S. Raymond Dobbs

S. RAYMOND DOBBS was born Samuel Raymond Dobbs on October 28, 1894 to Samuel B. and Emily A. Dobbs. He was the oldest of the three Dobbs children, coming before sisters Emily and Edna. The elder Dobbs was in the brick business, and had done well for himself, by 1920 owning a home at 201 Westmont Avenue in Haddonfield NJ and employing a live-in servant. At the time of the 1920 census, S. Raymond Dobbs was working as a clerk in the brick business. He had previously served with the American Armed Forces in World War I, and is named among those who served from Haddonfield at World War I Memorial and Monument in that borough.

During the 1920s S. Raymond Dobbs got involved in the real estate business. He moved to Fairview, and served as the secretary of the Kearsarge Building & Loan Association during the mid- and late- 1920s.

After his move to Camden S. Raymond Dobbs became involved in politics, as a Democratic from the 14th Ward of Camden. He served during the mid-1930s as the executive secretary of the Camden Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committee, which was the governmental body that successfully arranged for the financing and eventual construction of Westfield Acres, Camden's first public housing project. He also returned to school during this period, and was a member of the 1932 Class of the South Jersey Law School in Camden.

S. Raymond Dobbs was first hired by the City of Camden on November 30, 1935, when he took a position in the Department of Public Works as an assistant to City Commissioner and Director of Public Work Frank J. Hartmann Jr. On January 20, 1938, he was appointed to the Camden Board of Commissioners of Assessment and Taxes, later renamed the Board of Assessors. He was still serving in this capacity as late as 1947.  

After leaving government, S. Raymond Dobbs went into real estate, maintaining an office in his home at 2957 Yorkship Square in the Fairview section of Camden as late as 1970. He passed away in November of 1972.

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, Eigth 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 24, 1928

He bought a home in Fairview and paid $500.00 cash.  

He kept up his payments on first and second mortgages to the extent of another $2500. .

The he learned that the man from whom he had bought the house had purchased a third mortgage, outstanding on the dwelling and was about to foreclose it.

He obtained the agreement of the Kearsarge Building and Loan Association to loan of $3600. He got another $900 from the Artisan Loan Company. He signed a note by which the former concern obtained the $3500 dollars from the Audubon National Bank.

Then, without his knowledge, former Sheriff Thomas Jack sold his house at Sheriff’s sale. He was forced to get out and the former owner took possession.

That is the way in which Arthur C. Clarke, of Fairview, outlined the tangled financial transactions today in bringing suit against the building and loan association, the loan company, and James H. Fisher, of Brooklyn NY, from whom he originally bought the property at Octagon Road and Yorkship Avenue.

Would Annul Sale

Clarke asked Vice Chancellor Edward E. Leaming in Camden Chancery Court today to set aside the sheriff’s sale as illegal, to give him back his house, and to rule that the money he still owes to the two loan organizations be held as mortgage on the property.

The purchase price of the house, Clarke sets forth in his petition, was $5,000 when he made the transaction with Fisher on May 9, 1928. He paid $500 down, took over a $1,900 first mortgage and gave Fisher a $2,500 second mortgage.

Clarke adds that he made the purchase with the understanding that the first mortgage was to remain in effect so long as he paid the interest charge on it. Meanwhile, however, he declared that Fisher bought this mortgage and sent him a notice of foreclosure.

In January, 1926, Clarke asserts Fisher started foreclosure proceedings. Meantime Clarke went to the Kearsarge Association, he says, and obtained that organization’s agreement to lend him $3600. The Artisans’ Loan Company, he says, promised him the loan of an additional $900, making a total of $4500, sufficient to pay off both mortgages.

New Loans Delayed

That was January 21, 1926 Clarke asserts, but he charges that the two organizations conspired to keep the money from him until last September and that the sheriff’s sale was con­ducted in the meantime. He had even gone so far, he declares, as to sign a note which he turned over to the Kearsarge Association, which had provided for a loan from the Audubon bank. He charges that the Kearsarge Association permitted its secretary, S. Raymond Dobbs, to keep this money until it was too late.

