General
Winfield Scott
Price

WINFIELD SCOTT PRICE enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard as a private in 1892, and retired a Major General in June of 1939. In between he saw duty in the Spanish American War and World War I, and after serving on Camden NJ's City Council for five years, became the Mayor of Camden NJ in 1927. 

During his service in World War I, Winfield Price distinguished himself while serving under Lieutenant Colonel Harry C. Kramer in the creation and administration of the national selective service system. 

In November of 1927 Mayor Price appointed a committee to arrange for the observance in February 1928 of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the City of Camden. The committee was composed of Charles S. Boyer, Chairman; T. Yorke Smith, E.G.C. Bleakly, Mahlon F. Ivins Jr., Fred S. Caperoon and Frank S. Albright.

During his four year term in office the new City Hall was erected. After his term as Mayor ended, he served as commander of the 44th Infantry Division, New Jersey National Guard until his retirement. During this time he formed the first African-American National Guard Battalion in New Jersey. He retired from the National Guard in June of 1939.

Events of May to December, 1898
from the Camden Courier-Post - March 6, 1928

Philadelphia Inquirer - September 12, 1910

A proclamation issued by Mayor Winfield S. Price today urging all South Jersey to come to Camden January 5, 6 and 7 for Greater Camden’s Second Good Will Day.

More than 200 retail merchants are preparing for the sale, which, business leaders promise. will make the last three days of this week the most memorable in the merchandising history of the city.

 The sale is under the the retail rnerchant's division of the Chamber of Commerce, and its purpose, like the Good Will Sale of last August, is to convince South Jersey shoppers that they save money when they buy in Camden.

‘Greater values create greater good will’ is the slogan for the drive.

“I cordially invite the people of South Jersey”, reads Mayor Price’s proclamation, “to come to Camden on January 5, 6, and 7 for this city’s second good will sale.”

“The retail business interests of Camden have made mighty strides forward in the past few years. Last August on the occasion of the first Good Will Sale, thousands of South Jersey shoppers learned what Camden had to offer in the ways of values and services. I am familiar with the plans for the coming sale and I know that it will demonstrate once and for all that Camden is the business center of South Jersey.

“I wish to congratulate the Chamber of Commerce on its good work and to wish Camden retail merchants success in this worthy campaign to develop this city and all South Jersey. I know that it will be a tremendous success and make thousands of new friends for Camden merchants”

Practically every retail business establishment in Camden will take part in the sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Local railroad freight departments and the officers of express companies have reported record-breaking shipments of merchandise into the city as plans for the selling campaign took definite form today.

Camden Courier-Post - January 3, 1928

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

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

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

Van Meter quotes Baird as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scene Was Drama

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

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

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

But if they thought this, they said no word.

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

Van Meter Fights Hard

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

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

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

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

Reprisal Were Threatened.

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

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

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

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

Schorpp Speaks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Van Meter Protests 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He sat down and the silence continued. 

Schorpp Lauds Van Meter

 Schorpp rose again.

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

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

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

Dobbs followed on the floor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Charges Unfair Tactics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Name ‘Official’ Papers 

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

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

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

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

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

Adopting a new line of attack. May­or Winfield S. Price today renewed his offensive against Civil Service by denouncing operation of the merit system as “the false alarm of a bunch it hamstringers.”

Pointing to specific cases in which he declared the Civil Service Commission had handicapped efficient government by the Camden City Commission, the mayor laid down a new barrage of denunciation, even more vigorous than that which be launched on Wednesday night at a Collingswood Republican rally.

Meanwhile, at Trenton, the mayor’s new statement and that which he made on Wednesday night drew a reply from Charles P. Messick, chief examiner of the State Civil Service Commission.

Attack Termed ‘Foolish’  

The new attack was termed “merely foolish” by Messick, who added that “Mayor Price really ought to know better than that.”

“He is apparently laboring under a great many misunderstandings.” Messick said. “You will remember that he was a state employee, covered by Civil Service, for about 16 years, and so he must know better.

