WAYLAND POST CRAMER was born Stockton Township, in what is now known as East Camden, on October 14, 1885. As written in 1924, the family home was then on the northeast corner of North 27th Street and Westfield Avenue, which for many years has been the site of a bank, at different times the Third National, United Jersey, Fleet and Citizens's Banks. His father was Joseph Cramer, who with brother Alfred Cramer, was deeply involved in real estate and the development of Cramer Hill and East Camden.... oddly enough, much of the hill that WAS known as Cramer Hill lies in East Camden. His mother was Elizabeth Merriel Cramer, Merriel Avenue in East Camden is named in her honor. After receiving his early education in Camden's public schools, Wayland Post Cramer attended the Peddie Institute in Highstown NJ, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1909. He then went into the family real estate business, which he pursued with much success. Wayland Post Cramer was involved with many business and civic groups, was a leader in the fund raising drive that culminated in the building of the Walt Whitman Hotel at Broadway and Cooper Street, and was active with the Masons and the Elks in Camden. He was a charter member and the first president of the Camden Lions Club, and was president of the Camden Chamber of Commerce in 1922 and 1923. In 1933 he was serving as director of the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration. By the time of the compilation of the 1936 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directories, the Cramer companies were no longer active in the area, and the Wayland Cramer family is not listed there either. |
From South Jersey: A History 1624-1924 |
WAYLAND POST CRAMER—Constructive activities along many lines of advance claim the time and energies of Wayland Post Cramer, whose excellent training and natural ability are forces of significance to present-day advance in South Jersey. Mr. Cramer is a son of Joseph Cramer, who was born March 31, 1847, and Elizabeth L. (Merriel) Cramer, born August 11, 1851, his father long prominent in real estate affairs in Camden and vicinity. Both parents are still living. Wayland Post Cramer was born in Cramer Hill, now a part of Camden, October 14, 1885. The family home was then on the site which now forms the northeast corner of 27th Street and Westfield Avenue. Receiving his early education in the Camden public schools he later attended Temple University at Philadelphia, then covered a course at Peddie Institute at Hightstown, New Jersey, from which he was graduated in 1906. Thereafter entering the University of Pennsylvania he was graduated in the class of 1909. Mr. Cramer's early business activities were in real estate matters, and from the beginning he has done much to promote organized endeavor in this general field. He has won not only success and a position of leadership but the cordial cooperation of many groups of progressive men, going forward along parallel lines and his name is acknowledged throughout this part of the State as one of influence and definite power. Mr. Cramer was one of the organizers of the Cramer Realty Company of which he is now vice-president and general manager. This concern has carried forward extensive and increasing activities in land development and their work is of vital importance to the progress of this section. He is vice-president of Joseph Cramer, Incorporated, also vice-president of the Cramer Agency, and is a director and chairman of the executive committee of Cramer-Bilt Homes, Incorporated. He is further identified with constructive and allied endeavors as a director of Camden Materials Company, Jersey Mortgage Company, Central Investment Company, Atlas Steel Works, Market Building and Loan Association; also a director of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he was president in 1922 until 1923, and director of East End Trust Company. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Trimble Lodge, No. 117 Free and Accepted Masons, of Camden; Siloam Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; Crusade Commandery, No. 23, Knights Templar; Crescent Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Trenton; and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a charter member of the Camden and Tavistock Country clubs, a charter member and first president of the Camden Lions Club and a director of the Lions International. He attends Grace Baptist Church, of Camden. Wayland Post Cramer married on June 19, 1909, at the northwest corner of Marlton Pike and Highland Avenue, Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, Marguerite Dean Brooke, daughter of Charles John and Annie D. (Scovel) Brooke. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer are the parents of four children: Dorothy, born May 30, 1912; Elizabeth Merriel, born October 14, 1915; Richard Scovel, born August 6, 1918; and Janice, born May 6, 1924. The family are members of the Grace Episcopal Church of Merchantville, New Jersey. The Cramer family residence is at No. 106 Church Road, Merchantville, New Jersey. |
Camden Courier-Post - June 1, 1933 |
Cramer
Asks Stone To Quit
Relief Job; Dodges Questioning Wayland
P. Cramer, director of the Camden County Emergency Relief
Administration, last night continued to be secretive regarding his request
for the resignation of Dr.
Arthur L. Stone, director of relief in the city.
Dr.
Stone yesterday admitted he was asked to
quit the post to which "drafted" by Cramer
four months ago. He said he is uncertain whether to comply and promised to
issue a statement later. Cramer adopted an
evasive course when a reporter repeatedly sought to learn the reason for this latest turn of events in the
relief bureau. He attempted to play "hide-and-seek" throughout
the day. Numerous
telephone calls drew almost the same response, that "Mr. Cramer
is not in his office." During
part of the day he was seen at his desk. When a
reporter sought an interview Cramer was surprised and insisted "I have
nothing at all to say" and slammed the door of his private office.
At that time Dr. Stone was in Cramer's office. 'Run
Around' Continues Rumor
that Dr.
Stone
was asked to resign spread yesterday morning. Throughout the day and last
night a "run-around" ensued. The only definite comment came from
Dr.
Stone.
"Yes,"
Dr.
Stone
said, "it's true I
have been asked to resign but I am undecided what I shall do. Other than
that, I have nothing to say right now, but I shall have a statement to make later." Called on the
telephone at noon at the Camden Club, where he was at lunch, he declined
to make a statement. Never Accepted? Doubt was
expressed in some quarters that Dr.
Stone could be requested to resign from a
position which he had never formally accepted. On January 14, last,
it was announced by Cramer that he had "drafted" Dr.
Stone into the job of relief director, but
there never was a formal acceptance by Dr.
Stone. Cramer then said,
"There isn't a better man in the city for, that position, and the best is none too good." Dr.
Stone then stated:
"The news that I have been appointed city relief director is a
surprise to me. I have been consulted about it, but I am not exactly clear
as to how I can
handle it with my present work. I'd rather not say much about it until I
can look into the situation further." The
report, circulated in city hall to the effect that Cramer
has been dissatisfied with the manner in which emergency relief affairs
have been administered in the city. There is a question whether Cramer
has the right to demand the resignation of Dr.
Stone
or whether the authority does not rest solely with John Colt, state relief
director, who succeeded Chester Barnard. Stone See's Colt Last
night Dr.
Stone
said he had conferred with the state director. "I
have talked over the matter with the
state director." "I have talked over the matter with Mr. Colt. I have not decided what to do, but will make a statement after I study the situation further." Several
attempts to contact Cramer by telephone
at his home failed. Between 6 and 7 p. m. a reporter was informed "Mr. Cramer has not arrived home yet." At 7.30 o'clock it was made known that the director "will be out for the evening." |
Camden Courier-Post - June 2, 1933 |
STONE
QUITS RELIEF JOB IN MYSTERY CLASH Dr.
Arthur L. Stone
last night resigned as Camden city director of the Emergency Relief
Administration.
His
decision to quit came as a climax
of a clash with Wayland
P. Cramer,
Camden county relief director
which has stirred the city for the past two days. Cramer,
who "drafted" Dr.