As s result of the tangle, Clarke declares, he has lost his house after paying some $3,800 on it , he still own $3,100 to the Kearsarge association and $900 to the Artisans’ Company.

He further charges that the sheriff’s sale, at which the property was sold to Fisher, was illegal inasmuch as it was advertised that the house was in the Eighth Ward instead of the Fourteenth.  

Vice Chancellor Leaming is hearing testimony in the case this afternoon.

Camden Courier-Post - August 12, 1933

HOME LOAN CHIEF NAMES N. J. AIDES
Shanley Expects to Appoint Manager of Camden Office Today

Trenton, Aug. 11- Managers for three North Jersey district offices of the Federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation were appointed this afternoon by G. Frank Shanley, New Jersey manager.

They are Charles P. Gillen, former Newark city commissioner, for the third (Newark) district; Richard J. Tarrant, of Jersey City, second (Jersey City) district, and George V. McDonough, West Orange city commissioner, for the fourth (Essex county) district.

MeDonough was reported tonight to have declined the appointment.

Shanley said he expected to name the manager for the Camden office tomorrow. The Camden district will comprise eight South Jersey counties. Plans for additional offices in Atlantic City and Hackensack have been abandoned, it was said. Charles  I. Lafferty, Atlantic county Democratic chairman was reported considered for the Atlantic City office if one were established there, but it was said he did not want the job.

It is reported that the names of former Mayor Victor King, of Camden, and former Freeholder S. Raymond Dobbs are being considered for the Camden managership. Other reports say a "dark horse" will be chosen.

Camden Courier-Post - August 12, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - August 14, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - January 21, 1938

Camden Courier-Post - January 22, 1938

S. Raymond Dobbs - Maurice Clyman - Harry C. Langebein
Clay W. Reesman

Camden Courier-Post - February 4, 1938

CAMDEN GROUP WINS HOUSING BILLS GOAL
Newark Parley Results in Slashing Authority of State Director

A long and hard-fought campaign to obtain housing bills which will enable New Jersey municipalities to secure Federal funds for slum clearance and low-cost housing resulted in a moral victory for members of the Camden Municipal Low-Cost Housing Committee yesterday.

The local group, which several weeks ago inaugurated a statewide movement to obtain the legislation and to eliminate political chicanery in the legislation, returned last night from Newark after attending a stormy session that lasted more than four hours. 

S. Raymond Dobbs, executive secretary of the Camden committee and acting secretary of the state conference of low cost housing committees, said the members of the local and state groups are satisfied with several amendments to be made to the present bills.

Four Housing bills will be presented in the Assembly next Monday night, Dobbs said. They will be introduced by Assemblyman Jennie A. Pilch, of Morris County, chairman of the Assembly housing committee. Assemblyman Oscar R. Wilensky, of Passaic County, majority leader of the House, will ask for their passage under suspension of rules, Dobbs said.

Mrs. Pilch has granted a public hearing on the bills to be held in the Assembly chamber next Wednesday at 1 p.m. The public hearing was requested by the Jersey City Chamber of Commerce.

"The members of our local group and those in the state conference feel a good job was done, "said Dobbs. "We didn't get everything we wanted but at the same time we are confident these bills will be adopted and Camden will get its share of Federal money from the U. S. Housing. Authority."

Dobbs said Wilensky agreed to limit the authority of the state director of housing, set up in two of the bills, to municipalities under 50,000. In the original bills Camden and other cities would have to get written permission from the director before the City Commission could appoint or elect a housing committee.

Another bill was amended requiring the state director to forward to the U. S. Housing Authority with in 20 days all applications for Federal money for slum clearance and low cost housing.

This amendment, Dobbs said, will prevent the state director from arbitrarily deciding whether or not Camden or any other municipality has the legal right to apply for Federal money.

