Sidney
P.
McCord

SIDNEY PIERCE McCORD SR. was born in Reading PA in 1869. He began work as assistant comptroller for the City of Camden in 1907, and was elevated to the position of comptroller in 1911. A dedicated public servant, he served as Camden's chief financial officer through administrations of both parties, and appears to still be in the post as late as 1946. Sidney McCord was involved with many business and civic groups, was active in the fund raising drive that culminated in the building of the Walt Whitman Hotel at Broadway and Cooper Street.

Sidney P. McCord married Eleanor Pike of Camden NJ. There were six children born of this marriage. They were Heber E. McCord, who had a long career with the Camden Police Department, Merrit Ira McCord, Sidney P. McCord Jr., Charles William McCord, Sarah H. McCord, and Mary Adelaide McCord. Sidney McCord Jr. was well known in Camden as a lawyer, Judge, and New Jersey State Senator.

•  NOV 1914

SIDNEY P. McCORD—In the vital field of accounting, Sidney P. McCord holds a prominent position in South Jersey, and with offices in Camden is bearing a worthy part in the progress of the times. Well trained for his work and with wide practical experience, Mr. McCord has come to be recognized as one of the largely useful and constructive figures in commercial affairs in this section. The McCord family is one of prominence in Pennsylvania. In the city of Reading, Heber McCord, father of Sidney P. McCord, was engaged in business for many years as a contractor and plasterer. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Third Pennsylvania Reserves, and was captured .and held prisoner for a considerable period. Later in life he returned to a farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania. After a long and useful life he died in 1909. He married Sarah Hampshire, who died in 1902. They were the parents of two children: Sidney, of this review, and Ira D., who lives at the homestead in Chester County and is a school teacher.

Sidney P. McCord was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1869, in the seventh generation from that celebrated group of Scotch-Irish pioneers, who survived the Indian massacre of Fort William McCord in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1756. His greatgrandfather, Benjamin McCord, married Mary Talbot, daughter of Joseph Talbot, an officer on General George Washington's staff in the Revolutionary War, and a nephew of Lord Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, who lies in Westminster Abbey, England. Receiving his early education in the public schools, Sidney McCord later covered a comprehensive course in accounting while in the service of the United States Government at Washington. He received a certificate from the Association of American Government Accountants, and is a registered municipal accountant for the State of New Jersey. He has risen to his present position since he went to Camden in 1886, his early activity in that city having been as an apprentice to his uncle, Charles W. Hampshire, who carried on the trade of plasterer. For a number of years he continued in his uncle's employ as superintendent of his interests, and in 1909 entered the civil service of the United States Government. From 1907 to 1911 he served as assistant comptroller of the city of Camden under Colonel S. Hufty, and his appointment to his present position of comptroller was received in 1911. Ably fulfilling the duties of this position, Mr. McCord has won the esteem and confidence of every associate in the city administration. Meanwhile, in 1908, he established his own office as an accountant and organized the concern known as the New Jersey Audit Company, public accountants and auditors. Active as president of this organization since its inception, the offices have been maintained at No. 535 Federal Street, Camden, and the company holds a leading rank in its field. Mr. McCord is interested in many branches of community and general advance, and is fraternally affiliated with all bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons, Ionic Lodge, No. 94; Siloam Chapter, Van Hook Council, Royal and Select Masters; Crusade Commandery, Knights Templar; Excelsior Consistory; Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and with Camden Lodge, No. 293, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which he served as a member of its finance committee for fifteen years, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club. He is president of Penn Building and Loan Association, director of the Mutual and Public Safety Building and Loan Association, Camden Realty Company, and Parkside Trust Company. His family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Sidney P. McCord married, November 16, 1900, at Camden, Eleanor Pike, daughter of Merritt and Sarah (Armstrong) Pike. They are the parents of six children: Heber E., born June 23, 1902; Merritt Ira, born April 21, 1905; Sidney P., Jr., born February 15, 1912; Sarah H., born November 11, 1914; Mary A., born August 23, 1917; Charles William, born October 20, 1919. 

The McCord family residence is maintained at No. 582 Washington Street, Camden.

CAMDEN TAX BILLS NEAR 1932 LEVEL
Commissioner Bennett Says Larger Sum to Be Raised Won't Boost Rate

 Equalization  of assessments in Camden will cause slightly increased tax bills this year to many taxpayers, and will result in slightly decreased bills to others, it was announced last night by Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and finance. Location of property will decide whether an increase or decrease is resultant, he said.

"The taxation ordinance is yet to be passed, and nobody knows what the tax rate will be," Bennett said. “I can make no promises whether the average bills will be more or less. They may be a few dollars above or below the amounts paid last year.

"We hope that in most cases the amount paid for taxes will be more. Some may be two or three dollars more or less. It depends on the locality of the property assessed and will be entirely due to the equalization in assessments. It is our object to keep city expenses as low as is possible with safety."

$5,563,185 Is Total

The tax ordinance, which will be introduced in a few days, calls for in total appropriations of $5,563,185.15, which is $231,061.18 lower than last year, Bennett said. The amount to be raised by taxation, however, will be $88,890.53 higher than last year. This increase, he said is expected to be offset in the reduced expenditures of state and county, in which the city will share.