"Members of the Civil Service commission, of course, are merely agents of the law and not personal agents. But the attack dealing in personalities, calls for a reply, and a comprehensive statement of the commission’s stand will be issued later.”

Messick also took occasion to invite Mayor Price to Trenton to inspect the office of the Civil Service Commission in order that he may determine whether they are in the deplorable condition described by the Camden executive in his Collingswood speech. The mayor had declared that the State Capitol was “the dirtiest building in the United States” and had added that “pigeons actually roost on the wardrobe” in the commission’s office.  

Struggle In Open

The new attack by the mayor, given in an interview today, is regarded as bringing further into the open the struggle over “Senate Bill No. 10”, the measure introduced in the legislature by Senator Joseph F. Forsyth which seeks to nullify Civil Service In Camden.

Prior to the mayor’s statement at Collingswood, the backers of the movement had endeavored to make it appear purely a “home rule” proposal having effect only on Camden. Mayor Price’s general arraignment of Civil Service, however, was regarded as contradicting the previous claims that the bill was local in character and to give strength to opponents of the measure who declare it to be an “opening wedge,” designed as a blow at Civil Service throughout the state.

A veteran military campaigner and a brigadier-general in the National Guard, Mayor Price today compared the operation of Civil Service to the army’s system. He predicted the passage of the Forsyth bill, its veto by Governor A. Harry Moore, and its re-passage over the veto.

In explaining his charge of “ham­stringing,” Mayor Price cited the cases of Howard B. Dyer, custodian of Convention Hall, and of Frank S. Albright, Information clerk and city statistician. Dyer, the mayor said, was “superintendent” at Convention Hall for two years and eighth months and was not required to take a Civil Service examination. He was appointed by the previous administration.

“The present city administration,” the mayor asserted, “retained Dyer because he was a competent man. Them suddenly, the Civil Service Commission woke up and insisted that Dyer take a rest for the job. Why hadn’t the commission thought of that during the two years and eight months Dyer was ably filling the post? That’s something I’ve never had satisfactorily answered.”

The present city commission,” he said, “appointed Albright, by resolution, as city publicity agent for one year. What does Civil Service do? It informs us that we can’t do that. Albright must take an examination, we are told, and it is not for city publicity agent, but for ‘information clerk and statistician.’ What use have we for a statistician? Somebody to tell us how many peanuts Camden had back in 1842 and how many it’s got now? No, what we wanted was a publicity agent and with that title.

Wanted Year Term

“Not only that, but we wanted to appoint a man for one year. If he didn’t prove efficient in that time, we could kick him out. We wouldn’t have had dead wood on our hands. Then again, we might not need him for more than a year; we might find that there would be no further use for the job. Appointed for only one year, we could let the holder out and abolish the position. That’s sensible isn’t it?

“But, no, the Civil Service board tells us we can’t do that. It must be a permanent appointment, and we have no right to have a man we want unless he takes a civil service examination and qualifies. Then, they ask the candidate a lot of foolish questions, some of them having no bearing on the job he seeks. And so we have a man, not for one year, but as long as he wants to stay, whether we need him or not.”

The mayor then cited what he declared to be the difference between the Army method of hiring and firing men and the way it is done in Camden under Civil service.

“Here we have nothing but the false alarm of a bunch of incompetent hamstringers,” he declares. “Any merit Civil Service might have in this city has been cast to the winds by these bunglers, never satisfied unless they are hamstringing. We can’t get rid of this kind of Civil Service too soon to suit me. It might be all right in other cities in the state, but it’s been a false alarm here.

Compared With Army

“There’s a wide difference between the way the army does things, and the way they are done by Civil Service in Camden,” he went on. “The difference lies in the fact that in the army there are competent boards for the appoint­ment, promotion or demotion of the men. Each board is composed of superior officers experienced in that branch of service for which the candidate is taking the examination; for that reason because of their own fitness and experience- these officers are well qualified to determine the fitness of any candidate for appointment or promotion. 

