Streets
of
Camden, NJ

State
Street


STATE STREET was laid out in 1856, extending from the Delaware River to Cooper’s Creek (known today as the Cooper River) in North Camden. As at this time the only bridge over the Cooper was at Federal Street, causing farmers and residents in the lands east and north along the Delaware to have to travel miles out of their way to reach the markets on Vine Street and the ferry across the Delaware River. The State Legislature and County Freeholders responded to the petitions of these citizens by authorizing the construction of a bridge and extending State Street to the point where it joined Federal Street, which at this time was outside of Camden’s city limits, and was called the “Moorestown and Mount Holly Road”. The road was built so it joined the already existing Ellisburg-Marlton Road, which had been laid out in 1796. This explains why the road is known as State Street on one side of Federal and Marlton Avenue on the other.

There had been considerable opposition from the owners of the Federal and Market street ferries, who feared a loss of business if this bridge and road were constructed, and in fact, a ferry eventually ran from Vine Street to Philadelphia for many years. In spite of this opposition, a wooden drawbridge was authorized in 1857, and the road was completed. The wooden bridge was replaced with a steel drawbridge in 1892.  

When the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, State Street began at Delaware Avenue.

Do you have a State Street memory or picture. Let me know by e-mail so it can be included here.

 Phil Cohen


49, 51, 53, 55, 69, & 73 State Street
  49 State Street
1920s-1930s Sadie Reid Family
Mrs. Sadie Reid
Donald Reid
Maud Reid
  51 State Street
1920s-1930s Elizabeth Dioszegi Family
  53 State Street
1920s-1930s Max Dowhy Family
Max & Agnes Downy
Mary Dowhy
John Dowhy
Walter Dowhy
Stephanie Dowhy
Joseph Dowhy 
  55 State Street
Harry C. Sharp
1870s-1880s
55 State Street
Seaman Second Class
Leo James Kelly
  55 State Street

John Kelly Family
John and Mary Kelly
William E. Kelly Sr.
Cornelius Kelly
Jeremiah Kelly
Leo James Kelly
Julia Kelly
Jane Catherine Kelly

  69 State Street
1887-1888

John H. Heaton
 

69 State Street
1910-1947

69 State Street was a bar as early as 1910, when Conrad Ahrens was the proprietor. William Pfeiffer was the proprietor by 1918 through the early 1940s, Frederick Weldon ran the place after World War II. 

69 State Street
mid 1950s - Late 1970s
Kelly's Cafe

From the mid 1950s through the early 1970s, 69 State Street was the home of Kelly's Cafe. The Kelly family had lived at 55 State Street for many years before acquiring the bar.

Photo courtesy of Todd Toner. That's his uncle Arthur "Hunky" Knox and his boat in the foreground. 

69 State Street
Kelly's Cafe
as seen from 2nd & Main Street 1977

Photo courtesy of Floyd Miller. That's his wife and children in the foreground. 

 Click on Images to Enlarge

  71-73
State Street

Late 1950s - Mid 1970s
M. Bolletino & Sons Junk Dealer
From 1970s
Bolletino Brothers Inc.
The one-story building at right of Kelly's
71 State Street
November 30, 1965
M. Bolletino & Sons Junk Dealer
  73 State Street
1947
Mrs. Elizabeth T. Stefanko
Victor Stefanko
1970-

Intersection of Front Street and State Street
Camden Courier-Post - July 8, 1950
Boy Sees Accident, Asks Traffic Light
by WILBUR MORSE JR.

Petitions for highway safety measures or improvements usually come from adult individuals or organizations.

But there Is an 11-yearold North Camden boy whose horror at seeing a car drag a 4-yearold neighbor 40 feet. near an unlighted intersection, today spurred a one-man safety campaign that carried a bigger wallop than the table thumping of many of his elders.

Into the Courier-Post editorial rooms came William McQuade, 11, of 47 York Street; his dark brow furrowed with a serious frown.

"I want to see the editor of the Mail Bag" said William with the assurance that a sincere crusade brings.

'Tragic Scene'

When queried as to the aim of his visit, William pulled out of the pocket of his denim trousers a wrinkled and many times folded piece of ruled paper.

In pencil he had written:

'The tragic scene I saw July 6. makes me believe that some traffic improvements should be made on Front and State Street and Front and York Street, so that many people or kids will not be in danger from cars."