The bill also designates the State Housing Authority as an advisory agency to the state director. In the opinion of Dobbs the state authority will be shorn of much of its power in the matter of housing matters in the state.

The four bills as amended will give Camden and other municipalities even greater autonomy than when they were first drawn, Dobbs declared. 

Frederick Pitett, a retiring building contractor of Bergen County, is named in the bills as state director of housing, Dobbs said. The bills provide for a deputy director to be paid $4000 annually. Pitett's salary will be fixed by the joint appropriations committee of the Legislature, according to Dobbs.

Those representing Camden at the conference besides Dobbs were Charles F. Hollopeter, local committee, chairman, and acting chairman of the state group; Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, counsel, and Joseph N. Hettel, technical adviser to the Camden committee, and Horace R. Dixon, committee secretary,

The State Housing Authority was represented by Frederick W. Ehrlich, chairman; Harry I. Luftman, secretary, and Charles H. Ziegler and Mrs. Isora B. Somers.

Maurice Kaltz, solicitor for the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council, also was present. Members of the Assembly housing committee, J. H. Schneider, counsel for the U.S, Housing Authority, and officials from other cities attended the session.

An observer was Albert Reitman, secretary to Senator Charles S. Loizeaux, of Union county, president of the State Senate..

Camden Courier-Post * February 12, 1938

Hartmann Has New Problem In Hamburgers on Parking Lot
Lessee Seeks Opportunity to Augment Income Before Signing New Agreement Leaving Question in Lap of Commissioner

Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann almost daily is called upon to solve bewildering problems in his job of directing the 16 bureaus that make up the city Department of Public Works.

The almost over-night disappearance of six dilapidated houses left him somewhat perplexed, but yesterday another vexing matter was put to him for an official decision.

Hartmann must decide whether he will approve and seek the double approval of his colleagues in the City Commission on a matter of establishing a hamburger restaurant on the east end of the present commercial auto parking lot bounded by Federal, Arch, Fifth and Hudson streets.

Monroe Y. Brett, present leaseholder of the parking tract, notified Hartmann he will vacate the premises next Monday because the parking business proved a losing venture, due to the rent of $441 a month.

Hamburger to Rescue

However, Brett seized upon an idea that will permit him to continue occupancy. He passed the offer along to City Assessor S. Raymond Dobbs, acting supervisor of city property.

Brett wants the privilege of building and operating a hamburger restaurant, and if given that privilege he is willing to sign for a longer lease.

Dobbs put the matter up to Hartmann with the result Walter S. Anderson, an attorney and assistant to Hartmann, was called into a conference to debate the matter.

There is nothing in the rental resolution that stipulates for what the tract is to be used.
Anderson said advertising of the leasehold agreement contains a notice that sets forth certain 
conditions in connection with the proposed second auction of the leasehold agreement are to be made on the date of the auction.

Stipulation May be Made

Further, the attorney said the city legal department with consent of the members of the City 
Commission can stipulate use of the tract.

The resolution authorizing sale of the rental agreement states the piece of ground, which is paved with concrete, is not needed for public use.

Dobbs insisted that if restrictions are not fixed, Brett or another lessee can build a hamburger restaurant, a hot dog stand or even a tent-covered market place. On this point both Anderson and Hartmann agreed.

The question to be decided is whether the city shall grant Brett permission to build his hamburger restaurant and pay the city $441 a month, or auction off the rental agreement for a stipulated amount of not less than $375 a month.

Whether the city will successfully negotiate a rental agreement for the new figure is in doubt, inasmuch as Brett was unable to make his parking business pay him a profit..

...continued...

...continued...

Frank J. Hartmann Jr. - J. Frank Hanly - Hotel Walt Whitman - Ellis C. Kircher - Carl R. Evered
Westfield Acres - Thomas P. Delany - Charles P.Halyburton - S. Raymond Dobbs

Camden Courier-Post - August 26, 1941

Henry Magin Laid to Rest By War Veteran Buddies
TRUCKS OF FLOWERS IN FUNERAL CORTEGE

Funeral services for City Commissioner Henry Magin were held today with his colleagues in official and veterans circles participating.

