Roy R.
Stewart

ROY R.  STEWART was born in Quakake PA in 1887, a small mining town. He worked as a breaker boy in the mines as a youth. After finishing business college, he came to Camden in 1909 and found a job at Hurley's Department Store at Broadway and Spruce Street. In 1912 he opened up his own men's wear store, R.R. Stewart, at 609 Broadway. By 1920 Roy Stewart had made his residence and place of business at 201-203 Broadway, the corner of Broadway & Mickle Street later occupied by Broadway Eddie's. DFuring the summer of 1926 he also had a second store in Ocean City NJ. His business was adjacent to the Grand Theater, one of Camden's many movie theaters. In the early 1940s Roy Stewart moved his business to 142 North Broadway, in the Wilson Building. 

In 1928 Roy Stewart served as Exalted Ruler of Camden Lodge 293 of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

Roy Stewart was also interested in politics. He served in the NJ State Assembly in 1925, and from 1926 through 1929. In November of 1929 he was elected State Senator to succeed the late Joseph H. Forsyth, ands served through 1932. While in the State Senate, he was elected Mayor of Camden, succeeding Winfield Scott Price. He served as mayor until 1935, when succeeded by Frederick von Nieda.

Roy Stewart began to fight in 1930 for the high speed line that crosses the Ben Franklin Bridge between Camden and Philadelphia. His efforts led to the construction of the line and the two subway stops in Camden. His vision was also to extend the line into South Jersey, and his dream was finally accomplished with the construction of the PATCO High Speed Line in 1969. While serving as the director of public safety in Camden, he oversaw the installation of radios in police cars. 

On December 1 of 1932 John H. Lennox was named as acting chief of the Camden Fire Department  by Mayor Stewart, succeeding Thomas. J. Nicholas. Lennox was made permanent Chief on October 1, 1934.

Mayor Stewart was also concerned with the housing needs of his city. In August of 1933 he chaired a meeting that led to the construction of Westfield Acres, Camden's first public housing project, and the formation of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden.

Besides his men's wear business, he was also the president of the Republic Building and Loan Association, and served as president of the Locustwood Cemetery Association, which operates the cemetery that is still extant in present-day Cherry Hill NJ. He was also active in other fraternal and civic organizations in Camden. He was installed as Exalted Ruler of Camden Lodge 293 of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks on April 4, 1928 at the Elks home at North 7th and Cooper Streets. . He was a member of Trimble Lodge No. 117, F. & A.M., and the Camden Rotary Club.

After leaving the mayor's office, Roy Stewart returned to his clothing business, and later moved to a home at 221 Browning Road in Merchantville NJ. He passed away on February 29, 1949 in Osteopathic Hospital in Philadelphia PA. 

July 5, 1926

April 4, 1928

Camden Courier-Post - October 13, 1931

Camden Courier-Post - October 13, 1931

LIPPINCOTT WIDOW SUES FOR $225,000
Haddon Heights Woman Files Action Against Railroad for Mate's Death

Suit for $255,000 was filed in New Jersey Supreme Court yesterday by Mrs. Margaret Lippincott against the Atlantic City Railroad in the death of her husband, Willet Lippincott, of 106 Station Avenue, Haddon Heights, a real estate operator and son of Benjamin A. Lippincott, first mayor of Haddon Heights.

The widow, mother of four children, charges that her husband met his death on the morning of July 23 at the Warwick Road crossing at Magnolia. Lippincott's truck, loaded with hay, obtained from the farm of his mother, Mrs. Laura Lippincott, on Warwick road, was struck by a northbound Ocean City-Camden train. Lippincott was killed, and the truck and hay set afire when the gasoline tank exploded.

Papers in the suit have been prepared by former Senator Albert S. Woodruff and S. Huntley Beckett, attorneys. Allegations are made in the suit that the railroad was negligent in failing to protect the crossing, which is termed in the charges as "extra-dangerous and extra-hazardous."