"At 4:00 PM when work is out, cars speed up to Front and State Streets. I personally think that some zones and traffic lights should be put up there on State and York Street. Would you find room for this letter, please?"

William McQuade wasn't speaking just for himself, he explained, after an editor had read his letter and praised his purposefulness.

"There are a lot of us kids who are in danger from the cars that speed along Front street, as work lets out at the two shipyards and the leather plant in the neighborhood."

"They all seem to be trying to get home first."

"I'll never forget the sight of that accident Thursday when the cars were streaming from the yards."

Young McQuade, a seventh grader at the Cooper school was referring to the misfortune that befell his neighbor, Dennis Taggart, 4, of 935 Point Street, who was struck by a car while playing near the Intersection of Front and State.

Could Be Avoided

"If there had been a light to slow the cars down at that corner, that accident never would have happened," William insisted.

Dennis, his skull fractured, is still in a critical condition at Cooper Hospital.

With his nephew Marvin McQuade, 8, of 707 North Sixth Street. son of his older half-brother, William brought his plea for safety measures to the Courier, because, he said: "Your paper always is trying to help people".

William, Marvin and another playmate, pretty, blonde Catherine Wilczynski, 10, of 929 Point Street, who also had seen Dennis injured, later stood at the comer of Front and State and pointed to the comers where they believed stop signs or traffic lights should be erected.

"It wouldn't cost much to put up a light here, where it's so badly needed," urged William.

"Why. I bet it wouldn't cost as much as the hospital bills and doctor bills for Dennis Taggart. And he's just one boy who's been hurt. There have been others."

"We kids rate a break."


100 Block of State Street
101
State Street

Looking East  from
SW corner of Front & State Streets
Click on Images to Enlarge

101 to 141
State Street

Looking East  from
SW corner of Front & State Streets
Click on Images to Enlarge

106, 108, & 110
State Street

Camden Courier-Post
June 4, 1933

Click on Image to Enlarge

  110 State Street

Edward Maxwell

Camden Courier-Post
June 25, 1933

  118 State Street

1942-1947 David J. & Leta B. Baxter
1947 James & Leta E. Baxter Schoener
1947 George P. Baxter & Dorothy Baxter

120, 118, 116, 114, 112
State Street

Looking South from Howard Street
1st house on right: 112 State Street

Click on Image to Enlarge

122 to 112
State Street

Looking South from Howard Street
1st house on right: 112 State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

124-122 & 120
State Street

Looking South from Howard Street
1st house on right: 120 State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

124-122
State Street

Looking South from Howard Street
1st house on right: 122 State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

126, 124-122, 120-118
State Street

Looking South from Howard Street
1st house on right: 118 State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

128-126
State Street

Looking South from Howard Street
1st house on right: 118 State Street

 
Click on Images to Enlarge

128-126 & 124-122
State Street

Looking West from N 2nd Street
1st house on right: 122 State Street

 
Click on Images to Enlarge

107 to 117
State Street

Looking West from N 2nd Street
1st house on right: 117 State Street

 
Click on Images to Enlarge

117
State Street

Looking North on Howard Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

 

117 & 131
State Street

Looking North on Howard Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

131-141
State Street

Looking East on State Street
1st house on right: 224 State St

 
Click on Images to Enlarge

131-141
State Street

Looking West from N 2nd Street
1st house on right: 141 State Street

 
Click on Images to Enlarge

Adams-Smith

Mrs. Nellie Smith of 132 State Street, has announced the marriage of her daughter, Miss Edna Mae Smith to Alfred Thomas Adams of 2930 Cramer Street, which took place on Saturday, at four o'clock in the chapel of St. Paul's Episcopal church this city. Miss Nellie Smith, sister of the bride and Willard Stover of this city were the attendants.

Mr. Adams and his bride will take up their residence at the State Street address on their return from a trip to New York

132
State Street

Mrs. Nellie Smith
1930s-1940s

  134
State Street
  135
State Street

Sergeant Albert Boyer

107 to 141
State Street

Looking West from N 2nd Street
1st house on right: 141 State Street

 
Click on Images to Enlarge


200 Block of State Street

The 200 Block of State Street
mid 1930s

as seen from the north

Roofs of houses on Grant Street at bottom. Large building is the Cassady School is in foreground. Vine and Main Streets at top of picture. 3rd Street at left, 2nd Street at right.

