David Baird Jr.

David Baird Jr. was born in Camden NJ on October 18, 1881. His father, David Baird Sr., was one of Camden's leading citizens for well over 50 years, an important man both in the business and political life of Camden, Camden County, and South Jersey.

David Baird Jr. attended the Raymond Academy at Camden and Penn Charter School in Philadelphia PA, after which he graduated from Lawrenceville NJ School in 1899 and from Princeton University in 1903. 

After graduation from Princeton, David Baird Jr. returned to Camden, and went into his father's lumber business, the David Baird Company. By 1916 he had joined his father on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Camden. He later took his father's place as a dominant figure in Republican party politics in Camden City and Camden County. 

David Baird Jr. was a founding member of the Tavistock Country Club, and was involved in the behind the scenes tactics that led to the incorporation of Tavistock as an independent borough, despite its population of less than 20 people.  

In 1924 he purchased an interest in the Camden Post-Telegram from then Congressman Francis Ford Patterson Jr. The rival Camden Courier had been running stories highly critical of the elder Baird and the Republican party, and which had contributed to the defeat of acting Mayor Fran S. Van Hart by 800 votes in 1923. David Baird Jr. was unable to maintain the fortunes of the Post-Telegram, and his father brokered a deal selling the paper to Courier owner David Stern in January of 1926. The Courier remained highly critical of Baird Jr. throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and this criticism certainly contributed but was in no way solely responsible for his political decline during those years. 

In 1929 David Baird Jr. was appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Walter E. Edge, and served from November 30, 1929, to December 2, 1930, when a duly elected successor qualified. He was not a candidate for election to the vacancy in 1930. At the height of his political fortunes, Baird Jr. returned to New Jersey, and ran unsuccessfully for Governor of New Jersey in 1931. After his defeat in the general election, he resumed his former business pursuits. Still the dominant force in local and county Republican party politics, he engaged in a bitter intra-party battle with Albert S. Woodruff throughout the 1930s. While his slate, co-headed by political ally Florence Baker, defeated that led by Woodruff and Elizabeth Verga in the May 1934 election, the deep divisions within the party contributed to rise of the Democratic machine headed by George Brunner that would dominate Camden after 1935. 

David Baird Jr. moved out of Camden to a farm that he owned in a rural part of Delaware Township in October of 1936. His father had acquired the home at 804 Cooper Street in the 1890s, the mansion built by real estate developer Edward N. Cohn in the late 1880s. 

Even though David Baird Jr. had to deal with problems with his own county organization, he still commanded considerable support. He was appointed by the Governor to the Delaware River Joint Commission (the forerunner of the Delaware River Port Authority) to fill an unexpired term in 1938. David Baird Jr. acquired an interest in the Smith-Austermuhl Insurance Company, and by 1947 was the president of that enterprise. On June 7, 1950 he announced the closing of the David Baird Company lumber business that his father had founded in the 1870s. The Baird family remained in lumber for many years, operating the Haddonfield Lumber Company. David Baird Jr. died in Camden NJ on February 28, 1955, and was interred in the family mausoleum at Harleigh Cemetery. in Camden NJ. 

Bank Directory - March-December 1916

804 Cooper Street

Baird Family home from the 1890s until October, 1936

Click on Image to Enlarge

800 Block
of
Cooper Street

1893

Click on Image to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post - January 3, 1928

KAUSEL IS GIVEN $4000 JOB OVER HOT PROTEST BY ‘REBEL’ IN G.O.P.
‘Not Fitted for Job and 20 of You Admitted it’ Declares Van Meter
COLLINGSWOOD MAN’S INSURGENCY PUNISHED
Vocational School Incident is Recalled as Democrats Join in Battle

Joseph H. Van Meter, insurgent Republican freeholder from Collingswood, today declared that David Baird Jr., Republican leader, had admitted that Theodore Kausel was “not the man for the job” to which he was appointed by the Board of Freeholders yesterday.

Baird told him, however, said Van Meter, that a promise had been made “to take care of” Kausel because of the latter’s aid to the Republican Organization at the last municipal election.

Van Meter quotes Baird as follows:

“I’ll admit that Kausel is not the man for the job. But you have to help me out because we promised to take care of Kausel when he came over to us in the city election. And it was through Kausel that we got Hitchner and a lot of his crowd.”

“We’ve got ourselves tied up with him. We’ve got to take him, and I want you to go along, and help me out”.

“I know his business record and I know his political record. I know the freeholders don’t want him and our conference don’t want him, but we’ve got to eat crow, and I want you to help me out”

Under the watchful eyes of organization leaders, Republican members of the Camden County Board of Freeholders yesterday took care of Theodore “Teddy” Kausel.

With David Baird Jr. and other chieftains of the party occupying front row seats, the board created the post of “general manager of county institutions and promptly named Kausel for the job at an annual salary of $4,000.

Like ghosts at a feast, Baird and the other party leaders sat silently at the freeholders reorganization meeting. Like actors in a carefully pre-arranged play, a little uncertain of their cues, 20 Republican freeholders cast furtive eyes at the group of spectators.

