1936 ​ January-February

The Great Depression as seen through the pages of the Daily Record (Morristown, NJ) 

January-February 1936

 

“Mendham Borough is the only County municipality desirous of financing its January relief without State aid, County ERA Director Justus P. Nesbitt announced today after a survey….Four places, Chester Borough and Township and Hanover and East Hanover Townships, had not answered Nesbitt this morning.  Five others, Harding, Chatham, and Boonton Townships and Mount Arlington and Kinnelon Borough, have never participated in ERA relief.”  (Jan. 2, 1936, p.1)

From the Daily Washington Letter, by Rodney Dutcher, Jan. 2, 1936, p.4:  “…the Federal Emergency Relief Administration—the FERA—is dead.  In the FERA work program a government for the first time in history laid the pattern for establishing public or civil work with a view to fitting jobs to the skill of needy people rather than to community demands for construction projects.  The Federal Surplus Relief Corporation, a branch working with AAA, dealt in a big way with the fact that people were starving in the midst of big farm surpluses….Its peak load in the task of providing food, clothing, and medical care was a relief roll of 20,654,084 persons in January, 1935.  Present New Deal policy—abandonment of FERA and direct federal relief, with creation of WPA—is based on the theory that the dole makes “bums” out of “employable” human beings.  Also, on Roosevelt’s desire to reduce the drain on the treasury….”

“WASHINGTON, (AP) – A treasury deficit exceeding $1,000,000,000—without counting unestimated new relief costs—was the forecast to Congress by President Roosevelt today for the next fiscal year….Mr. Roosevelt foresaw a debt at the end of the 1936-37 period of $31,351,638.737….There was not the slightest hint of readiness to meet demands from the opposition for an immediately balanced budget…Comment varied largely according to the economic views of the legislators rather than along strictly party lines….”  (Jan. 6, 1936, p.1)

“WASHINGTON, (AP) – In a sweeping decision, the Supreme Court today ruled the entire AAA program was unconstitutional.  In an opinion read by Justice Roberts, the original adjustment act was declared to be “an invasion of state rights” and beyond Federal power under the “general welfare” clause.  If the farm aid legislation were valid, he said, it would be possible for Congress “to regulate industry in its most meticulous forms.”….”  (Jan. 6, 1936, p.1)

“Inventory of the good deeds of 1935 include the Christmas that Morris county citizens offered to the 291 children under the care of the Morris County Children’s Home.  The contributors gave not only of their money and gifts to make Christmas a happy one for the county wards in foster homes but also gave of their interest and time.  Many individuals imbued with extra Christmas cheer volunteered to deliver the Christmas packages all over Morris County.”  (Jan. 6, 1936, p.1)

“The conservativeness of the Board of Freeholders in 1935 and the now defunct state sales tax combined to make the 1936 budget for the county much lower than in some years past.  The budget will represent a saving of about $200,000 in the amount to be raised by taxes and if state laws now in existence are continued the cut may be even greater….During 1935, the Board made very careful estimate of revenues and set the approximate income of various sources at the very lowest possible figures.  Most of these sources had incomes exceeding the figures set, with the result that a good amount of surplus revenue has been created….An item that has been steadily increasing since the plan started is relief but it is believed that this will reach its peak in 1936….For old age relief an additional $30,000 has to be appropriated in the 1936 budget and for the State Board of Children’s Guardians there is $10,000 more.  This covers principally what is termed widows’ pensions.  This item has grown in 20 years from $8,000 to $90,000.  The County Children’s Home will need $8,000 more….”  (Jan. 6, 1936, p.1)

“The restoration of public confidence in banking has put it in the position where it can function fully and vigorously in playing its full economic part in the progress of recovery, said the American Bankers Association in its annual convention.  “The passage of a general constructive banking law in the Banking Act of 1935 has stabilized the banking situation….it is a particularly important feature of this law that it aims to create through the revision of the Federal Reserve Board a Supreme Court of Finance….It is our duty as bankers to facilitate in every effective way the retirement of government agencies from credit activities by promoting public understanding of the proper function of privately owned banking.”  ”  (Jan. 6, 1936, p.2)

“TRENTON – Suggesting the diversion of nearly $12,000,000 from the highway fund, the State Budget Advisory Committee appointed by Governor Hoffman last Fall today reported to him that it had earmarked $27,857,121 to finance emergency relief during 1936 without the imposition of new taxes…. “The committee has never been opposed to new taxes for relief purposes.  It has insisted upon a program of conservation before new taxes for old purposes.”  ”  (Jan. 27, 1936, p.1)