It is alleged further that a signal light at the crossing failed to work properly at the time of the tragedy, and that a curve of the railroad, a bank of earth, poles and other obstacles obstructed the view of an approaching train. No bell or whistle was sounded from the engine of the train, it is charged.

Lippincott met his death although he alighted from his truck to look up and down the tracks at the crossing, according to Woodruff. He had seen a southbound train pass, but was struck by the northbound train. Passengers on the northbound train included Magistrate Dennis F. Fitzgerald, of Philadelphia; Mayor Roy R. Stewart, Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin, City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly, Byron M. Seabrook, and Jerome Hurley, of the Hurley Stores, all of whom had summer homes at Ocean City.

Children surviving Lippincott include Priscilla, 8; Benjamin, 6; Summitt, 4, and Scott W. Lippincott, 1 year old.

STEWART CALLS CLERGY FOR RELIEF CONFERENCE

Mayor Roy R. Stewart announced yesterday he has invited members of Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergy to attend a meeting at 10:30 a. m. today in the city commission chambers to discuss unemployment relief.

The mayor said he will ask the clergy of various denominations to cooperate with the municipal relief committee headed by William Strandwitz.

The meeting will be the first at which relief measures will be dis­cussed since the committee was appointed several weeks ago.

CAFE LICENSE FEES DEADLINE EXTENDED
Mayor Stewart Gives Proprietors Until Feb. 15 to Pay $100

Inability of 72 of 142 proprietors of Camden soft drink establishments to pay their 1933 license fees of $100 by yesterday resulted in Mayor Roy R. Stewart extending the time limit for payments until February 15.

The original deadline set by . the mayor for the payment of the fees was Wednesday and was extended upon the recommendation of City Clerk Frank S. Albright. No further extensions will be granted, the mayor said. 

"Unless those whose 1933 applications have been approved have paid their. $100 license fee by February 15, the police will order there places closed."

Albright said that before closing time Wednesday at the new City Hall, a total of  70 proprietors had paid their fee. The clerk said several others had expressed willingness to pay on time but have been unable to do so because of depleted revenues.  

Virtually all the applicants for the 1933 licenses had been operating under their 1932 permits until the mayor approved their applications last week. Last year's permits will be void February 15 in all cases, the mayor said. 

Albright said that no  additional applications have been approved by the mayor since last week.

Camden Courier-Post - February 8, 1933

CAMDEN ELKS TO HONOR PAST EXALTED RULERS

Past exalted rulers will be honored  tonight by Camden Lodge of Elks with a dinner, ceremonial and en tertainmen t. 

The program will be nation-wide. A dinner will be served at 6:00 PM, followed by a business session. Harry G. Robinson, present exalted ruler, will open the ceremonial and turn the lodge over to the past officers.

The past exalted rulers expected are Samuel Kilpatrick, who served in 1900 and 1921; Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, Alexander J. Milliette, J. Harry Switzer, James H. Long, Marian Moriarity, Allen Jarvis, Albert Austermuhl, William L. Sauerhoff, former Mayor Frank S. Van Hart, D. Trueman Stackhouse, Harry Ellis, William G. Ferat, Judge Garfield Pancoast, Rudolph Preisendanz, Jr., Theodore T. Kausel, Edward J. Kelley, Mayor Roy R. Stewart, William H. lszard, William S. Lehman and J. Harry Todd.

Stewart Answers Civic Congress Demands For Additional Economies
MAYOR ANNOUNCES CITY WORKERS MUST PAY TAX ARREARS
Explains That Suggestions For Savings Have Been Met Where Possible
TRAFFIC CHIEF UPHELD

Efforts will be made to have all city employees pay up their back taxes within three weeks, Mayor Roy R. Stewart promised yesterday. The mayor and Commissioner Clay W. Reesman issued statements to the press answering recommendations by the Congress of Civic Associations and other organizations which urged abolition of certain city jobs and municipal services.  

One of the economies suggested by the Civic Congress was that all municipal workers be forced to pay whatever taxes they owe.  

"I feel that this is entirely proper and an effort will be made to see that taxes on properties owned by city employees are paid within three weeks,” Stewart said. 