Stone
for the municipal post last January 14, continued
to mantle in mystery the reason behind his request' for 'the resignation.
He referred inquiries
to John Colt, of Princeton, who is state director of the relief
administration. While
speculation over the reason for the rift between Dr.
Stone
and Director Cramer
was spreading throughout the city the county administration
was denounced at a meeting held in Convention
Hall annex.
All
Facts Demanded Frank
J. Manning, president of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey, made a
public demand "for all the facts” behind Cramer's
request for the city health bureau chief's resignation.
Dr.
Stone
announced his resignation after Director Cramer
had added to his long series of refusals to inquiring
newspapermen. Asked for a
statement
Dr. Stone said: "I
have no statement. I have sent my resignation to Mr. Colt, through Mr. Cramer.
That's all there is to it."
In
response to an inquiry regarding the reason for Cramer's
action in asking him to quit, Dr.
Stone
said: "I
feel it is better for the service not to say anything about the matter
at the present time," Prior
to the conversation with the city physician Director Cramer
was asked by a reporter if he had learned
whether Dr.
Stone
had resigned . "I'm
awfully sorry but I can't say anything about the matter. Director Colt
has instructed me to say nothing. I'm going to follow his instructions. "I'm
not trying to be nasty about this situation. When the director gives me an
order I have to obey it. Any information you desire must be obtained from
Director Colt." Press
Ban Adopted A.
Lincoln Wood, Jr., secretary to Cramer,
answered telephone calls for the county director yesterday. He denied that
Cramer
was in his office and announced the administration's new policy, that from
now on the press would be excluded from personal or telephone interviews
with the county relief director. "I've
had my orders," said Wood, "and they are that Mr. Cramer
will grant no interviews to newspapermen If you aren't satisfied with that
arrangement, you had better call Mr. Colt, the state relief director. "How
will the public receive news of the activities in the relief
administration?" Wood was asked. "Written
statements will be sent all newspapers," said Wood. "Will
newspapermen be permitted to ask questions after the statements are
received?" Wood was asked. "No,"
was the answer. A
week ago Wood and Cramer
criticized the Courier-Post Newspapers for the stand they had taken in
printing the statement of a forestry recruit who had left Camp Dix, in
protest against living conditions there. Cramer intimated that the
recruit's statement should not
have
been published before the relief authorities were consulted. Called
by telephone at Princeton, Colt, the state relief director, declared that
he had Cramer's
request for Dr. Stone's resignation under consideration, but denied rumors
he already had ordered an investigation. "In
due time," said Colt, "I shall have a statement to make. Until
then, I have the matter under consideration and have nothing to say."
Later,
a typewritten statement by Cramer was handed newspapermen by Captain
Albert S. Howard, deputy county relief director. When asked to
elaborate, Capt. Howard would not comment. The
statement follows: "The
Camden county director of the Emergency Relief Administration, of the
State of New Jersey, Wayland
P. Cramer,
states that the situation connected with the recent publicity concerning
the city of Camden's municipal directorship has been referred to John
Colt, state director of the Emergency Relief Administration, and all
information in this matter will be released through the state
director." Ask
for Shakeup In
attacking the relief bureau before the unemployed union meeting Manning
demanded a "shakeup" of the whole crowd from top to
bottom." He suggested a protest parade be held July 4. "It
is about time we had someone in the relief organization besides army
officers and others who know nothing about the administration of
relief," he declared. "What we need is people who are versed in
social service work. "It
is about time the unemployed slackers wake up to the manner in which
relief is being administered. Let's band ourselves together in a mammoth
parade on July 4 and demand a shake-up of the whole crowd from top to
bottom. "I
read this week," he continued, "about Cramer's
request that Dr.
Stone
resign. It is the right of the unemployed
and the general public to know all that is behind this request. If Dr.
Stone
is incompetent or if there is something more serious behind it, let’s
have all the information to which we- the public- are entitled. In making
this demand, I am not defending Dr.
Stone
or any other official." Termed
as 'Politics' Circumstances
surrounding the request for resignation of Dr.
Stone
were characterized as "politics" by Clarence
E. Moulette, executive secretary of the Unemployed Union. "It
looks to me," Moulette
said, "as though the politicians are trying to ease one of their
henchmen into Dr.
Stone's
job as relief director. They thought it policy to oust him because he is
giving too many babies too much relief. Dr. Stone probably has been the
best man in that job, but he hasn't done as much as we expected he would
do. It appears to me as though he would like to have accomplished more for
the unemployed but couldn't. "Let's
find out why they want to dismiss Dr.
Stone.
As long as Cramer
is head of the relief organization in Camden county, there isn't much hope
for the unemployed." A
motion was then presented and adopted that the Unemployed Union demanding
that the reason for the Dr.
Stone
resignation request be made public. Charges
that Ralph Baccellieri, a Berlin relief official, was using his relief
office to depress wages in his mill were submitted at the meeting from
unemployed representatives of the town. "Our
Berlin representatives," said Manning,
"charge that Baccellieri is paying the workers in his factory such
low wages that they have to apply to the emergency relief for food. What a
fine situation that is. Here is a man, the joint owner of a sweatshop, who
is trading on his relief office so that he can employ people at starvation
wages. "A
copy of a letter," continued Manning,
"was sent Cramer
and John Colt, state relief director, pointing to the situation in Berlin.
And what do you think I received today from Mr. Cramer?
Well, he thanked me for the information. Like hell he thanked me. "Another
thing that Mr. Cramer
thanked
me for in his letter was the information about how the Lawnside relief
director played politics at the polls at the recent primary. There he was
at the polls despite the statement of Mr. Cramer
prior to the primaries that any relief official involved in politics would
be dismissed from the administration." Manning
stated that the Unemployed union produced affidavits to prove his
assertion concerning the Lawnside relief situation.
|
Camden Courier-Post - June 3, 1933 |
Stone
Ousted for
Humanness; 'Gave Too Much
Milk, to Poor Children,' Jobless Union Hears Editorial:
'-But the Greatest of These Is Charity'"
appears on page 10. Dr.
Arthur L. Stone
resigned as director of
emergency
relief in this city because of opposition to
his
humanness. This
was the inference drawn from both the city health bureau chief and Wayland
P. Cramer,
director of the Camden County Emergency Relief
Administration, who requested Dr.
Stone
to
quit.
According
to Cramer
a municipal relief
director "must not let his heart rule his head." Dr.
Stone,
who is credited directly with having brought about extensive reduction in
the infantile mortality rate of this; city, said: "It
is true that I took the human side, in the administration of city relief.
So far as I know no charges have been made." May
Name Logan Appointment
of a successor to Dr.
Stone
was a topic of gossip about the city and county buildings yesterday.
It was rumored that William W. Logan at presently serving as manager
in the county relief office, will be named as city director. Another report
linked the name of William
J. Strandwitz, who formerly was county director. A successor will be
named by John Colt, of Princeton, who is state emergency relief
administrator. Dr.
Stone's
comment regarding "the human side of city relief
administration," followed an expression by Clarence
Moullette, executive secretary
of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey, to the effect that the city
physician's ouster probably was motivated "because Dr.
