Camden Courier-Post * June 20, 1933

DEMOCRATS ARRANGE FOR 'MALONEY DAY'
July 9 Set for Reception and Picnic to New Revenue Collector

OPTIMIST DELEGATES LEAVE FOR CONVENTION

Samuel P. Orlando and Richard Bauer, delegate and alternate respectively of the Camden Optimist Club, left yesterday for Washington to attend the nineteenth annual International Optimist convention. The sessions which began yesterday at the Mayflower Hotel will continue Friday and Saturday. 

Bauer has been delegated by the Camden Optimists to nominate Orlando, former lieutenant governor of the Eastern Optimist Club District and past president of Camden Optimist Club, for the post of Eastern vice president. Orlando and Bauer received their final instructions at Wednesday's weekly luncheon of the local club at the Hotel Walt Whitman. . 

CELEBRATION PLANNED

A flag-raising and parade are street among the events planned in the Fourth of July program being arranged by the Dayton Community Association.

Four-year-old Barbara Fallon unfurl a large flag at the home of J. Nehring, 1223 Dayton Street, at 9 a.m. In the flag-raising exercises, Nehring has donated the banner. Barbara is his granddaughter.

Arrangements have been completed to have American Legion Posts 74, 231 and 2685, together with two troops of Boy Scouts and a motorcycle police escort to parade with the officers and members of the association from Kaighn and Mt. Ephraim avenues to the scene of the flag raising.

The parade will form at 8.30 a. m. and will march along Mt. Ephraim Avenue to Dayton Street to Nehring's home.

Samuel P. Orlando, former assistant prosecutor, will deliver an address after the flag-raising. Herbert C. Vennell, the president, will preside. Henry Knauer, Republican county committeeman, will address the association at 1 p.m. The association will meet tomorrow night at the home of William Bowers, 1359 Dayton.

Camden Courier-Post

June 26, 1933

Camden Courier-Post- June 21, 1933

RELIEF LEADER­IN BERLIN TWP. IS ACCUSED AT CRAMER PROBE
County Director Sits at Public Hearing on Series of Charges
TURMOIL MARKS OF HECTIC END SESSION
Official Refuses to Admit Complaints Against Local Agent's Factory

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.. .

Camden Courier-Post - June 29, 1933

8 IN CAMDEN PASS STATE BAR TESTS
14 Others From South Jersey Given Right to Practice Law

Nine Camden law students and 14 others from South Jersey cities passed the April state bar examinations and may practice as attorneys in New Jersey.

That was announced at Trenton yesterday by Rue Brearley, secretary of the State Bar Examiners. Brearley stated that in the entire state, 206 students passed the tests. The counselor-at-law results were not announced.

Those in Camden were:

Howard G. Kulp, Jr., studying at the law offices of Carr and Carroll.

Norman Heine, law office .of his brother, Aaron Heine.

Louis L. Goldman, firm of Orlando and Kisselman.

Franklin. L. Deibert, offices of his brother, Edward R. Deibert.

Joseph Lipkin, offices of Judge Frank F. Neutze.

Stanley L. Bennett, law offices of his brother, City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett.

John F. Ruck, law offices of Walter S. Keown.

James D. Stockwell, law firm of Bleakly, Stockwell and Burling, of which his father, Henry F. Stockwell, is a member.

Bartholomew A. Sheehan, law offices of Walter S. Keown.

Among the other South Jersey students who were successful was Harold B. Wells, Jr., son of Judge Harold B. Wells, of Bordentown. The others are: Fred A. Gravino, John B. Wick and Frank Sahl, all of Woodbury; I. Harry Levin and W. Howard Sharp, of Vineland; Wheeler Grey, William B. Brooks and Morgan E. Thomas, of Atlantic City; Thomas H. Munyan and John E. Boswell of Ocean City; Francis Tanner, Toms River; James Edward McGlincy, Bridgeport, and Charles J. Berkowitz, Lakewood.

Camden Morning Post

October 11, 1933

Samuel P. Orlando
Third Ward Democratic Club
Stevens Street

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - August 11, 1934

 CHISELING IN THE BREADLINE OR ON THE PAYROLL?

Exemplary punishment- $1000 fine or three years in jail- is what Prosecutor Orlando offers to "charity chiselers" whom he finds receiving county relief without needing it.

His crusade to break up this contemptible practice is based upon several cases discovered by the Camden County E. R. A. advisory board and a 1931 law making false acceptance of relief a misdemeanor.

This adds credence to frequent charges that emergency relief has been used as a political racket. And a thorough cleaning up is propitious.  But wait!

In his report to the government, State Relief Chairman John Colt said in the cost of ADMINISTERING relief the salaries of relief employees were included as relief administered.

By this token, persons on the relief payroll are as much relief-recipients as 'the destitute persons in the bread line.

Where are the records showing how much of the total relief expenditure goes for salaries?

John Colt told the Courier-Post there were no records and "no way to tell."

When the new Camden county relief director, W.W. Logan, tried to find, out the same thing concerning the $2,000,000 spent for county relief since last October the records suddenly disappeared from the Camden county relief office!

The crusade of Prosecutor Orlando against relief chiselers will serve a valuable purpose' if it provides the clue and SHOWS WHY THOSE RECORDS DISAPPEARED.

Who was afraid of those figures becoming PUBLIC?

If payroll employees of the county relief have bank accounts or other wealth or means of support, then under their designation by Colt as relief recipients, they are just as answerable to prosecution as the man who has something and goes to the food order line for more.

If the jobs in the county relief are taken away from those who do not need them and given to those who DO- then Prosecutor Orlando's investigation will perform far-reaching good.

He cannot act too soon!.

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - September 14, 1934

STORE BANDITS TO BE QUIZZED IN CHESTER ON FEITZ MURDER
Material Witness Will View Suspects Caught by Camden Sleuths
BRICKNER QUESTIONED BY COLSEY ON HOLDUP
Police Order All Persons Arrested to Face 'Line Up' in Slaying Probe

Seven men and women held by Camden as police as material witnesses in the murder of Detective William T. Feitz two weeks ago in an alleged South Camden disorderly house will look over two men arrested in Chester PA after a store holdup here.

This was announced today by County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, who is directing the investigation for Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

 At the same time, Chief Doran disclosed that after a conference with Police Chief Arthur Colsey, orders were issued that every person arrested in Camden, whether the charge is trivial or serious, will be placed in a police "lineup" and the material witnesses will face them to see if any of Feitz's killers are among them.

Chief Doran was not sure whether the Camden County authorities would be able to bring the two robbery suspects to Camden because they are also wanted in Pennsylvania for almost a score of other holdups and burglaries.

Will Visit Chester

In the event that Chester authorities will not turn the two men over to Camden detectives, the witnesses will go to Chester to examine them, Chief Doran said.

Those held in Chester in connection with the holdup Wednesday night of the candy store of Michael Guzik at 1301 Sheridan Street identified themselves as Peter Muraska, 10, of 342 McDowell Street, and Ray Tuttle, 30, of 2529 West Ninth Street, both of Chester.

While neither Chief Doran nor Chief Colsey believe Muraska or Tuttle may be implicated in the murder of the detective because they are not known to be killers, both declared the suspects will be questioned as to their whereabouts at the time Feitz was shot to death.

"We are letting nothing slip through our fingers at this stage of the investigation" Chief Doran said. "There is a bare possibility that either of these two suspects may be implicated or have some knowledge that would be useful to us in solving this crime".

While negotiations were under way between Camden County authorities and Chester police to bring the suspects here, Chief Colsey was making inquiry into the actions of Patrolman William Brickner during the holdup.

Questioned by Colsey

Brickner was summoned to Chief Colsey's office at City Hall today to explain why he had rushed from his home at 1263 Chase Street to the scene of the holdup when told by neighbors that it was taking place and then gave his gun to his son Elmer so he could watch the place so he the policeman could telephone police headquarters for help.

According to Guzik, the proprietor of the store, the bandits were in his store 30 minutes. They locked the doors behind them and  gagged Guzik and guarded his wife, Blanche, and her sister, Mary Pitura, 18.

The bandits broke open a trunk from which they took $100 in pennies, $30 in scrip, and $4 in silver. Guzik said the pennies represented his profit in a penny vending machine over a period of time.

It was while Guzik was left alone that he shouted from one of his windows and neighbors called Brickner who was at home and off duty. His son Elmer, fired one shot at the fleeing car before the patrolman came back from telephoning for help.

Several numbers of the license plates on the bandits car were covered with tape but one of the youngsters in the neighborhood succeeded in pushing aside the tape and getting the complete number which was turned over to police. Yesterday Detective Lieutenant Ward, accompanied by Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Joseph Carpani went to Chester and made the arrests.

The car, which carried Pennsylvania tags, was listed in the name of Archie Hendrickson of Morton Avenue, Chester, police said.

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - September 17, 1934

 ORLANDO ASSUMES CHARGE OF VICE WAR
Prosecutor Directs Cleanup and Pushes Probe of Feitz Murder

 Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando today dropped all other duties and took personal charge of the drive to rid Camden city and county of vice.

Orlando announced he would concentrate his activities in the drive against crime and te solution of the murder of Detective William T. Feitz Jr., slain two weeks ago in a South Camden disorderly house.

“I hope to gather enough evidence to go before the grand jury within the next week or 10 days,” Orlando said. “The Feitz murder investigation is progressing and I hope to have sufficient facts before me soon that will enable is to apprehend the slayers.”

Weekend developments in the general drive against crime resulted in the raiding of at least 30 gambling houses, illicit saloons, and alcohol stills with police spurred to feverish activity by Mayor Roy R. Stewart’s probe of the department, which he said will end this week, unless new evidence develops to extend it.

 Meanwhile, Edward V. Martino, council for Michael Tenerelli, alias Mickey Blair, former boxer, announced his intention of appearing before Judge Frank F. Neutze today to apply for a writ of habeas corpus to effect the release of Blair, held as the “key witness” in the Feitz slaying.