Inspection Necessary  

Answering a recommendation that the city eliminate electric inspection and have the work done by the National Board of Fire Underwriters, the mayor replied that Camden could not call upon the board to do the job. He said the work was imperative as a fire prevention measure. Stewart answered criticism of his personal city-owned automobile by saying it is used only in case of emergency and on special occasions, and that his chauffeur has been returned to police duty. Other cars formerly operated by the city have been eliminated as far as possible, he added.  

It was urged that the position of transportation supervisor be abolished. The mayor declared that it would be inadvisable because the 8upervisor now is doing, in addition to his own job, the work of the mechanical inspector, who has been dropped from the payroll. Furthermore, Stewart stated, the to supervisor's salary is more than paid for by fees collected from the transportation companies.  

The mayor defended the maintenance of telephones, at the city's expense, in the homes of some employees. These phones, he said, are necessary for the efficient operation of the department of public safety, Those employees are required to be on call for any emergency. Many telephones found to be unnecessary have peen eliminated, he said.

Regarding a suggestion for separate control of the police and fire bureaus, Stewart answered that "arrangements" already have been made to accomplish that purpose. He recalled that in the police department there are now only two captains, six Lieutenants and 16 sergeants on the force where there used to be six captains, eight lieutenants and 19 sergeants. Another recommendation concerned elimination of policemen in the parks. The mayor said he interpreted that to mean the elimination of park guards. He asserted that park guards have been released except three in Farnham park. Isolation of the park, he said, would create a rendezvous for disorderly persons.

Reesman declared that Convention Hall could not be closed, as urged by one group, or turned over to a board or private interests because under the law the responsibility for maintaining the building rests with the city commission.

MAYOR TO DECIDE ON FIRE ALARM BIDS
Conducts Hearing on Firm's Failure to Accept Specifications

Mayor Roy R. Stewart will rule within two or three days on whether the city will accept the bid of the Horni Signal Manufacturing Corporation, of New York, to install the new, fire alarm and police signal system in the new city hall courthouse annex. The corporation sub­mitted the lower of two estimates recently.

The mayor cited the corporation to show cause at a hearing before him Wednesday why the corporation's bid of $44,995 should not be rejected as irregular in that it allegedly did not follow specifications, failed to reveal the corporation's financial responsibility to complete the work, and made no provision to accept city bonds, warrants or other form of municipal security in payment for the work, as provided in the specifications. Mayor Stewart said the corporation, through three represen­tatives at the hearing yesterday, pointed out that it would take city securities in payment, provided the city agreed to make up the difference should the value of the securities drop. The firm's representatives also sought to have the city assume the responsibility for the payment of "extras", should the National Board of Fire Underwriters specify that additional work and material be added, although the specifications themselves relieved the city of that responsibility. They also furnished a satisfactory statement of their financial status, the mayor said. 

As a result of the hearing, the mayor can reject the corporation's bid, accept that of the Gamewell Company, of New York, the rival bidder with an estimate of $51,837, or re-advertise for bids.

City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly and William Dilmore, acting city purchasing agent, attended the hearing in the mayor's office.  

38 Eligibility Fight Losers Have Long Wait for Cop Jobs
Mayor Stewart Reveals Lack of Funds Makes Ap­pointments,
Either as Summer or Regular Police, Now Out of Question
Favored in Event of Vacancies

It's going to be one long wait for a police department appointment for 38 Camden men who lost an appeal recently to the State Civil Service Commission to extend an expired i eligibility list.

Mayor Roy R. Stewart revealed yesterday there is no hope in sight for the employment of the men, either as summer cops or regulars, because there is "no need for them, no appropriation and no money."

The state board had recommended, in denying the men's appeal to ex­tend their eligibility, that they be employed by Camden city as summer cops, if needed.

List Voided

The eligibility list was voided by the state commission March 11, when it was two years old, explanation having been made that it would be against the board's policy to continue the list beyond that time. Mayor Stewart at the time had asked a three months' extension of the list.