They said no word, these freeholders. They made no reply when Joseph H. Van Meter, of Collingswood, breaking from their ranks, declared that 20 of them had told him that Kausel was unfit for the position to which he was being appointed. They listened in uncomfortable silence while Van Meter gave voice to a scathing denunciation of their “lack of backbone” and while a running fire of sarcasm from Democratic members fell upon their ears.

Scene Was Drama

The scene was drama. It might have been a revised performance of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” with 28 furtive-eyed Uncle Toms and an impregnable line of Simon Legrees, cracking invisible whips in threatening gestures.

And the scene was also comedy. For of that score of men who, according to Van Meter, had agreed that Kausel was unfit for the job but “had to be taken care of,” none arose to protest against the action. Within their Hearts the chorus of Uncle Toms may have been saying.

The county may own out bodies, but our souls belong to the Republican Organization.”

But if they thought this, they said no word.

Today it was pointed out that it will not be long before freeholders come up for renomination at the primaries. Today, it was also predicted that Van Meter has signed his political death warrant so far as the Republican organization was concerned. But at least he received the ungrudging tribute of the Democratic minority on the board, who joyfully proclaimed that they had found “at last a Republican with guts.”

Van Meter Fights Hard

Van Meter spared no words, took no half-measures. He accused his fellow Republican members of coercion, double- dealing and weakness. He fought the appointment bitterly. He raked up the vocational school matter, in which $85,000 had been paid for the school site on Kausel’s recommendation, a price later declared to be exorbitant.

Democratic members joined the Collingswood insurgent. They charges that the $4,000 appointment was the price of Kausel’s allegiance to the Republican party. They declared that he wasn’t worth it. They recalled, later, that Kausel had shifted from the Republican Organization to the Non-Partisan movement and then back again after being one of the loudest to criticize the Organization. They asserted that after his removal as chairman of the vocational school board, he had sought the appointment as city purchasing agent. They avowed that the Republican City Commissioners had ‘refused to handle Kausel” and had “wished him off on the county.”

The 26 other Republican freeholders- all of those present, excepting only Van Meter- continued to listen in silence. And when the vote came, every one of the 26 voted for the creation of the position of “general manager of county institutions” and for the appointment of Kausel.

A little later the reprisals upon Van Meter began. He was removed from the central plant and county farm committees of the board, shifted to the elections committee and allowed to remain on the printing and agricultural committees, regarded as unimportant groups.

Reprisal Were Threatened

“It doesn’t surprise me,” he said. “I was threatened with it. They told me they’d ruin me. But I couldn’t go back to Collingswood and ask the people to vote for me again if I hadn’t fought against this appointment.”

The defection of Van Meter came apparently as a surprise. The meeting had opened with the passage of the county budget on the first reading, the selection of Leslie H. Ewing, of Berlin, as director of the board, the calling of Frank P. Moles, of the Third Ward to be sworn in and his failure to respond or to appear for the gathering.

Minor matters had been attended to and then Fred W. George, clerk of the board, rose to his feet and began the task of reading a long list of proposed amendments to the rules. Buried far down in the list of revisions was that which, “for purposes of economy”, sought to place all county institutions under a central head to be known as general manager.

George lost his breath before he had more than half completed the lost of amendments, and George Rothermel, pinch-hitting for Walter Keown as counsel for the board, took his place. Then Director Ewing called for a vote.

Schorpp Speaks

Frederick W. Schorpp, Eighth Ward Democrat, was the first to speak

“ I want to congratulate you gentlemen,” he said, “on the wonderful way you have camouflaged these changes.

“ We have heard a long list of amendments to the rules read. But what the whole thing is can easily be seen. You gentlemen of the majority have a lame duck to take care of, and so you create this job. But I can’t see, really I can’t see why it is necessary to create a $4,000 plum for your lame duck and saddle it on the taxpayers.”

There was silence in the room. In the seat of the absent Freeholder William A. Robinson sat Baird. At the press table were Sheriff Walter Gross and City Commissioner William D. Sayrs, Jr. Ranged along the front row of the spectators’ section were Mayor Winfield Price and Commissioner Clay W. Reesman. They said nothing.

Louis C. Parker, Gloucester City Democrat, was next to speak.

 “All these changes in the rules accomplish is to create a new job,” he declared, agreeing with Schorpp.

 S. Raymond Dobbs, Fourteenth Ward Democrat, objected and moved that the resolution changing the rules be laid over until the regular January meeting. He was overruled by Director Ewing. Schorpp sought to have the rules voted upon separately, but James Davis, chairman of the committee, refused to accept the suggestion.

The roll call began. In alphabetical order the names were called and the freeholders voted. Republicans voted in favor of adoption of the changes. The three Democrats voted against the resolution. Van Meter’s name was the last to be called.

 “No”, he said calmly, and there was a gasp pf surprise in the room. The clerk recorded the vote on the resolution as 26 to 4 and then began reading again. This was a new resolution. It named Theodore T. Kausel to the position just created and explained that he was to report to the “Lakeland Central Committee.”

 Van Meter Protests 

Van Meter rose slowly. He obtained recognition from the director and began, quietly but decisively. 

“Gentlemen,” he said calmly. “I have studied this proposition. I have known about it for three days and three nights. I have talked to 20 Republicans member of this board and I have done all I could to get then to agree with me. 