“Prosecutor Orlando had demanded $10,000 for the release of Blair,” Martino said. “That amount is ridiculously high. When I asked Orlando why his office required such excessive bail, he told me ‘I have to back up the police’”.

 Martino said he would demand the prosecutor show in court the reason for the “unreasonable demand”.

Lieutenant Walter Welch, new commander of the Second Police District, conducted an intensive cleanup of his bailiwick over Saturday and Sunday, raiding 25 alleged violators of liquor and gambling laws.

Aided by state alcohol agents, police raiders headed by Lieutenant George Frost uncovered two 50-gallon stills and a bullet-riddled target in two apparently abandoned houses at 531 and 533 South 2nd Street. An advance “tip-off” had caused operators of the stills to flee, police said.

Two alcohol “drops”, believed operated by the proprietors of the South 2nd Street houses, were visited but found empty.

Marshall Howard, 33, of 1912 Derousse avenue, Delair, described by Prosecutor Orlando as a ‘big shot’ in the Pennsauken and Camden numbers racket, was arrested Saturday when he visited the court house to make inquiries concerning an unnamed woman under arrest as a numbers writer.

A short while later, at the request of Orlando, Lucille Barber, 35, of 8302 Park avenue, Pennsauken township, and John Barnes, 26, of 7508 Pleasant avenue, Pennsauken township, both colored, were arrested as numbers writers.

It was reported at Pennsauken township police headquarters that the pair was wanted in connection with the case against Howard.

Both were held in $1000 bail for the grand jury.

Those who were held without bail as material witnesses in the Feitz case are Cornelius Murphy, 50, of 239 Sycamore Street, doorkeeper in the establishment; Edward Grapatin, 32, of 246 Kaighn Avenue; Joseph McKenna, 31, of 1404 Broadway; Katherine Lougheed, 32, of 626 Pine Street; Edna Butler, 33, colored, of 1122 South 2nd Street, and Joan Stein, 24, of Philadelphia. Six others were released in their own recognizance as material witnesses.

They are Sam Silverman, 34, of 325½ Kaighn Avenue; Edward Gorba, 20, who has supplied police with most of the information about Feitz’ death, and Gorba’s brother, Henry, 19, of 17 South 21st Street; Joseph McDonald, 20, of 1605 South 9th Street; Edith Miller, 28, colored, of 205 Sycamore Street, and George Martorano, 25, of 532 West Street.

Aided by Patrolmen William Marter and Carmin Fuscellaro Sr., Lieutenant Welch conducted a series of raids Saturday night and yesterday morning. The saloon of Mary Niewinski, at 400 Mechanic Street, was raided early yesterday and two customers arrested.

Welch, who took over the duties Lieutenant Ralph Bakley when the latter was suspended by Mayor Stewart yesterday, declared he was seeking violators of the city’s Sunday closing ordinance, which states that places selling liquor must close “between the hours of 2:00 AM Sunday and 7:00 AM Monday.”

Nickelson Lehger, 49, of 311 Somerset Street, Gloucester and George Burkett, 38, of 340 Liberty Street, were arrested in Mrs. Niewinski's place. Welch said they were shooting craps on the bar. Mrs. Niewinski was released in $500 bail as proprietor and the men were released in $100 bail each as frequenters.

The three were arrested on Welch's second visit yesterday, he said. The first time he ordered Mrs. Niewinski to close her place, but on his second visit, he found the men gambling, he said.

Welch and his squad visited a house at 1903 South 6th Street, reputedly operated by William Tansky, 33. Tansky, charged with violating the closing ordinance, was released in $500 bail as proprietor, and Edward Krown, 65, of 1705 South 4th Street; Edward Judd, 41, of 721 Ferry Avenue; and William Sampey, of 729 South 10th Street, charged with being frequenters, were released in $100 bail.

A saloon operated by Helen Brass, 52, at 1067  Ferry Avenue, scene of an unsuccessful holdup attempt Friday, was next raided. Frank Dipeto, 42, of 829 Sylvan Street; Edward Podyezmek, 47, of 783 South 2nd Street; Joseph Orbin, 53, of 963 Florence Street; and Angelo Del Rossi, 70, of 430 Emerald Street, were arrested and held as frequenters. Mrs. Brass was charged with violating the closing ordinance.

The establishment of Mitchell Lambert, 26, at 1427 South 9th Street was next visited. Lambert, held as proprietor was released in $500 bail. Florian Shepecarter, 36, of 2811 Yorkship Road; John Glenn, 35, of 52 Courtland Street; Paul Korzewszeski, 34, of 1041 Atlantic Avenue; and William Lanning, 37, of 1149 South 9th Street were all nabbed as frequenters.

At 1025 South 2nd Street, Welch and his men found four colored men and women, and Meg Mack, 38, colored, who was charged with being proprietor. The four gave their names as Alvin Mack, of the South 2nd Street address; Howard Elinor, 30, of 215 Chestnut Street; and Alice Wells and Emily Robinson, 28, of the same address. All were held for hearing today.

Welch declared he was unable to enter some of the places visited because he did not hold warrants. He said he would procure warrants today and return to several of the places. In the other instances where raids were made, Welch did not reveal the addresses or names.

Welch announced last night he is not seeking “personal notoriety” through his activities, but is merely doing his duty as a police officer. He declared “the lid has been clamped on the second District and will stay on.”

Mayor Stewart commended Welch's activities, and declared he will recommend suspension of liquor licenses in all the places where violations were uncovered.

Thirteen were arrested by a detail of state troopers from the Mt. Ephraim and Berlin barracks when a raid was staged on the home of Dominick Melchiore, 28, at Cedar Avenue, Blenheim.

Melchiore was charged with operating a gambling establishment. Arraigned before Justice of the peace Charles Jackson at Runnemede, he was fined $5 and costs. Charles Darpino, 26, a Camden man among those arrested, gave his address as 306 Chestnut Street. He and the 11 others were fined $3 each and costs.

The police raiders who uncovered the two stills and riddled target at 533 South 2nd Street also visited the home of Charles Auletto, 20 South 2nd Street. Auletto, charged with selling illegal liquor, denied knowledge f the stills, but was held on $1000 bail for the grand jury by Police Judge J. Harry Switzer.

Two men were fined $25.00 each last night in Pennsauken township police court by Recorder George E. Yost on slot machine gambling charges.

Arthur Pipher, 25, of 2248 North 36th Street, Camden, was charged with placing slot machines in various stores for gambling purposes, and Edward Friedberg, operator of a medicine store at Park and Union Avenues, Pennsauken was charged with possession of a slot machine. Friedberg announced he would appeal his conviction.

It was testified that he offered merchandise as prizes in conjunction with operation of the device.

Trenton Times
April 24, 1935

Frank F. Neutze
Samuel P. Orlando
John A. Penn
William T. Feitz
Charles Zeid
Mais-Legenza Tri-state Gang
William Weiss
Frank Wiley
Martin Farrell

Camden Courier-Post - August 5, 1935

 GRAND JURY CLEARS NUMBER SUSPECTS
Pair Suspected by Police as Having Succeeded Klosterman Brothers

Two men alleged by city and county authorities to have succeeded the Klosterman brother sin controlling the Camden numbers racket last Spring, were exonerated by the Camden county grand jury.

Those whose cases were “no billed” are Chester “Gassy” Szalinski, 30, of 1188 Chestnut Street, and Joseph Putek, 29, of 2955 Tuckahoe Road.

At the same time, the grand jury in its report to the County Clerk Charles S. Wise, failed to find an indictment against Robert Bloodworth, another suspect arrested in connection with the operation of lotteries in Camden.

After the trial of the Klosterman brothers, Fred and Joe, both of whom were convicted last spring of number charges, Szalinski was named by Police Chief Arthur Colsey as the “Sixty-ninth Street mobster who had taken over the Klosterman numbers play.” Every policeman in Camden was ordered to arrest Szalinski on sight.

The suspected numbers operator was arrested and later released in $1500 bail to await the action of the grand jury.

Putek was arrested lat April after police had engaged in a sensational chase of 15 blocks after a suspected numbers pickup automobile at which they fired a number of shots, pone of which struck a bystander.

Police allege Putek joined Szalinski in control of the Klosterman numbers game. Arrests of both men climaxed orders to county police authorities by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd and Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando to clean up the number racket in this area.

“No bills” were returned by the grand jury for Harry Hartman and John Burke charged with attempts and breaking and entry; J.G. Flynn, accused of being a fugitive from justice from Philadelphia; Ralph Latshaw, Anna Green, and Theodore Jones, statutory charges.

Hartman and Burke were held for the grand jury last month on charges they attempted to enter the saloon of Mrs. Mamie Piraine, Republican county committeewoman from the Eighth Ward, at 1944 Broadway.

Wilkie Stars in Role of 'Mountie' on Trail of 2 Missing Girls
'Note-Book Cop' Gets His Men as Four Are Held For Investigation; 
'Finds High School Students, 15, at Sicklerville

Members of the Northwest Mounted Police have nothing on Acting Detective John V. Wilkie.

When he wants a man he gets him, just like the Canadian boys.

Last night he got four of them In investigating the disappearance of two Woodrow Wilson High School girl students. He also located the girls.

All are held at police headquar­ters pending further investigation by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

The girls are Lorraine M. Snuffin, of 229 South Thirty-fourth street, and Eleanor Haley, of 205 South Thirty­fourth street. Both are 15.

Fourth Man Not Involved

The men seized are: Peter Henley, 25, of Sicklerville; his half-brother, William Meddings, 18; Harry Ryan, 19, of 611 Pine street, and Harry Wood, 23, of 4003 Myrtle street.

Wood, police said, Is not involved in any charge that may be filed but is held as a material witness.

Frantic parents of the two girls reported them missing early Tuesday after they failed to return from an automobile ride with Henley. None of the parents knew Henley's address.

That didn't bother Wilkie, who with Patrolman Henry Leutz, was assigned to investigate disappearance of the girls.

