David Baird Jr.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philadelphia Inquirer - September 13, 1906

Bank Directory - March-December 1916

804 Cooper Street

Baird Family home from the 1890s until October, 1936

Click on Image to Enlarge

800 Block
of
Cooper Street

1893

Click on Image to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post - January 3, 1928

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

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

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

Van Meter quotes Baird as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scene Was Drama

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

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

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

But if they thought this, they said no word.

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

Van Meter Fights Hard

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

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

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

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

Reprisal Were Threatened

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

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

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

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

Schorpp Speaks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Van Meter Protests 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He sat down and the silence continued. 

Schorpp Lauds Van Meter

 Schorpp rose again.

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

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

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

Dobbs followed on the floor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Charges Unfair Tactics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Name ‘Official’ Papers 

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * January 18, 1928

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * January 18, 1928

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

By Star Correspondent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * January 28, 1928

Patrons, Patronesses Announced Today for First Military Ball

Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 960, 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 * August 1, 1929

Camden Courier-Post * August 2, 1929
(excepts)

Camden Courier-Post * March 12, 1930

Camden Courier-Post * June 4, 1930

Camden Courier-Post * October 16, 1931

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hits Labor Leaders

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

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

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

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

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

Sanctifies Baird

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

BITTING AT IS SPEAKER BAIRD MEETING

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

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

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

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

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

Asks Seven Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praises Moore's Record.

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

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

Thomas Madden also spoke at the meeting.  

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 23, 1931

BAIRD ANNOUNCES TOUR OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY

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

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

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

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

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

Political Paragraphs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * October 26, 1931

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * October 29, 1931

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * October 29, 1931

BAIRD TO ADDRESS HEBREW LEAGUE

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

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

By Staff Correspondent

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

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

1. Stamping out of politically controlled grand juries,

2. Removal of political influence from the prosecuting agencies.

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

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

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

Baird said:

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

Asks Judicial Reform

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

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

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

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

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

Republican Reforms Cited

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

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

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

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

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

To Make Own Appointments

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

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

Pardons Reforms Pledged

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

BAIRD AND LARSON AT BIG RALLY TODAY
5,000 Expected to Hear Candidate at Convention Hall in Afternoon

David Baird and Governor Morgan Larson will be the principal speakers this afternoon at a rally of more than 5000 Republican workers and other Baird supporters at Convention Hall.

Walter S. Keown, chairman of the Camden County Republican Committee, and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, State committeewoman and vice chairman of the county committee, will preside at the rally.

E. Bertram Mott, chairman of the State committee; Representative Charles A. Wolverton and other State and county leaders are expected to attend.

Workers from all sections of the county are expected at the meeting. Reports received at Republican headquarters will be made to the workers on the progress of the campaign.

 Leaders in Baird's campaign for election as Governor said last night that reports from various sections of the State show increasing Baird strength in Democratic strongholds, principally Hudson county. They said his popularity throughout the State has increased materially in the closing days of the campaign, as­suring his election by a large margin.

"Voters are intelligent and they have been able to see through the smokescreen the Democratic speakers have created in desperate attempts to blind them to the real facts," said Mrs. Verga. "They have been informed of the scandalous conditions in Hudson County, and they will, make certain next Tuesday that the Hague stranglehold will not reach to other sections of the State.

"The increasing strength of Baird throughout the State has made his opponents frantic, and they are resorting to desperate means in a futile effort to turn the tide. They are aware that the citizens of the State do not intend to be hoodwinked by promises and will vote for a man who truly has their interest at heart, and will do all within his power to advance the cause of the State and its citizens. He has demonstrated his ability and sincerity many times, not only in the interest of the people of South Jersey, but for citizens throughout the State. 

“I am confident he will be elected by large plurality and will be the greatest Governor in the history of the State.".