And they did agree with me. They agreed, every one, that Kausel was not the man for this job. After what happened on the vocational school project, when Kausel was president of the school board, he is not the man. On his recommendation, the vocational school site was purchased for $85,000. And now you want to send him where he will handle about a million dollars of the taxpayers’ money.” 

Van Meter’s tone was serious as he turned to his fellow members. Most of the latter sat silently in the seats. They did not glance at the Collingswood insurgent. Baird, Gross, Price, Sayrs and Reesman listened intently. A few of the freeholders craned their necks towards the windows as the Camden mummers, returning from the New Years Day parade in Philadelphia, marched past the courthouse. But Van Meter went on. 

“There is not one of you that has backbone enough to come here and fight this thing.” Van Meter continued.

I can’t see it go through. I couldn’t ask the people of Collingswood to vote for me again if I let it go through without a fight. 

“You agreed with me that Kausel was not the man for the job. Haven’t you any backbone with which to fight his appointment now?” 

Slowly, in complete silence that followed, he turned till he faced Horace G. Githens, the majority floor leader. 

“Mr. Githens,” he said quietly and in a measured tone, “ if you will throw away your messenger’s cap and wear a leader’s hat, I will follow you.” 

He sat down and the silence continued. 

Schorpp Lauds Van Meter

 Schorpp rose again.

 “I’m glad to see one Republican who has backbone,” he said. “I told you there was a lame duck in this and here is the lame duck.

 “Woods (Samuel Woods, Republican freeholder from Haddonfield) and you others criticized Kausel and other members of the vocational school board for their purchasing of the land for the school, claiming that it was an exorbitant price to pay for the land.

“And now these same men who criticized Kausel are putting him in a position where he will handle millions of the taxpayers money.

Dobbs followed on the floor.

 “I don’t want to stand here and talk until 10 o’clock tonight just to give you reasons why Kausel shouldn’t get the job,” he said.

 “In the first place, I couldn’t give all the reasons in that time, and in the second place, they wouldn’t register with this bunch.

 “This is entirely unfair. It’s too high a price to pay Kausel to come back into the Republican ranks. The Republican leaders should pay it, however, and not saddle the price on the taxpayers.

 “Personally, I don’t think he’s worth much politically. We had him for awhile and have had some experience as to the value of his services. I thought he could be bought for less than $4000 anyway.”

 The resolution came to a vote. The Republicans, with the exception of Van Meter, again voted solidly. Twenty-six votes were cast for the appointment of Kausel. Van Meter and the three Democrats did not vote.

 Van Meter issued a statement after the meeting, explaining his stand. He said:

 “The reason I opposed Kausel’s appointment is because the man is extravagant. Director Ewing was one of the 20 Republicans I talked to who were opposed to hum, but were afraid on the floor. I didn’t talk to the Democrats.

 “Ewing and the other Republicans said, “What can we do. We must take care of him. We promised to.’

 Charges Unfair Tactics

“I knew when I went ahead with this that I’d be an outcast, but I was determined to do the right thing. This appointment is not the right thing. 

“They told me I’d be ruined if I opposed them. Even up to the last minute before the meeting they came to my desk in the freeholder’s room and tried to throw a scare into me. 

“I knew I’d be thrown out of committees and barred from the caucuses. They’ve let me remain on the printing committee. I’ve been on it a year, and it hasn’t met yet. Nevertheless, there is a $50,000 appropriation for printing. 

“I’ve always tried to be on the level on this job. Why they had the workhouse slated for $120,000 but I fought and fought, and finally- well look at the budget- it’s cut down to $50,000. 

“It’s not the first time I’ve saved them money. I don’t know Kausel personally, but I do know his record. It was because of his extravagance that he was fired from the Castle Kid Company. 

And when I say he is extravagant, I can prove every word of it.” 

The new Lakeland central committee, authorized in the resolution appointing Kausel, was announced by Director Ewing at the close of the meeting. Ewing is to be a member, ex-officio, and Horace G. Githens becomes a member by virtue of being chairman of the finance committee. 

The chairman of the asylum committee, of the County Hospital committee, of the Almshouse committee, of the Detention Home committee, and the Tuberculosis Hospital committee all will become members.”

Name ‘Official’ Papers 

An earlier vote had been taken in which the Democrats moved to designate The Evening Courier as the newspaper in which the budget was to be officially printed. The Republican majority had designated two weekly papers, the Camden Argus and the Berlin Breeze. 

“It’s obvious,” said Dobbs, “why these designations have been made.” 

Parker, Gloucester City Republican, agreed with this view and declared that the newspaper with the largest circulation in the county should be given the official county notices for publication as advertising. 

Schorpp ironically suggested that the Christian Science Monitor be substituted for one of the two weeklies designated and the roll was called. The Argus and the Breeze were officially designated. 

The appointment of Kausel bought the meeting to a conclusion. Of all the Republican freeholders, Davis was the only one to speak. He merely declared that he was one not one of the 20 men who Van Meter had said agreed that Kausel was not the man for the job.

Camden Courier-Post * January 18, 1928

13TH WARD G.O.P. CLUB PAYS TRIBUTE TO RHONE

A meeting which was described today as "a gathering in honor of David S. Rhone, director of public safety", was held last night at the Thirteenth Ward Republican Club, Haddon Avenue and Mechanic Street. 