“Take our Civil Service Board,” the mayor said. “The examiners in many cases know nothing whatever of the duties of the office for which they examine candidates except, perhaps, for the minor clerical positions. Then   Hits insubordination.

Mayor Price said that another fault with Civil Service is that a subordinate, under permanent appointment, “can lay down on the job and thus become insubordinate without fear of dismissal.”

“In Civil service,” the Mayor continued, ‘the appointee, knowing he cannot be removed so easily from his job, sometimes becomes defiant, and usually raises considerable dust before he is finally ousted. This wouldn’t happen if such a person were appointed, say, or a year. Then, if he proved inefficient, he could be kicked out. Realizing this, he would give his job the best in him to insure his reappointment for another year.”

“Civil service or no civil service, when a man is found inefficient he should be fired. When I make up my mind to fire a man, out he goes. What we want in the city government is efficient service. And that we can’t have as long as we have hamstringing civil service.  

Wants ‘Home Rule’  

“We don’t want Civil Service here as we’ve had it and we’re going to get rid of it. If Governor Moore vetoes the anti-civil service bill introduced in the legislature for Camden, we’ll have it passed over his veto. That bill’s going to pass! After that, we’ll have no more hamstringing interference from outsiders. We’ll have home rule, and that’s what we need here for the best possible government of the city.” 

Mayor Price insisted that no “spoils system” would result in Camden with the overthrow of the present Civil Service. 

“There’s no spoils system existing in town now and there won’t be,” he declared. “We’ve aimed for efficient service. Unless we have that, the city government will fail. We’re not going to let that happen.”

In referring to Mayor Price’s address in Collingswood, Messick made the following statement:

“Mayor Price was a state employee under Civil Service from 1911 until 1927. He should know something of the working conditions at the state capital, and whether or not the fact that he was under Civil service regulation affected either the quantity or quality of his own work. There are no pigeons roosting in the office of the Civil service Commission, and we are not ashamed of the physical condition of the office or the quality and character of the work done therein. A large number of people come to this office every day. I should be glad to have the mayor come also and make an inspection. Of course, he’s not serious.”

The comment of the Mayor in his Collingswood address referred to by Mr. Messick was as follows:

"The best example of the inefficiency of Civil Service is its dirty quarters in the state capital. I tell you pigeons roost on the wardrobe in their quarters."

As to charges of “bureaucracy,” the secretary to the Civil Service Board refused to comment on that phase of the Mayor’s speech.

State House observers regard the offices of the Civil Service Department as the best equipped and most representative of modern business management of all state agencies housed under the dome of the capital. They were planned under the supervision of Custodian John A. Smith, of Camden County, and a close friend of general Price. Mr. Smith is now ill at his home.

Three appointments to the Camden Board of Education will be made by him late today or tomorrow, Mayor Price said this morning. The appointments were expected to be made yesterday, but they were delayed, the mayor explained, because a “very capable man” declined to accept as one of the appointees. 

The mayor, under the law, has until January 15 to make the appointments, and the new appointees take office a month later. Three vacancies were to be filled by the mayor with the expiration of the terms of George C. Prince, George M. Bryson, and Albert Dudley. The mayor would not say whether or not he would re-appoint any of the three retiring members. Other members of the present board are Edwin I. Seabrook, president; Mrs. Anne D. Spooner, Irving T. Nutt, Meyer Wessel, Dr. Conrad G. Hoell and Dr. Jennie S. Sharp.

Camden Courier-Post * January 18, 1928

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

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

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

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

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

Camden Courier-Post - January 24, 1928

$15 PENSION GRANTED TO WIDOW OF POLICEMAN

A pension of $75 a month was granted to Mrs. Sadie Owens, 2402 South Eight Street, following a meeting of the Police and Fireman’s Pension Fund Committee in the office of Mayor Winfield S. Price. Mrs. Owens is the widow of Harry F. Owens, who retired from the Camden Police Department on pension, February 19, 1924, because of physical disability. 