Stone
was giving too much milk to babies," Further
attempt to draw from Director
Cramer
his reason for requesting Dr.
Stone
to resign disclosed no specific charge, After first declining to
comment Cramer did express his opinion as to the qualifications necessary
for the city relief directorship. "Primarily,'"
said Cramer,
"he must have executive and administrative
ability. He must have a good heart, but mustn't let his heart rule his
head," Pressed
further far a statement concerning what Dr.
Stone
lacked "in the administration of relief, Cramer
said: Thought
Stone Best Man
"It
is not only my aim," he said, "to
be considerate of all people receiving relief, but to be considerate of
those within my organization. That is the reason I am not talking about
details incident to Dr.
Stone's
resignation. I
drafted him into the Relief office,
because I thought he was the best man for the job. Affairs
were in fine shape in the city administrative office when he took
it
over. "'However,
this is a matter for John Colt to
discuss.
He is my superior”.
Cramer
admitted that he has someone
in the offing whose appointment to
the
city relief directorship he will recommend
to
Colt.
It
would be unfair for me," said Cramer,
"to mention the name of the man I have in mind, before Mr. Colt had
asked for my recommendation". Dr.
Stone
said that he was "just as well satisfied" to
be
relieved of the city relief directorship which carries
no salary. "There
was no salary to
the
job," said Dr.
Stone,
"and it meant many long hours of work in addition to the duties of
the health department. I enjoyed building up the relief organization
most for the human side of it. I sent in my resignation to become
effective immediately. I tried to do a human job. "When
I went to
Cramer's
office
this week," continued Dr.
Stone,
"he did not specifically tell me what the matter was. He told me only
that he was not satisfied with the way things were going in my department." Director Colt called today on the telephone at Princeton, said that he had not received Dr. Stone’s letter of resignation. If he accepts the resignation, Colt stated that he will immediately appoint a successor to Dr. Stone on the recommendation of Cramer. |
Camden Courier-Post - June 3,1933 |
"He
let his heart rule 'his head!" That
is the astonishing reason given by If
this is the only reason Cramer has to offer- THEN
DOCTOR STONE SHOULD BE REINSTATED
IMMEDIATELY! Furthermore,
State Relief Administrator John Colt should make a prompt and thorough
investigation into the entire conduct of *
*
*
*
*
* "He
let his heart rule his head!" Fancy
that as a "reason" for asking a man to resign from work
which consists of the relief of human needs and suffering! To
this newspaper, the fact. that Doctor Stone -DID let his heart rule
his head is THE VERY BEST QUALIFICATION HE POSSESSES FOR THAT JOB. It
was because the Courier-Post knew he was that kind of a man that
Doctor Stone was asked, years ago, to be one of the three directors of
the Courier-Post Relief. Better that two undeserving be given more than their share than that one deserving family be deprived of the bare essentials of life.
Simply because we are afraid to let our hearts rule our heads! The
worst crime of relief administration throughout the land during, the
depression has been the constant fear of conservative die-hards that
"the heart" might sway doling out of the only too scanty
pittances which are given our needy and destitute. This nation needed MORE HEART in offiial life. That's
why Hoover was defeated and Roosevelt elected! *
* *
*
*
* Entirely
aside from the issue of mercy and charity,
a thorough inquiry in due in fairness to Doctor Stone himself: This
man has been the city's health director for about 12 years. He
enjoys the esteem of our people and the respect of associates in If
Director Cramer has no other charges to bring, he should say so at once.
He should . clear up any doubt as to whether something is being held
back, since this whole affair has been shrouded in unwarranted mystery. Nor should Cramer deceive himself that he or anyone else possesses the right to make, a secret out of the public business Of unemployed relief administration. The
public is entitled to know what is going on at all times- what methods
are used- the salaries paid relief agents- and the kind of relief given. That
is public business and this newspaper will fight to keep the public
informed concerning it. *
* * * * *
In
any event, the situation calls for an immediate probe by State relief
officials. Director Colt is said to be planning a trip here. He cannot
arrive too soon. Doctor
Stone, to be sure, may be glad to be relieved of the heavy burdens of
his post as city relief director. Especially, since HE RECEIVES NO SALARY FOR THE WORK! In
fact, Dr. Stone is the only official we. know of connected with the
Relief Administration who is not on the payroll. The
mystery of his dismissal invites the question whether it took place to
make way for a new political PAID JOB? Is
more politics to be played with human misery? To
dismiss a relief administrator because he "had a heart" is an
insult not only to the unemployed, who need aid largely through no fault
of their own, but also to the taxpayers who are contributing that aid. Have we forgotten that "the greatest of these is charity?" |
Camden Courier-Post - June 4, 1933 |
Head of Pyne Poynt Garden Group Says Relief Job Needs
"More Heart" Demand that Dr.
Arthur L. Stone be retained as Camden city director of emergency relief
was made by Walter S. Agin, president of the Pyne Poynt Garden Club, at
a meeting of the Cox Garden Club at Twenty-first Street and Harrison
Avenue. "The city gardeners ask John
Colt, state director of relief, to refuse to accept the resignation of Dr. Stone," Agin said. "They feel that a great heart like that
of Abraham Lincoln in 1861 is the thing most needed today. The city of Camden and the unemployed as
well as the relief administration have use for a man with a heart and a
head. After all, it is not what we do for ourselves that make us great,
but what we do for the other fellow. We believe there is something more
than the excuse that 'he
let his heart rule his head' for the demand of County Director Wayland
P. Cramer for
Dr. Stone's resignation and for that reason we ask that
Dr. Stone be retained on the job." More than 20,000 tomato, pepper and cabbage plants
were given to the city gardeners by Daniel
Deacon, Twenty-seventh street
and Pierce Avenue and more tomato plants will arrive today from the
Campbell Soup Company firms at Mt. Holly for distribution to the
various gardens throughout the city. The Kaighn Avenue Plumbing Supply
Company donated 300 feet of
water pipe to the Pyne Poynt Club, while 2 tons of fertilizer were given the gardeners by the Walters Company, of
Philadelphia. John Emery, president, of the Cox Club, announced his organization has 137 gardens underway on the old Cox farm on Harrison Avenue. |
Camden Courier-Post - June 5, 1933 |
|||||
|
Camden Courier-Post - June 6, 1933 |
Suit
to End Relief Secrecy Planned by Civic Congress; Irregularities Are
Charged Court
action to force the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration to
reveal its books for public inspection is planned by the Congress of Civic
Associations of South Jersey. This
was announced last night at a meeting of the North Camden Civic
Association in the headquarters of the Pyne Poynt Social Club, 939 North
Fifth street. Frank J.