  201
State Street
  202
State Street
  203
State Street
William T. Bailey
  204
State Street
206 State Street

1930
Charles J. Franklin
Charles J. & Ann Franklin

Camden Morning Post
December 12, 1930

  206
State Street
  208
State Street
210 State Street

early 1910s-1923
Dr. Walter S. Bray

210 State Street

early 1910s-1923
Dr. Walter S. Bray

  210 State Street

1940s
Charles Crain & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Crain
Franklin C. Crain

  210
State Street

Lieutenant Franklin C. Crain

214-212
State Street

Looking South from N. 3rd Street
1st house on right: 212 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

214-212
State Street

Looking South
1st house on right: 212 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

214-212
State Street

Looking South from N. 2nd Street
1st house on right: 212 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

  216 State Street

1910-1911
William F. Jaeckel & Family
William E. Jaeckel
Florence Jaeckel Genther
Elinor Genther

222-220 & 218-216
State Street
June 1974
Razed early 2004

 Click on Images to Enlarge

  223
State Street

James M. Cassady
Public School

223
State Street

Cooper's Poynt School
(
Then known as Cooper Point School)
1976 Graduation

 Click on Images to Enlarge

Photograph Courtesy of Floyd Miller Jr.

226
State Street

Frank W. Garrison

226-224
State Street

The State Bar
226 State Street

Looking SW from N. 3rd Street|
1st house on right: 224 State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

 

226-224, 218-216,
& 214-212
State Street

Looking SW from N. 3rd Street|
1st house on right: 212 State Street
Click on Images to Enlarge

312-310, 304-302,
&
226-224
State Street

The State Bar
226 State Street

Looking SE from Howard Street
1st house on right: 224 State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

 


300 Block of State Street
  301 State Street
(301-305)

Augustus Reeve

304-302
State Street

House on the right is 302 State Street

302 State Street
1900s-1910s
James F. Walton Jr.

 Click on Images to Enlarge

304-302
State Street


House on left is 304 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

  306
State Street
  307
State Street

William G. Bonstedt & Family
1920s

  308
State Street
  309
State Street

1888-1890
John McCreight Family
John & Celia E. McCreight
Miss C. Eva McCreight
Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie" McCreight

1896-1906
Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie" McCreight

  310 State Street
Arthur M. Gill 
310
State Street

Technical Sergeant
Malcolm Gill

  311
State Street

1910
Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie" McCreight

312-310
State Street 


1st house on right: 310 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

  313
State Street

George T. Moore & Family
1920s-1930s

Camden Courier-Post
June 29, 1933

  322-314
State Street
  315
State Street

1914 Lorigan-Hurley Builders
William L. Hurley
1914-1920s
William Henry Lorigan

315-317
State Street 

On right: 317 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

  317 State Street

1929- 1933
William Huff Sr. & Family
William & Anna Huff
William K. Huff

  319 State Street 
  321 State Street

1910-1933
Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie" McCreight
1930 Mrs. Gertrude Gillespie

321
State Street

Camden Courier-Post

August 10, 1936

 

  325
State Street

1935-1936
First Ward Democratic Club
1936
North Camden
Athletic Association

  326
State Street

John J. Burleigh
327
State Street 

1927 Louis Sander

Camden Evening Courier
February 14, 1927

Joseph Carpani

327
State Street 

May 2004

Click on Images to Enlarge

327
State Street 

May 2004

Click on Images to Enlarge

327,
337, 339, & 341
State Street

May 2004

Click on Images to Enlarge

328
State Street

Camden Courier-Post
March 21, 1932

Allen Hearn

 

337, 339, & 341
State Street

January 13, 2006

Click on Images to Enlarge

On January 13, 2006 at 12:10 Engine 6, Engine 1, Ladder 1, Ladder 3, Rescue 1, and Battalion 2 were dispatched for a reported dwelling fire at 337 State St. Police arrived on location confirming people trapped on the 2nd floor. All victims were able to self extricate prior to Fire Dept arrival. Battalion 2 arrived with smoke showing from a 2 story end of the row duplex. Battalion 2 struck the all hands bringing in Engine 9 and Battalion 1. Squad and medics treated to the 3 victims. 2 victims had minor burns and 1 was treated on scene for smoke inhalation. The fire was believed to be a bedroom fire. Crews contained the blaze without extension.