Wilkie learned, he didn't say how, that Henley once lived in Camden. That was all he wanted to know. If Henley had lived here, Wilkie figured, someone knew where he lived now. 

Takes Hours of Quizzing   

It took hours of incessant questioning, moving from here to there and back again, but eventually Wilkie got the information he wanted through Wood.

Wood not only knew where Henley lived but would show Wilkie the way. The way led to a bungalow near Sicklerville and when Camden's famous "note book cop" reached there, Henley and the two girls, along with Ryan and Meddings were getting ready for a chicken dinner. 

Wilkie let them eat their dinner and then brought them all back to Camden.

The girls told Wilkie they went to Henley's house of their own accord and denied they were held their against their will. They said it was all "just a lark."

Patrick Haley, father of Eleanor, and Mrs. Edna Snuffin, mother of Lorraine, however, refused to dismiss the matter as being so insignificant. .

Camden Courier-Post - March 17, 1936

'JOEY' POWELL REARRESTED AS COUNTY OPENS HOLDUP PROBE
Orlando Acts as City Cops Free Former Boxer in Payroll Plot
FRAMEUP CHARGED BY ANOTHER SUSPECT
Prisoner Says Ex-Fighter Got Him in on Theft, Tipped Police

Joseph "Joey" Powell, former boxer who was arrested by city police in connection with a South Camden holdup and subsequently released, was rearrested by county detectives last night.

Powell was taken into custody on orders of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, who also ordered the arrest of a second suspect.

Camden police turned the case over to the prosecutor's office after the arraignment of Walter Lewandowski, who was caught in a police trap Friday night as he allegedly attempted to steal a $800 payroll at the Eavenson & Levering Company's plant at Fourth Street and Ferry Avenue. He formerly was employed there.

Two Others Implicated

Lewandowski implicated Powell, 25, of 46 Woodland Avenue, and Leonard Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South Tenth Street, in a plot to steal the payroll, according to Police Chief Arthur Colsey.

Powell thereupon was taken into custody and questioned, then, according to Colsey, he was released temporarily, in his own recognizance, pending further investigation. Rogalski was not arrested until County Detectives James Wren and Casimir Wojtkowiak took him in last night. The same detectives arrested Powell. Both suspects were charged with attempted holdup and robbery and committed to the county jail. 

Lewandoski,24, of 924 Atlantic Avenue, also in county jail, committed without bail by Police Judge Lewis Liberman Saturday.

According to Chief Colsey, Lewandowski made a statement in which he accused Powell of plotting the holdup and making him the “goat”.

"The holdup was Powell's idea” Colsey quoted Lewandowski as saying. "He got me in on it, and Rogalski was supposed to take part, too. Rogalski got “cold feet” though, and Powell sent me in while he was supposed to watch outside.”

"Instead he beat it because he had tipped off the police that the place was going to be held up."

Released After Quiz

On the strength of Lewandowski's statement, patrolman Edward Suski was sent to arrest Powell. After questioning, however, the former pugilist was released.

"We found no evidence against Powell," Colsey explained. "Lewandowski's story looked like an attempt to get himself off easier.

"We turned the case over to the prosecutor's office, as we always do after making an arrest that seems to clear up the case."

Lewandowski was captured by Sergeant Gus Koerner and City Detective Clifford Carr. The detectives were tipped off that the factory office was to be held up and laid in wait for the man.

When Lewandowski showed up, Carr and Koerner pointed revolvers at him. He fled down a stairway and Carr fell on him. The two grappled and the detective says the man pointed a .32 caliber pistol at him. Carr overpowered him with blow on the head with the butt of his revolver.

Camden Courier-Post - March 18, 1936

WIRTZ ORDERED TO FACE INQUIRY BY MRS. KOBUS
Carr and Koerner Will Be Questioned In Holdup Case
CAUTION IS URGED BY JUSTICE LLOYD

Detective Stanley Wirtz, suspended by Police Chief Arthur Colsey yesterday pending investigation into charges that he supplied the guns and an automobile for a holdup, has been ordered to appear today before Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.

Wirtz, who has been in charge of the city accident bureau, will be asked to "give his side of the story," Commissioner Kobus said.

Later the public safety head will question City Detective Clifford Carr and Police Sergeant Gus Koerner in connection with the capture of an alleged, bandit last Friday night, in an attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll clerk.

Doran Accuses Wirtz

County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran yesterday charged that Wirtz had supplied the guns and automobile to be used in the holdup and then posted Carr and Koerner inside the plant to capture the bandits.

Wirtz, Doran said, admitted the charges in a statement given in the office of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

No motive for the detective's action were revealed by Doran.

Following the questioning of Wirtz and Sergeant Koerner at the prosecutor's office, both men visited the office of Justice Frank T. Lloyd late yesterday.

Justice Lloyd said later he had conferred with Commissioner Kobus in regard to the case.

"I advised the commissioner," Justice Lloyd said, "to go cautiously with the investigation and gather the facts before taking any action. It is a common thing for officers to lay traps for men who are prone to commit crime, although they have no business to encourage crime. I think it is bad policy to suspend any policeman before the facts of the case have been heard."

The charges against Wirtz came after an investigation was ordered into a statement made by Walter Lewandowski, 24 of 924 Atlantic Avenue, who was captured when he attempted to hold up a clerk at the wool scouring company, Ferry Avenue and Jackson Street. Lewandoski claimed he had “been framed" and named Joseph owell, a police stoo1 pigeon, as the one who planned the holdup and then informed Wirtz of the plans.

Powell has been a police informer for some time, according to Chief Colsey. The latter said he had taken Powell into custody for questioning and had released him in his own recognizance. Chief Colsey admitted Powell had given police the tip resulting in Lewandowski’s arrest.

When Lewandowski was nabbed, his gun was loaded with blank cartridges. This gun, according to Chief Doran, was given by Wirtz to Powell, who in turn gave it to Lewandowski. Another youth, Leonard Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South Tenth Street, was supposed to take part in the ho1dup, but "got cold feet and ran away” police were told by Lewandoski.

Doran’s statement follows:

"Stanley Wirtz, Camden city detective, supplied the gun and the automobile used in the attempted hold­up of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll office Friday night. Statements were given us by three suspects all tally.

“Walter Lewandoski worked at the Eavenson & Levering plant, but was laid off there February 28. On March 3 he had money coming to him and he returned to the plant. Joseph Powell accompanied him. Powell talked to Lewandoski then of the payroll, and suggested the holdup. Powell then got in touch with Stanley Wirtz, and told him that Lewandoski was going to stick up the payroll March 4.

"Wirtz on that night loaned Powell a car but someone got cold feet, and the holdup was not attempted. The following week, on March 13, last Friday, Wirtz took a car to Powell’s home and there turned over to him two guns and the automobile. Wirtz then had detectives posted at the scene to arrest the bandits when they made the holdup attempt.

"Powell met Lewandowski and Rogalski and drove them to the plant. There Powell turned over to his two companions the two guns that had been given him by, Wirtz. Rogalski got cold feet and refused to go through with the holdup. Powell then went into the plant with Lewandowski. After Lewandowski went in the door, Powell ran from the building.

“Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, hiding in the office arrested Lewandowski. Powell knew where these officers were hiding.

"Wirtz was outside the building. He did not catch Powell."

Chief Doran said that no one implicates Koerner or Carr in any way in the statements received.

Koerner said:

"I was doing police work. I was brought into this case on a tip that a holdup was going to be staged and I had no knowledge of the guns or the car. I didn't know what it was all about but merely was there to perform my duties as a policeman.

Wirtz is 37 and lives at 1197 Thurman Street. He was one of the first of the new policemen to be appointed to the department in 1924 after Civil Service was put into effect following the adoption of Commission government in 1924. He is a veteran of the World War and got a special rating for that reason when he took the Civil Service examination. In 1931 Wirtz was appointed as an accident investigator in the detective bureau and has served in that capacity ever since. He has a good reputation as a policeman and has never been in trouble before.

About four years ago Wirtz figured in an automobile accident that caused serious injury to one of his legs.

Rogalski was not arrested until County Detectives James Wren and Casimir Wojtkowiak took him in Monday night. The same detectives arrested Powell. Both suspects were charged with attempted holdup and robbery and committed to the county jail.

Lewandowski also is in county jail, committed without bail by police Judge Lewis Liberman Saturday.

Camden Courier-Post - March 19, 1936

WIRTZ TO HEAR FATE IN BANDIT QUIZ TODAY
Colsey Doubts Cop Will Face Charges; Case to Go to Grand Jury

Decision on any action to be taken against Stanley Wirtz, suspended Camden detective charged with having furnished the guns and automobile for a holdup, will be made today by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and Police Chief Arthur Colsey.

Wirtz, with Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, was questioned yesterday, and decision was reserved.

Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, however, said he would place the case before the grand jury.

The charge involved the attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll, in which one of the alleged bandits was captured at the scene last Friday night.

"No charges have been preferred against Wirtz,” Mrs. Kobus announced after the investigation.

"And I don't believe any charges will be made," Colsey commented, adding:

"Commissioner Kobus and I are going over the reports and statements of all concerned at 10:00 AM tomorrow and a decision will be made then.”

Suspended Tuesday

Wirtz was suspended Tuesday after County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran announced Wirtz had admitted supplying the pistols and car, allegedly used in the abortive attempt to obtain a $800 payroll at the wool-scouring plant.

Wirtz was still under suspension last night, Colsey announced.

William B. Macdonald, court stenographer, recorded the statements made by each man,

Koerner and Carr were "planted" in the office of the company before the holdup and frustrated the attempted crime, capturing Walter Lewandowski, 24, of 924 Atlantic Avenue.

"All three made full statements to us;" Colsey said and then declined to reveal what the statements contained.

Denies Stories Clash

Asked if there was any conflict between the statements made to Doran and those made to Mrs. Kobus and him, Colsey said:

''No, I wouldn't say so."

Wirtz appeared briefly before the commissioner and chief at the start of their probe, which was conducted in Mrs. Kobus' office. He left the room after about two minutes and told reporters, sitting outside:

"I refused to make a statement. I  made one yesterday and that is enough."