Later, 31 of the 38 men, headed by William J. Rose, Jr., president of the Tenth Ward organization Republican Club, appeared personally before the state board In Trenton in an appeal, which was denied, but with the recommendation to the city that they be hired for summer duty, if they could be used.    

'''There will be no need for them," Mayor Stewart said yesterday, when asked if there was any probability the men may be employed temporarily.

"The city has no money to employ them, and there has been no appropriation. The men, of course, don't intend to work without pay, and why should they? Without money, we cannot pay them and so we cannot employ them, even temporarily, should we need them, but we don't."

Little Chance for Men

The mayor replied in answer to a. question whether the men would be given preference in the event of vacancies among the regulars that they would. He added, however, no vacancies are being filled and he had no idea when there would be need for any of the 38 men.

"Although the department person­nel is lower than in former years," the mayor said, "it is functioning efficiently with fewer men because of recent changes. I have no idea when we shall need additional men, if any at all."   

Camden Courier-Post - June 2, 1933

CAMDEN ELKS HOPE TO GET CONVENTION
Advisory Committee Will Present Formal Invitation for State Meet

The twenty-first annual reunion and the convention of the New Jersey State Elks Association will be held in Camden next June if efforts of the advisory board of' Camden Lodge of Elks are successful at the state meeting in Newark on June 15, 16 and 17.

Members of the advisory board for the local lodge, who are past exalted rulers of the Camden lodge, will present the invitation to hold the 1934 meeting in Camden, at the twentieth reunion and convention in Newark.

Members of the lodge have adopted a resolution confirming the action of the advisory board and plans were made to set the necessary machinery in motion to bring the 1934 convention to Camden. It was pointed out that Camden Elks have the largest home in the state.

Samuel Kirkpatrick, the oldest past exalted ruler of the lodge, is head of the advisory board, and Harry G. Robinson, youngest past exalted ruler, is delegate to the state association, which is composed of past exalted rulers of all Elks lodges in New Jersey. 

Although the state association was formed in Camden, there has never been a reunion or convention of the association held here, it was pointed out.

The outstanding feature of each annual convention is the mammoth sessions, with thousands of Elks in line. It is estimated the parade would draw more than 50,000 persons to Camden, if the local lodge's invi­tation is accepted.

The Camden lodge is sending the band and patrol to Newark for the parade, which will start at 7 p. m. on June 17. Arrangements are being made to have the largest delegation in the parade represent Camden.

Past exalted rulers who comprise the advisory board, and the year they took office, follow: Samuel Kirkpatrick, 1900; Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, 1901; Alex J. Milliette, 1906; J. Harry Switzer, 1908; James H. Long, 1911; Marion Moriarty, 11113; Allen Jarvis, 1914; Albert Austermuhl, 1915; William L. Sauerhoff, 1917; Theodore T. Kausel, 1918; Garfield Pancoast, 1919; William G. Ferat, 1920; Harry Ellis, 1921; Samuel A. Dobbins, 1923; D. Trueman Stackhouse, 1924; Frank S. Van Hart, 1925; Edward J. Kelly, 1926; Rud Preisendanz, Jr., 1927; Roy R. Stewart, 1928; William H. Iszard, 1929; William Lehman, 1930; J. Harry Todd, 1931, and Harry G. Robinson, 1932.

Deceased past exalted. rulers and the year they took office are: John H. Foster, 1895; W. E. B. Miller, 1896; Philip Burch, 1897; D. Harry Condit, 1898; H. L. Hartshorn, 1891; George D. Borton, 1902; Maurice Rogers, 1904; Francis Warren, 1907; E. Wilmer Collins, 1909; Lewis H. Leigh, 1910; Monia Odell, 1912, and W. Wallace Balcom, 1922.

LOW SIGNAL BID REJECTED BY CITY
Stewart Says Cost Might Have Been Greater Than Estimated in End

Mayor Roy R. Stewart Saturday wrote the Horni Signal Manufactur­ing Corporation, of New York, that the city had rejected its bid of $44,l95 to install the new fire alarm and police signal system in the new city hall-courthouse annex. 