Services were conducted in city commission chambers on the second floor of city hall, in charge of Rev. Dr. W.W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfrid's Episcopal Church.

The casket was carried by war veteran associates of the public works director, who died from a heart attack Friday. A color guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion preceded the casket, followed by the four remaining members of the city commission, Mayor George Brunner and commissioners E. George Aaron, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus and Dr. David S. Rhone.

A guard of honor lined both sides of' city hall steps, 22 policemen on one side and 22 firemen on the other, representing Magin's age, 44 years.

Hundreds of men and women waited outside the building to pay their respects as the solemn procession filed by. Mayor Brunner had declared this morning a holiday for city employees. The casket was borne by Thomas Jackson and Samuel Magill, both past Legion commanders; Leon McCarty, past commander of August Walter Chapter, Disabled American Veterans; Richard Jermyn, past commander of Post 1270, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Benjamin P. Thomas, past captain of Sparrow Ship No. 1269. V. F. W.; and William Miller, past State commander, D. A. V.  

Three trucks were required to carry the floral pieces from the scene of the services to the National Cemetery at Beverly, where burial took place.  

An estimated 8000 persons from all walks of life paid their respects to the late official by viewing the body as it lay in state in the commission chambers.

The throng of mourners of Camden city and county was the largest to converge on a public building since the funeral of Fire Chief Charles Worthington, who was killed while fighting a fire almost 20 years ago. His body was placed on public view in the rotunda of the old county courthouse.

File Past Bier  

A continuous progression of people filed past the flag draped bier for more than three and one-half hours. Scores of Republicans and hundreds of Democrats joined in the tribute.

Services were conducted by Camden lodges of Elks and Moose. Military rites were conducted by the Fairview Post, American Legion, of which Magin was a founder and past commander. The tribute was led by Mitchell Halin, post commander, and C. Richard Allen, past department commander. 

James W. Conner, chief clerk of the city water bureau and past State Commander of the V.F.W., conducted rites at the grave.  

Mayor Brunner and Commissioners Kobus, Aaron, and Rhone came early and remained throughout the hours of viewing. Mrs. Helen Magin, the widow, and daughter Helen, attired in deep mourning, arrived shortly after 7:00 PM.

Embraces Widow, Daughter  

Commissioner Kobus, who knelt in prayer before the bier, arose and went over to Mrs. Magin and her daughter. Mrs. Kobus embraced and kissed the widow and daughter of the late commissioner. They were in tears.  

Three firemen and three policemen maintained a vigil as a guard of honor. They were Patrolmen Jack Kaighn, George Weber, and William Deery and Firemen Arthur Batten, Warren Carter and William Reed.

American Legion and V. F. W. members in uniform alternated as members of the military guard of honor. A detail of 50 policemen was under command of Acting Lieutenant John Garrity. Fifty firemen, under supervision of Deputy Chief Walter Mertz, assisted the patrolmen in handling the crowd, which at times choked the stairways leading to the second floor.

Freeholders Arrive  

Albert H. Molt, director of the Board of Freeholders and Freeholders John J. Tull, Oscar Moore, Ventorino Francesconi, Stanley Ciechanowski, Earl Armstrong and Emil J. McCall arrived shortly after 7:00 PM. Moore and Tull wore American Legion overseas caps. Albert S. Marvel, clerk of the board, accompanied the freeholders.

Employees of the various bureaus in the department of public works, headed by Commissioner Magin, came in delegations with the highway bureau having 150, the largest number.  

Frank A. Abbott, acting director of the department, accompanied by James P. Carr, superintendent of Streets; led the highway bureau employees. Abbott is deputy director of revenue and finance and first assistant to Mayor Brunner. He was named by Brunner as acting director until the City Commission elects Mr. Magin's successor.

