in the county and only eight of these were found to
get relief who did not deserve it. And then they say it is none of
your business, go to the Courier and get it. When
information is desired. Mr. Editor, we have to believe somebody. Do
you have the information and are you holding out on us? Or is it a
case of passing the buck? There is hardly a person in this city who
knows somebody that needs relief and there are few people who don't
know somebody who is betting relief and does not need it. Increasing pay of
investigators, employing college girls and laying off married men,
cutting allowance of those who need relief, makes undeveloped minds
run around in circles. When no satisfaction is given to those who pay
the bills and are told that it is
none of their business, then one must
feel as if there is no justice, and the very fact that of all virtues
the greatest of them is charity, then the words charity and relief,
such as shown and practiced in the city of Camden, should never be
used in the same sentence. FREDERICK
VON NIEDA |
|
Camden Courier-Post - June 22, 1933 |
|
GARDEN RECEIPTS HERE TOTAL $1400, COST $811 A total of $1400 has been received from the 2800 gardens in Camden under supervision of the Emergency Relief Administration, against a cost of
$811.80, according to Frederick von Nleda, chairman of the food show committee planning for the convention of the Camden City Home Garden Von Nieda summarized the work ot the new gardeners at a meeting of the clubs Tuesday night in Woodrow Wilson
Junior High School, presided Representatives attended from these gardens: Cramer Hill, Taylor, Harrison, Garden City, Cox, Pyne Poynt, Princess Pat, Forest Hill, Tracy, Parkside, North East, and Clinton. Roy Adams, chief of the garden police, and Charles F. Hettinger, supervisor of gardens, were among those attending. |
| Camden Courier-Post - June 29, 1933 |
|
Mothers
Hysterical In Boy Vandal Trial Hysterics among three mothers, one of whom fainted, as their young sons were held for court yesterday inspired another attack on Police Judge Garfield Pancoast by Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., secretary of the North Camden Civic Association. The three women shouted frantically as their sons, each 15, were led from the court to be taken to the Juvenile Detention Home on charges of incorrigibility. They had been accused of' vandalism in North Camden. It was brought out, however, that Hartmann did not make the complaints against the boys, who will be detained until the next session of juvenile court is held by Judge Samuel. M. Shay. Hartmann in a statement last night disclosed that a threat had been made against him by the father of one of the boys who allegedly declared he "had a gun and was going to use it." Led from the courtroom after screaming and after one had fainted, the women cried so bitterly in the corridor that court attendants ordered them to leave. The episode was one of the most turbulent in the history of the Camden police court, according to veteran attendants. So great was the turmoil there was question whether Pancoast would not have to recess other hearings. Pancoast remained adamant in his decision despite the shrill protests of' the mothers; the plea of one of the boys, who begged for release with arms outstretched, and of the complainant, who urged leniency. Criticizes Hartmann Pancoast criticized Hartmann for "condemning him for showing leniency in such cases, yet never making formal complaint himself against youthful vandals in a specific case. Pancoast added that he "was compelled to act as he did because of the facts in the case and general complaints against vandalism in North Camden and other parts of the city. The boys are: Lester Jamison, of 326 North Second Street; Frank Smith, of 521 Elm Street, and Henry Egerton, 15, of 212 Bailey Street. Complaint against the youths was made by G.T. Moore, of 313 State Street, who charged that he had found the boys destroying a property at the northeast corner of Third and State Streets. Value $25,000, Now 25 cents "That property once was worth about $25,000," Moore testified, "Today it could be bought for 25 cents because of vandalism." The youths admitted they had been on the premises, but denied they had caused any damage. The court then directed that a disorderly conduct charge against them be changed to incorrigibility, the complaint for which was signed by Moore. Moore testified that the defendants and other boys had been warned to keep off the property, but they would cross the street and ridicule him. He urged leniency, however, when the court revealed that the boys would be sent to the detention home. He said he did not want to see the, youths placed in confinement and their reputations blemished . Calls
Him Liar "I can't be lenient in his case," Pancoast replied. "I've been charged by Mr. Hartmann, of the North Camden Civic Association, with taking care of criminals and politicians who come to this court, and that is a lie. Also there has been a great deal of publicity about vandalism in North Camden, columns and columns of it, yet Hartmann has never made a single formal complaint against any boy in my court. As a citizen, if he knows such things are going on, it is his duty, as well as that of other citizens, to make a complaint to us. "This occurrence by these boys is undoubtedly a part of the vandalism going on in North Camden and I'm going to send these boys to the detention home," Moore again pleaded for leniency for the boys, but Pancoast said he had no other alternative than to .sentence them under the circumstances. The arrests on complaint of Moore were made by Gus Reihm and Wilbur Prentiss, motorcycle policemen. Civic Clubs Protest Apprehension of youthful vandals has been urged repeatedly by the North Camden Civic Association officers, including Hartmann, who said recently that damage by the vandals in the city has reached more than $500,000 and the city officials and police have “done little or nothing about it. Hartmann and other officers of the association appeared before the city commission