Mrs. Kobus, however, said Wirtz did not refuse to make a statement but, instead, asked for a little time to consider his statement.

"He said he had been In court all day and was nervous,” Mrs. Kobus said.

No Charges Made

Asked for a statement at the conclusion of the investigation, Mrs. Kobus said:

"No charges have been preferred against Wirtz. This was not a hearing on any charge. This was an investigation of reports which I read in the newspapers. It is the duty of the police officials to investigate any such report, and Wirtz and the other two detectives who figured in the case were called in to make statements. 'This was not, a trial and I do not care to make a statement now about what went on."

The suspension of Wirtz came after an investigation was ordered into a statement made by Lewandowski.

Lewandowski charged that he had been "framed" by Joseph owell, a police stool pigeon. He named Powell as the one who "planned the holdup and, said Powell then informed Wirtz of the plans.

Rearrest Made

Doran said Wirtz, admitted dealing with Powell and giving Powell two pistols and an automobile for use in the holdup. As a result Powell, who had been arrested and released by city police, was rearrested by the county detectives.

In addition, Leonard “Rags” Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South 10^th Street, was arrested by the county detectives. They said Lewandowski told them Rogalski originally was intended to take part in the holdup but got "cold feet", and backed out at the last moment.

Powell, Lewandowski and Rogalski are held in the county jail.

When informed last night of the statements made by Mrs. Kobus and Colsey, Prosecutor Orlando said:

"I have nothing to do with the discipline of the police department. I will present the full facts of this holdup to the grand jury and, that body may take any action it desires."

Jury to Get Case

Asked if he would request an indictment against Wirtz, Orlando said:

"I will give the grand jury the full facts. The members will decide for themselves what action to follow."

Doran was in conference briefly with Mrs. Kobus and Colsey before the three detectives were questioned. He said he gave them statements made by Lewandowski, Powell and Rogalski, and also by Wirtz.

Later Doran returned to Mrs. Kobus' office with a copy of charge of carrying concealed deadly weap­ons, preferred in 1930 against Lewandowski in 1930, when Lewandowski was 18.

This charge was no-billed, Doran said.

"He was listed as a mental case," Doran said, "and was examined by the county physician and pronounced O.K." .

William T. Feitz
Charles Zeid
Samuel P. Orlando

Camden Courier-Post * October 22, 1936

Lewis Liberman - Samuel P. Orlando - John Burns - John Huston
Herbert Richardson - Robert Ashenfelter - Francis Murtaugh
John Ercolani - Edward Hargrove - James Walter
South 8th Street - North 34th Street
Penn Street - Sycamore Street

Camden Courier-Post - October 26, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - January 24, 1938

Baird Avenue - Langham Avenue - Broadway - Penn Street 
Mickle Street  - Norris Street  - South 5th Street  - Line Street

Camden Courier-Post - February 2, 1938

The coroner's inquest to decide the cause of death to Angelos Magalas, Greek chef, who was shot during a card game holdup at 725 Penn Street on January 11, will be held today at 10 a. m.

Coroner Franklin P. Jackson III, of Collingswood, will conduct the inquest and will select his jury of 12 from a list of 15 persons prepared by the office of County Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

Detectives already have subpoenaed 20 witnesses for questioning at the inquest, including players who were the victims in the holdup and three Camden physicians who attended Magalas prior to his death.

The witnesses will include Samuel and Mabel Ermilios, tenants of the Penn Street house where the holdup occurred; George and Annette Mastros, who room at the house; Samuel Bosco, Broadway barber; George Summers, Ross Pantel, Michael D' Andrea. and William Caras, who according to police were participants in the card game.

All of the men were held as material witnesses in the shooting when arraigned today before Police Judge Gene R. Mariano.

Doctors to Testify

Other witnesses will include Dr. Paul Mecray, Dr. A. S. Ross and Dr. Edwin R. Ristine and Miss Sophia MacAfee, a Cooper Hospital nurse. Police who will testify in elude Detectives Thomas Murphy, Harry Kyler and William Boettcher and Patrolmen Richard Powers, Frank Clements, George Nicktern and Sergeant Jack Deith.

The jury will be selected from Guy Clokey, Collingswood; Lawrence Ball, Haddonfield; Howard Friant, Collingswood; Harry Chew, Collingswood; Sig Schoenagle, Camden merchant; Raymond Hanly, real estate broker; Benjamin Brest, Raymond Worrel, John Eby, all of Camden; William H. Lorigan, Merchantville; David B. Robinson, Collingswood; Rev. James Pemberton and John McGowan, of Camden, Earl Jackson, of Collingswood and Morris B. Clark, of Haddonfield.

Coroner Jackson refused to give a certificate of death until the chemical test of Magalas' brain was made by Philadelphia experts. The re suit will not be revealed until the inquest.

Assistant Prosecutor Isaac Eason and County Physician David S. Rhone gave it as their opinion that Malagas died of natural causes rather than, the bullet wound. Coroner Jackson then ordered an inquest to be held.

Police are searching for Frank Luggi, 21, of 322 Penn Street, who they say was one of the holdup bandits and the one who fired the bullet that struck Magalas.

The last coroner's inquest held in Camden county was in 1933, in the death of Thomas Timothy Sullivan, and previous to that none had been held here in 25 years.

Sullivan was 57 years old and lived at 401 State Street. He was employed as a detective by the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was found shot to death in a shack in the rail road yards on August 28, 1933.

At that time, County Physician Edward B. Rogers issued a certificate of death that Sullivan had committed suicide. The decision of the county physician enraged members of Sullivan's family and they demanded an inquest.

The inquest was ordered by then Coroner Arthur H. Holl, who presided. All the evidence in the case was presented to the jury of 12 men, and after deliberating for less than an hour, they returned a verdict that Sullivan had been murdered by persons unknown.

Under state law, the county physician may order an inquest; with 12 persons on the jury of the coroner's choosing. The jurymen may be taken from the present panel of the petit jury or be picked at ran dom. The Grand Jury does not have to indict on the basis of the inquest. At the inquest Coroner Jackson will be assisted by attaches of the prosecutor's office.

Malagas, the father of three children, lived at 1110 Langham Avenue. He was shot when several armed bandits held up a card game and he died several days later.

Camden Courier-Post * February 4, 1938

>U. S. SPENDING CUTS URGED BY SHORT AT REALTORS RALLY
Bred Race of Softies, Says Missouri Congressman; Assails Tax Burden
BOARD OFFICERS FETED

"We must put an immediate curtailment on this lavish spending down in Washington, which leads only to unbalanced budgets."

So declared Congressman Dewey Short, Republican, of Missouri, principal speaker last night at the 22nd annual banquet of the Camden County Real Estate Board. It was in honor of last year's officers of the board and was held in the Hotel Walt Whitman, with more than 400 attending.

Asserting he, was speaking without partisanship, Congressman Short said:

"It is a fact that we are floundering around in Washington and that we have, the jitters concerning certain developments in the national trend of things.

"We face the fact that 11,000,000 persons are out of work in the United States but, on the other hand, we see that the government is making special awards to indolents.

Deplores U. S. 'Softies'

"So it has inspired in the average man out of work a feeling that the world owes him a living whether he works or not.

"The most regrettable thing that we Congressmen feel is that we have bred a race of softies, people who don't come down there and stand up for their rights.

"I believe in the justice of minority rights which will keep both parties clean and decent."

Drawing a parallel between President Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover when he was President, Short said:

"Roosevelt is never contemplating. He is too busy acting. Hoover was so busy contemplating nothing was done,"

Sees Housing Need

The Congressman declared there is a vital need of housing facilities and that "we are under an unbearable burden of taxation on real estate, which can be overcome only by stopping, excessive spending."

Other speakers were Andrew N. Lockwood, president of the New Jersey Association of Real Estate Boards, Vincent P. Bradley, ambassador-at-large of the National Association of Real Estate Boards and Mayor George E. Brunner, of Camden. J. Frank Hanly, president of the county board, was toastmaster. There was an invocation by Rev. Paul Loraine, of Pennsauken Township.

The officers of 1937 honored were Harry A. Willson, president; Edward J. Borden, vice president; Edmund H. Lenny, secretary; Charles H. Vaughn, treasurer; C. Armel Nutter, governor to the New Jersey Association of Real Estate Boards, and Margaret N. Penfield, executive secretary.

Among the guests were, Joseph B. Sentzman, president of the West Philadelphia Realty Board; former Judge Frank F. Neutze, Judge Clifford A. Baldwin, County Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, Assistant County Prosecutor Patrick H. Harding, State Senator Albert E. Burling, William H. Eppright, Charles P. Halyburton, Ellis Kircher, Charles R. Myers and Harry A. Louderback..

Camden Courier-Post * February 5, 1938

Camden Courier-Post * February 5, 1938

Is Zat So?
by
GORDON MACKAY

SILENCE is golden where rumpus and ruction in the Democratic camp is ·concerned. Once upon a time whenever the unterrified Democracy squabbled and battled, fought and bled, 'twas tip secret. Indeed, the Democrats seemed to occupy nine-tenths of their time fighting over something that wasn't worth a left hook to the chin.

 It was row, row, row, from morn till late at night, fighting over the 'crumbs that fell from the tables of the opulent G. O. P. of that day and date. Nowadays, however, the shoe is on the other foot. It is the G. O. P. that lurks ‘round for the crumbs, of both comfort and patron .age, fighting their battles and spreading the tidings of their strife to the four corners of the county.

Meanwhile, the Democrats have foxily masked their bitterness, put a lid on acrimonious charges, created the erroneous inference that the dove of peace bears an olive branch in its bill. The impression is that a cooing pigeon is no sweeter than the harmony that prevails among the bigwigs of the party of Jefferson, Jackson and Roosevelt of Hyde Park. Despite the apparent smoothness of the appearance, there is strife and battle galore raging beneath the surface. It is carried on in a quiet strain. That it exists is only too true, as the warring leaders would admit, if they were compelled to testify under oath.