Camden Courier-Post * October 31, 1931

Noise to the Right of Them- Ditto to Left- That's Politics

The courthouse plaza was the scene of considerable excitement yesterday afternoon when Democrats and Republicans clashed in an impromptu open forum over the merits of David Baird and A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidates.

An armistice was agreed upon after leaders from both factions took the stump and attempted to drown each other out by shouting the qualifications of their candidates.

A crowd of nearly 1000 persons cheered and booed until the Republicans consented to allow the Democrats to speak without interference.

Just previous to this, the two political parties had alternated in ten-minute speeches when the arguments of one forced the other to jump on the same platform and answer his opponent.

Gene Mariano, Camden Democratic orator, challenged that vice existed in Camden. He defied a Republican speaker to debate with him on the subject. Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakley stepped from the crowd. He started to address the crowd attacking Moore.

A loud speaker wagon with six megaphones was backed up to the curb and martial music stopped the proceedings. It was later resumed with the Democrats in control.

The speakers included Jack Reynolds, Democrat, of Jersey City; Aaron Gordon, Republican of Jersey City; William E. Sewell, superintendent of elections, and Clifford Jordan, 122 Wade Street, both of Jersey City.

Jordan told his experiences with labor and election conditions in that city.

Camden Courier-Post * October 31, 1931

MOORE’S CAMPAIGN CALLED ‘VILLAINOUS’
Statements Are Degenerated Orgy of Slander, Congressman Eaton Says

By Staff Correspondent

North Plainfield, October 30- The Democratic campaign of A. Harry Moore has "degenerated into a villainous orgy of slander," Congressman Charles A. Eaton declared in an address at a Republican mass meet­ing here tonight.

"On behalf of the decent citizens of this State I now ask A. Harry Moore a few questions.”

"Do you, Mr. Moore, approve of this kind or political character assassination on the part of your organization? Have you done anything to stop the circulation of these vile slanders? Do you personally believe that Mr. Baird's campaign is being financed by prostitutes, beer barons, white slavers and other creatures of the underworld? If you know these things are going on and haven't stopped them, what becomes of all your fine talk to the Christian people of this State during the last three years about charity and religious and Christian character?

Asks for Militia

The unfortunate impression has gone through the State, Mr. Moore, that you know all about this. Under your direction an appeal was recently made before Judge Lloyd to have some special precaution taken to insure a fair vote in Camden. You even asked for the State militia to be called out and a worthy judge turned the whole thing down as a piece of miserable political propa­ganda with which no court ought to soil its hands.

'I believe this hypocritical, lying "Propaganda against the character of David Baird will result in giving him the largest vote a political candidate has ever had in Camden county. Indeed, I think this kind of thing signs your death warrant, Mr. Moore as a candidate for the Governorship. You train with too tough a gang to be trusted with the high responsibilities of the Governor's office. Either you are not as good as you would like to have us believe or you are too weak to keep the character assassins who are working in your interests out of the limelight.

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

BROOKLAWN OWNERS VICTIMS Of TRICKS SAYS JUDGE NEUTZE
People is old Out to Money Lenders by Politicians, He Tells Voters
ASKS MOORE SUPPORT

"The people of Brooklawn, faced with the loss of their homes, expected mercy and fair-dealing from the government but they have been sold out to processional money-lenders by a gang of local political tricksters, who pose as their friends.

This charge was made by Judge Frank F. Neutze become 500 Brooklawn residents last night at a meeting conducted in the borough hall under auspices of the Brooklawn A. Harry Moore Club

"The sale of 72 Brooklawn houses and 262 mortgages by the government according to the newspapers through intervention of David Baird, Republican candidate for governor, is the most odious piece of business ever pulled off against a people in the history of Camden county, Judge Neutze said.

"These charges are not made without supporting facts. It does not require great legal intelligence to see into this deal. Let us look into this business in which property rights were given precedence over human rights, and let us see who the persons are behind this deal.