The speakers included David Baird Jr., Mayor Winfield S. Price, Commissioner Clay W. Reesman, Sheriff Walter T. Gross, Urquhart Ward, ward committeeman, Theodore Kausel and Commissioner Rhone.

A large photograph of Commissioner Rhone was presented to the club by friends of the Commissioner, and has been placed in the clubroom. A photograph of Ward was also given the club.

Arrangements were by made by the club for its annual ball to be held February 21. Plans were also discussed for the remodeling of the club's headquarters.

Camden Courier-Post * January 18, 1928

ITALIANS OF JERSEY LAUDED BY BAIRD
Candidate for Governor Speaks at Hoboken Park Dedication

By Star Correspondent

Hoboken, Oct. 12.-Americau business, religion and government need today a man like Christopher Columbus "who can fire the imagination of our countrymen and awaken the nation to the dangers that threaten our safety and freedom," David Baird Jr., declared this afternoon at the dedication of Columbus Park here.

Addressing a group composed mostly of Italian-Americans, the Republican candidate for governor touched only lightly on political is­sues of his campaign but pleaded for "clean government" so that "the tax dollar may be honestly spent and your right to work protected."

"We are celebrating today a great event in the history of the world," Baird said. "We are paying tribute to the courage and the vision of one of your famous countrymen. We are recognizing in this official holiday and in this great gathering, the energy, the leadership and the contributions of the Italian people to world civilization.”

"American citizens of Italian ancestry should be proud of their heritage.”

"I am proud to salute New Jersey's half million citizens of Italian parentage on this Columbus Day. They are among the most industrious and progressive of our population. As private citizens and in public office, they are doing their part toward the building of a greater state and in establishing the ideals of honesty and integrity in the conduct of public affairs.”

"Columbus set out to find a pass­age to India. He discovered a new world. He hoped for a new era of commercial expansion. He found a land of new opportunity. He sought easier communication between distant people. He blazed the trail to a western world where liberty and equality was to have its greatest experiment. The dream of something great and strong and fine must pre­cede its realization. There must always be men like Columbus with courage to follow their dreams. There is needed today leaders in business, in religion, in government, who can fire the imagination of our common countrymen and awaken it to the dangers that threaten our own safety and freedom.”

"Every age and period brings to us as individuals and as citizens of a great state, its own problems. In the period of expansion and great prosperity through which we have been passing, we, in this state and throughout the country, have forgotten our public responsibilities in the interest of clean government. The great tragedy of American life is not prohibition, the crime wave, or the economic depression. It is the indifference of our citizenship toward their own community and state re­sponsibility.

"Make no mistake about the seriousness of the problem that is before you. The enemies of clean government are strongly entrenched and know their power. The fight will not be won in a day. But there is no system that will withstand the power of a united people demanding the return of their government to its rightful owners.”

 "The battle for clean government in New Jersey must appeal to the: hearts and the traditions of the Italian people. The issues of the day are not the small advantages that are promised in an effort to draw away your attention from the sourc­es that threaten your welfare and happiness.”

"Having once charted his course and set his compass, Columbus pushed on in spite of all opposition. Those who do him honor today will exercise that same determination and perseverance which brought him victory. The blood streams of Italy have enriched the heritage of America. New Jersey continues to be blessed by all the radiance that comes from your people and may the parks of America long know the folk song of old Italy.

Camden Courier-Post - January 28, 1928

Patrons, Patronesses Announced Today for First Military Ball

Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 980, Veterans of Foreign Wars, to be held on Friday evening February 3 in the Elks auditorium, Seventh and Cooper Streets., are announced today.

The following prominent men and women are listed: Mrs. J.W. Connor, Miss C.M. Day, Mrs. J.H. Forsyth, Mrs. H.J. Goodyear, Miss B. Graham, Mrs. R.E. Green, Mrs. E.F. Haines, Mrs. J. Hood Jr., Mrs. W. Hurley, Mrs. J. Jarrell, Mrs. T. Keefe, Mrs. J.F. Kobus, Mrs. L. Liberman, Mrs. F.L. Lloyd, Mrs. M.A. Logan, Mrs. T.P. McConaghy, Mrs. F.F. Neutze, Mrs. L.K. Marr, Mrs. J.A. Pennington, Mrs. M.E. Ramsey, Mrs. E. Truax, Mrs. S.M. Shay, Mrs. W.J. Staats, Mrs. B.G. Tarburton, Mrs. R.W. Waddell, Mrs. E. Watson, Mrs. E.P. Wescott, Mrs. C.A. Wolverton. 

David Baird Jr., William T. Boyle, Isaac Ferris, William Hurley, John Hood Jr., John Jarrell, Victor King, William J. Kraft, Thomas Keefe, Joseph F. Kobus, Hon. Edmund B. Leaming, Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, James H. Long, L.K. Marr, Dr. Thomas P. McConaghy, Hon. Frank F. Neutze, Samuel P. Orlando, Albert E. Simmons, Edwin Watson, Ethan P. Wescott.