Photos & Story by Ted Aurig

  332 State Street 


1895
Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie" McCreight

Click on Images to Enlarge

337 State Street 


Police Arson Unit on duty after fire on January 13, 2006

Click on Images to Enlarge

341, 401-409
State Street 


1st house on left: 341 State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge


400 Block of State Street
  408 State Street

Grace Lutheran Church

401-439
State Street

NE corner of N 4th & State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

  419
State Street

Margaret Anderson

420 State Street

Private First Class
Joseph C. Fournier

427
State Street

1960s
Bob Gilbert

On October 10, 1976 Captain John F. Gaffney Jr. of the Camden Fire Department was cited by the Camden Fire Department for discovering a booby-trap before entering a building at 431 State Street in North Camden.

431
State Street
433
State Street

Commodore Herbert Hartley

437
State Street

Vernon Cramer

Camden Courier-Post
April 5, 1928

 

401-439
State Street

NW corner of N 5th & State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge

439
State Street

NW corner of N 5th & State Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge


500 Block of State Street
CAMDEN POST - MAY 6, 1888

500 Block of State Street
  500
State Street

Dr. Paul Cohen

 Click on Images to Enlarge

501-503
State Street

 Dr. Ernest G. Hummel

Click on Images to Enlarge

501-503
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

501-503
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

501-509
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge


504
State Street

William Lawson & Family
William & Hattie Lawson

Camden Courier-Post
December 7, 1957

505 State Street

Charles A. Wolverton

 Click on Images to Enlarge

505 State Street

 Charles A. Wolverton

Click on Images to Enlarge

507 & 509
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

507, 509-511,
& 513
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

509-511
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

509-511
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

509-511, 513-515,
 & 517
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

513 State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

513 State Street

Home of
Samuel T.J. French Sr.
Samuel T.J. French Jr.
Nelson G. French

Click on Images to Enlarge

513-515
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

513-515
&
517-519
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

 

517-519
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

At
519 State Street

1900s to mid-1950s
The Clow Family
Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Clow Sr.
Miss Irena Clow
Robert D. Clow Jr.

521
State Street
530-532
State Street

Camden Courier-Post Ad
July 17, 1967

  535 State Street
537 State Street

1940s Curtis & Margaret Kaufman

Camden Courier-Post
November 6, 1947

539 State Street

Samuel Edwards

1910s-1920s
1936

539-541 & 543
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

539-541 & 543
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

539-41 & 543
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

543 State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

1920s-1930s
Michael &
Margaret Carroll

543 State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

1920s-1930s
Michael &
Margaret Carroll

State Street
Methodist Church

NW Corner
of
North 6th & State Streets
Click on Images to Enlarge
State Street
Methodist Church

Postcard from about 1905
  546 State Street

1940s-1967
Margaret Carroll
&
Familyl

552 State Street

Chek-In Food Market
Owner, Jerry Mangel
1969-1991

Looters stealing from the
Chek-In Food Market
1971

Click on Images to Enlarge

Looking West on State Street

Towards Intersection of
North 6th Street
&
State Street
Click on Images to Enlarge
Looking West on State Street

Towards Intersection of
North 6th Street
&

State Street
Click on Images to Enlarge

North 6th Street South of
State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge
North 6th Street North of
State Street

Click on Images to Enlarge

600 Block of State Street
601-611
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

601 State Street

 Charles S. Wolverton
Charles A. Wolverton

Walter P. Wolverton

 Click on Images to Enlarge

Looking East at
600 Block of
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

601-631
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

CYCLIST GETS 5 DAYS FOR 'DRUNKEN RIDING'

A one-time professional bicycle rider was arrested yesterday for drunken driving on Black Horse Pike, Blenheim. He is Thomas Batson, 63, of 608 State Street, Camden. He was sentenced to five days in the county jail by Justice of the Peace Frank Timmons, Mt. Ephraim. 

State Trooper John Hanley, Mt. Ephraim barracks, said the man was zigzagging in traffic on the pike. Batson was riding a bicycle with which he won races in the past. 

608 State Street

1933 Thomas Batson

Camden Courier-Post
June 19, 1933

  610 State Street

1900s-1910
Ralph T. Githens

  612 State Street

1920s-1958
Ralph T. Githens

  618 State Street

Clifford K. Deacon Sr.

James M. Gardner, who died January 19 leaves a $2100 estate to his wife, Anna M. Gardner, of 619 State Street.