last week, urging prompt remedial measures by the city officials, and charging that too much leniency is shown in such cases. Mayor Stewart replied that the city had taken steps to eliminate the evil and was doing, all that could be done to end it. North Camden Civic Association officers, including Hartmann, who said recently that damage by the vandals in the city has reached more than $500,000 and the city officials and police have done little or nothing about it. , Hartmann and other officers of the association appeared before the city commission last week, urging prompt remedial measures by the city officials, and charging that too much leniency is shown in such cases. Mayor Stewart replied that the city had taken steps to eliminate the evil and was doing, all that could be done to end it. The civic association’s officers protested nevertheless that this was not so, and that the police could minimize the damage if they were on the job. Hartmann, in company with Frederick von Nieda, president of the Congress of Civic Associations, to which the North Camden association is allied, and George I. Shaw, vice president of the uptown group, conferred with Captain Arthur Colsey, at police headquarters. Captain Colsey promised further co-operation of the police in stamping out the practice of wrecking vacant dwellings and invited all citizen to report such instances to the police. Hartmann's
Reply In replying to Pancoast's criticism Hartmann said: "I learned from the father of one of the boys committed to jail by Judge Pancoast that the three boys could not be released unless I gave the word. This parent was quite alarmed, and I am told made threats against me. He declared that he had a gun and was going to use it. I can appreciate this man's feelings, because I understand that when he returned he found his wife in a terribly excited condition, an because of the fact that their son was arrested for playing tag with some chums. But I can't go to the detention home and order release of the boys. That's impossible. Only the judge can do that. "The attitude of Judge Pancoast in criticizing me indirectly as the complainant not only is uncalled for but is the direct cause of this threat, as well as the distracted state of the boy's mother. "Judge Pancoast is trying to throw a cloud over the real state of affairs in Camden. "As a member of the North Camden Civic Association I have helped to point out conditions here that have existed for a long time without the police taking any notice of them, conditions which should not have been tolerated and which have caused considerable expense to property owners. "This needless expense could have been prevented by the police and Judge Pancoast, in a quiet, yet determined manner. 'Children
Victims of Anger' "Simply because we have criticized him and the police is not reason for Judge Pancoast to vent his anger at us upon innocent children, such as he has done in this particular case. "He states that because we have complained it is necessary for him to hold the three young boys for court. "On top of this he said that we never made any complaints. "The latter is true, for we have not accused any child and do not intend to do so. It is the job of the police department to stop the wave of vandalism, not our task. "Judge Pancoast's attempt to blame me in this situation is ridiculous. As I look at it he seems to be trying to evade the real issues. 'Reprimand
Sufficient' "He made a disgraceful example of three boys, to whom a reprimand would have been sufficient had they; been brought before him for merely playing tag, but if they were accused of vandalism then I think his action in committing them to the detention home was justified. But, since the charge against them was changed from vandalism to incorrigibility it. is apparent that there is some doubt in the judge's mind. "Even with this reasonable doubt I cannot reconcile a case with the disposition of two others, immediately prior to the hearing of the three boys. I understand that two defendants on charges of stealing pipe from a vacant dwelling were dismissed. "The difference in these two instances, certainly does not give evidence of Judge Pancoast's sincerity in dealing with vandalism, or convince me that he is co-operating with the mayor in correcting the evils of which the Citizens and taxpayers have rightfully complained.. |
|
Camden Courier-Post - December 5, 1935 |
|
 |
 |
| Frederick von Nieda, George Spicks | |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 5, 1936 |
|
Hartmann
Names Dr. Baker Public Works Staff Physician 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 frostbitten toes, fingers and ears, who are
claiming compensation, and one was I
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. As it
is a man could receive an injury somewhere else, go to
work for the city and then claim compensation for the injury by pretending
it happened on the city job. "Dr.
Baker's examinations of the present employees will lead to compensation
claim savings also, as we will be in position to make some of these men
take steps to protect themselves and the city, where remedial action
seems necessary." Hartmann said all members of the city commission except Mayor Frederick von Nieda have endorsed the employment of a staff physician. "I haven't had a chance to talk to the mayor about it yet," Hartmann said. City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly also has approved the move as offering a chance to save money, Hartmann said. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 14, 1936 |
|
COMMISSION KILLS
CIRCULAR ORDINANCE 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 fur 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. Grocers
Protest 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. Present circulars are 12-1/2
by 19 inches in size, and
have been used over a period of years, Epstein said. The lawyer also
objected to levying a tax, pointing out that each distributor is forced
to take out a $6 license now. 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.