Camden Courier-Post * March 12, 1930

Camden Courier-Post - October 16, 1931

OFFICE SEEKS MAN, BAIRD SPEAKER SAYS IN WESTMONT RALLY
Lotz Addresses Meeting and Stresses Need of Backing Republican Candidate
ATTACK HAGUE CAREER

Candidacy of David Baird, Republican nominee for governor, typifies "a new era in public life, the very unusual case of the office seeking the man," declared Charles A. Lotz, district state inheritance tax supervisor, in an address last night at the Haddon Township Republican clubhouse, Haddon and Glenwood avenues, Westmont.

Describing A. Harry Moore, Baird's Democratic opponent as the "tool" of Frank Hague, "leader of the most corrupt and most ruthless political machine the country has ever known," Lotz declared the Republican candidate should not have to ask for support of the voters. "You should clamor to give it," he said.

"We are in the heat of a campaign which is fraught with tremendous importance and responsibilities to the people of New Jersey and of the nation," said Lotz. "Still shaken by the collapse of the great bull market, we are witnessing a revival of radicalism in politics. The accumulated grievances of 10 or 12 years of post war inflation are emptying the vials of their wrath upon the Republican party. We are hearing the chronic hell raisers of Hudson county blaming us for everything under the sun.

"If the economic condition existed only in New Jersey it might be necessary to defend the Republican party, but the condition is not only in New Jersey, not only nation wide, but is world wide.

"Nevertheless, the business depression is a blight which must be exterminated and although this state or country alone can not exterminate it, we can greatly aid by a wise selection of public officials.

"We have, in the present under­taking a choice of two men. The one, admittedly a leading member of the party he represents, David Baird; the other, a tool of Frank Hague. Now I am not one of those persons who believes that any political party is composed entirely of angels laboring only for the public weal, and the other comprising only of demons. Nor am I a person who denies that things are done in organization politics which may seem to the layman who doesn't have time to analyze them, to be purely political in nature, but usually they have a purpose tending to the public good. For instance, there is a. little doubt that the Case Committee's investigation into the affairs of Hudson county some time ago was moti­vated to some extent by a Republican desire to bring to the surface facts concerning the Hague regime in the interest of the G. O. P. cause in Hudson county, but whatever its motive, it has thrown a renewed light upon a unique figure in New Jersey politics, a man generally regarded as a. sinister figure, Frank Hague.

Hits Labor Leaders

"Does the working man of this state know who Mr. Brandle is? Does he know that Brandle and his satellites, the business representatives of the Building Trades Union, men like Delaney, Shinn, Fay, New­man, Grant and others are living in palatial homes and riding around in high priced limousines with uniformed chauffeurs and wallowing in luxury?

"No, all the working man knows is that he is paying union dues and his family is starving and being evicted for the nonpayment of rent. How can this state of affairs exist? It is very simple,

"These labor leaders, instead of occupying themselves with improving the conditions of the laboring man, are engaged in the material and contracting business and are selling out the man they are supposed to represent.

"With his usual prodigious conceit, a trait which we are all taught to despise, Frank Hague had the rashness to dare to compare himself with David Baird. I cannot conceive how any intelligent person, free from personal ambitions, could hesitate for a moment as to his duty to the rest of mankind in November.

"Think of it, here we have a man who has never earned a dollar in his life in a legitimate public enterprise. Who has, fed at the public crib ever since he attained his majority and got his first job as constable, who has no visible means of support, except his job as mayor of Jersey City and who lives in palatial Summer homes in a New Jersey millionaire colony, and who lives in the Winter, while not in Europe, in the most luxurious apartment in Jersey City's most expensive apartment house. Who boasts of $30,000 rugs in his home. Who has a fleet of expensive motor cars with chauffeurs in livery and who spends much time in a Florida mansion. Who has maintained suites in Atlantic City and New York’s most expensive hotels. A man whose living expenses cannot be less than $100,000 a year. A man whose highest salary has not been over $8000 a year. Who never filed an income tax report until made by the U. S. Government to do so.

Sanctifies Baird

"Think of it, this man comparing himself with David Baird. What a mockery to compare himself with a man who has never made a. dollar out of politics, a man with proven ability and an umblemished record in business, a man eminently successful in business. A man who contributes most of his time to the welfare of the people and the State of New Jersey. A man whose outstanding success is due only to hard work, brilliancy and fair dealing. A man who has had a remarkable public career, a faithful and loyal party worker, and a statesman who supports only legislation that makes for the goods of all the people, Republic and Democratic alike.

"Do we want this brand of political plunder now going on in Jersey City, Hoboken and other Hague controlled sections of New Jersey to exist in other sections of the state, where the populace is Republican? Your job is not to defend your candidate, David Baird, but it is to get the people out to vote. The rest will take care of itself.

"Mr. Moore has dared to try to find fault with the Abell bills and failing in this, he has had to content himself by charging that there is not one man in the state of New Jersey big enough or honest enough to fill the office of tax commissioner, an office created by these acts. Mr. Moore may really be sincere in this if his conclusions were gleaned from the knowledge of his own limitations during his former incumbency of office of governor, which was one of the least eventful in the history of the state and how then can he be expected to accomplish aught in these critical times?

