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MARY WALSH KOBUS was one of the first female politicians to rise to prominence in Camden NJ. Born Mary Walsh in New Jersey around 1876, she married well known Camden businessman Joseph Kobus around 1910, and was the daughter-in-law of Anthony Kobus, who founded the Kobus shoe business and also served as president of the the Broadway Trust Bank at Broadway and Walnut Streets. After women won the right to vote, Mary Kobus involved herself in politics. She also studied law, and was the only female graduate in 1930 from the South Jersey Law School, now a part of Rutgers University, in Camden NJ. Mary Kobus was elected to the City Commission on May 1, 1935. She was a Democrat and a political ally of George M. Brunner, who served as Mayor of Camden from 1935 through 1959. When a recount added Frank Hartmann Jr. to the Commission, the balance of power shifted, and Mary Kobus was named director of public safety, and George Brunner replaced Frederick Von Nieda as mayor. Von Nieda sued to keep his position, but his suit was rejected in the New Jersey State Supreme Court. Mary Kobus and her husband, Joseph Kobus, lived at 429 Haddon Avenue in Camden. Joseph Kobus passed away in June of 1939. Mary Kobus continued to serve in Camden city government after his passing. |
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Camden Courier-Post - January 28, 1928 |
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CHARITY
BATTLES ATTRACT BIG CROWD Fifteen sizzling amateur boxing bouts, together with nine acts of vaudeville, were presented to a capacity crowd in the St. Joan of Arc Church gym, Fairview. The proceeds derived from the affair will go toward the church building fund. In the feature bout, Bob Zimmerman, of Fairview, unintentionally fouled Eddie O'Tell of South Camden, in the first round and Referee Joe Bonnell immediately stopped the fuss. Zimmerman was in the lead when O'Tell, in attempting to avoid a left hook to the body, leaped into the air with the result that the punch landed low. Zimmerman, in order not to disappoint the crowd went three rounds with Mickey Murtha. Battling Mack and Pee Wee Ross staged a clown act, while Johnny Lucas met Billy De Lue; Tommy Lyons clashed with Jack Stanley; "Peaches" Gray tackled Terrible Pine; Joe Colon faced Billy Osborne, and George Anderson encountered Milton Bamford. All bouts were limited to three rounds. Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh attended the affair, and when introduced by Announcer Bill Kennedy received an ovation that lasted fully five minutes. Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus, a member of the city board of censors also was present. Sergeant Ray Smith assisted Bonell in refereeing, while John McGraw was timekeeper. It was one of the most successful affairs ever conducted by the church athletic association. |
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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 - February 10, 1928 | |
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From the 1930 Archive, |
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Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931 |
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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 - June 6, 1933 |
| CAMPAIGN
PLANNED BY SALVATION ARMY Executives of Organization Discuss Budget for Camden and Propose Drives Plans for a
campaign to raise funds to cover the budget of the Salvation Army Corps
here were discussed yesterday at a meeting of members of the executive board at Hotel
Walt Whitman. William D.
Sayrs, chairman of the committee presided and requested that a successor
be appointed. The nominating committee selected Earl Lippincott, chairman;
Mrs. Arthur Casselman and John J. Robinson,
vice chairmen. Brigadier
James A. Harvey, commanding the Philadelphia region of the
Army reviewed the Work accomplished at the Camden headquarters, under
direction of Captain Charles W. Schafter. An
itemized report of receipts and expenditures together with a budget
outline were submitted by Captain Schaffer. Included
among the members at the meeting were Reverend John Pemberton, Mrs.
Charles A. Wolverton, Mrs. Casselman, Mrs. Mary
W. Kobus, Herman Hensgen, Joseph Tweedy, Frank C. Propert, and
Robinson. Other members of the
committee include Howard Hemphill, George C. Baker, Patrick Harding, Dr.