County Clerk Frank J. Suttill, City Clerk Clay W. Reesman, Fire Chief John H. Lennox and James A. Howell, chief of the city electrical bureau, attended, as did Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the board of education. Every city department sent a floral piece.

Outstanding Floral Tribute

Outstanding among the floral tributes was a six-toot broken circle of varied flowers, an offering from Mayor Brunner and Commissioners Kobus, Aaron, and Rhone.

A floral chair was sent by the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association. The word “Rest” was made up of flowers. The offering of the Veterans League of South Jersey, an organization formed by Commissioner Magin and of which he was the first president, was a large floral pillow.

The freeholders and county officials gave a large floral basket. Floral tributes came from the employees of the board of education, the RCA Manufacturing Company, the police and fire bureaus, Pyne Point Athletic Association, the Elks, Moose and several Democratic clubs.  

The floral tributes came in such numbers yesterday afternoon that Funeral Director Harry Leonard and his assistants could not find room for them in the commission chamber proper. They were banked on both sides, in the rear and over the casket.

Among prominent officials and citizens who came to pay their respects were Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and his son, Donnell, Assemblymen Joseph W. Cowgill and J. Frank Crawford, Sidney P. McCord, city comptroller, Thomas C. Schneider, president of Camden County Council No. 10, New Jersey Civil Service Association.

Others at Bier

Others were Sue Devinney, secretary to Mrs. Kobus; Fred S. Caperoon; Henry Aitken, city sealer of weights and measures, Horace R. Dixon, executive director of the Camden Housing Authority; George I. Shaw, vice president of the board of education.

Sgt. Ray Smith, chairman of the Elks Crippled Children Committee and commander of East Camden Post, V.F.W.; Albert Becker, commander of Camden County Post 126, Jewish War Veterans; Dr. Howard E. Primas and Wilbur F. Dobbins, members of the Camden Housing Authority; Postmaster Emma E. Hyland; Samuel E. Fulton, member of the Camden local assistance board.  

Also former Assemblyman Rocco Palese, former Freeholder Maurice Bart and wife, County Detective James Mulligan, Deputy City Clerk William D. Sayrs, Mary King, secretary to City Clerk Reesman, Charles W. Anderson and John W. Diehl Jr., former members of the housing authority, Walter P. Wolverton, chief clerk of the public works department; Thomas J. Kenney, Maurice Hertz, Isadore Hermann, chief of the city tax title bureau; S. Raymond Dobbs; acting chief of city property, John Oziekanski, building inspector, Harry Langebein, city assessor.

Oliver H. Bond, housing manager of Clement T. Branch Village; former Judge Joseph Varbalow, acting city counsel John J. Crean, assistant City Counsel Edward V. Martino, Paul Day, secretary of city board of assessors, former Assemblyman William T. Iszard, Harry Roye, district director of NYA; Victor J. Scharle and Martin Segal, Democratic and Republican registrars, respectively, of the Camden County permanent registration bureau.  

Mrs. Marian Garrity and Mrs. Mary F. Hendricks, vice chairman and secretary respectively, of the Republican City Committee; Dr, Ethan A. Lang and Dr. Richard P. Bowman, members of the board of education; Edward J. Borden, Carl Kisselman, Harry A. Kelleher, Samuel T. French Sr., former Freeholder Walter Budniak, Coroner Paul R. Rilatt, County Treasurer Edward J. Kelleher, William Shepp, of the city legal bureau, Marie Carr, stenographer, mayor's office; Samuel T. French Jr., member, board of education.

Also John C. Trainor, member of the Camden County Board of Elections; Antonio Mecca, funeral director; Alexander Feinberg, solicitor of the housing authority, former Freeholder John T. Hanson, Sterling Parker and Paul Reihman, member of the county park commission.  

James O’Brien, commander of the Camden Disabled American Veterans, was in charge of services by veterans at the cemetery. Former Freeholder Edward J. Quinlan, county vice-commander of the American Legion, directed last night memorial services and was in charge of the firing squad at the grave.