Irving
Levinsky, Broadway
merchant, said he would favor the ordinance if the size was increased to
12 by 22 inches. Theatre
Manager Speaks A
chorus of boos caused Mayor
von Nieda to demand order. Levinsky said he agreed that
"newspaper circulars," or thick, bulky ones, should be
outlawed. This
drew an objection from Joseph Murdock, local theatre manager, who defended
multiple page circulars issued by him, in advertising motion pictures. 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. When the refunding ordinances were laid over for the third time, Bennett said quickly action was necessary, and asked that the mayor be authorized to call a meeting before the next regularly scheduled session, to handle the matter. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 14, 1936 |
|
VON
NIEDA OPPOSES NEW CITY SCHOOL Objection
to the city burdening itself
with any more school expenses, was voiced yesterday by Mayor Frederick
von Nieda at a meeting of the Mayor's Housing Committee. The
mayor's viewpoint was made clear to members of the committee who met in
his office to map out a plan to be submitted to Washington which would
make possible a 100 percent grant by the government for the proposed
school to be erected at the .$3,000,000 "Westfield Acres"
housing project. The
mayor declared his objection to any additional school burden after it was
brought out that the office of W.P.A. Administrator Harold L. Ickes had
notified the committee the city's proposal for a 30-room school has been
held up because there are no available government funds. "I
am opposed to any additional school expense on the city because of this
project," Mayor von Nieda said. "If the housing project is to
come here, the government must meet its share. "We
want another school and not a shack. There is already a temporary school
on Thirty-second street between Hayes and River avenues, and we don't want
any more of that. I am against any more spending so far as the city is
concerned. The board of education has all it can stand. There will be no
more spending, only over my dead body." Following
the mayor's statement, James W.
Burnison, chairman of the committee, named
a subcommittee to confer with the board of education and other local
educational officials in an effort to map out some plan acceptable to
Washington. The subcommittee consists of A. J. Rosenfeld, Charles F.
Hollopeter and Joseph N. Hettel. Mayor
von Nieda told the group that a 30-room school would cost at least
$250,000, and that approximately 400 families would be housed at the
development, with at least one child to every family. Burnison
urged passage of federal legislation which would give the city definite
assurance that it would be paid all service charges, such as sewer and
water, in lieu of taxes. A dedication committee was named to arrange for exercises at such time as the project gets under way. The committee includes George V. Walsh, project manager, Hollopeter and Burnison. Other members of the housing committee are James V. Moran, Joseph Mitton and Rosenfeld. A covered rack in which bicycles can be parked from either side is a German invention.. |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 21, 1936 |
|
Says New Dealers Must 'Call Bennett's Bluff' To
the Editor: Sir-At
least, we are getting somewhere. Harold Bennett made the remark recently
that the New Deal Commissioners haven't got the "guts" to remove
him. I say, let them call his bluff. If
you will recall, I wrote to the Mail Bag- under date of November 29, 1935,
and suggested this particular move. The same transfer that Baird
had
performed on Hanna. Mr. Bennett as far as I know is a perfect gentleman
outside of political circles, but when he capitulates to Dave
Baird, when
its time to oust him. And this statement also holds good for Fred von
Nieda, one-time Socialist and so-called independent. It’s rumored that
Baird promised Bennett a judgeship. 'What did he promise poor Fred? I
have been a life-long Republican but rather than continue under Baird's
leadership, I would prefer casting my future with the present New Deal
Commissioners. And if the courts should not uphold the New Dealers in
their efforts to remove those in "key-positions" I say,
"prefer charges" and get rid of them. How else can we hold the
New Dealers liable? Are they receiving 100 percent co-operation from their
subordinates? The latter were placed there by Baird. To whom are they
obligated? Baird
or to the taxpayers?
DISGUSTED
REPUBLICAN TAXPAYER. |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 26, 1936 |
|
CAMDEN
VOTES TO PAY EXPERT ON REFUNDING OF CITY DEBTS Camden's
city commissioners .
They said they expect to make the selection today. 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 they said. 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. Proposed
by Mrs.