"Even if Mr. Moore were not stig­matized by his association with Boss Hague he must certainly be the most egotistical of men to oppose a man of the caliber of David Baird. Seldom is there found in one man the attributes and qualifications possessed by David Baird. His candidacy typifies a new era in public life, the very unusual case of the office seeking the man. This is the inclination of the Republican Party and the more it can accomplish this tendency the greater will be its government and the happier will be its people. George Washington, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight W. Moorrow are examples of this  great ambition."  .

Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

BITTING AT IS SPEAKER BAIRD MEETING

George B. Bitting, candidate for surrogate in Burlington County, was one of the principal speakers on behalf of the candidacy of David Baird for governor last night at a rally of the Pennsauken Township Republican Women's League.

Other speakers were Assemblyman George D. Rothermel, Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus and George R. Braunwarth and Russell F. Walton, candidates for reelection to the township committee.

Mrs. Thomas Thorpe sang two solos and Mrs. Herbert Longacre gave a reading. More than 150 women attended the rally.

Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

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

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

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

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

Asks Seven Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praises Moore's Record.

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

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

Thomas Madden also spoke at the meeting.  

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 23, 1931

BAIRD ANNOUNCES TOUR OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Woodbury, Oct. 21.-David Baird, Republican candidate for governor, will tour Gloucester county Friday.

The itinerary prepared includes a score of towns throughout Gloucester County and will end with a dinner at Woodbury Country Club followed by a public reception.

The speakers will be Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Senator Arthur N. Pierson, Postmaster William H. Albright, candidate for state senator; Assemblyman James A. McWilliams, Dr. Wendell Burkett, candidate for coroner, and Oliver J. West, chairman of the Gloucester county Republican committee.

Baird and his party are scheduled to arrive in this city at 10 a.m. and visit the county courthouse and county building. Luncheon will be served at Pitman Golf Club.

Towns to be visited include: Mantua, Mullica Hill, Swedesboro, Gibbstown, Paulsboro, Clarksboro, Pitman, Glassboro, Clayton, Franklinville, Williamstown, Cross Keys, Hurffville, Blackwood Terrace, Almonesson, Westville, Verga and National Park.

Political Paragraphs

A. Harry Moore, Democratic candidate for governor, is scheduled to speak at the meeting of Gloucester Democrats in the city hall there next. Wednesday night. The meeting will be in charge of Mayor J. Emerson Jackson and the county Democratic committee.

Gloucester Republicans tonight will hold a rally at the headquarters of the city committee, 104 North King Street.

The Polish-American Women's Citizens Club, in its recent resolution pledging support to David Baird, endorsed a candidate for the first time in the club's six-year history, according to Mrs. Priscilla Ciechanowski, secretary. The club is two to one for Baird, she said. Other officers are Mrs. A. Bec, president; Mrs. H. Stojak, vice-president, and Mrs. A. Skierska, treasurer.

A huge new sign, in vivid lettering, has appeared on the east side or Admiral Wilson Boulevard, south of Baird Boulevard, urging a vote for Baird November 3. It is one of the largest campaign signs in Camden County.

Congressman Charles A. Wolverton is appearing almost everywhere with Baird. The congressman is one of the gubernatorial nominee's ablest campaign advisers. He was with the candidate at the Trenton convention of the New Jersey Taxpayers' Association Wednesday.

David Tattersdill, Broadway merchant, is among the latest members of the Speakers' Bureau at Republican headquarters, Broadway and Stevens Street. He is one of the organizers of the Forty-second Street Baird Boosters' Club.

Seventy-two hundred applications for challengers were received Tuesday afternoon, the deadline, by the Camden County Board of Elections. Of the total, 4000 were for challengers for Republican candidates and the remainder for Democratic candidates, including those seeking office as governor, freeholder, justice of the peace and various borough and township offices. No Socialist or prohibition applications for challengers were filed here.

Joseph A. Varbalow, former assistant prosecutor, was so eager to read Moore's speech he had to borrow a cent from Chief of County Detectives Lawrence T. Doran to buy the Morning Post.

Camden Courier-Post * October 26, 1931

BAIRD GIVES PLAN TO AID TAXPAYERS
Tells Shore Groups He Will Start Work Immediately If Elected

Atlantic City, Oct. 25.-A concrete plan to help relieve the burden of taxation was outlined last night by David Baird, Republican candidate for governor, in addresses at the Chelsea Hotel here and at Derby Hall in Ventnor, ending an all day tour of Atlantic county.

"What I think is needed in New Jersey," Baird said, "is a man with the leadership and courage and faith to stand between the taxpayer and the tax spender. If I am that kind of a man, then there are certain things that I have in mind that ar8 most definite.

"First: To trans1ate the business principle into the language of the taxpayer. I will demand and see that the taxpayers dollar is honestly spent.

"Second: I will put a stop to mandatory legislation. It is wrong that the legislature should saddle any further expense on a municipality or county over which the taxpayers of that county have no control. If I might illustrate: What right has the legislature to say what the salary of the clerk of the common pleas court in Essex county is to be?

 "Third: There must be set up some kind of a control agency in our state that will analyze a proposed capital expenditure by our municipalities. This agency should have the authority to say to the municipality that a given project can or cannot be undertaken. This agency should go further and show why to the taxpayers. It should make plain to the taxpayer just what a contemplated expenditure will mean in its effect on the tax rate.