Two Bids Accepted

"Approximately 75 Brooklawn residents, most of whom had at least thirty percent equities in their homes and in mortgages bid on the properties and mortgages. Their bids totaled $126,205.50. Only two of these bids were accepted, and these were from tenants who rented and did not have equities in the properties on which they bid. These two properties went for $1000 and $1200 respectively.

"At this point you will note the eternal choice of the Republican Party between human rights and property rights; how the government allowed you people to buy your homes and then ignored you.

"The bids of the Brooklawn residents on the mortgages, some of which were as high as sixty and seventy percent of the full value, were refused. The Shipping Board, representing the government, said the bids were too low and that the properties the residents bid for were the most desirable ones offered and if they were awarded to the owners the government probably would not receive a bid from any syndicate on the properties that were not so desirable.

"That explanation of the government is a mockery of President Hoover's oft-repeated statement that every governmental effort would be made to make it easy for the tenants of this country to own their own homes!

"On October 7, the bids were rejected. For ten days following, your council and other political lights were at wits ends with all kinds of schemes to save your borough from its financial dilemma. No action was taken until last week when it was suggested the schools be closed as on $40 remained in the borough treasury.

Called Political Trickery

"Your local political tricksters had you where they wanted you. Then came the blow that proves the utter ruthlessness of your so-called friends who claim allegiance to the Republican Party. Last Monday you read in the newspapers where the Tower Company, of Newark, had been awarded the 262 mortgages and 70 properties for $227,000. Then you heard the hullabaloo that Brooklawn had been saved by David Baird. You read he was in Washington with Congressman Wolverton and that he had this deal put over on Sunday. I never knew the government conducted business on Sunday, and I have heard several people question whether Baird was in Washington last Sunday. However, that possibility is of little importance.

"There is a point in these negotiations that must be strongly emphasized. You will note the tenants and homeowners offered $126,205 for approximately 97 properties, or an av­erage of $1300 per property. You will note that the Tower Company, in their bid for 262 mortgages and 70 properties only bid $227,000 or about $700 per property. Do not fail to see that their bid included 235 more properties than the tenants and homeowners!

"Everybody will get profit out of this deal except the home owners! What. do you know about the Tower Company of Newark? It is said that Mr. Tower, head of the company, is a former member of the Merchant Fleet Corporation of the U. S. Shipping Board.

"This Tower Company has been represented in this deal by William Okin and Michael Gross, two real estate speculators of Newark and all of you know that the representatives of the Tower Company are calling on you Brooklawn homeowners every day in a car with tags in the name of Senator Pierson, Union county license number 'U 2’. This company has not told you homeowners at what discount they will offer the mortgages to you for.

"But you all know that the representatives of the Tower Company stated to you at a. meeting in this hall about eight days ago that there would be a ‘liberal  reduction on the mortgages' and that in about two weeks everyone would receive letters from the Tower Company. Mark it well and pertinently that you will not receive these letters until after elec­tion day.

Every Bid Known

"As a matter of business reasoning let me point out to you that the Tower Company knows what everyone has bid. If they demand more for a mortgage than you bid with the Shipping Board and if you do not pay it, there is nothing to prevent them from instituting foreclosure proceedings against you immediately.

"You will also note that the government required the home owners to pay within 60 days if their bid was accepted, but you will note the Tower Company has been given the privilege of paying their bid in installments over a period of time.

"Has there been any regard for you in this deal? Just realize that for $100,000 more than the tenants and homeowners bid, the Tower Company got 235 additional properties at about $400 per property.

"The government allowed you to buy these homes, and now political jobbery has sold you out for thirty pieces of silver. You people of Brooklawn, faced with the loss of your homes, expected mercy and fair-dealing from the government but you have been sold out to professional money-lenders by a gang of local political tricksters, who pose as your friends!