Hartmann, Jr., secretary of both organizations,
disclosed the proposed step. Affidavits
charging irregularities in the relief administration are being gathered, Hartmann
asserted. Wayland
P. Cramer,
director of the county relief board and Captain Albert S. Howard, deputy
director, were charged with evading public inquiries. 'Fathers
Fired-Girls Hired' "They've
given us a grand run-around," Hartmann
said in relating his efforts in behalf of a destitute family. The
Congress of Civic Associations, headed by Fred
von Nieda, is determined to force inspection of the relief records by
applying for a court writ, Hartmann
said, Vince
Marinelli, member of the North Camden association and active in the
Civic Congress,
declared a number
of married men were discharged
from
positions
in the relief administration and single women engaged for their posts. Protest
Rally June 11 The
association agreed to
join
with the Unemployed Union of New Jersey in staging a public mass meeting
to protest against the relief board. The
meeting is scheduled for June 11, at the Convention
Hall. Clarence
E. Moullette, executive secretary of the unemployed group, addressed
last night's session, which two score persons attended. 'Only
8 In 25,600 Rejected'
Hartmann
declared that of Camden's'
117,000 persons, 25,600 are receiving emergency relief. The figure in the
county is comparable, he said. Quoting
Dr.
Arthur L. Stone,
who recently resigned as city director of emergency relief, Hartmann
asserted 6828 of the 11,400 city's colored are in the relief line. "In
all these cases the great Emergency
Relief Administration has found only eight this year that were not worthy
of receiving aid," Hartmann
said he was informed. "The
taxpayers are paying the bills and they have every right to know how the
money is being spent. "If
Director Cramer
and Captain Howard can be out of their office all day without anyone
knowing where they are I think there is ground for investigation," he
insisted. Cites
Backyard Fires Hartmann
reviewed the plight
of 11 families on State
Street who were forced to cook meals over a backyard
fire last Saturday after gas and electric service had been suspended for
non-payment of bills. Thirty-five children were affected. Hartmann
estimated that Public Service could produce electricity to supply the
apartment house for one month at a cost of $2. The charge is $22, he said.
Hartmann
described advantages of a municipal electric plant, for which more than
11,000 persons have signed
petitions circulated by the association and civic congress. He compared
this city's tax rate and assessments with those of Jacksonville, Fla., and
said the southern city earned $2,000,000 profit from its municipal light
and power plant in 1932. A
campaign to further sentiment in favor of the municipal plant idea is
being advanced daily, Hartmann
reported.
A staff of speakers is being enrolled. Dr.
Stone's Work Reviewed Moullette,
in appealing for support of the civic association for the mass meeting
next week, said that the resignation of Dr.
Stone
was a political
move, designed to create a position with pay for some Republican
organization favorite. "Dr.
Stone spent $25,000 for emergency
relief in Camden. "As
a result of the efforts of Dr.
Stone in his office as municipal relief
director there are children in more than 500 families who obtained milk
that was not given them before he took the position," Moullette
said. "The purpose of the mass meeting is to bring forcibly to the
attention of the authorities here and in the state that there is need for
an investigation of the Camden County
Emergency Relief Administration."
New
Fire Alarms Protested Joseph
Munger, of East Camden,
asked the association to protest against proposed expenditure of more than
$50,000 for a new tire alarm system
in Camden. He
charged that the project is needless, and said that transfer of the
present system from the old city hall to the new courthouse annex could be
made for $2500. "The
present system is sufficient for this city," Munger said. "The
cost of removing it to the new building would be less than what the city
might pay in interest for one year on $50,000." Hartmann
said that a new system in the fire department would require employment of
additional employees and thereby add more expense to the taxpayers. Mrs. Stephen Pfeil, William Coughlin and Miss Elsie Stein were named by Harry Walton, president, to a committee with instructions to ask Mayor Roy R. Stewart to move against alleged vandalism. They charged that young boys are destroying vacant properties throughout the city. |
Camden Courier-Post - June 6, 1933 |
Fire
Cramer and Howard, Unemployed Ask Colt With more
than 300 persons filling every section of their hall, at 312 Market
street, the Unemployed Union last night adopted resolutions attacking Camden county relief officials. A
letter was sent to John Colt, state director of Emergency Relief, in
which many cases of destitution and grievances of the union were
cited. In the
letter, Colt, was informed of the union's repeated attempts to have
their grievances heard by Wayland P. Cramer, county relief director, or his
assistants, all meeting repeated failures. Ask
Colt to Fire Cramer The
communication, signed by Frank
J. Manning, president of the union, requested the removal of the
Camden county relief director and deputy director. The deputy director
is Capt. Albert S. Howard. "There
can be no good will in Camden county," the letter stated,
"until the present director and deputy director are removed and
the unemployed are given representation on the relief board. "We
submitted a list of grievances to you from Lawnside showing a
deplorable condition among the unemployed of that community, some of
the families living on a miserable pittance of 50 cents every two
weeks per
person in the family. 'Dictator
at Berlin' "The
relief administrator in Berlin is part-owner of a sweat shop and
he administers relief in a highhanded and dictatorial fashion."
The union
adopted a resolution demanding representation on the relief
board. Cramer
was asked two questions in the resolution. They were: "Will
the emergency relief allow a committee of the Unemployed Union to have full representation on the relief
board?" "Will
you give our grievance committee
full access to the records of the Emergency Relief?" Plans were
completed for a giant mass meeting to be staged at the Convention
Hall on Wednesday, June 14, at
8 p.
m. The union
will join with the Congress of Civic Clubs in staging
the affair. The union plans to bring several prominent speakers to the meeting. |
Camden Courier-Post - June 6, 1933 |
THE
MAIL BAG But
the Greatest of These is
Charity
To
the Editor: Sir-Beautiful
words, well spoken. Especially
when Charity means, in a general sense, love, benevolence, goodwill,
that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and do them good. We read where
Dr. Stone was asked to
resign because his heart ruled his head. In your editorial, Mr.
Editor, something seems wrong somewhere. There seems that Mr. Cramer
is unaware of the meaning of charity. Dr.
Stone may or may not be the man for the job. When one has a
comfortable job at the taxpayers' expense one can easily dispense
charity, especially if he uses somebody else's money. Dr.
Stone has a comfortable job, and, perhaps, he was better suited
for the job because he was sure of where the next meal was coming from
but Mr. Cramer
evidently was of another opinion. To him Charity is a business. Since
the taxpayer and the philanthropist both practice charity, the former
directly or indirectly through taxation, the latter of
his own free will and accord. The latter knows where his money is
going or he does not give it; the former has a right to know if he so
desires, Because whether it be salaries or relief, he is the one
paying the bill. The present
way the relief is being run is, perhaps, the most
autocratic thing ever done in the city of Camden. The ones in charge
think they are above question or reproach. But one thing is certain,
and that is the citizens do not think that way about it. If these in
the seats of the mighty refuse to give interviews without long waits,
then the citizens should inquire from someone who will give them
satisfaction. We want to know who is working for the relief, where
they live, how long they have lived there, their salaries, where they
came from and their qualifications. Also who is getting relief and
where they live. There is little to fear for those who need relief,
who are, either getting it or not getting it, it is the people who do
not need it that causes those who do need it not to get it. Imagine, if
you can, 6828 people of one race out of a total of 11,400 getting relief; imagine, if you can, 25,600
people getting relief in the city of Camden alone and, perhaps more
than that number in the county and only eight of these were found to
get relief who did not deserve it. And then they say it is none of
your business, go to the Courier and get it. When
information is desired. Mr. Editor, we have to believe somebody. Do
you have the information and are you holding out on us? Or is it a
case of passing the buck? There is hardly a person in this city who
knows somebody that needs relief and there are few people who don't
know somebody who is betting relief and does not need it. Increasing pay of
investigators, employing college girls and laying off married men,
cutting allowance of those who need relief, makes undeveloped minds
run around in circles. When no satisfaction is given to those who pay
the bills and are told that it is
none of their business, then one must
feel as if there is no justice, and the very fact that of all virtues
the greatest of them is charity, then the words charity and relief,
such as shown and practiced in the city of Camden, should never be
used in the same sentence. FREDERICK
VON NIEDA |
Camden Courier-Post - June 7, 1933 |
DR
STONE KEEPS JOB AS CITY RELIEF CHIEF Dr.