An item of $400,000 placed in the budget to be raised in helping meet $800,000 in tax revenue loans due this year, will be responsible for 20 cents of the tax rate. It is the first time such an item has appeared in recent years in a city budget measure. By this means for the next five years the commissioners expect to liquidate total loans of $2,000,000, city officials said.

The deficiency in anticipated collection of delinquent taxes during 1932 caused the commissioners to insert the $400,000 item in the budget, Commissioner Bennett said. Thus, general .taxation is being made to absorb the default of taxpayers now delinquent .

City Comptroller Sidney P. McCord agreed with Commissioner Bennett concerning the 1933 tax bill.

"The amount to be raised by taxation is higher, the amount of the estimated revenues is lower, and the assessments have been slashed," McCord said. "This ordinarily would indicate an increase in the tax bill, but all these conditions will be offset by the reductions the city will receive as a result of the cuts in the state and county mandatory expenses the city has been compelled to meet in past years. These reductions have been made possible by the bills recently passed by the legislature and will be a great financial  benefit to Camden not only this year but in the years to follow."

Bennett also disclosed that the Camden city tax rate may be "as low as $3.60." That is two points under the lowest tax rate estimated by the commissioner several weeks ago, when he anticipated a rate of between $3.62 and $3.65 for each $100 valuation.

"Based on figures available, we are hopeful of as low a rate as $3.60," Bennett said. "In any event, the rate will not exceed $3.65."

$4,348,085 to be Raised

The amount to be raised in taxation this year, listed in the ordinance the city commissioners is $4,348,085.15. The total last year was $4,259,194.62.

"We are setting aside so much each year to place the city on a pay- as-you-go basis, instead of depending on the payment of delinquent taxes, as in former years," Bennett said. "We are going to include such an amount in the tax ordinance for the next five years so that we can meet the outstanding tax revenue loans and get rid of them. Thus, we are eliminating an endless chain of borrowing, and we consider the move a wonderful step forward in placing the city on a cash basis.

Pay-As-You-Go' Budget

"There has been no playing with the budget. It is straight, honest and square, and that's why we include the $400,000 to help meet the tax revenue loans due. It is a pay-as-you-go budget and honest in every respect. " 

Bennett was asked whether non-inclusion of the $400,000 item would have cut the tax rate 20 cents this year below the estimated rate of $3.62 to $3.65 he revealed earlier in the year.

"That is true," he said, "but we had to meet the loans due this year, and we could not do so from the collection of delinquent taxes, which have been coming in very slowly. We were compelled to add the $400,000 to general taxation, and because we knew we had to include it, we effected economies much greater than that amount so that the tax-payer would not have to pay more in taxes.

The tax ordinance includes exclusively city appropriations of $3,353,124.60, which were included in the municipal budget resolution; local school appropriations of $1,250,000 and mandatory provisions, including deficiencies and deferred items totaling $960,060.55. The tax ordinance includes all amounts that were in the budget resolution. It shows, for instance, that anticipated miscellaneous revenues drop to $1,213,000, against $1.545,-051.71 anticipated last year. The measure also shows that of the total of $4.348.085.15 to be raised in taxation this year, $2,138,024.60 of that amount is for the purpose of meeting the items contained in the earlier budget resolution. The balance to be raised in taxation is for the schools and to meet last year's deficiencies, deferred items and other mandatory provisions. The local school appropriations for the year total $1,250,000 against $1,638,370 last year. The other appropriations included in the tax ordinance are redemption of temporary bonds, $104.234.04; tax revenue deficit; $42.061.51; tax title perfection account, $10.645.28 state aid emergency relief deficit, $19,-495.81; WCAM operating deficit, $8391.90; tax revenue bond reserve, $400,000; 1932 miscellaneous revenue 'deficit, $250,232.01, and emergency bonds, $125,000.

Tax Loans Due

City records show that a total of $4,263,935 in tax revenue loans are due between now and 1936, including the $800,000 due this year. The appropriation in this year's tax ordinance and provisions to be made in similar measures for the next few years are expected to help wipe out this city indebtedness. Delinquent tax receipts, of course, are expected to aid materially in clearing the debt from the city books.

The emergency revenue deficit of $125,000 is appropriated annually by the city to reduce temporary notes issued by the city in 1931 for a total of $750,000 to make up expenditures for state aid emergency poor relief and local relief. The first $125,000 appropriation was made last year, reducing the total to $625,000. The tax deficit of $42,061.51 includes part of tax losses the city suffered last year through assessment reductions and exemptions. The actual loss in taxes to the city last year, resulting from a cut of approximately $9,000,000 in ratables after property owners appealed their assessments, was about $230,000. However, the 1931 tax rate produced about $150,000 more than that year's tax ordinance called for, and that total was applied as a credit to reduce the total $230,000 tax deficit last year.  

CITY ADOPTS CUT BUDGET AFTER CLASH
Slash of $702,890 Is Revealed in Totals Passed at Session of Rulers
LEASE ANNOUNCED OF RADIO STATION
Commissioners Debate With Von Nieda as He Charges Gross Extravagance

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 scrip. Why not pay in scrip now and give out work."

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.