619 State Street

1938 James Gardner

Camden Courier-Post
February 8, 1938

618 State Street

Technician 5th Class
Robert P. Smith

  624 State Street

Cullis B. Errickson
1910s-1920s

628 State Street

1930s

  629 State Street

Elisha A. Gravenor
1910s-1930s

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Powers and son, 
C. Herbert Powers, of
630 State Street, have opened their Summer home in Ocean City, where they will remain until September.

630 State Street

1933 Mr. & Mrs. Edward Powers

Camden Courier-Post
June 4, 1933

631 State Street

1910s-1920s
William P. Partenheimer

 Click on Images to Enlarge

Mrs. Clarence Bennett of 631 State Street is entertaining at two tables of bridge at her home, this evening for the members of her club.

Members of Mrs. Clarence Bennett's bridge club were guests at her home, 631 State Street, last evening.  

631 State Street

1933 Mrs. Clarence Bennett

Camden Courier-Post
June 20, 1933
June 21, 1933

638 State Street

1930
Mrs. Roberta Pierson Vennel
Harry F. & Alfaretta Pierson
Jesse S.B. & Roberta Vennel

Camden Morning Post
November 18, 1930

638 State Street

 Samuel S. Elfreth

 Click on Images to Enlarge

  638 State Street

 Rollo Jones

  638 State Street

1929 John A. Dodd Family
1929 Elmer M. Dodd

  648 State Street

1938 Samuel E.F. Saunders

  650
State Street

 Click on Images to Enlarge

652 State Street

1914

 Click on Images to Enlarge

652-650
State Street

2003

 Click on Images to Enlarge

  652 State Street

1910-1914 Louis DeLisle
1914-1925 Dr. Horace Lewis Rose

 Click on Images to Enlarge


Intersection of
Grant Street & North 7th Street
Looking South from over Pyne Point
July 7, 1965

Grant Street is the first cross street, with the white house at lower left

Click on Image to Enlarge

 

700 Block of State Street
701-721
State Street

C. Howard Hunt Pen Co.

 Click on Images to Enlarge

714
State Street

1956-1960s
Anthony T. Orme

 Click on Images to Enlarge

725
State Street

Factory Sales
November 30, 1965

 
Click on Images to Enlarge

734 State Street

Damaged by Fire
September 24, 2009

 Click on Images to Enlarge

735 State Street

1946-1947
Dalton's Pharmacy

 

  740
State Street

Frank J. Hartmann Sr.

 Click on Images to Enlarge

740
State Street

Frank J. Hartmann Jr.

 Click on Images to Enlarge

740
State Street

PFC Frank J. Hartmann III

 Click on Images to Enlarge

 

800 Block of State Street
800 State Street

William B. Sullender

 Click on Images to Enlarge

 

820 State Street

James H. Carey

 Click on Images to Enlarge

  826 State Street
Chief Machinist Mate
Irwin Ritter Clarke

900 Block of State Street
Highland Worsted Mills
1915

818 North 9th Street
 
Click on Images to Enlarge


Albert Bass on a Shetland Pony
State Street - 1950s

Oscar M. & Dorothy Bass lived in North Camden, at 715 North 10th Street in the late 1940s and at 615 North 6th Street by the fall of 1956. Young Albert on the pony was later known as Big Al. The other children were Clara, Dottie, Junior (Oscar Jr.), Gus, and Roy.  

Picture and notes courtesy of Earl & Janet Crim


The State Street Bridge
State Street Bridge

2000

Click on Image
to Enlarge

State Street Bridge

August, 2004

Click on Image to Enlarge

Plate on top of 
State Street Bridge reads:
Sweeten & Sons
1886 Contractors

Photo Courtesy of Earl Crim


1100 Bock of State Street
1100 State Street

Recorded Publications Laboratories
Recording Studio


August 2004
 
Click on Image to Enlarge
Photo Courtesy of Earl Crim

Recorded Publications Laboratories
Recording Studio

1991 Fire Watch Magazine Advertisement

 


Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

Crossing Where One Was Injured In Train-Bus Crash

Click Here For Enlarged View     
 of Above Photo
                  

TRAIN HITS SCHOOL BUS

One man was seriously injured last night when a passenger train and a school bus crashed at the East State Street crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The injured man is Samuel Phillips, 45, of Blackwood, driver of the bus. He is in Cooper Hospital, having suffered cuts and bruises on the arms and legs, possible fracture of several ribs on the left side and shock.