Arthur L. Stone,
who "let his heart rule his head," will remain director of
the Emergency Relief Administration in Camden city. This
surprise announcement was made last night by John Colt, of
Princeton, director of the State Emergency Relief Administration. Wayland
P. Cramer,
Haddonfield,
Camden county relief administrator, withdrew a request for Stone's
resignation at a conference with Colt yesterday at Princeton. Dr. Stone
who attended the meeting, thereupon asked Colt to return his written
resignation forwarded by
Cramer
a
few days ago, 'Magnanimous
Attitude' Colt
issued this statement: "Mr.
Colt, State Director of the Emergency Relief Administration today
had a conference in Princeton with Wayland
P. Cramer,
the county director of
Camden
county, and Dr.
A. L. Stone,
the city director of emergency relief in the City of Camden. "As
a result of this conference, Mr. Cramer
withdrew
his request for Dr. Stone's
resignation, and asked Dr. Stone to continue at the head of the
Emergency Relief Administration in the City of Camden. "Dr. Stone
agreed to this request and asked Mr. Colt to return the resignation
which was forwarded Cramer
a
few days ago. "This
magnanimous and public spirited attitude and action on the part of
these two gentlemen assure the carrying forward of
the
work of emergency relief in the City of Camden along lines best
adapted to adequately take care of the needy during the present
emergency." Colt
Favors Publicity The
action followed disclosure by Colt yesterday that Cramer
was
not following the dictates of the state director
in refusing to discuss relief bureau matters with newspapermen. Since
the rift with Dr. Stone
opened last Wednesday Cramer
has
steadfastly evaded newspapermen and on one occasion slammed his
office door in the face of one of them. Cramer
said
this policy was in line with instructions given him by Colt. It
was further revealed yesterday that Dr. Stone
and Cramer
"never
had a fair understanding." In
contradicting Cramer
regarding
the news restriction, Colt said: "The
public," said Colt, "has got to know about general affairs
pertaining to relief in their locality. I'll straighten this matter
out immediately with Camden." Neither
Cramer
nor
Captain Albert S. Howard, his deputy, would answer the telephone at
the relief headquarters yesterday. Word was relayed from Captain
Howard that he was
too busy
while
Cramer
was
reported
"not in." Later,
however, A. Lincoln Wood, Jr., secretary to Cramer
notified the Courier-Post that a "news release" was ready.
After signing his initials, a reporter was handed the statement. The
statement follows: "Following
recent publicity with regard to 11 families residing at 106108-110
State
Street, Camden, Wayland
P. Cramer,
Camden county director of the Emergency Relief Administration,
arranged with A.
L.
Stone M.D.,
municipal director for the city of Camden, for a full investigation
as to the reason these relief recipients were without gas for
cooking on Friday and Saturday of last week. Applicants
Delinquent' "The
arrangement made with the owner and agent for these properties by
the Emergency Relief Administration was that the owner would furnish
light, heat and fuel for cooking. Some of the relief recipients were
extremely delinquent in making application for renewal of the rental
payments by the Emergency Relief Administration to the owner, and
the owner claims that due to this situation he was unable to make
proper payment to the utility company. A change in method of handling
renewal applications for rental payments has been made by the Camden
City division of the Emergency Relief Administration, whereby it
will not hereafter be necessary for the relief recipient to call at
the Emergency Relief office, and it is believed that this will
obviate any reoccurrence of this situation. "The
Emergency Relief Administration learned on Friday, June 2, of the
fact that the gas had been shut off, and immediately contacted the
owner by telephone with the request that he arrange for continuance
of service. No
'Understanding' Dr. Stone
stated he had received no orders from Colt's office to "declare
a moratorium on relief news," "I
shall refuse no one the right to question me about the affairs of my
department." Besides
"letting his heart rule his head" in the administration of
city relief, Dr. Stone
strongly intimated in his conversation that there had never been a
"fair understanding" between him and Cramer.
"I
guess," said Dr. Stone,
"that I took too many liberties in the administration of city
relief. However, I have found out that the county administration is
over the city relief office. Apparently I was under the wrong
impression when I thought I could get along with a fair
understanding." Why
Girls Were Kept Dr. Stone
yesterday admitted that married men had been discharged and single
girls had been retained as city relief visitors as charged Monday at
a meeting of the North Camden Civic Association in the Pyne Poynt
Social Club, 939 North
Fifth Street. "The
reason for that" said Dr. Stone,
"was because we reduced the city visitors staff from 41 to 34
as an economy move and the girls proved more capable than the
men.” "We
were faced with the problem of training two persons to take the
places of two relief supervisors loaned us by Newark. The men did
not show capabilities for supervisory positions that the girls did.
That phase of the service requires a special skill.” "When
it comes to facilitating to the best advantages the administration
of relief to thousands of persons, I believe the best candidates for
the jobs should be chosen. The ones who made the grade happened to
be single. "In
selecting recruits for the visitor service we set standards of excellent,
very good, fair and poor. None of those who were let go were poor
from the standpoint of service, but unfortunately the retrenchment
program called for a reduction of seven in the staff.". |
Camden Courier-Post - June 8, 1933 |
CRAMER
OPENS
DOOR TO NEWSPAPERMEN; 'CONTROVERSY OVER With
peace restored in the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration
yesterday, Director Wayland
P. Cramer
announced he would grant interviews to newspapermen. This
turnabout marks the end of a week's campaign of evasion, during
which Cramer
frequently refused to discuss affairs of his bureau with reporters. Dr.
Arthur L. Stone,
director of the city Emergency Relief Administration, resumed his
duties following withdrawal of his resignation written at the
request of Cramer, who submitted it to John Colt, director of the
state emergency relief administration. 'Perfect
Understanding' “War
was on," Cramer
told a
Courier
reporter, "but peace has been restored and I
shall
grant personal interviews to newspapermen from now
on. "I
believe
Dr. Stone
now fully understands the situation on relief which he had
previously stated he didn't understand. There is now a perfect
understanding on city and county relief among Dr. Stone,
Mr. Colt and me." Cramer
was asked whether the conference with Colt would result in any
change of policies within the city or county relief departments. "Mr.
Colt," said Cramer,
"has his eye on Camden and is taking a personal interest in the
city relief administration. Of course, we shall acquiesce to any of
Mr. Colt's requests concerning administration. No relief applicants
in Camden will suffer by reason of the controversy between Dr. Stone
and me." Stone
Demands Clear
Status
Dr. Stone
plainly stated that he would continue as municipal director only in
the event he and Colt come to an agreement on the divisions of
authority between his department and Cramer's.