The mayor explained in the com­munication that the estimate of the corporation was not accepted because it, was "not in substantial compliance with the requirements of the specifications." The letter is a sequel to a hearing Stewart granted the company to show cause why its bid should not be rejected.

Mayor Stewart said as a result of the. rejection, the city will accept the bid of the Gamewell Company, of New York, the only other bidder for the contract, whose estimate was $51,837. He insisted that no influence was used to favor one bidder over the other.

The mayor explained that the Horni Corporation had so modified the specifications that the city was put in the position of probably paying much more in the end to that company than its bid through possible additional requirements in install­ing the system. The corporation, he added, had made many changes and suggestions to the original specifica­tions, and in some· of the changes sought to have the city assume unexpected responsibilities.

Asked if the Gamewell Company had complied in its bid with all specifications, the mayor said it had. He added that no other consideration than compliance with the specifica­tions had led the city to reject the bid of the Horni corporation.

"'Wouldn't the city possibly obtain a lower price than that of the Gamewell Company through advertising bids, instead of accepting that firm's bid?" the mayor was asked. "Its estimate is approximately $7000 higher than was that of the Horni Cor­poration."

"I can't see where the city would gain anything by advertising for new bids," the mayor replied. "Considering the strings the Horni company had to its bid, the installation of the system would no doubt have cost the city considerably more money and the contract, if it had been awarded that firm, may have been higher in the end than that of the Gamewell Company."

The mayor pointed out that while the Horni Corporation had agreed to accept city warrants, bonds or other obligations of the city, in lieu of cash in payment of the contract, it had modified the specifications to agree to take such security if it could be redeemed in 30 days at par value. The mayor explained that in such a case the city would have to pay the difference should the municipal securities drop in value within 30 days, and that would be equivalent to an increase in the company's bid.

Camden Courier-Post * June 8, 1933

BORDEN TO BE GUEST Of REALTY BOARD
Newly Elected President of Commission Will Be Honored at Dinner

Edward J. Borden will be guest of honor tonight of the Camden County Real Estate Board at a banquet in honor of his election as president of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission.

The banquet, to be held in the Camden Club, 315 Cooper street, will be attended by lawyers, real estate men and public officials from all sections of the state. The Real Estate Board, of which Borden was thrice president, is giving the dinner.

Among the guests who will attend are former U. S. Senator David Baird, Jr., Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline, Jr., Mayor Roy R. Stewart and other members of the Camden City Commission; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, city superintendent of schools, and Police Judge Garfield Pancoast.

The speakers include William S. Abbott, president of the Camden County Real Estate Board; Leon E. Todd, former president; Vincent P. Bradley, of Trenton, retiring president of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission; Carleton E. Adams, of Atlantic City, vice president of the New Jersey Association of Real Estate Boards; Samuel P. Orlando, former assistant prosecutor of Camden county, and C. Armel Nutter, general chairman of the banquet committee.

On the banquet program appears the gilded outline of a bee, typifying Borden's activities in the interests of real estate advancement in Camden county. Wayland P. Cramer is chairman of the program, committee. Chairmen of other committees follow: William A. Eppright, attendance; T. J., McCormick, entertainment; Carl R. Evered, door prizes, and Todd, speakers and guests.

George B. Robeson, former president of the Real Estate Board, Is toastmaster of the banquet, which will begin at 7:30 p. m.

Camden Courier-Post - June 10, 1933

STEWART GIVES PERMISSION TO USE DAYLIGHT TIME LOOPHOLE
Saloon Men's Protest at 1 A. M. Closing Wins Quick Action 
SCREENS ARE SCRAPPED AS WORD IS PASSED 
Report Spread Legislature Will Change Beer Bill Monday

Most of Camden's saloons started selling beer over the bar last night. No arrests were made.

Proprietors of "soft drink" parlors are said to have received an "O. K." to sell over the bar with the understanding they would not be molested.