Oddly enough it seems a battle for leadership rather than spoils. For the Brunner-Kelleher wing of party leadership has a blunt edge on its rivals. This edge is due to the fact that the other camp has its leaders all nicely tucked away in lucrative jobs.

LEADERS CARED FOR IN BILLETS

A brief glance over the situation will reveal this fact. Harry T. Maloney, a chubby gentleman with a beaming face and a modulated voice, is the collector of internal revenue. Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, suave, maternal and friendly to one and all, is postmaster. Samuel P. Orlando, both debonair and daring, is county prosecutor.

 Naturally, none of these leaders has a valid claim to kick against the personal deal received from the Democratic party and its leadership. None of those mentioned above could expect to see huge forces rallying around their flag, when those to whom the invitation must be given are found idle and unemployed .

  Practically then the Brunner-Kelleher faction is in the position of declaring that the present Democratic leadership hasn't treated the rival clique any too poorly, when such jobs are allotted to the leader ship of the antis, opposed to the Mayor and County Treasurer.

Though this be logical, yet whoever heard, of logic swaying politics, or guiding a politico? The battle for leadership goes on apace. Circumstances lent an opportunity to the anti-Brunner leadership that came close to spelling curtains for the ruling element in the local Democratic camp.

All the strife and its consequent strategy harks back to the Moore-Clee battle of last November. Mayor Brunner and Treasurer Kelleher were on a spot. They had Moore, with his anti-Roosevelt record in the United States Senate, his Hague smear, for their gubernatorial candidate. So many different elements in .the Democratic party opposed Moore and Hague that Brunner was right behind the eight ball,

He couldn't help the Clee vote that piled up here any more than he could take credit for the tremendous sweep that carried the county for Roosevelt in 1936, Brunner in one instance was riding on a. victor's coattails in Camden County. 1n the other instance he was beneath a juggernaut that was flattening him out, along with Kelleher.

SITUATION GAVE RIVALS CHANCE

Harry Roye, one of their ticket for Assembly, kicked over the traces. Support usually given to Brunner and Kelleher in certain quarters was missing. George and Eddie were fighting a hopeless cause.

But this didn't deter the other faction from making hay while the sun shone. Missionaries of that camp ran to North Jersey with stories that Brunner and Kelleher were lying down on the job. As a matter of fact neither was lying down on the job. Both were punch drunk, politically speaking, from the socks they were taking on the chin for Moore.

The tales bore fruit. North Jersey began to act decidedly sore toward the local majority leaders. When the freeholders' election revealed a gain of eight seats for the Brunner-Kelleher leadership, the glee of the rival camp was unrestrained. The couriers of the other faction raced to Jersey City and jubilantly yelled "'Ve told you so." These ambassadors pointed to the triumph of the freeholders on the Democratic ticket as convincing proof that Brunner and Kelleher and their allies laid down on Moore to save the local ticket. When George and Eddie went to Jersey City to confer with· Moore, Hague and the party dictators, the Camdenites were confronted with this view of the election results in Camden County.

Then Brunner and Kelleher cut loose. They told Hague's minions and Moore's messengers that Camden County leaders had a right to be sore, not North Jersey. All that Brunner and Kelleher and their allies had sacrificed, declared the Camden county leaders, were three assemblymen, absolute control of the County Board of Freeholders and several minor posts as well.

 Instead of Brunner and Kelleher lying down on the job, the North Jersey doubters were told, it was the fact that Brunner and Kelleher in carrying along Moore had lost everything else;

  The Camden county leaders were indignant, sore and talkative, too. They pointedly told Hague and his allies, that if they didn't like the manner in which the Camden County leaders had performed to go take a jump in the nearest Jake.

Such was the situation until some allies of Hague looked over the Camden county figures. They discovered that with all the odds that were against them, Brunner and Kelleher and their organization had actually delivered 84 percent of the registered Democratic vote to Moore- a performance that was a miracle, in view of the tremendous opposition that arose against Moore among both the G. O. P. and the Rooseveltians in the Democratic ranks.

When some stout soul in North Jersey pointed out that Governor Moore and his cohorts couldn't overlook a leadership that was able to muster 84 percent of the Democratic vote at the polls, despite the terrific battle to which this leadership had been subjected, Moore and his satellites saw a great white light shining. No less an authority than Governor Moore, when informed, told Mayor Brunner and Treasurer Kelleher that all patronage would come through the State committee representatives. The Mayor, fortified with this claim, publicly told the fact at a banquet recently that he and Mrs. Mary Ellen Soistmann, State committeewoman, would handle all patronage.             '

How the news and the switch in official viewpoint will affect the other wing of the Democracy is not given to me to divulge. I'm merely stating that the harmony that seems to spread its silvery wings over the Democratic party, has a few sour notes buried in the symphony.   

Camden Courier-Post * February 5, 1938

By W. OLIVER KINCANNON

Authority to decide whether patients shall be admitted to or excluded from the County General Hospital at Lakeland was transferred last night ·from Mrs. Mary A. Gray, the superintendent, to Dr. Warren E. Pinner, chairman of the Freeholders' general hospital committee.

The action was taken by the institutions committee of the Freeholders -the body which succeeded the old Lakeland central committee as the supreme arbiter of county institutional affairs.

Director J. William Mullin of the Freeholders board made the announcement in his capacity as chairman of the institutions committee. Dr Pinner could not be reached by telephone for comment.

Discovery that at least one patient was allowed to maintain a private nurse at the hospital, which was designed for hospitalization of those persons unable to pay hospital fees, was one or the factors in leading to the change of authority, Mullin said.

"All the patients down there are supposed to be overseer of the poor cases." Mullin said. "But Dr. Pinner reported that is not the case. He reported the case of the patient with the private nurse and said he will make an investigation to find tout whether there are others who are in the same classification.

"Up to now, Mrs. Gray has had the say. But from now on, Dr. Pinner will have the say until further notice.

"This private nurse case is not the only thing included in the report that led to our decision.

"Dr. Pinner reported many cases that should be handled in Cooper and West Jersey hospitals because of the money the county contributes yearly to them, are sent to Lakeland.

"For instance, patients with acute attacks of appendicitis or gall bladder trouble or other troubles, are rushed to Lakeland.

"Then it becomes necessary for the county to get a physician out of bed in Camden and have him go to Lakeland to operate, when the operation should be performed in Camden.

"Of course, some of the patients pay something to the hospital. In cases where the family can make a payment, the hospital is supposed to collect.

"This enables the hospital authorities at the end of the year to tell the budget committee: 'But, look, we took in so much for the county. That's alright, until we start looking into it. Then, I am afraid, we will find that. it costs the taxpayers $10,000 to $12,000 to earn $1000 of such money. That isn't very good business.

"We are going to find out how these cases are handled. Unless we change the trend, our budget is going to jump $15,000 to $20,000 a year for that hospital."

It was reported during the hearings of the budget committee that one county official in the higher salary brackets kept a relative in the general hospital for an extended period and "paid $15 a week, which is as much as anybody pays at Lakeland." The statement was made by a former member of the Lakeland central committee.

The institution's committee also voted to dismiss William Reid, an attendant at the almshouse, on charges of conduct unbecoming a county employee. Reid was suspended about the middle of January.

There was a flurry of freeholder committee meetings last night, with jails, courthouse, printing and finance committees in session.

The finance committee handled minor budgetary matters, Chairman Maurice Bart reported, and heard a sales talk from Mrs. F. J. Giering, agent for the Automotive Voting Machine Company. Bart said no action on voting machines was contemplated.

Chairman Raymond G. Price, of the courthouse committee, declined to reveal what matters had been handled. Freeholder Albert G. Molt of the printing committee, said nothing of importance was handled. No members of the jails committee could be reached.

It was reported by Mullin that the finance and budget committees will take whatever action is suggested by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando that the three process servers in the sheriff's office be transferred back to the prosecutor's office.

Camden Courier-Post - February 9, 1938

Big Hand for Orlando

To the Editor:

Sir-Perhaps this may have no value at all but I saw a Camden county man given one of the finest hands of the entire evening last Saturday night at the graduation exercises of the Scientific Crime Detection Course sponsored by Rutgers University Extension division at the Essex House in Newark.

Your own prosecutor, Samuel Orlando, was one of the lecturers during that two weeks' course and I can say definitely, that he is regarded all over the state as one of the finest prosecutors in the state of New Jersey. I had the opportunity of talking to high police officials all over the state who attended the classes with me, and Camden county can well be proud of Orlando.

As he was-presented at the banquet. the entire group of over 150 gave him one of the finest hands I've ever heard at such an occasion. Orlando at that time, praised the university and all those responsible for their work in, bringing up the standard of police work to a profession. He also .assured the police that it was, and has been, his object to raise the standard of the police to meet the, increasing intelligence of the lawbreaker.

The course, the first of its kind, was under the direction of Lawrence B. Tipton, head of the Bureau of Public Safety of the Extension Division of Rutgers University. It went over with such success that more such courses will be inaugurated in the future. Forty-seven police officials all over the stare received diplomas Saturday night, that were presented by N. C. Miller, director of the Extension Division; Of those graduating, only four were from South Jersey. They included Sergeant Joseph Orzechowski and Detective Sergeant William Kelly, both of the Hammonton Barracks of the N. J. State Police. Chief Maurice Mower, Ventnor City and Undersheriff H. Leonard Eckman, Gloucester county. 

H. LEONARD ECKMAN
Undersheriff, Gloucester County

Camden Courier-Post * February 9, 1938

BAIRD AIDES HELD SEEKING CITY RULE
Orlando Warns Democrats at Fete to Moore, Crean and Mrs. Soistmann?

by GORDON MACKAY

David Baird Jr., and his allies have already arranged their slate for the next city commission election and are laying plans to recapture the city government of Camden. Democrats should know of this movement and prepare to thwart the proposed plans at once.