Pennsylvania Railroad crossing on East State street where a bus driver was seriously injured last night is shown below with the wrecked vehicle in the upper photo. The driver, Samuel Phillips, of Blackwood, declares a crossing watchman waved him across while a second guard closed the gates in front of him when he was halfway across. The passenger train striking the bus was uninjured.

The bus was the property of William C. Schlitz, of Maple Shade, and operated daily between the St. Joseph School, Twenty-ninth and Westfield Avenue, and Cramer Hill.

A bus load of 30 children had just vacated the bus.

Phillips, through Schlitz, made the following statement to police last night:

"I was coming east on State Street and at the railroad a flagman waved for me to come across. I started across and when near the other side put the gates down on me, preventing me from crossing.

The west gates at the crossing were broken several days ago and a flagman has been stationed there pending repairs. Officials of the railroad declared Phillips had an unobstructed view of the crossing for more than 150 feet and had ample time, in which to stop his vehicle. 

They refused to amplify the statement and said an investigation would be conducted at 10 a. m. today to ascertain responsibility.  


Camden Courier-Post - June 4, 1933

11 Families Cook in Yards; 35 Children Suffer Until Paper Guarantees Gas Bills
Returned to civilized living, this group of 23 children is happy once again. They are members of 11 families under Emergency Relief at 106, 108 and 110 State Street who were forced to cook their meals on rude makeshift stoves in the back yards after gas and electricity had been turned off for non-payment of bills.

Mothers Forced to Use Make-Shift Means When Public Service Cuts Fuel Supply Pending Assur­ance of Payment by Emergency Relief Officials

Uncivilized hardship forced on eleven poor North Camden families has been alleviated.

From early Friday morning until 3.20 p. m. Saturday these families, supposedly under the protecting care of the emergency relief, were forced to revert to pioneer methods to cook the food and heat milk. There are 35 children in the families.

Gas and electricity which had been turned off by Public Service for non-payment of bills by owners of the properties in which the families are living finally was turned on again after the Courier-Post newspapers guar­anteed to Public Service the payment of future bills.

When the Courier-Post learned that these families at 106-108-110 State Street had been forced to cook their meals and heat their milk over makeshift stoves in the yard, an effort was made at once to reach Emergency Relief officials Saturday afternoon. When that failed, these newspapers notified Public Service they would stand responsible for the bills incurred until the emergency relief would have an opportunity to act today.

A few minutes later, however, a Public Service employee stated that a representative of the emergency relief organization also had called and agreed to guarantee payment of the bills.

Diligent efforts to verify this statement were unsuccessful last night. Wayland P. Cramer, Camden county relief director, said he had heard nothing of the case and that it would be one to be handled by Dr. Arthur L. Stone, Camden city relief director who is serving until his resignation is accepted by the state relief organization.

Dr. Stone said that while he had guaranteed payment of gas and electric bills in a similar case about a month ago, he had no knowledge of Saturday's case.             -

"I assume the, situation was handled by Charles Edgar, of the rental division of the emergency relief," Dr. Stone said. Edgar could not be reached last night.

Dr. Stone said it was the usual policy of the Emergency Relief to arrange with Public Service to guarantee payment of gas and electricity of companies when rent properties to the relief administration. If the bills are not paid by the renting companies, the money is taken from the amounts due these, companies from the relief administration. Dr. Stone said he had no knowledge that such was the policy followed in this case.

A pathetic picture was presented in the back yards of 106, 108 and 110 State Street Saturday until the gas, and electric service was resumed. 

Huddled about little open stoves, with the sun beating down on them, the housewives worked as best they could to cook food and heat the milk for their children.

In these families are 35 children between the ages of one and ten years. All 11 families have been on relief for some time. Three other families in the apartments not on relief, also suffered from the lack of gas and electricity until payment of the bills was guaranteed.

Meanwhile John Colt, state director of emergency relief, has received but has not accepted Dr. Stone's resignation. Colt admitted the possibility it might be necessary for him to visit Camden in his investigation surrounding Dr. Stone's resignation.

"I have received Dr. Stone's letter of resignation' said Colt, 'but have not accepted it. You can say for me that I have this whole matter under advisement. I shall visit Camden if necessary.

"I do not want to give this matter any more publicity than is necessary. After all, my job is to conduct relief affairs to the satisfaction of localities throughout the state, and disturbances of this nature take my time from relief work. I shall try to compose this matter to the best interests of all concerned." 


Camden Courier-Post - December 6, 1957

  

 

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