James Rodgers, Dr. F. William Schafer and Dr. Albert Pancoast. |
| Camden Courier-Post - June 9, 1933 |
| POINT PLEASANT P.-T. A. HEARS CAMDEN WOMAN Point Pleasant, June 8- Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, of Camden, South Jersey district regent, was one of the principal speakers today at the quarterly meeting of the Amboy District, Diocesan Parent-Teacher Association, in St. Peter's Church. More than 300 attended. Other speakers included Rev. Father Reilly, rector of St. Catherine's Church, Spring Lake, and chancellor of the Trenton Diocese; Rev. Michael Dalton, diocesan superintendent of schools, and Rev. Father Adolph, O.M.C., rector of St. Peter's Church. |
| Camden Courier-Post - June 24, 1933 |
| SALVATION
ARMY
NAMES
LIPPINCOTT Camden Unit Makes Real Estate Broker Chairman of Advisory Boards Earl
R. Lippincott, real estate broker, has been named chairman of the advisory
board of the Camden unit of the Salvation Army, succeeding William
D. Sayrs.
Elections
of officers for the group were held yesterday following a luncheon meeting
at Hotel
Walt Whitman.
Vice chairmen of the organization include John J. Robinson and Mrs.
Arthur J. Casselman. Other
officers include Mrs.
Charles A. Wolverton, treasurer, and Miss Elizabeth Magill, secretary.
Members of the executive committee selected the following committees: Woman's committee, Mrs. Arthur H. Holl and Mrs. Wilfred W. Fry; finance committee, Dr. F. William Shafer, William D. Sayrs, Frank C. Propert, Mrs. Wolverton and Mrs. Holl; property committee, Howard Hemphill, John J. Robin son, Herman E. Hensgen, Arthur J. Casselman and George C. Baker; public relations and publicity, Rev. John Pemberton, Joseph G. Tweedy, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus, Dr. Albert B. Pancoast and Patrick H. Harding; program committee, Dr. James Rodger, Propert, Robinson, Tweedy and John L. Shannon. |
| CAMDEN
COURIER-POST
AUGUST 3, 1935 Click on Image to Enlarge |
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| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - AUGUST 3, 1935 |
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POLICE
FORCE POLITICS BANNED COMMISSIONER KOBUS DECLARES “I want 100% efficient police department and not a political machine.” Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, new director of public safety, made that declaration yesterday afternoon at a joint police-press conference in her office at city hall before she was served with a writ restraining her from taking that office. Commissioner Kobus was the kindly mother talking to her “boys” for the most of the conference- but at times she became the stern parent- with the birchrod in the cupboard- as she instructed the police heads to “divorce themselves from politics.” “For many years I have nursed in my heart a desire to see Camden with a 100% efficient police department”, the commissioner said. “Now that time is at hand.” “I have known all of you men for many years,” she told the assembled commanders, “and I don’t care what your respective political affiliations might be. You have a right to you opinions, but I want the police department to divorce itself from politics. .
“You must know what is going on in your city and you must let me know. I
must have 100 percent cooperation if I am to succeed in this new
undertaking. “If you have any complaints, don’t go around and growl, undermining the department. Lay your cards on the table, I guarantee you a fair deal. “Chief Colsey is head of the police department and not in name only. You others in the rank you occupy are also commanders in fact and not in name. It is up to you.” The commissioner urged a closer co-operation between police and the press and concluded by saying she wanted her “family” to be honest-to-goodness policemen “because there is no room in the department for those who are not.” Attending the conference was Chief Arthur Colsey, Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, chief clerk of the bureau; Lieutenants George Frost, Ralph Bakley, Walter Welch, Samuel E. Johnson and George Ward. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - AUGUST 30, 1935 | ||
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| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - AUGUST 31, 1935 |
| JOHNSON
GETS WARD'S JOB AS KOBUS ORDERS COP SHAKEUP SHAW MADE ASSISTANT IN PLACE OF KOERNER In
a shakeup of Camden police officials yesterday afternoon Lieutenant Samuel
E.
Johnson was named acting chief of detectives by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus,
director of public safety. Lieutenant
George
A.