"You may expect these money-lenders to demand their pound of flesh, and they will get it. You have no defense, no measure of retaliation, except by the ballot box. Mr. Baird, through the newspapers, claims credit for saving your borough- he wants your vote. If you think he has saved anything you will vote for him but repent later. This man must be rebuked and your ballot must be cast for A. Harry Moore and the straight Democratic ticket if you possess ordinary intelligence.

"You don't want a businessman for governor who does all he can for business against the people; you want A. Harry Moore, who has made the welfare of the people his business. Ten years of your earnings and life's blood have gone into your homes, and now you are in the hands of out-of-town money-lenders and politicians. Your duty is clear on No­vember 3.

Walter T. McCann, candidate for coroner, and Leon H. Rose, also spoke. Prolonged applause marked the completion of Judge Neutze's address. Joseph Drammer presided..

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

Edge Assures Teachers Baird Will Defend Them

Asbury Park, Oct. 30.- The stand taken by David Baird on measures affecting teachers' welfare was defended tonight by Walter E. Edge, ambassador to France, in his second address in behalf of the Republican candidate for governor.

"I have been apprised of the fact," Edge said, "that there are persistent rumors spread throughout the state by the Democratic party that if David Baird is elected governor there will be introduced into the legislature measures seriously affecting the welfare of teachers, legislation that will allow boards of education to reduce teachers' salaries and otherwise alter the present teachers' tenure law and change the teachers' pension and annuity laws.

"1 am forced to the belief that the propaganda being spread among the teachers is being done deliberately and that no good motive prompted it.

"If the members of the teaching fraternity will look into the history of the Republican party they will find that party, and that party only, is responsible for the benefits which I they now enjoy and which they rightfully desire to guard so jealously."

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

G.O.P. IS CHARGED WITH ‘CROOKEDNESS’
Baird Supporters Resorting to Contemptible Tactics, Miss Kelly Says

"Realizing the utter futility of their efforts to elect David Baird to the governorship, the Republican party in Camden County is resorting to every contemptible means at its com­mand to intimidate the voters."

This declaration was made last night by Miss Marie V. Kelly, former jury commissioner, at a meeting of 200 voters in the Fourth Ward Democratic Club, 455 Berkley Street.

"At a meeting of election officers," Miss Kelly said, "William E. A. King, a member of the county board of elections sworn to preserve the sanctity of the ballot box, told these officers that the Republican party has promised Baird a 50,000 majority in Camden County and that they were to get the votes no matter how they got them and that they would be protected. He told them if the Democrats interfered that the Republican police would take care of the Democrats.

"Today Major Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, raised a false howl of gunmen to come here to make a rough house of the city. We know that this is weak propaganda to cover what the Republicans intend to do.”

Points to Murder

"Mr. Dickinson has evidently forgotten the murder committed at Third and Benson Streets on the eve of the city election in May by gunmen imported by the Republican workers to intimidate the voters of that ward- gunmen who remain uncaught and unpunished to this day.

“The most flagrant act on the part of the Republican Party is the removal of the polling place yesterday from the fourth district of the fourth ward from the E. A. Stevens School on Fourth Street to a private residence on Berkley Street. The polling place has been in the school for a number of years and no complaints had been made by Democratic members of the elections board. This change has been made without a meeting of the county elections board."

"Frank Albright, city clerk, took it upon himself to make the change, basing his action on the statement the school was totally unfit for the board to sit in for a day to conduct the business of election.”

'Refreshment' cited

"However, school children are forced to use this building every day of the school year. The residence to which the polling place has been transferred was reconditioned so that it could be used. The real reason for this change was that it will be much easier to dispense liquid refreshment in a private home than in a public school.

"It is a. fine state of affairs when the people are called on to build a $10,000,000 city hall within six blocks of a school where children are forced to occupy a school which the city clerk says is in a horrible condition and totally unfit for use.

"I urge the people in the third and fourth wards of Camden to rise in revolt against the Republican organization that is trying by every means to prevent an honest exercise of the franchise at the polls on Tuesday. The protest must be registered by marking every blank on the ballot under the Democratic column".