"The
trouble," said Dr. Stone,
"was due to a clash of personalities over how city relief was
to be administered. Mr. Colt has agreed to send a representative to
Camden to supervise the setting up of a city relief organization
that will relieve me of some of the supervisory problems. I
am
interested solely in the human side of relief.” "I
want
to make sure that the City of Camden, in the administration of this
relief office, gets due credit from the state for the $70,000 the
city donates annually to two hospitals, and other
contributions." . |
Camden Courier-Post * June 8, 1933 |
BORDEN
TO BE GUEST Of REALTY BOARD 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 9, 1933 |
||||||
|
Camden Courier-Post- June 14, 1933 |
Cramer Upheld in Keeping From Public Relief Payroll and Job Holders Wayland P. Cramer, Camden county relief director yesterday was victorious in his policy of secrecy in affairs of his relief administration when he won authority from John Colt, state relief director, to suppress from newspapers a complete salary list of relief employees. Last Wednesday, at the request of the Courier-Post newspapers, Cramer instructed his secretary, Lincoln Wood, Jr., to write Colt and ask for his opinion in the matter. That was after Cramer had demurred when asked for the salary lists, which were demanded by several Camden organizations including the Unemployed Union. Word of Colt's refusal was brought to Camden yesterday by Col. Joseph D. Sears, deputy state director, who explained that his chief had adopted the policy of withholding the names because it might cause "embarrassment and a hardship to little fellows" on the relief payroll to have their salaries published. To Ask Cramer Removal Colt's refusal to submit the complete salary lists for public inspection followed the announcement of a
mass meeting tonight in Convention
Hall, when demands will be made for the immediate removal of Cramer
and all other officials of the county relief administration. Colonel Sears visited Camden for a conference with Cramer, Dr. Stone, Miss Sara Curtis and other city and county relief officials. It was explained to Colonel Sears that rumors were current in this city that former city employees had been given jobs with the relief administration in preference to applicants with equal qualifications. "Of course," said Colonel Sears, "I am not familiar with the Camden situation, but I can say that I don't know the politics of two percent of persons at the state relief headquarters. Mr. Colt feels it would result in an undue hardship to little fellows in the employ of the administration to have their salaries published. "However, if there is any evidence of unfairness or discrimination in employment it will be possible to obtain the salaries of three or four persons at a time." Little Knowledge of Politics Dr. Stone, at the conclusion of Col. Sears' discourse, stated that he knew the political faith of less than one percent the municipal relief offices employees. Wood, speaking for Cramer, echoed the statement of Col. Sears when he said that the politics of less than two percent of the Camden county administration was known. Col. Sears explained that it was the policy of the state administration to employ men and women first, for their capabilities in relief work, and, second, from the standpoint of their need for financial assistance. "If we can't make up our personnel from the first class," he said, "we turn to the second." Other speakers at the meeting will be Frank J. Manning, president of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey; Paul Porter, lecturer for the League for Industrial Democracy, and John Edelman, vice chairman of the Industrial Standards Committee of New Jersey. The meeting opens at 8 p. m . A demand will also be made by the unemployed union of Colt at the meeting for representation from its membership within the county relief administration. Clarence E. Moullette is executive secretary of the union, and William R. Kennedy is vice president. Prepares Questions "If the county relief officials attend the meeting," said Manning "they will be asked to answer some questions pertinent to the administration of relief which is inadequate and prejudiced for political expediency. Repeatedly, this organization has tried but failed to obtain fair hearings on its complaints of the inefficient relief methods." Moullette announced today he had prepared a list of questions for relief officials to answer. "We intend to ask Mr. Cramer to explain why he and Captain Howard receive from eight to ten cents a mile for operating their automobiles in relief service, while the usual rate for state officials is but five cents a mile," Moullette said. Manning announced that formal protest will be made at the mass meeting against the recent conduct of Cramer in suppressing information concerning his request for the resignation of Dr. A. L. Stone as Camden municipal relief director. "The public," said Manning, "is still awaiting an explanation from Mr. Cramer on his request for Dr. Stone's resignation. It is the right of the tax-paying public to know the reasons behind that request, and whether they had any serious bearing on the administration of relief to the poor and needy." |
Camden Courier-Post- June 15, 1933 |
RELIEF HERE RAPPED AS SWEATSHOP
ALLY "Any citizen representing a group of citizens" may examine the list of persons on the payroll of the Camden County Relief administration, Wayland P. Cramer, county director, announced yesterday afternoon. Cramer said he was awaiting a decision from John Colt, state director, on whether the Payroll may be published in the newspapers. The Camden County Emergency Relief Administration and the New Jersey Legislature were raked with accusations last night at a mass meeting of the local unit of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey, held in Convention Hall. Five hundred persons heard speakers demand a legislative investigation of the relief bureau. That the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration is subsidizing sweatshops and that Wayland P. Cramer, director, is receiving compensation although his position is non-salaried were charged. The waning session of Legislature was rapped as "notorious for its lack achievement," and "for its failures". |
Camden Courier-Post- June 15, 1933 |
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL TO REMAIN
OPEN By approving issuance of a $20,000 emergency note, the Camden County Board of Freeholders yesterday afternoon assured continuance of the Camden County Vocational Training School and maintenance of the Agricultural Demonstration Bureau and Home Economic Extension Service until December 31. To bring this about, the board voted to take advantage of a, new state law permitting them to either refund present bond issues due or declare a moratorium on paying-off maturing bonds for three years. Being relieved of the obligation of paying off maturing bonds, the board decided to continue the work of the school and two bureaus. The board voted to allot $16,500 to the school, $1700 to the agricultural bureau and $1500 to Home Economics. The school was scheduled to close this month. The two bureaus were closed February 1 despite protests from thousands of citizens. "This will assure continuation of the school at least until the end of the year," said Githens. "We have always been of the opinion that these three functions of the county government are essential and should be continued without an increase in the tax rate. "When, however, the county budget for 1933-34 was being considered, it was honestly determined that the money would not be available. At that time our legislative delegation suggested the possible relief through legislative action. These matters were therefore held in abeyance. "Now we are happy to be in a better position. The legislature adopted or assured the adoption of bills sponsored by our Camden legislators which will make available to our comity sufficient money to provide continuance of the three agencies without increasing county taxes." Refunding to Be Sought Resolutions set forth that $330,000 worth of bonds mature this year and $2,352,000 in 1934 and that the board cannot see its way clear to meet these obligations. Therefore the bondholders will be requested to agree to refunding these bonds, the first installment to be made in five years and the balance not later than 10 years. C.C. Collings and Company were named agents for the bonds and the First Camden National and Trust Company depository. If the bondholders refuse to agree to this arrangement, the board will declare a "holiday" and defer payments for three years. When the board passed its resolutions regarding the school and two bureaus, Mrs. Marion R. Gilpin, president of the Camden County Council of Parents and Teachers, thanked the members. She had led a fight several months against end ing the activities of these branches of the county institutions. Petitions signed by 10,406 residents of Camden and 13,689 living in the county were withheld when the board announced it intended to reopen the two bureaus and keep the school in operation for the balance of the