Ward, who has been in charge
of the detective bureau for a year, was transferred to take Johnson's
place in charge of headquarters. Detective Louis Shaw was made assistant to Johnson, replacing Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner. Koerner was transferred to the Second District, for radio car and street duty. The new order became effective at 4:00 PM yesterday Police
Chief Arthur
Colsey
announced the changes in the bureau
after a two-hour conference with Commissioner Kobus
yesterday afternoon. Maurice
Di Nicuolo, who has been an acting detective, was transferred to the First
Police District, with former Acting Detective Clifford
Del Rossi returning to his old post in the detective bureau. In
the only other transfer announced, Sergeant Harry
Newton was switched from the First Police District to the Third, with
Sergeant Edward Carroll going
from the Third to the First. Although
no other changes were made public, it is believed yesterday’s are a
forerunner of numerous shifts to be made today or early next week.’ “These changes are being made for the good of the service,” Commissioner Kobus declared. “There will be other transfers of officers and men so that all the police may familiarize themselves with all the branches of the department.” Lieutenant Johnson was a appointed a policeman on January 1, 1910. After 10 years as a patrolman, he was promoted to a detective, where he made a splendid record. On November 28, 1928 he was made a sergeant, and again promoted on April 8, 1930, when he became a lieutenant. Ward was appointed a policeman on August 2, 1917, promoted to detective January 1, 1927, sergeant November 14, 1928 and lieutenant on January 24, 1930. Johnson was a detective sergeant when former Police Chief John W. Golden was head of that bureau, but later was transferred to police headquarters. Ward has been in and out of the detective bureau several times. He served for a time as the commander of the First District and later was ion charge of the police headquarters on the 12:00 midnight to 8:00 AM shift. He was a political lieutenant of former Public Safety Director David S. Rhone. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 5, 1936 |
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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 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 8, 1936 |
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CAMDEN
HIGH GIRLS TO PUSH CAMPAIGN
FOR
'PLAY STREETS’ By E. CECILIA CUMMINGS Camden
High School
senior girls in 12th year health classes recommend play streets, especially
in South Camden, as a preventive measure for juvenile delinquency. Death
by automobile, vandalism and petty crime, they think, all spring from the same
root- lack of safe places for supervised play. This
is a direct outcome of discussions in Miss Marjorie Van Horn's health classes,
and of a campaign whittled to make Camden residents "reform
school disgrace" conscious. In
their study of child welfare, they have been impressed above the eyebrows by
the effects poor housing, crowded conditions and lack of recreation have on
health, and how all these tie together to mould the typical reform school
occupant. Discussions
during class period weren't getting them anywhere, however. Up spoke Frances
Allebach impatiently: "We talk and talk, but why don't we DO
something." She was promptly voted chairman, and Margaret Baker,
secretary, of an embryo campaign. But
that was only the beginning. It
developed into a speech-making, propaganda-distributing, doorbellpushing and
petition-signing campaign, and it's showing results. A
group went to Director of Public Safety Mary
W. Kobus and asked her to authorize the roping off of little-traveled
streets. Reconnoitering on auto trips, armed with city maps and pencils,
showed them suitable locations for play streets. Mrs. Kobus promised them her
hearty support, but reminded them the signatures of all residents on those
thoroughfares were necessary to rope them off as playground substitutes. Plan
for Summer They
set forth in pairs to acquire those signatures, and obtained a high
percentage, according to Miss Van Horn. Their present work is to complete the
petitions, when they will again visit Mrs. Kobus. Since most school
playgrounds will be closed, the play streets will be needed most in Summer
time, and the seniors started their campaign early enough for it to be
climaxed by then. Indirectly,
the need for more play opportunities has seeped out into county
municipalities, Miss Van Horn reports, through Camden's service clubs. Two
seniors approached these clubs, various Parent Teacher associations and
several churches, for their cooperation. Since numerous service club members
do not reside in Camden, they carried ideas from the girls' speeches out into
the county, where they may take new growth. Girls
active in the campaign as speakers were Olive Patterson, Madeline Danner, Lois
Davis, Dorothy Schoellkopf, Henrietta McCausland, Miss Allebach, Margaret
Baker, Rose Shectman, Helen Brown, Mary Burke and Ruth Austermuhl. So,
that more or less theoretical, social service work which might be about as
interesting as cold oatmeal, put these seniors all in a lather. However,
graduation took some of them away from their pet project. To counteract this,
the health department kept in reserve a volunteer group of 22 low senior
girls to carry on their predecessors' work. These girls became graduating
seniors this week. Campaign
In February Their
definite work during February is to sound out all P. T. A. organizations,
set their case before them, and encourage the members to sign petitions. Miss
Van Horn's plans make the campaign broaden during the next four months like
compound interest-so that every city organization of any influence at all will
be reached. In
their speeches to the various organizations, the girls emphasize that the
largest one-age group of boys and girls in prisons is 19, and the second
largest group, 18. More than half of all automobiles stolen, they have found,
can be attributed to boys under 15. Supervised
recreation grounds in each crowded district, to keep idle youngsters out of
mischief when not in school are the prime solutions to the increasing
delinquency problem, the speeches assert. Bertha Faber is chairman of a committee arranging dates for speeches and publicity. Posters have also been created and placed in approximately 30 Camden stores.” |
| Camden Courier-Post * February 11, 1936 |
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SHOTS
HALT FLIGHT AFTER CAR HITS COP Four
men were arrested amid revolver
shots after a Camden policeman was knocked down by a police car during a
raid yesterday afternoon. Acting
on orders of Commissioner Mary W.