At the same time it was learned that Mayor Roy R. Stewart had issued an official order at 5 p. m. to acting Chief of Police John W. Golden permitting all beer dispensaries, cafes, etc., to remain open until 2 a. m., daylight saving time, except on Saturday when they must close at midnight. 

Saloonkeepers Protest 

Through their own organization saloonkeepers are known to have put up a vigorous protest on closing at 1 a. m., while in Philadelphia the same closing hour is enforced in standard time, permitting places there to do business until 2 a. m. daylight time. It was said a close check-up failed to reveal anything in t he state or city ordinances differentiating between daylight and. standard time. 

Word is understood to have been passed to the saloon men by high authority that the existing state law "will be changed Monday, sure" when the legislature meets at Trenton, and would knock out the clauses requiring screens and forbidding sale of beer over the bar. 

News Spreads Rapidly 

As if by some mysterious communication system, all saloons seemed to receive the advice at the same time. About 6 o'clock they started removing tables and screens. From official sources in Trenton there was firm denial that the beer law even would be taken up Monday.

Camden Courier-Post - June 15, 1933

CAMDEN MAKES BID TODAY FOR MEETING OF ELKS IN 1934
Mayor Stewart to Present City's Claim at Convention in Newark
PARADE TO CLOSE EVENT

The 1934 convention of the New Jersey Elks Association will be sought for Camden today by more than 500 members of the Camden lodge who will attend the twentieth anniversary convention of the association in Newark.

The convention will close Saturday evening with a parade which is being planned as one of the most elaborate ever held in the order in New Jersey.

Camden's claims as next year's convention city will be presented by Mayor Roy R. Stewart, past, exalted ruler of the Camden lodge.

18 Rooms Engaged 

The Camden lodge has engaged 18 rooms in the Hotel Riviera as its headquarters. In the lobby has been placed a large banner proclaiming: "Brother Bill, we want you in Camden in 1934." Large tags bearing the same invitation are to be distributed to all the delegates. 

The convention will open tonight with a dinner and dance in, observance of the fiftieth anniversary of Newark lodge. The opening session will be at 1.30 p. m. tomorrow. At 7.30 p.m. there will be a banquet and dance for delegates and invited guests. 

The final meeting will be held at 11.30 a. m. Saturday when officers will be elected. J. Harry Todd, past exalted ruler of Camden lodge, is seeking the South Jersey vice-presidency. 

Parade Starts at 7 P.M. 

The parade will start at 7 p. m. Camden lodge, in the third division with Atlantic City, Trenton and Bridgeton, will be led by James MacMillan, exalted ruler, followed by 16 past exalted rulers. 

Camden lodge's band of 40 pieces, led by William Townsend, will precede the patrol of 30 members headed by Harry Rathbone. New uniforms have been provided for the patrol. A touring car completely covered with flowers and bearing the Elks' emblem in flowers, will be entered by the Camden post.

Bus Service Arranged 

Bus service has been planned for Saturday to carry members and friends of Camden lodge to the parade. According to William H. Iszard, past exalted ruler and chairman of the transportation, publicity and parades committees of Camden lodge, buses will leave the Elks Home, Seventh and Cooper Streets, at 10 a.m. and 3.30 p. m. Saturday, returning that night after the parade and grand ball which is to close the convention. 

Harry Robinson, past exalted ruler, is the Camden lodge delegate to the convention. Francis P. Boland, of Jersey City, is president of the association, which is composed of past exalted, rulers of all New Jersey lodges.

Camden Courier-Post- June 20, 1933

COLLAPSE OF HOMES TO BRING PROBE OF ALL OLD BUILDINGS
Mayor Stewart to Rush Action Following Death of Man
LAXITY IS CHARGED

Investigation was ordered yester day into the tragic collapse of the front walls of two vacant houses here Sunday. Mayor Roy R. Stewart announced he would push a probe to determine who is responsible for allowing the condemned buildings at 829 and 831 Bridge Avenue, to remain standing without repairs.