This warning was given by County Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando last night, at a testimonial dinner in the Hof Brau at which three Ninth Ward Democrats were feted, and at which 500 were present. The trio honored comprised Mrs. Mary Ellen Soistmann, state committee woman; Oscar Moore, freeholder, and John J. Crean, assistant city solicitor and county committeeman.

While the three guests were feted and presented with wrist watches and other tokens, the affair took on a love feast aspect for the three New Deal commissioners arid all shades and leanings of Democratic leadership.

Mayor George E. Brunner was toastmaster and took occasion to poke fun at the G.O.P. and its tribulations over the county headquarters.

Brunner Jests at G.O.P.

"I have just received word," said the Mayor with due solemnity, "that the Republican county committee of whom I, read today was having trouble over their headquarters, have finally solved their troubles tonight.”

"I understand they are giving up their present location and. have just been presented by the Bell Telephone Company with a booth, and are now looking for another tenant to whom the committee can sublet half the space."

Orlando's warning came after he congratulated the special guests, He said:

"I have every reason to believe that Dave Baird and the rest of the Republican chieftains are already laying their plans to capture the city commission. They are working to the end with their own slate, so that they can take from the people of Camden the good government which they have received far some time.

"We Democrats do not want to take this warning lightly, we want to remember that Baird and his chieftains are already working toward capturing the government of Camden, and this is something that .we want to prevent at all hazards."

Orlando also congratulated the gathering as an indication of the growth of the party, and the faith that the people of Camden come to have in the Democratic party and in its principles."

The prosecutor also prophesied greater honors in the future for the triumvirate who were the guests of the occasion.

Disclaims Harmony Rift

Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, postmaster and long a figure in Ninth Ward affairs declared she resented any newspaper stories that hinted that there was the slightest rift in the Democratic party.

She told of the trouble the Democrats in the Ninth Ward, which, she declared, had never elected a Democratic freeholder until Oscar Moore was chosen. Mrs. Hyland told of detectives shadowing her home during election, and of 'the struggles' that she and Moore had known together in fighting for the party in that bailiwick.

"I want to say" continued the postmaster, "that we must all be impressed by the spirit of harmony that this gathering means has come to pass.

"I don't want you, and I will not myself believe all you read in the newspapers declaring we are fighting among· ourselves, for if there is anything like that in progress, I don't know anything about it and I don't believe you do, either."

County Treasurer Edward J. Kelleher, hailed as "The Father of the Democratic Party in Camden County" contrasted the spectacle before him with the harmony dinner which he and others sponsored years ago.

“We sold 150 tickets," he said, "and gave away 150 more, and when the sponsors reached the hall at 7 p.m., the hour of the dinner, there wasn't a single other person on hand. Later the hall was filled, and it held 200 guests. 200 to attend a Democratic harmony dinner that embraced all of Camden county."

Officials Laud Guests

Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving, postmaster of Haddonfield; Police Judge Gene R. Mariano and others also congratulated the guests. Mayor Brunner introduced Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann by calling attention to the cleanup campaign now under Hartmann auspices.

"Just as Hartmann is making Camden a cleaner city in which to live," said the Mayor, "so has Commissioner Kobus made the city clean from crime. The streets are clean, the city is clean, and this has only been made possible by the efforts of the three commissioners who have worked in harmony, and who are going to continue to work in harmony." Crean, Moore and Mrs. Soistmann spoke their thanks to those present for the banquet, the gifts and the sentiments expressed.

Camden Courier-Post * February 10, 1938

Is Zat So?
by
GORDON MACKAY

COUNTY PROSECUTOR SAM ORLANDO, with a laugh on his lips and paternal pride in his eyes, was telling me how Signor Mike Orlando intended to become a county prosecutor like his dad. Signor Mike has reached the ripe and robust age of 7. His career, as mapped by the precocious young gentleman is as follows:

"Go to Peddie Institute, then to Princeton, then to the Harvard Law School, pass the bar association, go around and shake hands with every body, get elected, then don't do any more work."

"That's Mike's program," said his dapper daddy, while a series of chuckles rippled from his lips. "And Mike's program is not so bad, but it's a lot different from his old man's, although I did pass the examinations and was admitted to the bar 15 years after I landed in this country."

Then Signor Orlando, the Elder, recited the pilgrimage of a young Sicilian of 9 from his native Italy to the Cumberland County city of Bridgeton. It might be dubbed "The Americanization of Samuel P. Orlando."

"My father was a laborer," said Sam, "and when I came to this country with my parents we settled in Bridgeton. I started school when I was 9. That was how old I was when I got here. They put me in the 'zero' class, with kids 5 and 6 years old,

"I was the only Italian pupil in the school. I didn't know but four words of English. They were 'yes,' 'no,' 'good day,' 'goodbye.' I stood about two feet higher than the rest of my class, because they were kids just starting to school.

"Well, as I was the first Italian in Bridgeton school, I got the works from fellows who today are the best and closest friends I have anywhere. They laughed at me. Because I didn't know the language they gave me all sorts of steers that made me the joke of the school. Kids do that, it's all in fun, anyway.

SENT HOME ON BLUFF

"I'll never forget the first day we had school and the recess came around 10:30, The class was allowed out for five or 10 minutes. I went out with the rest and the other kids said to me: 'Go home, all over today.' I went home. When I got there my mother asked me why I wasn't in school.

"I told her the school was through, that I was sent home. She told me to go back to school. I did and found out I had been razzed. In Italy, although I was only 9, I worked in the fields before we came to this country. And to help the old man I got up at 4 o'clock in the morning and worked till 8 o'clock at night on the farms around Bridgeton.

"I want to tell you something about that, to have you know what child labor meant in some parts of South Jersey when I was a kid, 30 years ago. I was about 10 when I started working in the fields there, 4 in the morning until 8 at night. You got a job through a padrone, boss of the Italians.

"Farmers and other businessmen didn't conduct their affairs with you dlrect- everything came through the padrone. You didn't lead a dog's life then, you did worse. You got up before the sun was even up, and you got up in the barn because you slept there in a pile of hay, "You worked for the farmer, and he let you know that you worked for him. You didn't sleep in the house, you didn't eat in the house, you didn't even get your water from the family well. You can imagine that when you were 10 years old; ·and started working at 4 o'clock in the morning and quit at 8 o'clock at night, cooked your own stuff out side and grabbed it as you could, you didn't need any pills to go to sleep at night.

"I did that every summer all the time I went to school. The other kids had never gone to school with an Italian kid before, and the way they jibed 'the little dago' as they called me; was a caution. I had to fight 75 percent of the other scholars in order to live, and my record I guess is filled with an equal number of wins and losses.

BASEBALL GAVE SAM HEADACHE

"In Italy we never saw a baseball game and when I started to play it was a headache. It was weeks before I learned how to hold the bat, and when I got my first hit playing the game I carried the bat down to first base with me, I wouldn't let go of it. They called me 'out' because. I carried the bat to the base and I didn't know any different.

"Despite this tough break I fought right along and soon, they stopped razzing 'the little wop'- you know that 'wop' comes from 'woppi,' which means a 'sport'- and we became fast friends. I like to go back to Bridgeton these days and tell them in that town about the time that I was the first Italian kid that went to school there.

"And the funny part of the whole business is that the Italians are as strong in Cumberland County today as in any part of Jersey; At any rate, they promoted me so fast- you could skip classes in those days- that I really got the eight years schooling in five years.

"You can bet it was a relief, too, to find myself among boys about my own age, but all bigger than I was. That's when the fights, started. And we had plenty. I managed to save some money and got into Lehigh, then went to Dickinson Law School in Carlisle, Pa. 

"That's one thing I feel proudest about, that I was admitted to the bar 15 years after I landed in this country, not able to speak or to understand a single word of English. Even when I got the hang of English at school I spoke broken English and forgot to sound the final 'a' in banana like the rest of them.

"When I think of 30 years ago and the way we went through school and fought for a chance to make good, Mike gives me a laugh. He is the modern kid, he isn't going to become county prosecutor the hard way. Mike has it all figured out, and he told me just how it would be done just as I've told it to you.".

Camden Courier-Post * February 12, 1938

BOSCO DENIED BAIL IN CARD GAME DEATH
BARBER SEIZED AS HE WAITS OUTSIDE ROOM OF GRAND JURY
Ready to Testify in Case When Indicted for Murder With Luggi
ATTORNEYS WILL SEEK HABEAS CORPUS WRIT

Samuel Bosco, widely known Camden barber, sat in the anteroom of the Camden County Grand Jury room yesterday, expecting to be called as a witness in the slaying of Angelo Magalas, Camden chef.

Instead he was arrested on the charge of murder.

With Frank Luggi, fugitive police character, he was charged with slaying Magalas, wounded fatally as he sat in a Penn street card game, January 10.

Magalas, who lived at 1119 Langham avenue, died Jan. 23 in Cooper Hospital. A coroner's jury found death was superinduced by gunshot wounds inflicted during a scuffle between two bandits and players at the scene of the holdup.

Bosco, who also participated in the card game, was one of the principal witnesses at the inquest. And yesterday he readily answered the summons to appear before the jury. 

Indicted by Jury

He was in the ante-room— still waiting to testify— shortly after 4 p. m. when Mark Reeve, clerk of the jury, came out and whispered to City Detective Thomas Murphy.

Murphy walked over to Bosco. Ha placed a hand on his shoulder and said:

"You are under arrest."

"What for?" Bosco asked.

'The grand jury just indicted you on a charge of murder," Murphy replied.

Bosco appeared stunned. He started to speak again. His lips moved but no sound came as ha arose, put on his overcoat and accompanied Murphy to the city jail across the street from the old courthouse. He was booked at police headquarters on the murder charge, photographed, fingerprinted and hell without bail.

John L. Morrissey and Benjamin J. Dzick, counsel for the accused barber, announced last night a rule to show cause for a writ of habeas corpus will be sought this morning from Common Pleas Court Judge Clifford A. Baldwin, in an effort to win Bosco's release.

Evidence Held Lacking

"There was no evidence to warrant Bosco's arrest on a charge of murder," Morrissey said.