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

Political Paragraphs

Gloucester Republicans concluded their final Baird rally of the campaign last night at their headquarters, 101 North King Street.

Polls throughout the slate will open for the general election Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. All voters in the polling place at 8 p.m. or in the room "'here the election is taking place, or in line, shall be permitted to vote, under the law. Election officers have been instructed to place a police officer at the end of the line at 8 p.m.

Black Horse pike Republican factions have united in a combined front to further the candidacy of David Baird, Jr., for governor. There are no local fights in the party during the current campaign. There were intense local primary battles, principally in Runnemede and Gloucester Township, but all factions in those municipalities are now working for Baird.

A bitter contest for justice of the peace in the Eighth Ward will be waged at the election on Tuesday. William Lane, of 1634 Broadway, is one of the seven seeking one of three vacancies. Lane is the nephew of James M. Lane, who was prominent politically several years ago. He is a captain in the Moose Lodge bugle corps. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Regular Eighth Ward Republican Club. Of the seven men running for justice of the peace, four are Democrats.

Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Democratic state committee woman, and Assemblyman George D. Rothermel are wagering each other a hat on the outcome of the gubernatorial race between Baird and Moore. Rothermel, however, will have to pay more for a hat for Mrs. Hyland, should Baird pay for a fedora for Rothermel, should Moore be defeated.

A revival of the old-time political parade was staged last night by the First Italian Republican League when more than 200 automobiles and several hundred marchers passed through Camden streets to the accompaniment of stirring music.

Led by former Coroner Antonio Mecca and County Detective Fiore Troncone, the parade passed from the league's clubhouse, 813 South Fourth Street, to West Street, to Benson Street, to Broadway, past the Republican headquarters, to Mickle Street, to Third to Chestnut and back to the clubhouse. Meetings held on various floors of the clubhouse drew several thousand voters..

...continued...

Robert Brennan - Marie Mackintosh - William H. Heiser - Mary McCready
James Corea - Susie Marchiano - James E. Tatem - Mary A. Ivins
Martin A. McNulty - Madeline Salvatore - Howard B. Dyer - Mary S. Hartung
Edward A. Kemble - Mary D. Guthridge - Edmund A. Walsh - Mamie F. Piraine
Edward Holloway - Deborah Schuck - Henry I. Haines - Lillian M. Walker
Horace B. Beideman - Etta C. Pfrommer - Carlton M. Harris - Mary E. Hamel
Henry Knauer - Louella I. Whaland - Jesse M. Donaghy - Lottie B. Stinson

Camden Courier-Post * June 8, 1932

Camden Courier-Post * June 10, 1932

Lotus Restaurant
Market Street
David Baird Jr. 
Isabella C. Reinert
Joshua C. Haines
Walter S. Keown
Elizabeth C. Verga
Charles A. Wolverton
George R. Pelouze
Albert S. Woodruff
F. Stanley Bleakly
Frank M. Travaline Jr.
Raymond J. Jubanyik

Camden Courier-Post * June 18, 1932

The Directors: A. D. Amhruster - S. C. Childs - Edward B. Humphreys - Edward E. Shumaker
F. Morse Archer - Elias Davis - Henry H. Lippincott - Frank C. Somers - David Baird Jr.
Burleigh B. Draper - Albert C. Middleton - Frank L. Starr - Ralph D. Baker - Isaac Ferris
William T. Read - J.B. Van Sciver Jr. - Killam E. Bennett - LeRoy A. Goodwin
William W. Robinson - Lawrence M. Verga - Rudolph W. Birdsell - Eugene F. Haines
Charles W. Russ - Oliver C. Willits - William T. Boyle - William D. Sherrerd - Charles A. Wolverton
First Camden National Bank & Trust Company
F. MORSE ARCHER -  ISAAC FERRIS - A. D. AMBRUSTER - JAY KNOX - S. C. KIMBLE
THEODORE THOMPSON - ORLANDO M. BOWEN - WILLIAM K. COOK - JULIAN K. POTTER