The mayor also declared that a move is under way to demolish 825 other unsafe buildings in Camden. 

Jerry White, 22, colored, of 759 Carman Street, died yesterday of injuries suffered Sunday when he was buried under a ton of bricks. He was seated in front of one of the 
dwellings when the collapse occurred. 

Mayor Stewart conferred with real estate and insurance agents yesterday and announced that he would ask the municipal legal department to proceed against other dangerous properties. In directing his investigation the mayor said he is anxious to determine whether there had been any laxity in connection with condemnation of the Bridge Avenue properties. 
City records reported them "torn down." 

The mayor revealed correspondence over a year between his office, the fire, health and legal departments and the owners of properties, regarding their condition as alleged fire and health menaces. 

"I assumed action had been taken in condemnation of the properties, but apparently that was not done and it is exceedingly regrettable that a life has been lost," Mayor Stewart said.

Will Rush Action 

"Certainly no other lives will be given if I can help it, and I am forthwith ordering that legal action be taken immediately in the tearing down of 825 properties in the city that have been found in a recent survey to be unsafe.

"Many citizens in the community, including prominent men and women, are heartily in favor of the action the city is taking in ordering dilapidated properties torn down.

"The death of the Carman Street man reveals glaringly the need for immediate action. That death should not have occurred. It could have been prevented had there been no delay in removing the hazardous buildings. 

"At this time, I am placing no direct responsibility, and will not do so until I have made a thorough investigation. This is, indeed, a serious situation, and by no means must there be a 
repetition. It shows without question that such things as unsafe buildings cannot be permitted to remain indefinitely. I feel that the owners themselves should come to the front, and notify the city of their unsafe properties, and co-operate with us."

City Not Wholly Lax

The mayor said the letters he has written regarding the Bridge Avenue properties show that the city had not been wholly lax regarding them. He added, however, that there has been laxity somewhere, and he is deter mined to find out who is to blame. 

City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly said records in his office showed that the houses were "torn down." 

Bleakly was asked who made the report the houses were wrecked. 

"I do not know at this time, but I shall join with the mayor in a thorough investigation," the city solicitor said. 

The mayor and Bleakly pointed out that vandals had been tearing properties apart in their efforts to obtain fixtures, lumber, etc. The mayor said the 829 Bridge Avenue property is owned by Mrs. George Murry, of 649 Locust Street, the widow of George Murry, the late city detective. He said he is checking to learn who is the owner of 831 Bridge Avenue. 

The houses have been unoccupied for a number of years. They are believed to have been weakened by vandals who had stripped the interiors of wooden supports and fixtures.

Recent damage by vandals throughout the city has been estimated at $500,000. .

Camden Courier-Post- June 20, 1933

Hatch Estate Drives Jobless From Gardens
Gives Them 24 Hours to Get Out; City Offers Aid to Victims

Sixteen unemployed gardeners have been given 24 hours' notice by the city to vacate their plots on the Hatch estate, planted under supervision of the Camden City Emergency Relief Administration, it was revealed last night. 

"Some of the legal tangle between the owners of the property and the city of Camden was given as reason for the move. 

The disclosure was made at a meeting of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey, held at 312 Market Street. A committee of the union will call on the relief administration today to protest against the removal order.

The gardens were planted to provide fruit and vegetables for families of the unemployed. The Hatch estate tract is one of several sites throughout the city where this work has been under way.

The Unemployed Union, through Frank J. Manning, president, and Clarence E. Moullette, executive secretary, question the right of the city to order the gardeners from the field. They hold that under a New Jersey law, no contract, no matter under what terms negotiated, can be abrogated after a crop is planted until it has been reaped. 

The notice to the gardeners was sent to Raymond A. Miller, 761 Carman Street, by Arthur M. Taylor, work relief director under Dr. Arthur L. Stone, municipal relief administrator. It follows: 

"Mr. M. Bergen Stone, an attorney representing the Hatch Estate, owners of the property on which are located the Miller Gardens, has given us notice of repossession within the next 24 hours. 