Kobus
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. The
action was taken under such a. way as to leave at least one bond house's
representatives under the impression the commission is actually, though
not legally, committed to accepting whatever plan their paid counselor may
suggest. His
questions on this line, however, brought no definite answer. "Oh.
we'll agree," Mrs. Kobus
said. "I think by the time we select the man we will select the
plan," Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and
finance, said. Beyond
that, the commissioners did not commit themselves. Bennett,
however, announced that the adviser's tenure will be "for whatever
period we decide to engage him." Names
Confidential Commissioner
George E. Brunner suggested that the advisory committee submit the names
of three prospects for the adviser's job and that committee's sub-committee
on finance withdrew and returned to offer two names. They explained they
could not suggest more than two. The
names were held confidential and no one knowing them would reveal their
identity .. There
was some speculation as to whether they were
Melbourne
F. Middleton,
Jr., Philadelphia bond broker and former city director of revenue and
finance, and Norman S. Tabor, noted New York adviser on municipal fiscal
affairs. Fall
to Make Pick The
commissioners, as soon as they received the two names in secret, withdrew
into the mayor's private office for ten minutes to discuss the suggested
helpers, but returned to announce that all applicants for the job will be
heard at noon today. This
was accepted as tacit admission that no final agreement was reached on
either name suggested. Bennett
announced: "We
are going to pick the man on a basis of his helpfulness to Camden, I
want to say now 'that we will not
necessarily select the man who offers to help us at the lowest cost. "We
want those applicants for the position who appear tomorrow to have a
definite idea of what plan they expect the city to follow if they are
engaged. "Of
course, we do not expect any minute detailed plan from any man not already
acquainted with the situation, but we want it to be definite enough to
enable us to know whether we will follow it. "We
want to keep the cost as low as possible, and we advise now that the cost
of this help or advice must be low, but we will not pick the adviser on a
cost basis purely. 'No
Private Talks' "We
will make no commitments in advance. We will talk to no applicant until
the time comes tomorrow. My conception of how we will select the adviser
is this: "Ability
will come first. Then contacts, experience, the cost to the city and, of
course, the acceptability of the plan offered." The
conference was called to discuss proposed refunding plans for Camden city,
with most of the talk centering on the controversy over Chapter 60 as a
refinancing basis. Mrs. Kobus suggested appointment of the financial adviser at a meeting of the city commission to be held immediately. "I
have
thought similarly during the last few days," said Bennett. "I
realize it would be a big
expense, but the City is reaching a crisis and it might be money well
spent." Brunner
asked the advisory committee to submit three names for appointment as an
adviser. The committee suggested two names which were not revealed. Frye,
in requesting the commission not to employ an adviser, revealed himself
the principal author of New Jersey's two refunding or bond issuing acts
around which the commissions' difference of opinion as to method has
revolved-Chapters 60 and 77. "You
can finance your indebtedness
entire, Frye said, "under Chapter
77, or partly under Chapter 60 and partly under 77. I
personally have no preference, as
the principal author of both. Frye
Plan
Refused "As
to your tax rate, set what you can set and what the taxpayers can stand.
Don't you think you could get together and settled this among yourselves?
Don't you think that
would be better?"
Bennett
passed off Fry's suggestion thus: "No,
Mr. Frye, I
think it can best be settled by
use of an adviser. I
am anxious to settle it quickly.
We have been unable to agree thus far and I
am on the uneasy seat for Camden
faces a crisis and I want to get it past." Frye's
suggestion carne after all of the bond brokers present, except Middleton,
had advised the city to use the stringent budget, making restrictions of
Chapter 60. James
W. Burnison, chairman of the citizens' advisory committee, reiterated
that group's objections to Chapter 50, saying the same guarantees can be
provided for bondholders under 77, without putting the city under such
rigid state supervision for so long a period. Every
person present was invited to speak. Most of the freeholders viewed the
matter as a city and not a county problem, but promised cooperation. Burnison,
Carl R. Evered, A. Lincoln
Michener and James V. Moran form the sub-committee which selected the two
names submitted to the commissioners for consideration as fiscal adviser. The
meeting started as a closed session, but after 25 minutes behind closed
doors in the mayor's' office, Evered
came to the door and admitted reporters. The
reporters, however, were given to
understand that the only statements they were to use were those from Burnison,
chairman of the committee; James
V. Moran,
a member, or Evered,
and from other speakers only with their permission. Attending were the five city commissioners, William H. Heiser, chairman of the Board of Freeholders' budget committee; Freeholders James S. Caskey, Maurice Bart, William Myers, and James W. Wood; George D. Rothermel, assistant county solicitor; City Comptroller Sidney P. McCord; Meyer Sakin and John R. Di Mona, assistant city solicitors; Burnison, Evered, Moran, and Michener, of the Citizens' Advisory Committee; E. Howard Broome, deputy director of finance; Middleton, John T. Trimble, counsel for Middleton; three representatives of Hawkins, Delafield & Longfellow, New York including Frye, Henry Russell and Alfred Gregory; Walter Shuman, representing Rollins & Sons, of Philadelphia and New York; C. C. Collings, of the C. C. Collings Company, Philadelphia; Russell McInes, representing Lehman Brothers, New York; J. M. G. Brown and Samuel S. Blackman, representing Analyses, Inc., Philadelphia, and Leon C. Guest and Herbert Glucksman, Camden bond brokers. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 28, 1936 |
|
Rulers
Defer Naming City's
Finance Adviser During Bitter Session By W. OLIVER KINCANNON Camden
City Commission failed again yesterday to settle the question: Who will
be Camden's financial adviser? A
meeting called to settle the point yesterday was adjourned until 2 p. m. today over the
violent protest of Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and finance.