“MILLINGTON – The Passaic Township Committee was notified last night by C. C. Vermeule, Jr., director of the State PWA, that the Public Works Administration at Washington had extended from December 15 to January 15 the time by which contracts must be let for the construction of a sewer system in Stirling.  The PWA had made a grant of $57,252 and loan of $70,000 for the purpose.  The local committee has twice passed resolutions authorizing expenditure of $127,252 the first time and $118,252 the second.  Both resolutions were turned down at referendums held at the request of taxpayers.  The committee last evening directed Clerk William Richter to write to the PWA informing them that the resolution was defeated on December 28.  He will request a reasonable extension of time and ask if officials will entertain further plans for the use of all or any part of the grant and loan….”  (Jan. 7, 1936, p.1)

“Morristown merchants are looking forward to the 1936 business with a new attitude reflecting increased optimism and happiness, Laird Barkalow, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce said today in an informal interview….“One of the interesting things about the past Christmas shopping period was the fact that most of the higher-class stores showed substantial increases in business while some of the variety chain stores handling cheaper goods showed a slight decline in trade turnover,” Barkalow said.  “It is difficult to put a finger on any reason for this indication of increased purchasing power but it’s a good sign.  When people start buying higher-priced goods, it means there is more money to be spent.  Just where it came from is difficult to say….”  ”  (Jan. 7, 1936, p.1)

“….The Board of Freeholders, meeting this afternoon, will introduce its 1936 budget and it will show a cut of nearly $200,000 in the amount to be raised by taxation.  This alone will bring about a considerable drop in the county tax rate, already fairly low, unless there is a much bigger drop in ratables than at present anticipated….Madison, utilizing $50,000 of the profits of the electric light plant to lower its municipal taxes and Chatham, which presented its budget Monday night with a cut of $10,000, are two municipalities which should have materially lower rates as a whole.  In Morristown….Lack of new building, destruction of some property and further threats to tear down big mansions all tend to make the local valuations lower….If the Legislature passes measures relieving municipalities of some of the relief burdens, then it is expected the town budget will be about the same as last year….The Board of Education will meet in regular session tonight and will probably start work at that time on its budget….Whether any paycuts will be restored is yet unsettled….the Freeholders, at their organization meeting New Year’s Day, passed a resolution to keep the same percentages of cuts for County employees as last year.”  (Jan. 8, 1936, p.1)

“WASHINGTON, D. C. –Morris County World War veterans will spend approximately $792,700 for new homes when they eventually get their $1,901,000 share of the two billion dollar soldiers’ bonus, according to a survey by the American Legion.  The veterans will pour $596,900 into the tills of Morris County merchants and the pockets of Morris County doctors, dentists, and professional men, in payment of old debts, the Legion figures show.  They will spend $114,060 for new furniture and house furnishings, and a like amount for clothes for themselves and their families.  Almost as much—approximately $103,450—will go for new and used automobiles.  House repairs and house painting will take $161,500 of the bonus money that will pour into Morris County.  Savings accounts in banks in the county will be swelled by $854,400.  The veterans will spend $646,300 for farm land and $418,200 for farm implements.  They will put $646,300 into insurance, and $342,200 into stocks and bonds, while about one per cent of the county’s total, or $19,010, will go for electric and gas refrigerators.  The Legion bases its figures on a poll of 42,500 individual members, all World War veterans, which covered 11,000 posts and represents, according to Ray Murphy, national commander, “a random cross-section of five per cent of the membership.”….”  (Jan. 8, 1936, p.1)

“The Morris County Men’s Democratic Club, Inc., newly formed New Deal organization, will offer a forum program on the Federal Housing Administration tomorrow evening at 8 o’clock at the Women’s Community Club, it was announced this morning by Lee Kirner of Chatham, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Club….A complete exposition of the subject is assured, with question period following.  Public interest in the meeting and forum has necessitated the change in location from a Market street hall….”  (Jan. 8, 1936, p.2)

“TRENTON, (AP) – Governor Hoffman reserved comment today upon the $27,587,000 economy and diversion recommendations of his Budget Advisory Committee, but it was known his opposition to recapture of highway construction money was unchanged.  The committee’s plan for governmental economy and financing unemployment relief in 1936 rested upon a cornerstone of diversion of $11,925,000 of highway funds….The governor…concurred with E. Donald Sterner, State Highway Commissioner, however, in the view that road construction work was a form of unemployment relief….The governor has repeatedly opposed pay reductions for State employees….The governor has not changed his view that the sales tax, repealed when confronted with popular opposition, was the most feasible relief financing method….The governor’s associates indicated that his message would point out the needs confronting the State and leave the means of satisfying them to the Legislature….”  (Jan. 8, 1936, p.9)

“Selection by Governor Hoffman of Reeve Schley, banker and successful business man, to succeed Chester J. Barnard as nominal head of the State Relief Council is most commendable.  The problem of caring for the commonwealth’s needy is even more serious today than at any time since the economic upheaval incapacitated thousands of otherwise self sustaining individuals.  Withdrawal by the Federal government from direct relief work has increased the financial worries of New Jersey, as well as other states.  It has, moreover, threatened to cast a double burden upon those responsible for finding money to keep actual starvation away….At any rate, the relief picture in New Jersey is not a pleasant one….That no one should be allowed to go hungry in the Garden State is Governor Hoffman’s objective….Mr. Schley brings to the Relief Council, a full, rich experience and a heart filled with compassion for those whose lot in life is unfortunate….”  (editorial from the Long Branch Record, published in The Daily Record Jan. 9, 1936, p.4)