"Now you may ask how do I propose to accomplish this?

"My plan is that immediately I am elected, to call together a group of citizens composed of members of the tax survey commission, representatives of the New Jersey Taxpayers' Association, representatives of municipal finance directors, representa­tives of boards of freeholders of the various counties, bankers, business men, and have a conference on these problems. I shall also contribute my ideas, and with my leadership and active participation, a measure will be produced for the consideration of the legislature that will solve the problem. Measures can be passed that will. I am sure, give relief to the tax-burdened public.

"If you don't want your state Tammanyized by Hague and Brindle through their proxy, A. Harry Moore, vote forrDavid Baird".

Camden Courier-Post * October 29, 1931

47 MORE MEN JOIN LEAGUE TO AID BAIRD
Professional and Business Leaders Back Camden Man for Governor

Forty-seven more prominent professional and business men yesterday joined the Baird-for-Governor Business Men's League and pledged themselves to work actively in interest of David Baird Jr., for governor, and add special impetus to his campaign.

The league was organized this week at an enthusiastic meeting of 18 outstanding Baird supporters in professional and business life at the Camden Club, 315 Cooper Street. The league membership is open only to business, professional and industrial leaders who are not holding public office and who are not politicians.

The latest enrollments among community leaders pledging themselves to devote themselves to the Baird cause are the following:

F. Morse Archer, president of the First Camden National Bank; Clinton. L. Bardo, president of the New York Shipbuilding Company and of the New Jersey Taxpayers' Association; George C. Baker, of the Baker­Flick Company; Watson Shallcross, president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; Howard J. Dudley, Broadway merchant; Thomas E. French, prominent attorney; J. David Stern, publisher of the Courier-Post newspapers and of the Philadelphia Record; Wellington K. Barto, of the West Jersey Trust Company; Dr. Joseph Roberts, Cooper Hospital; William Clement, of the Clement Coverall Paint Company; Robert Wright, of the Haddonfield National Bank; Arthur J. Podmore, of the Camden Pottery Company; Nathan Leopold, Haddonfield druggist; Dr. J. Edgar Howard, of Haddonfield.

Dr. Alfred N. Elwell, of this city; Edward Preisendanz, Clarence Peters, N. Franks, of. Franks & Sweeney; U. G. Peters, Ralph D. Baker, prominent real estate man; Archibald Dingo, George Bachman, Sr., and George Bachman, Jr., Dr. O. W. Saunders, Henry Cooperson, Leon Cooperson, Herman Z. Cutler. Charles Bauman, Harry Rose, George Austermuhl, Walter Gulick, Albert Voeglin, Howard Fearn, John A. Schlorer, Ernest L. Bartelt.

William S. Casselman, George M. Carr, J. Price Myers, Carl R. Evered, former president of the Camden County Real Estate Board; Francis B. Wallen, former president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; William H. Alff, Edmund J. Alff, Harry Pelouze, Walter Campbell, Dr. Thomas R. Bunting, Joseph F. Kobus and Henry E. Kobus.

Enrollments, it was announced, may be made through the following committee of the league:

Ludwig A. Kind, Thomas Gordon Coulter, Charles H. Laird, Walter J. Staats, Frank C. Middleton, Jr., Frank J. Hineline, William T. Read, Charles S. Boyer, W. W. Robinson, George R. Pelouze, Paul A. Kind, Dr. Paul A. Mecray, Jerome Hurley, Harry A. Moran, James V. Moran, William J. Strandwitz, former Judge Lewis Starr and Frank C. Norcross.

Camden Courier-Post * October 29, 1931

BAIRD TO ADDRESS HEBREW LEAGUE

David Baird, Jr., Republican nominee for governor, will make his final appearance in the current election campaign Monday night, in his "own home town," when he will address a monster rally at the Hebrew Republican League, at the Talmud Torah, 621 Kaighn avenue.

The Hebrew league reorganized formally at a luncheon in the Hotel Walt Whitman. Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor, was elected president; Sig Schoenagle, Samuel Shaner, Israel Weitzman, vice-presidents; L. Scott Cherchesky, secretary, and Samuel Label, treasurer.

Trustees of the league include Hyman Bloom, Mitchell E. Cohen, Benjamin Friedman, Jacob L. Furer, Isadore H. Hermann, Carl Kisselman, Edward Markowitz, Louis L. Markowitz, Harry Obus, Maurice L. Praissman, Samuel Richelson, Meyer L. Sakin, Julius Rosenberg, Jacob Rosenkrantz and Jack Weinberg.

In addition to former Senator Baird, speakers at the Jewish rally will include Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, Republican state committeewoman and vice chairman of the county committee; Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Congressman Benjamin Golder, of Pennsylvania, and State Senator Samuel Salus, of Pennsylvania.

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

BAIRD PLEDGES WIDE REFORMS IN COURTS
TO CURB POLITICS
Appointment of Highest Type 11 of Citizens
as Judges and Prosecutors Promised
G.O.P. CANDIDATE SPEAKS AT JERSEY CITY RALLY
Publicity for Decisions on Pardons Urged;
Would End Grand Jury Influence

By Staff Correspondent

Jersey City, Oct. 30- Sweeping reforms in New Jersey's judicial system, ending political control of the agencies of justice, were promised tonight by David Baird.