Among
the surprises of the meeting was the statement by Commissioner Frank J.
Hartmann, Jr.,
that Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and finance, and
Mayor Frederick von Nieda
agreed Tuesday to abandon Chapter 60 as the basis for refunding the city's
indebtedness and making the 1936 budget. Bennett Makes DenialBennett
denied this vehemently, but Hartmann, after the meeting, said: I
don't
care how
much he
denies
it. He and the mayor agreed to yield on that point. Mr. Bennett is not
going to get away with telling me one thing in a private conference and
saying another for purposes of appealing to the public." Hartmann's
charge attracted unusual attention due to the fact Bennett has held out
from the first mention of refunding of Chapter 60 -a rigid and stringent
law requiring the city to maintain a cash basis of pay-as-you-go
operations, under strict state supervision, for a minimum of 20 years. Hartmann
said Bennett and von Nieda
agreed to "go along" on the less stringent provisions of Chapter
77, bolstered by local assurances that would give bondholders virtually
the same guarantees they would receive under Chapter 60, but without
invoking upon the city the strict and long-term regulation by state
authorities. Another
Applicant
Commissioner
George E. Brunner asked for yesterday's adjournment on the ground that
another man or agency, whom the commissioners had not interviewed, desired
to present a proposal to the commissioners yesterday afternoon. Bennett
objected that noon Tuesday was the deadline set for applications and said
they are closed as far as he is concerned. He took the position it would
be unethical to consider any more applications for the job, and delivered
this ultimatum:
"I
refuse to accept any responsibility for any further delay in making
Camden's 1936
budget and refunding plan. Let's settle
it now." Nevertheless,
the other four commissioners interviewed the new applicant at 5 p. m. and
may consult another today. The
new seeker of the post of official fiscal adviser is George S. Burgess,
president of the State Service Bureau, which publishes the Legislative
Index for New Jersey and the New Jersey Municipal Reporter, and also
supplies a municipal financial information service to hundreds of
officials, including, Burgess said, the state auditor, Walter R. Darby. Burgess
is credited with devising and placing in operation the municipal
accounting system in Massachusetts and with setting up the system of
accounting by which the War Department settled war contracts, and
represented the War Department in litigation involving numerous problems
of accounting, Opposes
Chapter 80
Burgess
is revealed as opposed to Chapter 60 for most municipalities. He is quoted
in one of his own publications as saying: "The
Barbour bill (Chapter 50, 1934)
is an ideal conception for sound
municipal financing, but few places can operate under it until their tax
collections increase decidedly. The earning power of the people in a large
number of municipalities is far short of such a possibility." He
listed as the municipal finance advisory board of his concern the
following men: William
H. Albright, New Jersey State Treasurer, as chairman of the board, Senator
John C. Barbour (sponsor of Chapter 60), of Passaic county, president of
the State Senate, Raymond M. Greer, Comptroller of Jersey City and member
of a New York firm of accountants, Arthur N. Pierson, treasurer of Union
county, Samuel S. Kenworthy, executive secretary of the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities. Promises
Price Today
Burgess
did not submit a price on his services but told the commissioners he will
submit one by 1 p.m.