year. Fifty-three civic groups, clubs and Parent-Teacher Associations were included in the protest. Mrs. Verga Appointed Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, vice chairman of the state Republican committee, was named to the board of supervisors for old age relief for a five year term over the objections of Minority Leader George Brunner, of the Fourteenth ward. Brunner said that because of her political position Mrs. Verga could not be expected to give impartial relief into which politics might be injected. Alexander P. Schuenemann, Republican, jumped to his feet to defend Mrs. Verga, saying Brunner's remarks were in the nature of charges against her. Brunner replied that he would make the same objection if a prominent Democrat were being considered and for the same reasons. County Engineer Beal M. Shucker was authorized to ask the State Highway Commission to match $25,000 appropriated by Camden County for the purchase of rights of way for relocation of the Haddonfield-Berlin road to skirt Gibbsboro. Bids were rejected for the Church Road bridge, Colestown, because one was in error. The road and bridge committees were authorized to re-advertise for new bids. A communication from the Camden County Medical Society asked the board to transfer the Department of Labor from the hall at Fifth Street and Taylor Avenue to more adequate quarters in the new court house annex. The society said the Workmen's Compensation Bureau is housed in unfit quarters which are far too small. The letter was referred to the property committee. Contract Awarded The Had-Col Construction Company was awarded a contract for the reconstruction of River Road from Springfield Avenue to the northeast end in Pennsauken township on a bid of $14,633. After passing a resolution of sympathy on the death of Edward Holloway, former custodian of the court house and city hall, the board elected Thomas Dickinson, Jr., acting custodian, at no increase in salary over what he received as assistant. Bruner protested. He said the office of assistant custodian should be abolished as an economy measure. Dr. Leslie H. Ewing, director of the board, replied the county was saving money by naming Dickinson as acting custodian without drawing the salary given to Holloway. Hospital Bids Asked The Lakeland central plant and asylum committee was authorized to advertise for bids for furnishing the the new hospital for mental diseases. They will be received at the hospital board room on June 28. In a communication to the board Wayland P. Cramer, county director of emergency relief, that the board for the quarters provided in the court house annex and for the cooperation of the board. He thanked the leaders of both political parties "for not permitting any phase of human suffering to become ensnarled with political expediency during the present crisis." |
Camden Courier-Post- June 16, 1933 |
Cramer Denies County Relief Bureau Allied With Sweatshops Wayland P. Cramer, director of the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration, yesterday ridiculed charges his bureau is allied with sweatshops, as publicly issued by the New Jersey Unemployed Union, at a mass meeting here. At the same time Dr. Arthur L. Stone, city health officer and director of the city emergency relief board welcomed spokesmen of the unemployed to a conference. Dr. Stone announced he will accompany the committee today on a tour of inspection of the city relief bureau. Director Cramer at first refused to "dignify with an answer" the charges of the unemployed. Later he issued a statement leveled at "insidious attacks of agitators endeavoring to break down the hope and faith in the future of our government, our home and our institutions." Promises Inquiry Questioned as to his attitude on two affidavits obtained by the unemployed union, in which it is charged Mrs. Viola Baker, municipal relief director of Magnolia, had used her position to subsidize persons in need of aid, Director Cramer said: "If those affidavits are turned in to me, I shall see that they are examined as to the facts and by the proper authorities." Cramer announced that John Colt, state relief director, would have a final decision to make concerning the request of the Courier-Post Newspapers for a list of salaries of employees of the Camden County Relief Administration. Colt, through his deputy, Col. Joseph D. Sears, refused this week to permit publication of the salary lists in newspapers, declaring it would "impose a hardship and embarrass the little fellows on the payroll." Colt is reported to be reconsidering his first decision. "In spite of the insidious attacks of agitators endeavoring to break down the hope and faith in the future of our government, our homes, and our institutions, the vast majority of the people are 'carrying on' in a generously patriotic manner that is absolutely necessary to bring back the stable employment conditions which mean so much to all of us," Cramer said. Demands Co-operation "Every man and woman must do everything in their power to maintain the internal security of this country. I am doing my part by giving the best of my ability to honestly and ably organize and expedite the functioning of Emergency Relief throughout Camden County. "Unless adequate relief is given to each and every deserving person, there is a failure which we take very much to heart. At the same time, we must make certain that those who are not deserving receive punishment for taking away the portion due those who are. "Qualified citizens will find the records open for examination; all suggestions for the improvement of
our service will be welcomed and, as in the past, will be acknowledged. Stone Sees Unemployed Dr. Stone conferred with Frank J. Manning, president of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey; Clarence E. Moulette, executive secretary, and George Yost, state organizer of the Young Peoples' Socialist Party. The trio, Dr. Stone said, called on him to discuss their request for representation within the relief administration. "I believe," Dr. Stone said, "that it is only fair that these gentlemen and any others from representative organizations should have an opportunity to look into the inner workings of the relief administration. Of course, it is human to make mistakes, but I want to show these men that if mistakes were made they were made honestly. "I shall open the office records for their inspection and shall do my utmost to explain all details of relief work to their satisfaction. "If, after the tour of inspection, these men still insist on representation in my department of relief work, I shall take up that question for further consideration." " |
Camden Courier-Post- June 21, 1933 |
'Whitewash' Feared In Berlin Relief Probe Berlin, June 20.-Fear was expressed tonight that charges against Ralph Baccelieri, Berlin Township relief director, would be whitewashed if the public were not admitted to his hearing tomorrow night. The county relief organization is conducting the investigation. At a meeting of the local unemployed union tonight, William
McAllister, secretary, implored his 15 listeners to demand admission to the hearing. |
Camden Courier-Post- June 22, 1933 |
RELIEF MAN GETS DELAY ON HEARING A hearing on charges against Ralph Baccellieri, Berlin township relief director, was postponed yester day until Tuesday, June 27, at the request of the Unemployed Union. Baccellieri is accused by William Lemke, of the Berlin Unemployed Union, with failing to supply milk to families with babies and with mixing politics with the affairs of his relief office. Wayland P. Cramer, county relief administrator, agreed to:postpone the hearing on his investigation of. the charges, but the suggestion that it be held in the West Berlin school has not been accepted by him. Cramer received the following letter from William MacAllister, secretary of the union: "Mr. William Lemke requests that you postpone the investigation of charges made against Mr. Ralph Baccellieri, director of relief in Berlin township for the following reasons. "The notice is too short to enable us to assemble witnesses. That the hall as designated is engaged by distribution of relief orders and would conflict with a public hearing. The union suggests the West Berlin school and also suggests that Tuesday, June 27, be set for the hearing. . |
Camden Courier-Post- June 21, 1933 |
RELIEF
LEADERIN BERLIN TWP. IS ACCUSED AT CRAMER PROBE Turmoil
marked the public "trial" of Ralph Baccellieri, Berlin Township
relief director, last night before Wayland
P. Cramer, county relief administrator, and a staff of his
assistants, sitting as a board of inquiry in Huber's Hall, Berlin. Charges
of political preference, "starvation wages" in his overalls
factory and improper administration were made against, Baccellieri. They
were answered by a statement from a township society, commending
Baccellieri's regime. At
one point in the hearing one witness tried to question another about his
political affiliations and whether he was on the relief list, Cramer
leaped to his feet to halt the questioning, At another juncture Cramer
praised political affiliations as a token of good citizenship. Capt.