"If Judge Baldwin is available I will appear before the court and ask for a writ of habeas corpus. I intend to ask the court to dismiss the charge entirely. There was not sufficient evidence to warrant a charge of murder and certainly no evidence on which the arrest for murder was made."

Both Morrissey and Dzick visited Bosco in the city jail last night. They held a brief conference after which Morrissey reported the barber still was stunned over the turn of events but .otherwise was unworried.

Police said arraignment of Bosco would be delayed due to the Lincoln's Birthday holiday. He probably will be taken before Judge Gene R. Mariano Monday morning, they said. 

Barber Held Door

Bosco was one of the players in the game, but when the bandits entered, he ran into a shed and held the door in back of him. He told police he held the door to prevent the bandits from following him. None of the players could have, fled by the door, either, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando pointed out.

At the time of the coroner's inquest, officials of the prosecutor's office questioned Bosco at great length concerning his act in holding the shed door closed.

"I didn't want the bandits to follow me. I didn't want to be robbed," Bosco answered his questioners.

Luggi has been sought for ques tioning in connection with the holdup; ever since it occurred.

Luggi has been identified by other participants of the card game, which was held at the home of Samuel Ermilios, 725 Penn street, as the gunman with whom Magalas was wrestling when the gun went off, the bullet severing an artery in Magalas' arm.

IT takes no crystal gazer to know that former U. S. Senator W. Warren Barbour hopes to get the Republican senatorial nomination without opposition.. .So far no opposition has bloomed, but efforts are being made to get Robert Johnson, New Brunswick manufacturer who backed Glee, into the primary battle ...Unless the feeling against John Milton subsides, the Democrats will be hard put to find a suitable candidate for the job, unless they figure anybody can beat Barbour...

Put down a little bet that both new members of the county election board will be suburbanites. ..In fact, from adjoining municipalities. ..You might also safely say that when the Democrats name the new county solicitor (Vincent Gallaher), the coalition Republicans will name Cooper Brown, of Collingswood, as assistant solicitor... In spite of his visits to Jersey City, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando stands an excellent chance of not being reappointed. His successor, at this time, appears to be E. George Aaron, also a Democrat, but a Brunner Democrat .. .The Pennsauken Republican Women's Club will on next Tuesday have a speaker whose topic will be, "How to Be Happy and Contented Though a Republican". ..A lot of the boys in these here parts ought to go there and listen...
Former Mayor Victor King probably will be a candidate for City Commission in 1939.. Likewise for Morris Clyman, member of the Board of Assessors.. .Matt Van Istendal is being boomed as the new Republican leader of Collingswood as well as candidate for Assembly.. .So is Ed Marker of Haddon township (for Assembly).. .Both are good candidates ...

Henry Aitken, No. 1 coal wagon chaser, tried to get Commissioner von Nieda on the bridge commission until Hoffman slipped Baird in...Has the Baird boom gone boom?...That suburban handbill publisher printed that the next time Surrogate Hanna runs for public office it'll be city commissioner instead of a county post because he is weak in the suburbs... The last time Frank Hanna ran, it was for State committee, and he ran ahead of his running mate in every county municipality.

Camden Courier-Post * February 12, 1938

Four Charged With Numbers Using 'Bingo'
Marino, Girard Held At Merchantville In New Racket

A new numbers racket based on "Bingo" was disclosed yesterday when county detectives and Merchantville police arrested four men, two of them police characters.

The suspects were seized in an automobile parked within sight of the Merchantville police station.

The two with police records are Joseph Marino and Harry Girard. The others are Irving Chapman, 23, of 43 South Merchant street, and John Holmes, 23, of 227 Main street, both of Merchantville. All were arraigned on a charge of violating the state lottery law, before Justice of the Peace Samuel Rudolph, who complied with a request from Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and held them without bail for the grand jury. 

Marino's police record dates to 1914. He received three suspended sentences, three other cases were nolle pressed by the court and on one occasion he served a jail sentence.

His last time in custody was as a suspect in the slaying of Abe Goodman, former numbers baron. He was released after questioning.

Girard's criminal record dates back to 1924. He has been arrested five times, serving two reformatory sentences and one term in the state prison.

Details of the new racket were not immediately divulged by the prosecutor's office. It was learned, however, that hundreds of "bing slips'" were seized by the police when the men were arrested.

The new game is operated by means of a printed slip which contains the word "Bingo" in large type at the top. There is a set of instructions for the player, part of which reads:

"More action for your money than any other game on the market, plays six days for 30 cents. Beginning Monday, write the daily policy number for that day in the three squares on the same line with the word Monday, continue in this manner for each day of the week from Monday until Saturday, making sure that you write that number issued for that particular day during the week. Your ticket is dated and write only on the line reserved for that day of the week. Whenever your ticket number appears in a straight line (in any direction) from using the daily numbers in this way you receive the amount printed beside arrow which points in the direction your ticket runs."

Space for Writing

Then follows a space for the writing of the daily number, with the amount of payoff, from $2 to $10, according to which manner your number reads if you "hit."

Police Chief William Linderman, County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran and County Detectives Wilfred Dube, James J. Mulligan, Joseph Bennie and Casmir Wojtkowiak arrested the four men, all of whom were taken at once to the office of Prosecutor Orlando for questioning.

It was revealed at the prosecutor's office that an attempt to flood Camden city and county with the new numbers game has been made during the last two weeks.

Detectives have been trailing an automobile during this time, believed to have been the car in which the men were seized yesterday.

Camden Courier-Post * February 14, 1938

11 NABBED BY POLICE IN GAMBLING RAIDS
7 Arrested in Bingo Numbers Racket; 4 Seized in Betting Place

Ten men and a woman were arrested in gambling raids over the weekend by Camden city and county authorities.

Seven were arrested for operating a "bingo numbers" racket. A warrant also was issued for Frank Palese, 400 Spruce street, a member of a widely known South Camden family, as the "big shot" of the racket, according to Chief Lawrence T. Doran, of county detectives. Doran said last night Palese is still a fugitive.

In another raid by Camden police, three men and a woman were arrested in an alleged horse racing betting establishment at 1149 Lansdowne avenue. The place was on the second floor over a grocery store, according to Sergeant Gus Koerner, City Detective Thomas Murphy, Jr., 
and Patrolman James McLaughlin, who made the raid. Koerner and Murphy also figured in the second raid.

Several racing forms and four telephones with two direct wires to tracks now in operation were seized, according to Koerner and Murphy, The police first arrested Roland Flynn, 36, of 589 Carman street; Neil Zeldman, 43, of 1064 Langham avenue, and James O'Donal, 27, of. 
1119 Empire avenue, and held them in $1000 bail for violating the State crimes act.

Woman Arrested

Later Mrs. Rose Koplin, 37, who lives in an apartment over the store, was taken into custody on the same charge and held in $500 bail. Mrs. Koplin's brother, Milton Katz, posted cash bail for her release.

Katarina Pologruto, 420 West street, posted bail for O'Donal, who also is known as O'Donnell, and Flynn. Frank Davalos, saloonkeeper, of 441 Benson street, furnished bail for Zeldman.

Murphy reported that $700 had been bet on race horses at the establishment up until 3.30 p. m., Saturday, the time of the raid.

Among those arrested in the "bingo numbers" racket was Fred Rossi, who fought in the prize ring under the name of "Pee Wee" Ross. He was arrested Saturday afternoon at his home at 438 Mickle street by Koerner and Murphy.

O'Donal, Flynn, Zeidman and Mrs. Koplin will be given hearings today in police court.
Others under arrest in the lottery game their names and addresses as Joseph Marino, 288 Chestnut street; Harry Girard, 446 Pine street; Peter Branco, 1109 South Third street; Donald Goodman, of Woodlynne; Irving Chapman, 43 South Merchant street, Merchantville, and John 
Holmes, 227 Main street, Merchantville. An eighth man, James Lodge, Brooklawn, was questioned and released as a material witness.

Rossi, Branco, Goodman and Holmes were released in $500 bail each for the Grand Jury by Justice of the Peace Samuel Rudolph. Prosecutor Orlando said he would demand bail of $1000 each for release of Girard and Marino.

Refused to Sell

Lodge told the detectives he was approached to sell the slips but that he refused to take them.

Doran stated that Marino insists he is the operator of the lottery, but the county detective chief declared that Marino was merely trying to "take the rap" for Palese.

City and county authorities have been aware of the existence of the new racket for about 10 days. Murphy and Koerner had been detailed specifically by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus to investigate and break up the ring. The two sleuths followed numerous suspects, watching 
where they went, and getting a list of stops and suspects.

The trap was sprung when Marino, Girard, Chapman and Holmes were arrested on South Centre street in Merchantville as they sat in a parked car. The car, according to Doran, bore license plates issued to Palese.

Merchantville police and Doran arrested the four and seized bingo numbers slips. Murphy and Koerner also arrested Branco, while County Detectives James Mulligan, Elmer Mathis, Wilfred Dube and Casmir Wojtkowiak arrested Goodman.

Doran admitted that the automobile in which the four men were found was the property of Palese. A search was made at the home of Palese, on Fourth street, near Spruce, but nothing indicating he was connected with the racket was found, Doran said. But Doran added he has information which leads him to believe Palese was the head of the new racket..

Camden Courier-Post * February 15, 1938

Camden Courier-Post * February 16, 1938

Camden Courier-Post * February 17, 1938

PAIR ON TRIAL CLAIM THEY WERE 'DUPES' IN CHECK FRAUD
State Closes Case Against 2 Men Charged With Pay Swindle Plot
COPS READ STATEMENT

Two men who declare they were the unwitting dupes of a third, who is still at large, went on trial yesterday in Criminal Court before Judge Clifford A. Baldwin. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud tradesmen and others through the use of counterfeit paychecks  of the R. C. A. Manufacturing Company.

The defendants are Alfred J. Bittner, 25, of 892 Lois avenue and Benjamin Joie, 25, of Williamstown. The third man, accused by the others as the, "brains" of the alleged plot, is George Hickman, now a fugitive.