The Republican candidate for governor, addressing a large mass meeting in Labor Temple hall, outlined his program which includes:

1. Stamping out of politically controlled grand juries,

2. Removal of political influence from the prosecuting agencies.

3. Appointment of the highest type of citizens as judges and prosecutors and elimination of judicial officers who fail in their duties,

4, Publicity for the decisions of the Court of Pardons,

Baird's address, considered one of the most important of his campaign, follows:

Baird said:

"I have stated frankly that in my opinion the first and foremost issue of this campaign is tax relief. I am fully determined that my first efforts after my election will be devoted to bringing about a reduction in the cost of city, county and state governments to the end that our citizens will not face the confiscation of their properties.

Asks Judicial Reform

"But while concentrating on this problem, I am fully aware of others that are vital to the safety and security of all the people of our State and I am anxious to discuss with you people tonight the subject of judicial reform.

"A great number of prosecuting and judicial officers are to be appointed by your next Governor and the people must realize the paramount importance of that responsibility. It is well known that when I am elected Governor. I will be Governor in fact. My opponent's election will mean his domination and the domination of his appointments by Frank Hague of Jersey City and his close friend, Theodore M. Brandle. Mr. Moore was not a free agent when he was Governor before and he owes his nomination again this time to Hague. Will his dictates guide his appointments, or will his dictators?

"Within the last half decade, racketeering, crime and general lawlessness have grown to startling proportions. Decent citizens and legitimate business are threatened and throttled. Racketeers have gripped American decency and honesty. We are facing a challenge that cannot be long left unanswered. I will answer it.

"Our state is not free from this dangerous condition. The refusal to indict persons charged with crime, the powerful influences that are brought into play to postpone trials, the delays and obstructions placed in the way of speedy and even-handed justice and the indifference or prosecuting officers to their sworn obligations, are not unknown to us in this State.

"Our judicial system was designed for a different day and age and we must give consideration to the changes that are required to adjust it to our present needs. Democratic governors have been strangely silent on this subject. Democratic candi­dates, however, do considerable talking.” 

Republican Reforms Cited

Republican governors and legislatures have recognized the need for changes in our judiciary system. In recent years we have revised and modernized our juvenile and domestic relations courts and our probation system, Passage of the Wolber Act, to require judges in the crimi­nal courts in the large counties to devote their full time to their judicial duties has aided in reducing the law's delays.

"The Republican legislature created a Judicial Council which has given a great impetus to the movement for the reorganization of our judicial system. Leading members of the ju­diciary and the bar are now making progress in perfecting a plan for this purpose,

"I endorse that movement. I will support it as governor, I will work for the strengthening our courts' and prosecuting systems until there are no weak links in the chain and no unworthy servants in the whole system.

"Crime and lawlessness cannot be stamped out so long as political influence bears down on the prosecut­ing agencies. Grand juries which are politically controlled must be stamp­ed out and I will urge the incoming Legislature to take the steps to elim­inate that danger.

"When governor, I shall use every resource of that office to speed up the administration of justice and the trials of offenders of the law to the end that the courts and prosecuting officers shall be regarded as champions of the people's rights and not sanctuaries for the evasion of punishment.

To Make Own Appointments

“I will find a way to eliminate any judicial officer who fails to do his full duty. The people of this state are entitled to the highest type of citizens in judicial places and as public prosecutors. When I am governor, they shall have none other. My appointments will not be made for me, they will be made by me and I will be responsible for them.

"All of the questions at issue in this campaign resolve into the query as to whether the people of this state desire their governor to make his own decision, in the appointment of judges and prosecutors throughout the counties of the state or whether they desire these elections to be made by the Hague-Brandle Corporation and handed down to their representative Mr. Moore to promulgate. "My opponent is apologizing for some of his appointments to these important offices and promises not to do it again. He explains that the  appointments were made to straighten out a bad political situation. Is that the kind of explanation the people desire? I am a regular Republican, I believe in party regularity and party responsibility, But I say to you that I will make the right appointment in the first place in order that I may avoid the necessity of apologizing, I will make appointments that the people may be assured of a vigorous and honest and fearless discharge of the official duties or these offices by men whose only devotion is to, public duty,

Pardons Reforms Pledged

"In closing I would like to state my beliefs that in considering any changes in the  workings of the courts, that consideration should well extend to the procedure in the Court of Pardons, the court of last appeal in capital cases.

"I feel, and have felt for some time that certain publicity should be given to the determination of that honor­able body, in other words, I feel that although the actual discussion of the cases should be private, that its decisions should be made known to the public.

"I feel also that the judge and prosecutor who originally heard the case and who are in possession of complete knowledge of all the details, should he permitted to be heard by the court should those officers so de­sire. In the announcement of the court's determination, I believe the public should be given the full facts concerning those who interceded for the condemned person and concerning those who appeared, either by brief or by argument, in the consid­eration of the case.

"I am strongly of the opinion that all of New Jersey's business should be conducted in the open for all to see. "New Jersey must be operated for all its people and those people are entitled to know all the facts that enter into its operation." .

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931