Albert S. Howard, county deputy relief director, was a member of the
inquiry board and was mentioned frequently in the testimony. Charges
against Baccellieri, made by the Berlin Township Unemployed Union, also
were that he was unfit to hold office, was un-American and should be
removed. Bacellleri
is proprietor of an overalls factory. Cramer
refused to hear any complaints in connection with the township director's
factory; and asserted any complaints about that would have to be made with
the State Commissioner of Labor. . After
the hearing, the board of inquiry reserved decision and. refused to make
any comment. Says
Milk Was Refused The
first.witness was Mario Caparella of Berlin Township. "I
asked Baccellieri for a quart of milk for my one-month-and-a-half
baby," he said. "He told me to come to his house and see him. I
saw him five days after and he asked me if I was going to class myself
with those other American bums. He told me I was going against the people
and the taxpayers. I said I would work every day if they would pay me and
that if I had cash instead of a relief order I could buy cheaper.
Baccellieri's father-in-law told me he had orders not to give me milk. I
haven't got the milk yet. My child is now six months old today and I have
two other children. Another time I asked one of Mr. Baccellieri's
assistants for a food order and I was told to give the baby water. Another
time I was told to go to a certain house for clothes. I needed shoes, but
they said my wife and I could not have shoes, that our children could have
shoes, but we would have to go barefoot." The
next witness was Albert Giordano. "I
asked Baccellieri for one pint of milk,'" he said, "because of
an ill child. Baccellieri said I could not have the milk because the child
was four years old. My wife and I went to bed on bread and water so the
kids could get more. Baccelliieri did not tell me I would have to see a
doctor to get a certificate for milk. I saw Dr. Frank O. Stem and got it
and on the way back I met Baccellieri. I gave him the order and he said,
‘fast work.' I demanded to know what he meant by that. He said he would
investigate it. It was four days' before I got the milk. An investigatior
came and told me the child was not sick. I was told to get a certificate
again. I went· to Dr. Leslie H. Ewing and he said if Baccellieri ignored
Stem's certificate he would ignore his. Four days later; after Ewing's
certificate; I got milk. “Vinegar
to Drink" " My
wife Is ill now. I went to Baccellieri for advice. He refused. After a man
told me he would pay for a doctor, I telephoned Dr. Ewing. "Ewing
was sick himself. I had to wrap my wife up and take her there. 'I
also worked nine days on Baccellieri's property and I haven't got a nickel
for it yet. The only thing I ever got was a drink of vinegar." Charles
LeCora, the next witness, declared he was employed for four nights as a
watchman by Baccellieri but denied that any money is owing him., He said
he now is receiving a relief order. Mrs.
Arthur Lemke, daughter-in-law: of Arthur Lemke, Sr., vice chairman of the
Unemployed Union, charged she has been unable to get milk for an anemic
child. Woman
Gives Experience "I
saw Mr. Baccellieri when my child was 18 months old. And after two months
the milk was cut off. He told me the milk certificate was only good for
that length of time but 1 explained the child needed milk because of its
condition. Later he told me I would not get any food order during the week
my husband got work; although he would not get any pay until later. He as
much as told me he didn't care whether the children ate or not and he said
he would throw me out if I was not a lady. I went to see Mr. Howard (Cramer's
deputy) and he promised me a food order. So far, I haven't gotten it. I
had to go to the overseer of the poor." Howard
later informed a reporter that the order was refused because she would not
tell what amount of money her husband was making. Raymond
Orangers was the next witness. He said: "1
applied for a food order and got one for $3. A month later I asked
Baccellieri for milk. And then I asked twice again. I signed an affidavit
that I needed the milk and I still haven't got the milk. He did not tell
me would have to get a doctor's certificate." Oscar Ollinger said he was a war veteran and was now getting
three 'days' work every two weeks with the State Highway Commission,
receiving $10 cash. He said he had a famlly of seven and needed an order
for milk . Wage
Testimony Barred Amandos
Divivio, a boy, testified that he worked, ten hours' a day for six and
one-half days in Baccellieri's factory, but received only $4.53 for the
week. Cramer
declared that, any questions pertaining to Baccellieri's factory or any
complaints would have to be taken up with the State Labor Commission. One
of the charges of the Unemployed Union was the Baccellieri paid
"starvation wages" in the factory. Charles
Dove, president of the Willing Workers, a group of business men, taxpayers
and relief recipients, testified to a resolution which was presented to
the investigation board , complimenting Baccellieri on his conduct of
relief and requesting that he be retained. William
Lemke, Sr. asked Dove it he was a member of any political organization and
if he was now receiving a relief order. Cramerr
leaped to his feet and objected.
I "I
object to the questioning of anyone in public in regard to their receipt
of a relief order," Cramer
asserted. "We do our utmost to keep secret the names of recipients of
relief." Politics
Charged At
this point a member of the Unemployed Union jumped to the floor and
shouted: "How
about the publicity that relief men are getting while working on
roads?" Cramer
refused to answer. Charles
H. Trout, secretary of the Willing Workers, admitted that he was a member
of the "Boosters' Organization," declaring he was president. Lemke
leaped to his feet and said; "The Boosters Is a political
organization and I want to ask this man if Baccellieri is a Booster and
what office does he hold?" Cramer
intervened at this point and stated: "We
consider it evidence of good citizenship for anyone to be affiliated with
any political organization. The question is not sound unless you can prove
Baccellieri has used politics in emergency relief." Lemke
insisted the question be answered. The
inquiry board voted unanimously not to allow an answer. A
resolution was read by W. W. Logan, assistant to Cramer
and the examining member of the board, which had been sent to the board by
the Italian American Protective Society of West Berlin. It asked that
Baccellieri be retained because of "his honesty and Integrity." A
member of the Unemployed Union shouted that Baccellieri was president of
the society. Girardo Di Pietro, secretary of the society, took the stand
and declared Baccellieri had nothing to do with the special meeting at
which the resolution was passed. Hearing
Ends in Turmoil Samuel
P. Orlando, attorney for Baccellieri, took the stand as a wit ness for
his client. He testified that he knew personally that Baccellieri had no
connection with a pants factory in West Berlin which went bankrupt and
owed employees money. Clarence
E. Moullette, secretary of the Unemployed Union of New Jersey, asked
to address the gathering, but was denied the privilege.
The
meeting closed in a turmoil when Thomas P. Ryan was permitted to speak and
opened a tirade condemning Lemke. He charged that Lemke allowed his son,
Arthur Lemke, to live in a house for which Ryan was agent for two years
with out paying rent, although Lemke owned an unoccupied property in which
his son could live. Lemke
arose and called Ryan a "liar" and started towards him. Several
sought to separate the two and the board adjourned the meeting abruptly. Cramer said he did not know when a decision would be reached.. . |