The State closed its case late yesterday when Detective Thomas Murphy read a statement made to him by Bittner at the time of his arrest. James Mulligan and Heber McCord, two other detectives, said they were present when Bittner made the statement.

According to the document Murphy read to the jury, Bittner said Hickman came to him and asked him to do a printing job. When Bittner heard it was a check job, he refused to take it, saying he did not want to get into trouble.

Refused Printing Job

Hickman went away, returning several days later with material which he asked Bittner to look over. Bittner said he told Hickman the material could be used in a check printing job. Again Hickman asked Bittner to do the work, Bittner said, and again he refused. 

According to the statement, Bittner's reply each time was: "Not interested." ' Hickman again appealed to him to do the job, asserting "no one will catch up with you, if you do it." Finally Bittner said he would tell Hickman about the printing business.

Hickman promised Bittner money for the information, and then came to Bittner's home and started using his press. Bittner noticed Hickman was printing RCA checks and asked him where he obtained the trademark. 

The reply, Bittner said, was: "In Philadelphia."

Bittner told Murphy he watched Hickman print the checks until about 100 were printed. Several days later, Bittner said, he heard Joie was arrested, and a couple of days later he, himself, was arrested.

Murphy testified under cross-examination a search of Bittner's home resulted in discovery of four pieces of blank paper "that looked similar to the paper used in the forged checks."

Murphy also testified Joie said he had been paid $25 by Hickman for the use of his car one day, but that he knew nothing about Hickman's business or any conspiracy to use the paychecks to swindle victims.

Photograph Identified 

James Bennett, Oaklyn grocery clerk, was the first witness. He identified a photograph of Hickman as the man who came in and cashed one of the counterfeit checks. Bennett said he saw no one else in the car. He said he wrote down the license number of the car on the sleeve of his white coat.

Others who identified the photograph of Hickman as the passer of similar checks were: Charles Brodson, 1220 Empire avenue, owner of the Central Liquor Company; Albert Drell, employee of a meat store at 1192 Yorkship Square; David Raphael, chain grocery employee at Haddon and Kaighn avenues; Jules Rosenberg, grocer, of 618 West Maple avenue, 
Merchantville, and Samuel Kaplan, of a chain store at 1068 Kaighn avenue. Cecelia Rosenberg, wife of the proprietor of a liquor store at 2320 Federal street, was the only victim who could not positively identify Hickman's picture.

Edwin Bigger, assistant paymaster of the RCA Manufacturing Company, testified the checks were not those issued by his company. Lawrence M. Crowther, an executive of a Philadelphia firm that prints the RCA checks, also testified they were counterfeit.

The trial is expected to continue for several days.

Engraver Testifies

John S. Quirk, 218 North Tenth street, Philadelphia, a designer and engraver, said he had done some work for Bittner. He told how County Detective James Mulligan came to his office when he showed the detective a copy of an RCA trademark cut on which he had worked for a  man he said may have been Bittner. Under cross-examination Quirk said the copy shown him in court and the copy also presented for examination, bore no relation.

Edward H. Fritsch, office manager for Ruttle, Shaw and Wetherill, typesetters, said Hickman came to his establishment for type set on three occasions. Joie, he said, picked up one order. He identified some of the type shown him in court as set by his firm. He also identified a style book shown him as coming from his company's, offices.

E. Irving Silverstein, 5503 Pine street, a photo engraver for the Atlas Photo Engraving Company, identified a border on the checks which he said he made up for Hickman.

Chief of County Detectives Lawrence T. Doran told of the investigation. He said he had gone to Bittner's printing establishment, where he found the stylebook shown in evidence, as well as four blank sheets of paper similar to that used for the bogus checks..

Camden Courier-Post * February 18, 1938

 COUNTERFEIT PLOT DENIED IN COURT
Jury to Get Trial of East Camden and Williamstown Men Today

An East Camden printer and a Williamstown man denied in court here yesterday they knew anything about a counterfeiting scheme whereby Camden county merchants were bilked last Spring by means of fake RCA Manufacturing Co. pay checks. 

The case will go to a jury in Common Pleas Court today. Judge Clifford A. Baldwin refused to grant motions for directed acquittal verdicts.

Alfred J. Bittner, 26, a printer of 892 Lois Avenue, Camden, and Benjamin Joie, 25, of Williamstown, are the defendants. 

George Hickman, a fugitive, who is a brother-in-law of Joie, used Bittner's press and Joie's car to produce and cash the checks, the state contended through a series of witnesses. 

Joie said Hickman borrowed his car on the day the check's were cashed and did not return it until 2 a.m. the following day. When he remonstrated Joie testified, Hickman gave him $25. The next day he disappeared. Joie said he knew nothing of the counterfeited checks. 

A number of character witnesses testified J6ie had a good reputation. All answered negatively a question asked by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando: 

"Did you know this man had been arrested for breaking and entering five homes?"

Bittner entered a complete denial to the charge, and said that when he found Hickman using his press to print the bogus checks he ordered him out of his home. 

"I had known Hickman for about two and one-half years," Bittner said. "He came to my shop and asked me if I could do a printing job for him and when I learned he was going to print pay checks I refused to have anything to do with it. 

"He kept coming to my shop and one day he brought a proof of a border for a check with him. I told him he could not use my equipment for a thing like that and I told him to take the plate out of my place. I warned him on several occasions not to use my equipment but he came there while I was not home." 

Under cross-examination, Bittner was, questioned by Orlando concerning a statement he gave to detectives in which he stated he permitted Hickman to use the press. 

"Didn't you say in this statement that you knew he was going to get out some company checks?" Orlando asked. 

"I don't think I, did," Bittner said. "The detectives drew up that statement and told me if I signed it I could go home. I didn't know what was in the statement. I signed it but instead of permitting me to go I was taken to jail. I signed several other statements which made up myself." .

More than 100 crippled children from this vicinity will be entertained at the seventh annual Sgt. Ray Smith's crippled children's day and birthday party, next Monday.

The party, an annual affair, is staged by the Elks' crippled childrens committee and the Sgt. Ray's birthday party committee.

The youngsters will meet at the Elks Home, 808 Market street, and will be taken to Clementon Park in buses where Theodore Gibbs, manager of the park will throw open the entire facilities of the park for the crippled children, staging a special show in the after­noon. A luncheon will be served at the park by the committee.

At four o'clock the youngsters will be taken to the Silver Lake Inn where a special amateur show will be staged on the lawn by the crippled children themselves. A sports entertainment will be staged by Otto O'Keefe, of the Veteran Boxers Association of Philadelphia, then dinner arranged by John E. Weber, proprietor of the Silver Lake Inn. During the dinner hour the youngsters, will be entertained, by talent from Philadelphia and nearby night clubs, with Otto O'Keefe presenting the acts.

After the children's party, a dinner will be served in honor of Sgt. Ray Smith, on his 46th birth­day.

Officers of the Crippled Childrens Committee headed by Smith include Homer H. Lotier, treasurer, and A. Lincoln Michener, secretary. Mrs. Florence A. Lovett is executive secretary.

The party committee is headed by Carlton W. Rowand and Charles W. Anderson. Surrogate Frank B. Hanna is the treasurer. 

Those who have been invited to attend are Mayor George E. Brunner, Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, Firmin Michel, Albert E. Burling, Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the Board of Education, George I. Shaw, Mary W. Kobus, director of Public Safety; Dr. Henry J. Schireson, Camden county freeholders Robert Worrell, Mrs. Alice Predmore, S. Norcross 3rd, members or Veterans of Foreign Wars of Camden County Council and many business men and civic leaders.

Ladies of the Elks' Auxiliary who will assist with the children throughout the day are: Mrs. Alice Heck, president; Mrs. Sarah Austermuhl, Mrs. Reba Crawford, Mrs. Emma Vandergrift, Mrs. Tillie Weber, Mrs. Helene Sauerhoff, Mrs. Anna Rose, Miss Emma Lee, Mrs. Sallie Moore, Mrs. Marion Holdcraft, Mrs. Etta Preisendanz, Mrs. Eva Poland, Mrs. Lena Jantzen, Mrs. May Talman and Mrs. Irene Berg.

A difficult case that Samuel P. Orlando was only indirectly involved in was the tragic suicide of James S. Wilkie, son of a veteran Camden police officer, John V. Wilkie in December 1953. The elder Wilkie and Orlando had worked together and been friends since the 1920s.  For several days after the shooting, Sgt. Wilkie claimed that he had shot his son, in order that he receive a Catholic funeral. He retracted his confession after it became apparent that he could not deceive the city and county investigators, and was released after the grand jury refused to return an indictment.

This tragic case saw the involvement of many of Camden's law enforcement and legal community, including  Mitchell H. Cohen, Benjamin Asbell, Wilfred Dube, Thomas Murphy, James J. Mulligan, J. James Hainsworth,  , John Healey, and Joseph Bennie, among others.

 41st Annual Affair

The Crippled Children’s Committee of Camden Elks Lodge 293 will sponsor its 41st annual party for crippled children tomorrow.         

S.S. Norcross 3^rd, exalted ruler of the lodge, and Edward J. Griffith, president of the Crippled Children’s Committee, said the children will board buses at 10:30 AM at the Elks' home, 807 Cooper Street.

First stop will be Sergeant Ray Smith's home on Lake Renee, where the, children will have their annual picnic lunch. Following lunch they will ride horses from the Persian Acres Dude Ranch operated by County Detective Robert Di Persia.

Erial Fire Company will pick up the children for a ride to the Nike Missile Base in Erial, then onto Clementon Lake Park. Following dinner in the Chick Barn at Silver Lake Inn, the youngsters will return to the Elks' Home.

Among those helping Sgt. Ray celebrate his 72nd birthday at Silver Lake Inn later in the evening will be former Judge Samuel P. Orlando, Congressman John E. Hunt, Jersey Joe Walcott, Mayor Alfred Pierce and state Senator Frederick J. Scholz and recently appointed Prosecutor A. Donald Bigley.