RICHARDS HITS AT BAIRD FOR SENATE SCENE ENDING IN FIGHT
Open Break Between Camden and Atlantic Leaders Revealed
COMMITTEE TO PROBE ATTACK ON TRAVALINE
Assembly Debates Whether to Demand Apology From Ulizio

Trenton, June 5.-An open break between David Baird, Jr., and Senate President Emerson L. Richards, of Atlantic, was revealed tonight.

Richards issued a statement attacking Baird and Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline Jr., of Camden as an aftermath to a fight in the Senate corridor last Thursday afternoon.

Travaline alleges he was assaulted by B. George Ulizio, of Pine Valley, former Atlantic City real estate man, and close friend of Richards.

Earlier tonight, an Assembly committee was appointed to investigate the attack at Travaline's request. Ulizio has denied any knowledge of the attack but he was identified by several witnesses and by Richards himself in his statement.

Charges Insult

Hearing of the Assembly action, Richards declared:

“Assemblyman Travaline has made a nuisance of himself all during the session. I did not know it was he that was interrupting my speech last Thursday. After I was interrupted twice, he then left.

"He got out by the door and turned around and Ulizio heard him address an insulting remark to me which of course I did not hear because the door was closed. He and Ulizio got into an altercation which wound up in the outside corridor. Ulizio does not represent me in any way.

"Unquestionably Travaline was put up to making this attack by Baird, who was in the state house this afternoon. Apparently some of the Assemblymen, including Travaline, won't work and won't let the Senate work. They haven't added a single constructive thought this session."

Travaline Brings It Up

Arising on a question of personal privilege, Travaline brought the matter before the Assembly, declaring that he was assaulted "without provocation in the Senate chamber by B. George Ulizio, who ran for cover into the private office of the Senate President and hid behind the skirts of a woman."

When Travaline urged that the Assembly act, Assemblyman Herbert J. Pascoe, of Union, made a motion that a committee be appointed to call on Ulizio for a public apology. Assemblyman Theron McCampbell, of Monmouth, moved to amend the motion to provide that the committee first investigate the case and then report back to the Assembly. His amendment was defeated.

Debate 'Apology'

Assemblyman Joseph Altman, of Atlantic, majority leader, questioned the procedure and whether the Assembly had the right to demand such an apology. Then Assemblyman Clarence A. Ward, of Union, proposed an amendment that the committee confer with Senate President Richards. Assemblyman Anthony J. Siracusa, also of Atlantic, objected to this and Minority leader John J. Rafferty, of Middlesex, suggested that it be determined definitely by the Assembly just what occurred "in the corridor" before calling on the Senate President.

"This took place behind the reporters' desk in the Senate chamber," Travaline corrected. He was corroborated by Assemblyman Eugene W. Hejke, of Hudson.

Travaline then suggested that Ulizio could be arrested by the Assembly or be barred from the State House.

Offers to Drop It

When Siracusa suggested that the Assembly leaders confer with Senate President Richards and then report back to the Assembly, Travaline declared:

"Rather than see this whitewashed, I'd prefer to drop the whole matter and take care of it myself."

After more discussion Speaker Charles A. Otto named Majority Leader Altman, Minority Leader Rafferty and himself to confer with Senate President Richards, Senate majority Leader Clifford R. Powell, of Burlington, and Senate Minority Leader Blase Cole on the case.

Travaline charges that Ulizio struck him, forcing him to fall when he tripped over his topcoat, during an argument during last Thursday's Senate session. Ulizio, though admitting he was in the State House at the time, has denied any knowledge of the attack. .