Kobus, who is continuing her drive to rid the city of speakeasies,
three policemen and two detectives surrounded the home of James Ford,
colored, at 1124 South Ninth street, shortly. before 3 p. m. Patrolmen
Edward Shapiro and Thomas Kauffman arrived in a radio car. So did James
Brown and John Houston, two colored detectives. Patrolman Earl
Stopfer arrived on foot. Three
policemen went to the back door. Kauffman stayed in the radio car at the
front. Shapiro knocked at the front door. The
policemen at the rear were ahead of those opt front. As a result four
men ran out through the front door .and bowled over Shapiro. The man in
the lead, who later was identified as Wilbur "Lackey" Davis, of
821 Mt.
Vernon street, raced up the street, a quart bottle of liquor in hand. Kauffman
had driven his radio car behind another machine. He started the engine and
attempted to back out to give chase. Shapiro
ran behind the car and as he
did, the machine struck him, knocking him into the middle of the street.
Prone, Shapiro drew his revolver and opened fire on Davis. Three
shots were fired in the air. Two
others were closer to the fugitive, who halted. With the sound of
shooting, the other three men yielded to the assembled policemen. They
gave their names as Ford, Herman Hopkins, 21, of 1124 South Ninth street,
and Harry McLane, 29, of 746 Kaighn
avenue. All
will be arraigned today. Ford,
Hopkins and McLane will be charged with violating the state A.B.C. act. In
addition, Davis will be charged with resisting arrest. Patrolman Shapiro was hurt but slightly. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - FEBRUARY 14, 1936 |
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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 20, 1936 |
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National
Puzzlers to Hold Semi-Annual Session Here Puzzledom, that world of crypto-grams, psychology and pseudonyms, will have its capital in Camden beginning and continuing through Sunday. It will be the 105th semi-annual convention of the National Puzzlers' League, Inc. Back
in 1926, sesquicentennial year of American Independence, the puzzlers held
their 86th semi-annual convention here. The fact Joseph
Kobus, retired Close
to 100 members, from all sections Have
Pseudo Names in puzzledom each is known by a pseudonmy, self-chosen. Mrs. Kobus,
for instance, is H. S. Law, which is a reverse spelling of her name before
marriage, Walsh. Commissioner Kobus-
beg pardon, H. S. Law- is chairman of the reception committee which will
welcome members as they arrive tomorrow afternoon and night. Many
attractive entertainment features will be crowded into the two-day
session. On
the convention program for Saturday morning is a meeting of Features
of Sunday's program, after breakfast and church services, will be a puzzle
broadcast from Station WCAM at 11:00 AM, the closing session of the
convention in the afternoon, to be followed by award of WPA
Band to Play Sunday
evening there will be a meeting of the MMM, Minute Men of Mystery, an
organization within the league, followed by a dinner and
"surprises". The WPA
leisure time band, directed by Joseph Fuhrman, will give a musical program
at the hotel for the benefit of the visitors Saturday night. "It has been generally agreed by discerning critics that Puzzledom, as we know it, received a big upward life toward a higher and better organized plane by reason of a historic meeting here in 1926," Mrs. Kobus said, "and we hope the coming session win prove just as brilliant." Other officers of the league are: Charles Jacobsen (Oedipus), of Whitestone NY, president; Paul E. Thompson (Blackstone), Cleveland Heights OH, second vice president; Lewis Trent (C. Saw), New York NY, secretary; John Q. Boyer (Primrose), Baltimore MD, treasurer; Rufus T. Strohm (Arty Ess), Scranton PA, official editor, and J. H. Wickham (Wick O'Cincy), Cincinnati OH, Ohio trustee. |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 20, 1936 |
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ADVISERS
BAR 60
FUND PLAN; APPROVE
OF 77 By
W. OLIVER KINCANNON Disregard
Chapter 60. Refinance
under Chapter 77. Reinforce
that with what security you can give by resolution or ordinance, but
Disregard Chapter 60. Use
a business rather than a political basis.