"It seems that some legal tangle has arisen between the owners of this property and the city of Camden and it is necessary for the present owner to have sole and complete possession and occupation of these premises. It will therefore be necessary that the shack you have begun to build be dismantled and that the gardeners on your tract be notified of this action before noon on Tuesday, June 20. 

"Be assured that I will do the best, that I possibly can to relocate your gardens and that anything that you have growing that is transplantable, you will be allowed to transplant. Please see that this information is given to your other gardeners at once so that the owners can get possession immediately." 

The union also drafted a letter to Mayor Roy R. Stewart, charging neglect in connection with the collapse on Sunday of two house fronts on Bridge Avenue, in which one man was injured fatally. 

The union urged demolition of all unsafe properties in the city and recommended the city commissioners seek a loan from the federal government to abolish "slums" of Camden. Such a project, the union points out, would greatly relieve unemployment here. .

Camden Jews will stage a mass meeting at 8:30 o'clock tonight at the Talmud Torah, 621 Kaighn Avenue, in the interest of relief of their persecuted brethren in Germany. 

A campaign has been launched to raise $10,000 for relief work. Contributions should be sent to the United Committee for Relief of German Jews, 908 Broadway-Stevens Building. 

The speakers will include Abe Goldberg, New York; Judge William M. Lewis, Philadelphia; Mayor Roy R. Stewart and rabbis and clergymen of all creeds. Leon H. Rose will preside. 

The committee reports 600,000 men, women and children have suffered as a result of Nazi atrocities in Germany. 

"Hundreds have been deprived of their rights of citizenship and livelihood," continued the announcement. 

"Loyalty, patriotism, service, have counted for naught; doctors, lawyers, civil servants, university professors and other teachers, scientists, musicians, industrial workers, have been driven from their positions and have been denied the right to work at their vocations. Even the right to an education is now being denied many of Jewish children. 

"These German Jewish men and women recognized no political loyalty save an undivided loyalty to their country. They wanted nothing, demanded nothing, but the right to live in security and peace, and to develop their own destinies as self respecting men and women, and to labor for the upbuilding of their country."" 

Camden Courier-Post - June 22, 1933

BLOCK-AID FUNDS, USED FOR HOMELESS
Dr. Stone Reveals $32,312 Has Been Spent to Help Evicted Families

Funds raised in Camden's recent Block-Aid campaign are being used exclusively by Dr. A. L. Stone, city emergency relief director, to help in the housing of evicted families.

Dr. Stone revealed yesterday the Block-Aid fund turned over to him last month by Russell H. Nulty, executive director of the drive, totaled $32,312.41. The amount is exclusive of $2058.43 in salaries and other expenses connected with the recent campaign, which lasted from November to May. 

The Block-Aid money will not last longer than July 15, Dr. Stone said. He deposited the fund with City Comptroller Sidney P. McCord and has been making use of it since May 15. 

"We have been spending the money at the rate of about $9,000 every two weeks," Dr. Stone said. "The fund is supplementary to an appropriation of $40,000 by the city commission to provide for homeless families. The city has been giving tax credits up to that total property owners for housing families on relief." 

The director reported the relief organization has found accommodations for between 700 and 800 families in the last few weeks with the limited sums at hand, and all without display and with minimum inconvenience to the individuals benefited. 

"Camden is the only city of its size in the state giving outstanding attention to eviction cases, both from the standpoint of the landlord and the homeless family," Dr. Stone said. 

The director stated that he had hoped to use the Block-Aid fund for other relief purposes, but found the demand for it so great in the handling of eviction cases that he deemed it advisable so to apply it. Under the law, such funds may be employed at the director's discretion. 

The Block-Aid campaign organization functioned under the direction of Mayor Roy R. Stewart as chairman and with Nulty as executive director during the six months' of its' existence. Its goal was $100,000. 

Dr. Stone said that in spite of economic conditions generally the public showed its generosity. He commended and thanked Mayor Stewart, Nulty and the other Block-Aid officials and volunteers for their efforts during the campaign.

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