Owens was a member of the ambulance crew of the police bureau. He became a member of the department December 3, 1906. He died December 17, 1927.

January 28, 1928

January 30, 1928

Camden Courier-Post  - February 9, 1928

Rev. Elwood A. Harrar
Victor King
Winfield S. Price
Rev. Brendan C. Shea
H. Raymond Staley

Camden Courier-Post - February 15, 1928

Camden
Courier-Post

February 17, 1928

The
Lord Camden
Painting

February 20, 1928

Fifth Ward Republican Club
Kaighn Avenue

Bernard Bertman
Leonard Brehm
John Carroll
George Cotter
Charles H. Elfreth
Kirby Garwood
Rox Gimello
Theodore Kausel
William Kensler
George W. Nichols
Winfield S. Price
Leo B. Rea
Clay W. Reesman
David S. Rhone
Harley C. Shinn

February 29, 1928

Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1930

P. O. S. A. WILL PRESENT FLAG TO JUNIOR HIGH

A parade is being planned by the Patriotic Order of Sons of America for Washington's Birthday, when a flag will be presented to the new Woodrow Wilson Junior High School by Camp No. 25.

The parade will be formed at the Harry C. Sharp School, Thirty-second Street and Hayes Avenue, and proceed to the new school at Thirty-second and Federal Streets. George B. Cassidy, past district president, will be marshal of the parade.

The presentation will be made by Neal L. Jamerson, past state master of forms, and accepted by Samuel E. Fulton, president, on behalf of the board of education. Mayor Winfield S. Price will be among the speakers.

Camden Morning Post - December 11, 1930

Lewis H. Stehr  - Dr. David S. Rhone - Charles V. Dickinson - Frank B. Hanna
Dr. H. S. Riddle -  Clay W. Reesman - Clifford A. Baldwin - Winfield S. Price
Arthur Colsey - Chestnut Street - Cooper Hospital - Sixth Ward Republican Club

Camden Evening Courier - December 11, 1930

Lewis H. Stehr  - Dr. David S. Rhone - Charles V. Dickinson - Arthur Colsey
George A. Ward - John Kowal  - Donald Swissler - Clarence Phifer - Archie Reiss
John Skolski - Herbert Anderson - Thomas Cheeseman - Harry Kyler
 George Nowrey - Frank Truax - Ralph Bakley
 Clay W. Reesman - Clifford A. Baldwin - Winfield S. Price - 
Clifford A. Flennard - Camden Local No. 35, P.B.A. - Cooper Hospital
  B.C. Schroeder - Broadway - Royden Street

$2700 GIVEN NEEDY BY SEARS, ROEBUCK
Employees of Camden store Donate Half, Employer Rest to Mayor's Committee

Blazing the trail in a county-wide relief program, Sears, Roebuck & Company, of this city, and 170 of its employees yesterday made a joint contribution of $2700 toward a general campaign fund that will be used to alleviate the sufferings of unemployed and needy persons.

One-half of the $2700 was subscribed voluntarily from the pay envelopes of the company's employees, while the other half was a donation from the concern "matching" the amount raised by the workers.

The money, in check form, was turned over to Mayor Price's committee on employment and relief at brief exercises at the Sears, Roebuck store, Admiral Wilson Boulevard. In behalf of the employees and the com­pany, A. D. Corson, general manager of the Sears, Roebuck store in Camden, presented the check to William J. Strandwitz, general chairman of the mayor's relief committee.

Pioneer In Relief Movement

First in the country to adopt this cooperative method of contributing toward a community relief fund whereby, employee and employer share in giving, is the Sears, Roebuck Company. The new policy has been adopted in stores of the concern throughout the nation.

The plan whereby the local store and employees raised their contribution is unique. Each employee contributed one day's pay at four-week intervals during the last eight weeks of 1930.