today or before that time. He
informed the commissioners his firm is serving four municipalities in New
Jersey as financial adviser now and said his experience covers many
similar services to Massachusetts’ cities. Burgess
also said he understands budget-making and financial practices on a big
scale, partly through serving after the World War as consulting auditor
for the War Department, reporting directly to General Herbert M. Lord,
then director of finances for the War Department and subsequently director
of the budget for the United States. It
was indicated by the commissioners another man may be interviewed today on
an application to be adviser for the city. The
interview with Burgess followed a hectic meeting in which numerous charges
were hurled and the commissioners teetered on the brink of revealing
confidences that have been kept hidden behind closed portals for the past
few days. Bennett
Assailed
Among
them was a charge by Hartmann
that Bennett has done nothing to carry out the commission's instructions
to contact bondholders and attempt to obtain reductions in interest
rates on city bonds. Bennett denied this angrily and asked: "How
do you
think I got the interest down? (On tax revenue notes) By sitting back and
laughing?" Bennett
argued that the city's budget must be passed by the commission by March 9
and that any further delay past yesterday would jeopardize the city's
standing and bring about a state of "chaos." Bennett
also denied he has ever favored employment of a financial adviser, though
he told a gathering of commissioners, freeholders, bond dealers and
attorneys Monday that he thought the city's differences could best be
settled by an adviser. He
declined to follow the suggestion of L. Arnold Frye, of Hawkins, Delafield
and Longfellow, counsel for the city on bond matters. Frye
Asks Peace
Frye
urged the commissioners to settle their differences and agree upon a plan
among themselves. Hartmann
also brought out an intimation that "the city was to be divided up by
the bondholders," and this brought another hot denial from Bennett. Commissioner
Mary
W. Kobus
revealed that in considering applications for fiscal adviser, the
commission also has considered having the man with the plan do the actual
work of placing the bonds, a function that normally would fall under
Bennett's jurisdiction. Bennett
insisted his department is capable of handling the financial affairs of
the city and would have them composed by now if it had been allowed a free
rein. Another
surprise resulted when Thomas J. Fox, who said he is "a small
taxpayer" and lives at 608 Royden Street,
urged the commission to hold up all refunding for ten days and promised it
could be settled then on a plan he is working out. Fox
said he is retired and told reporters he and two other men are working out
a refunding plan for the city that will prevent a tax increase and will
enable the city to pay all interest. He added: "I'm
the most important one." The entire debate resulted from a motion to
adjourn, made by Brunner. Everything that preceded this motion had been
passed unanimously. Applicants
who appeared Tuesday to ask for the city adviser's post were Melbourne F.
Middleton, former commissioner; Leon C. Guest, Camden investment
securities broker; Thomas R. Lill, New York technical adviser of
governmental administration and finance, and J. P. Ramsey, who represented
Norman S. Tabor, New York specialist in municipal finances. Dr.
Frank Parker, University of Pennsylvania finance professor and nationally
known as an economist, and Thomas Christensen, former Atlantic county
accountant, were unable to appear. Tabor,
now doing similar work in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, would be unable to
appear personally before Monday, the commission was advised by Ramsey, but
the latter's bid was confirmed by his superior over long-distance
telephone. Lill,
who has had a wide, international experience in technical finance work, is
now adviser to the Atlantic City bondholders' committee. The
four applicants on Tuesday briefly sketched a review of their past
activities in similar work, told of their plans for Camden, and the
compensation they would require for the work. Guest,
the first to be heard, described himself as a Camden native who has
handled many Camden bonds in the past. Middleton,
who followed, said his plan for Camden was substantially the same as the
program he submitted October 2, 1935, when he applied for the position of
financial adviser. The city's first director of revenue and finance under
commission form of government, Middleton is now engaged in the bond
business in Philadelphia. Ramsey
described the Tabor company as the only one of its kind in the United
States. It has refinanced more than 100 cities, 40 in New Jersey, and
works with 164 bond dealers. Ramsey submitted a long list of bank and
insurance company executives as references. Lill
said he began his finance career in 1911. In 1918 he was director of the
Mexican Refinancing Commission, representing President Carranza in
international negotiations until Carranza's assassination. After that, Lill served the Republic of Colombia as technical adviser for five years; Chile for two, Yucatan for two, and has worked in cities all over the United States and in Canada. He was chosen by the Atlantic City bond-holders' committee 2˝ years ago, still serving as technical adviser for that group, he said. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 28, 1936 |
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RADICALS ON RELIEF ASSAILED BY VON NIEDA Many
of the 116,000 aliens receiving relief in New Jersey are "biting
the hand that is feeding them," Mayor
Frederick von Nieda
said in addressing the Craftsmen's Protective Association of the New
York Shipbuilding Corporation. The
mayor addressed more than 1000 craftsmen and their friends at a dance
and vaudeville entertainment in Red
Men's Hall, Fourth and Pearl streets. Von
Nieda charged many of these aliens on relief are radicals and have no
place in this country. "When
you go over to Communism, either pink or red, I am no longer your
friend," von Nieda declared. |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 8, 1936 |
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Reserve
Officers Plan 6th Military Reception, Ball The
sixth annual military reception and ball under the auspices of the
Reserve Officers' Association will be held at the Hotel
Walt Whitman next Friday, February 14. Honor guests will include
officials of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard of the
United States and of the reserve corps of New Jersey, Philadelphia and
vicinity. Congressman
and Mrs. Charles
A. Wolverton, Mayor and
Mrs. Frederick
von Nieda, Rear Admiral S. Robison, U.S.N., (retired) and Mrs.