Take
an active Interest In the management of Camden County as well as Camden
city, acting as a committee of inquiry on county management. These
are some of the points of advice given to the City Commission yesterday,
at a special meeting of the Commission, by its Citizens' Advisory
Committee. In
trip-hammer style, James W.
Burnison, chairman of the advisory group, read a report that
followed with these recommendations: Forget
politics and work as a unit. Cut
expenses and stay within your budgets. Prepare
a complete and honest budget. Let
the taxpayers decide when an emergency exists that requires an addition
to the budget. Fight shy of gamblers' Interest rates. Don't
default; it's too costly. Get
on a cash basis and stay there. Make
every taxpayer in the city realize and live up to his tax
responsibility. Think
about Camden city and county in a patriotic rather than a political
sense. Vote
to Act Quickly The
commission voted to take quick action by passing a motion introduced by
Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, director of revenue and finance. This
motion empowers Bennett to call, as quickly as possible, a meeting of
the commission, representatives of its advisory committee, the finance
committee of the board of freeholders, representatives of the city's
bonding attorneys, Hawkins, Delafield and Longfellow, representatives of
Lehman Brothers and other bond houses to determine what arrangement can
be effected to solve the city's financial problems. Setting forth that
it is not our intent or desire to criticize the performances of past or
present city officers, " the report nevertheless, contained
frank condemnation of emergency deficiency appropriations for items that
are and were left off budgets. Hits
Past Budgets It
contained
also implied condemnation
of all the city budgets
since 1930 and pointed out: "That Camden City receipts
have been
running behind expenditures approximately $1,000,000 a year since
1930." "Our
yearly budgets do not at present, and did not in the past, in the opinion of your committee, give a frank
clear picture of anticipated income and expenditures. “The
job of contacting bondholders to
procure interest reductions, "your 'committee finds, has not been handled as frankly as
it deserves. We can find no evidence of a sincere effort to layout a program and attack this problem logically. No
more than 30 cents can be lopped off the tax' rate if the contacting
program were completely successful. The committee has failed to receive a requested report of efforts to contact
bondholders. The
committee was convinced that it is futile to expect any large-scale
interest cuts from bondholders. Hopeful
of Rate Cut It
believes the majority of high interest-bearing bonds can be refunded at
substantially lower interest rates
if constructive action is taken immediately. The committee has been
informed that the state has refused to accept "reasonable
rates" on the city's bonds held by the State. Furthermore,
"the present difference of opinion on this subject among members of
our present city commission would in itself effectively block any real
work along this line, " and "We feel that real results along
this line require a united front on the part of our commission and the county freeholders." "Our
sinking fund, we are informed, is stuffed with our own frozen paper.
Such financing, in our estimation, kills the purpose of such
funds." "The
present plan of singling out a
few wards in our city and call
for sporadic
tax sales is neither fair to the delinquent taxpayers in these wards nor
is it fair to the taxpayers throughout the city." Has
Detail Report After
concluding his reading of the summarized report, Burnison informed the
commissioners the committee has completed a detailed report of "40
to 42 pages of homework for you" and said that will be submitted
today. "That
will contain detailed recommendations, including some errors in figures
and in judgment, but we ask that you disregard the errors and use the
good in it,"
Burnison said. He
explained
that
when he mentioned
30 cents as the maximum figure to be lopped from the tax rate of the
city were completely successful in obtaining interest reductions, he
figured that would be the result if the city got 2% to 3 percent rates on all its bonds.. "There’s
a large number of these bonds you can't hope to refund at lower interest
rates, as the rates already are low. You couldn't get under 4 or 4%
percent on your first refunding under Chapter 77 and almost all of the
bonds not immediately refundable are around those figures, " he
said. Commissioner
Bennett immediately opened up argument concerning what the committee
thinks will replace his favored refunding plan- Chapter 60 combined with
Chapter 77. Tells
Objection to 60 Plan "Sixty
seems to give the other fellow more advantages than us; that's our
objection to it,"
Burnison said. "Apparently
you have been assured from some source that we can avoid an increase in
the tax rate without adopting Chapter 60," Bennett said and
continued: "I
see no way of keeping down this year's budget without 60. Politics is
out in my argument, but I honestly believe 60 and 77 combined make the
only plan for us. Under the present plan the rate will go up this year.