This same plan will be followed during the first eight weeks of this year and the amount raised will be turned into the general relief fund which will be raised by the mayor's committee in a drive for $100,000 to open Monday, Corson announced today,

Delivering a brief address at exercises in the store, Corson said:

"The plan whereby the employee gives one day's payout of each four weeks during eight-week periods is intended to make contributions easier for the employee. In this way funds are raised that otherwise would not be available for distribution here. Every division of this company throughout the country has received this suggestion to help the needy with enthusiasm."

Million to be Raised

Corson estimated that the fund to be raised under this plan in Sears, Roebuck stores throughout the country would exceed $1,000,000. In each Instance, he said, money contributed by employees will be "matched" by the concern.

"It gives the men and women with jobs," said Corson, "the opportunity to help those less fortunate who are without work."

Strandwitz, accepting the money in behalf of the mayor's committee, praised the cooperative movement of the store and employees and characterized it as "the most inspiring thing in the relief campaign."

"The Sears, Roebuck Company," said Strandwitz, "has set a fine example for other concerns in Camden county and points the ways by which money may be raised to help the deserving needy in this section."

Loyal D. Odhner, manager of the relief committee's campaign, also com­mended the Sears, Roebuck Company and the employees.

Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

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

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

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

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

Asks Seven Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praises Moore's Record.

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

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

Thomas Madden also spoke at the meeting.  

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

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

Camden Courier-Post * June 17, 1932

400 Friends Pay Homage To 'Good Gray Poet'

 Men and Women From Many Sections Visit Walt Whitman's Tomb and Old Mickle Street Home on His 114th Anniversary
By FRANK SHERIDAN 

 “It's just a little street where old friends meet"

That's Mickle Street where Walt Whitman, the "Good Gray Poet," once lived, and old friends came back here from near and far yesterday to mingle under the portals of the house in which he wrote his famous works, on the 114th anniversary of his birth.

Among them was Mrs. Augusta K. Dole, 71, of Metuchen, whose hus­band has been a sports writer on New York newspapers for 45 years.

"They call it a dingy street and some are ashamed to return and say they lived there," Mrs. Dole said. And with a gesture of the hand she pointed out the homes of some of neighbors, who became famous.

Among, them was Button; famous artist [architect -PMC]. Another was the grandmother of J. B. Van Sciver.

"I lived at 319 Mickle Street when I was a young lady," she said. "I was one year old when we moved into the house right across the street from Whitman. I remember when he lived on Stevens Street before he moved to Mickle Street.

Knew Whitman Well

"We lived at the Mickle street address about 15 or 16 or 20 years; I knew Whitman well. He always stopped and exchanged greetings with me. I frequently, saw him on the ferryboats crossing the rivers.

"I want to take, issue right here with those, who have questioned his chastity. He was more like Christ than anyone else. I saw him admiring me as a young woman one day on a ferryboat.”

"Years later I read a description of myself in one of his works. I did not begin to read his work until 30 years ago. He wrote of the true things in life. He wrote of life as it is and as we see it. I am glad to come here today at the invitation of the committee,"

Mrs. Dole sat in the last chair in which the poet rested before his last illness. She was introduced to Dr. Alexander MacAlister, who was his personal physician in his last illness and who is a member of the Walt Whitman foundation.

Then she posed with an etching by Lewis Daniel, New York artist, at the Walt Whitman art gallery, 641 Market Street. It is one of 14 the young artist drew on "The Song of the Open Road," Two lines taken from' the book are sketched under the etching as follows:

"The earth is crude and incomprehensible at first- Nature is rude and incomprehensible at first."

400 Visit Home

More than 400 guests visited the home of the poet during the day to be welcomed by members of the foundation, Mrs. Charles A. Wolverton, wife of Congressman Wolverton, was chairman of the reception committee.

Many of the guests visited the tomb of the poet in Harleigh Cemetery where the door is ajar at his request "that his spirit may come and go as I choose.'" But no flowers were placed there as he requested none.