Robison, Brigadier General Cyrus S. Radford, U.S.M.C., (retired) and
Mrs. Radford: Commander George W. Keefe, U.S.N.R. and Mrs. Keefe and
Col. E. O. Howell, Jr., commanding officer of the 309th Infantry, and
Mrs. Howell, will be among the honor guests. Jack
Wright will conduct the Penn Troubadors in providing music for dancing
the grand march which will be held late in the evening. A reception in
honor of Admiral Robison will follow. The
committee for the reception and ball is composed of the following:
Capt. Henry Rosenfeld, Jr., of Mt. Holly, chairman; Capt. Luther M.
Mkitarian and Lieut. E. Bernard Weaver of Camden, president of the
local chapter of the reserves association; Lieut. John B. Ward of
Chews Lieut. William DeH. Washington, of Riverton; Lieut. Robert
Creighton, Lieut. Roy Evans, N.G.N.J., Ensign Robert Winkel of
Audubon; Ensign Garold A. Moneysmith of Westmont; Lt. Chas. Richardson
and Lieut. John Neath of Haddonfield. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 29, 1936 |
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VON NIEDA TO ADDRESS GARDENERS' INSTITUTE Mayor Frederick von Nieda will be guest speaker at the Gardeners' Institute Forum tomorrow at 3 p. m. in the Friends Meeting House, Market street above Seventh. The choir of the North Baptist Church also will attend. Dr. James G. Rodger will conduct the meeting. |
| Camden Scrip - 1936 |
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Camden Courier-Post August 1, 1936 |
| Camden Courier-Post - August 31, 1936 | |
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| DIAMOND ....his eyes started watering and thereby hangs a tale - not his, however.... |
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| S.
Raymond Dobbs - E.G.C.
Bleakly - Dr. David Helm - Frank
J. Hartmann Jr. Frederick von Nieda - Charles L. Humes |
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Mr. Von Nieda was my mother's attorney and I remember him showing me his outstanding gun collection which he had put together when he was mayor. Edward Pond, December 2003 |
| Camden Courier-Post - August 8, 1936 | |
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| Camden Courier-Post - August 21, 1936 |
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| Camden Courier-Post - August 31, 1936 | |
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| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - JANUARY 18, 1938 | ||
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George E. Brunner |
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| Camden
Courier-Post - February 5, 1938 CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED by JIMINY |
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The way some of the members of the Camden County Republican Committee are behaving these days, the Democrats can stay home on their own meeting nights .... The Republicans are doing their work for them .... Now some 70 of the Republican committeemen have signed a petition to give Baird a job that won't pay him anything.... It's about time they're giving him something .... They took the U. S. Senatorship away from him .... Moore took the governorship away from him .... Woodruff took the state committeeship away from him .... The New Deal took the city commission away from him .... The New Deal took the freeholders away from him:.:. Somebody always is taking something away from Baird .... It isn't a question of Baird's ability to fill the bridge job .... The only one to even mention that as an issue was Fred von Nieda .... He's a city commissioner, you know .... It's a matter of principle .... At least, that is what Florence Baker, state committeewoman, says .... Mrs. Baker is telling Senator, Clee and others at Trenton that they owe it to Baird to support him for the job because he has always helped Clee ...Let's, in all fairness to Baird, look at the record .... In the primary, during an address at the First Ward Republican Club, Dave Baird stated he was for Cliff Powell against Clee .... Mrs. Baker did not come out against Clee .... She didn't come out against Powell. Instead, she said she was neutral. In the general election, Mrs. Baker said she was for Clee. Baird never said he was for Clee. (If he had, Clee's majority of 35,000 would have gone to Moore) .... So we don't think that Mrs. Baker is very convincing when she tells Clee that Baird helped Clee .... She said that the Camden county legislative delegation helped Clee's program against Hoffman. Was Baird a Democrat last year? Sheehan, Roye and Lodge were .... Burling was a Republican, and helped Clee, but he is not for Baird. Perhaps it was because Baird "helped" Clee's program against Hoffman opposition, that Hoffman slipped in Baird's appointment without the knowledge of Burling or the state or county committee members .... Mrs. Baker stated at a banquet that she has copies of the Courier-Post in 1931 in which Baird was praised for his bridge work .... If anyone cares to look at our files, we will show what Mrs. Baker said about Baird in the neighborhood of 1931. ... Or what we said about Baird at other times .... Also what Mr. van Nieda and Frank Travaline said. But enough ado about nothing .... All we've done is talked about Baird when it had been our plan instead to talk about politics. * * * The
political ax is hanging over the head of a Mt. Ephraim official on the
charge he is assuming too much authority ..... The political ax hanging
over the heads of the Delaware township cops is about to be enmeshed in
litigation .... One of the policeman is a member of the P.B.A. which will
carry his fight into court in a case that will be a precedent for the
other township cops, too .... Herb Taylor will be county engineer if it