Baird Control Charge Denied by Travaline
Assemblyman and Richards Lash Each Other After Ulizio Row

Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline Jr., of Camden, last night denied a charge by Senate President Emerson L. Richards that his remarks in the Assembly Monday night were dictated by David Baird, Jr.

Richards blasted Travaline Jr. for his declaration in the Assembly that B. George Ulizio, of Pine Valley, formerly of Atlantic City, whom he accused of assaulting him in the Senate corridor last week, was "rumored to be Senator Richards' campaign manager.   I

In a statement last night, Travaline Jr. charged the Atlantic county senator was making a "wild dash to ensnare the Republican organization nomination for governor of New Jersey" and forgot "details and personal feelings of individuals."

'Totally Unsportsmanlike'

Travaline Jr.'s statement follows:

"Following an incident rather unusual in the annals of the Legislature and which should have been dealt with in a dignified manner, as I tried to make it, Senator Richards, in an apparent attempt to come to the rescue of an individual who has been discredited in the minds of most people who know him, has seen fit to inject the name of an innocent and honest gentleman so as to take the light from the culprit and from himself. Up to the moment of this statement, I have not discussed, nor have I told Senator Baird of any of the details or even the outline of this incident in Trenton. As a matter of fact, I believe Senator Baird knows nothing more about this than he may have been able to read from the newspapers. It is a totally uncalled for and unfair and unsportsmanlike accusation that Senator Richards hurls at Senator Baird and is quite characteristic of the one who makes the accusation. As a member of the House and corroborated by the statements of two other members, even though of different political faith, who were eyewitnesses of the entire proceeding, one would think that the president of the Senate would be inclined to accept our word rather than that of a man of whom he says: 'I assume no responsibility for Ulizio. He does not represent me in any way.'

"Senator Richards, in his usual precipitous manner, according to authoritative reports, takes it upon himself to charge the members of the Assembly with being disinclined to work, and as not having had one constructive thought to date. To people who observe and appreciate conditions in the Legislature, it needs no stretch of the Imagination to discern that the work of all of the members of the Legislature, all of whom are conscientious ladies and gentlemen, is being impeded by the personal ambitions of the president of the Senate, who unquestionably is in a position of control and author­ity in the Senate. I am personally satisfied that every member of the Assembly, as well as every member of the Senate, has tried conscientiously to perform her or his duty up to date and are not disinclined to work and are not interfering with the program of Senator Richards, expect where the best interests of the people of this State are sacrificed for the blind ambition of Senator Richards to be his party's choice for governor. Senator Richards goes to great length to accuse me of being and having been a nuisance during the session by going in the Senate chamber and talking loudly. If this were true, Senator Richards is the presiding officer of the Senate and he has never to date made any com­plaint or even said as much as a word to me, indicating that my presence was not desired in the Senate.

"The whole situation, as far as Senator Richards is concerned, in my personal, opinion, is that he apparently forgets details and the personal feelings of individuals in his wild dash to ensnare the party's nomination for governor. It has been stated publicly on the floor of the House of Assembly that he has on more than one occasion insulted members of the Assembly.

"Specifically he insulted and later had to apologize to Assemblyman Chamberlain of Mercer county for having had him expelled from the senate floor, yet no one has dared to say that Assemblyman Chamberlain is not a gentleman. In addition, not more than a month ago, the personal aide and representative of Assemblyman Muir was sent to the Senate chamber on official business by Assemblyman Muir. He was expelled by direction and order of the Senate president for which incident Senator Richards received a stinging rebuke publicly on the floor of the Assembly.

Assemblyman Muir, threatened physically to eject Senator Richards if he ever dared again to visit the House of Assembly without permission. Furthermore, I have been advised that the clerk of the House of Assembly, Robert Purdy, a former member of the House, was in the Senate on official business and was ordered ejected by the Senate president, all of which was uncalled for. This is a course of conduct that denotes either that the world is wrong and Senator Richards is right, or that Senator Richards is wrong and the world is right."

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.