Born on May 31, 1819, near Huntingdon, Long Island, he had a varied career as a writer, war correspondent and poet. During the Civil War he ministered the wounded of both the North and South at Washington. He spent the last 19 years of his life in Camden, where he died in 1892. 

Under the bed in his second story front bed room today is a huge metal bathtub, which he designed for use in his invalid days. His library, horsehair furniture, his favorite rocking chair and a cane with which he knocked on the floor to call his housekeeper.

Some of his writings, manuscripts and other works are the property of Miss Ann Harned and Madge Barton Feurer. They are now, at the New Jerseyanna Exhibition at the State House at Trenton.

New Painting Viewed

A new painting of Walt Whitman has been completed by Byron T. Connor, of 4320 Manor Avenue, Merchantville, and is now on display at the Hotel Walt Whitman. The painting was completed in three weeks, so as to be ready for the birthday ceremonies.

Later it will be moved from the hotel and placed either in the Whitman home or hung in the lobby of the Walt Whitman Theatre.

Miss Harned, daughter of the late Thomas B. Harned, one of Whitman's literary executors; Joseph Praissman and Mrs. Martha Davis curator of the Whitman home, were members of the anniversary committee headed by Mrs. Wolverton.

With few exceptions, members of the Walt Whitman Foundation attended yesterday's program, including Dr. Macalister, chairman; Dr. Cornelius Weygandt, vice chairman; Mrs. Juliet Lit Stern, Joseph M. Conover, Mrs. Helen Taft Manning, Mrs. Allen Drew Cook, Mrs. Nicholas Douty, Dr. Herbert Spencer Harned, J. Frederick Harned, Roy Helton, William T. Innes, Eldridge R. Johnson, William H. Ketler, Dr. Rufus M. Jones, former Mayor Victor King, Oscar Wolf, John Frederick Lewis, Jr., Dr. Bliss Perry, Harrison S. Morris, Agnes, Repplier, former Mayor Winfield S. Price, Vernon Whitman Rich, Dr. J. Duncan Spaeth, Dr. Felix E. Schelling, Dr. Robert E. Spiller, Mrs. David Abeel Storer, Frederick von Nieda and Ralph W. Wescott.

Among the visitors was former Assemblyman William H. Iszard, who is secretary of the committee, which acquired the home as a national shrine. Iszard sponsored legislation in the Assembly for its upkeep.

Right:
Brigadier General
Samuel G. Barnard

Harold G. Hoffman, former governor of New Jersey and a member of the 29th Division Association, will be the principal speaker at the unveiling of the Colonel Edward B. Stone memorial in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Burlington, Sunday afternoon, November 13.

Two other distinguished speakers will also take part in the program. They are Major General Winfield S. Price, of Camden and the Rev. Charles DuBell, of St. Simon's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia. The latter was a Chaplain in Colonel Stone's regiment during the World War. 

The monument will be unveiled by Colonel Stone's grandchildren. His two daughters, Mrs. Frances Stone Ryan, of Trenton, and Mrs. William Tugwell, of Nashville, Tenn., and a brother Johnson Stone, of Tenafly, will attend the ceremonies. A parade, preceding the ceremonies at the cemetery, will start from Memorial Hall, at 2 p. m. with W. Thomas Montgomery, commander of the Captain James MacFarland Post, American Legion, as marshal. Members of the military organizations with which the Colonel was associated will take part in the parade. 

All of Colonel Stone's military associates and friends are invited to attend the ceremonies. The memorial, an impressive monument of Dix Island granite, surmounted by a bronze eagle, is 20 feet, three inches high. It has been erected through the efforts of a committee from MacFarland Post. Funds were contributed by friends of the deceased soldier and civic organizations. 

Colonel Stone died in 1934 after a distinguished career of military service. He enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard at the age of 16 and six years later was commissioned captain of Company A, 3rd Infantry. Following a brilliant World War record, he was commissioned colonel of the 114th Infantry, National Guard, in 1924.