goes to a Republican .... It may be a Democrat however, and newest among
the candidates, on that side of the ledger is former City Commissioner Carroll
P. Sherwood .... There may be only one assistant county solicitor
instead of two in which case it will probably go to Carleton Rowand, city
school board member .... By the way, don't, be surprised if under the new contract between the city and county on maintenance of the City Hall, the city takes full control of the building with consent of the county ... Which will be tough on some of the county jobholders ...* * *. Assemblyman Allen now denies he wants all us newspaper fellers to go to the guillotine ... He says he meant lawyers ... Charlie Humes wants to be guillotined ... Standing up ... Incidentally, Charlie is defending his last-place position in the ping-pong league tonight… Firefighter Lennox went to church the other day… And found the roof braced up. When will the borough of Merchantville fix up that dangerous hole in Browning road at the railroad tracks north of Maple Avenue? ... Or is that in the township? Whenever the state police want Detective Wojtkowiak at the prosecutor's office, ·they ask for "Sergeant Watchyourcoatandhat" … The Mt. Ephraim commissioners are going to buy a police car for their chief ... He's also in for a pay rise ... Bellmawr's chief of police won't get the salary increase he wants, but he will get an additional allowance for the use of his car ... Runnemede's two new cops will also get pay increases … The other day an alarm was sent to every police department in the county and also to the Philadelphia cops that a car had been stolen in Audubon ... The culprit is glad no cops saw him ... He was none other than a police official who wanted to borrow a storekeeper's car but took the wrong one by mistake ... His face is almost as red as Vince (deP) Costello's ... At the K. of C. roller skating exhibition the other night, Luke McKenna did a few fancy turns ... Vince recalled he, too, had been pretty good at one time, so he essayed to show his friends ... His intentions were better than his legs, and a couple of well-wishers followed him around the floor with a stretcher. This all happened quietly The Runnemede police received a complaint from two storekeepers ... It appears that a group of high school students from another town had stopped off at Runnemede to purchase some cakes ... Several other articles disappeared from the stores ... A few days later the dean of the high school went to Runnemede paid one shopkeeper $10 and the other $2.60 ... Representing the goods they said were taken ... Aside to that clairvoyant weakly editor who reported yesterday that Joe Van Meter is going to be the Republican nominee for sheriff: A sheriff cannot succeed himself in New Jersey ... Silvio Fittipaldi, former Haddon Heights High star, is a veterinarian and doing nicely ... A Philadelphia college professor who lives in Pennsauken uses his spare time writing a book ... Home by 4.30 p.m. from work, he retires at 8 p.m., rises at 3.30 a.m., writes for four hours, breakfasts and goes to work ... The Playcrafters are busy rehearsing "Post Road" for Feb. 18 and 19 ... A warrant is in the mails for a suburban doctor ... Illegal operation ... Fred Homer. Merchantville song-bird, had an audition in New York recently before the Metropolitan Opera Audition Committee ... What Collingswood shopkeeper's missus is having trouble getting a costume for a minstrel show? ... They're still looking for better buses on Route 14 ... Carlton Rowand told this one at a dinner the other night… The foreman on a western WPA job wired Farley for more materials to finish the job ... "We need 2000 shovels in a hurry," the foreman wired ..."We ran out of shovels," replied Farley. "Let the men lean on each other." |
|
Camden Courier-Post - February 9, 1938 |
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Is
Zat So? 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 con tent 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. |
|
Camden Courier-Post - February 9, 1938 |
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HONORS
ARRANGED FOR LODGE LEADER Charles Siegel, Supreme Tall Cedar of the United States, and his official Camden Forest No.5, staff will be honored at a dinner and at the second annual charity ball of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, at the Walt Whitman Hotel Saturday night. Among the guests will be City Commissioner Frederick von Nieda and Mrs. von Nieda; City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann and Mrs. Hartmann, Surrogate F. B. Hanna and Mrs. Hanna, Sheriff Joseph Van Meter and Mrs. Van Meter, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pearson, Mr. and, Mrs. August Romelle, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cook, Mr. and Mrs. James Knox, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Forsythe, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Giffins, Mr. and Mrs. William Del Baugh, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Reeves, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Strouse, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Peters, William G. Rohrer, Miss Flora Tulk, Mr. and Mrs. George Murray, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Dahl, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ireton, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mattison, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miles, Lieutenant Albert Eckenroth and Mrs. Eckenroth. Music will be furnished by the Famous Sonny James Orchestra. |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 17, 1950 | ||
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| Camden Courier-Post - February 24, 1950 | ||
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