Won't you tell us your source of assurance that it will not?"
Burnison
did not answer the question immediately and Bennett said: "We would
have to pass resolutions committing us to procedure similar to that
under Chapter 60, wouldn't we?" "Yes,"
Burnison answered, "but not binding you to as close supervision.
You can't continue to exceed receipts and improve conditions
anyway." "Well,"
Bennett said, "give us the advantage of your sources assurance.” Tells
Sources "We
have two such sources,"
Burnison said. "Mr. Middleton is one. (Melbourne
F. Middleton,
Jr., former city director of revenue and finance and
now a bond dealer interested in the city's refunding issues.) "Lehman
Brothers (New York bankers who have handled many of the city's bonds in
the past and were interviewed last Friday by the advisory committee)
also said if we showed a sincere frank idea of economizing and staying
within our budget, the bondholders would accept our bonds without
necessity of recourse to Chapter 60. "They
said 60 'meant no more to the
bondholder than resolutions and ordinances, if you get together and go on record to
give security and then do it. "I
don't think the city commission should have any compunction in binding
itself not to exceed the budget. Then, if you find it is impossible for
you to operate on what you are taking in under the present tax rate,
call in a group of taxpayers say
200 of them-and explain the situation and raise the tax rate. "Any
reasonable man or group will
see the necessity and logic of that. They will go along with you. "But
under Chapter 60 you put yourself under a rigorous unbending set of
restrictions." Mrs. Kobus Urges Action
"Let's
quit arguing and do it," Commissioner Mary
W. Kobus suggested, and
Mayor Frederick von Nieda asked: "If we take an average of the
income for the past three years would you not consider that average for
this year?" "Yes",
said
Burnison. At
that point Bennett made his motion for power to call a special meeting
of the freeholders, commissioners, citizens' group, bond attorneys and
bond dealers, and it was passed unanimously after Commissioner George E.
Brunner seconded it. "I
reserve the right own discretion about dealers will be asked” Bennett
remarked. "It
may be that Lehman Brothers are the only ones who will trust us,"
Burnison said. "They know the lines we are working along. They work
with other houses, and there may be other sources of credit we can
tap." "Well,
42 of the largest cities in New Jersey with 62 percent of all at the
ratables of the state are under Chapter 60 now," Bennett said. "Sixty-two
percent could be wrong,"
Burnison answered and laughed, adding:
"In my opinion, those cities going under 60 haven't looked very far
ahead." "That's
what we have done," Bennett replied. "My department has done
that and that is why we are advocating 60.” Burnison
Disagrees
"Well
there are members on our committee
who know a good bit about that sort of thing and they say the city is justified in not going
under 60," Burnison said. "The
Legislature is going to pass a new budget law that will act just the
same as Chapter 60, though it will not be passed in time to effect this
year's budget," Bennett said. "Well,"
said
Burnison, "I'd think the commission would prefer to adopt a
safe course voluntarily than to be forced into it." "We
have no assurance that those who will have charge of the city's affairs
for the next 15 or 18 years will follow the course we lay down for
them," Bennett said and added: "Past political experience
shows that they won't." This
brought the argument to a close and
Burnison, questioned by a reporter,
said: "We
are not unalterably opposed to Chapter 60. We oppose it, yes. We believe
under 77 a better job for us can be worked out." Members
of the committee, in addition to Burnison, who attended the session are
James V. Moran, Harry A. Kelleher, Carl R.
Evered, Dr. Ulysses S.
Wiggins, A. Lincoln Michener and Eugene E.
Wales. City Comptroller Sidney P. McCord, with an aide, attended, and a stenographer from Commissioner Bennett's office took a complete report of the proceedings. |
| Camden Courier-Post * February 20, 1936 |
|
MRS.KOBUS TO ADDRESS REALTY BOARD MEMBERS City
Commissioner Mary
W. Kobus will deliver the principal address today at the
Camden County Real |
| Camden Courier-Post - February 21, 1936 |
|
Hartmann Defended To
the Editor: Sir-Will you please print the followi |