“BOONTON – Picket lines were thrown about the Morris Schwartz Dress Company factory in the “Old Silk Mill” on Morris avenue here today after 20 girl workers had been called from their jobs by a New York union.  Protesting against low pay rates, the piece workers last night decided to heed the advice of a representative of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union and stayed away from their machines this morning….it was learned from generally reliable sources that one of the causes leading to the walkout was the fact a factory worker had received a check for $1.69 for a week’s work recently.  Other girls said that very few workers got more than seven dollars a week….Picketing was quiet and dignified all morning.  None of the strikers carried placards and none threatened violence….”  (Jan. 9, 1936, p.1)

“Assemblyman Frank S. Kelley made a very short speech at the testimonial dinner given to him Wednesday night but he brought out one pertinent fact that practically justified the people who had elected him to office.    “If you divert funds from the County’s use for road building, that is not economy nor saving,”….The money is raised by a direct gas tax against automobile users for road maintenance purposes and a good percentage of it comes back to the counties.  If $150,000, or more, that Morris receives is diverted for relief, Morris County is faced with one of two alternatives.  The first would be maintenance of its roads in their proper shape which would mean a very big increase in the taxes already levied on heavily burdened real estate.  The other would be to let repair work slide and the roads deteriorate.  That would mean high costs of rebuilding and repairing in the future.  It would also mean unemployment for many and thus an increase on the relief rolls, which would add to the costs of emergency relief.  Therefore there would be no saving….The one big objection to any diversion is the precedent it sets.  If highway funds can be shifted to relief this year then they can be changed to some other need next year.  It has been done with other funds in the past.  If it is felt by the Legislature that new highway construction should be stopped temporarily, the only proper remedy would be to lower the gas tax.  That would mean a saving of millions to the taxpayers and would be a real economy….” (editorial, Jan. 10, 1936)

“DENVILLE – This township must choose between curtailed public improvements in 1936 and a future financial crisis, it appeared at an open forum on taxes sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce last night….some citizens said they will ask for reinstatement of street lighting and a larger roads appropriation….Auditor John W. Wehman…pointed out that delinquent taxes totaled $70,000 at the beginning of 1935 and that they had increased to $112,000 at the beginning of 1936….He suggested a tax sale would be necessary if township finance faltered….”  (Jan. 11, 1936, p.9)

“TRENTON, (AP) – John C. Barbour, president of the Senate, told his colleagues at the opening session of the New Jersey Legislature today that economy would be their “watchword” and relief to the needy and the taxpayers among their major problems….

State problems confronting the legislature, which the Senator mentioned, included relief financing without federal assistance, real property tax reduction, municipal economy legislation, old age pension expansion, a “sound plan” of unemployment insurance and “further sound and lasting economies.”  The senator recommended reduction of the age qualification for old age pensions from 70 years to 65 years and the residence requirement from nine years to five years….The state must decide shortly whether to cooperate in the federal social security program, which would bring financial assistance, but increase the number of dependents.  Governor Hoffman urged caution in embracing the program, expressing the view that future federal aid was uncertain and the state might eventually find itself saddled alone with an expensive welfare program… “The lessons of these depression years,” Senator Barbour said, “have taught us that we must attempt to prevent further depressions so far as is possible and to withstand such depressions as are unavoidable.  We must proceed cautiously, but without undue delay, to the enactment of a sound plan of unemployment insurance….”  ”  (Jan. 14, 1936, p.1)

“TRENTON (AP)—The 160^th Legislature inaugurated today its much-discussed economy session….On flower-dotted desks were copies of the budget advisory committee’s report, recommending economies and fund diversions of $27,857,000 to finance emergency relief. 

…In determining his recommendations, the Governor said he followed a policy of maintaining salary levels without any increases, disallowing requests for new positions, a general reduction of traveling expenses and allowance of budget increases only where need was conclusively shown….”  (Jan. 14, 1936, p.1 and 11)

“DOVER – Lieut.-Commander Samuel Chiles, ERA director here who was reappointed again last night by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for one year, reported at the meeting of that body that but eighteen cases, representing 69 people, were on relief here at the present time.  He stated that this is the lowest mark recorded here since 1930.  Mr. Chiles stated “that most of those on this list are women and children.”  He hopes by March 15 to be able to secure funds to enlarge his sewing room here which would give employment to most of the females on the list.  He also stated that in the number on relief here that only two are males, one is bed-ridden, while the other has but one leg.  Efforts are being made to secure an artificial limb for this man.  As soon as he is able to walk on it he has a position offered him….”  (Jan. 14, 1936, p.6)

“TRENTON, (AP) – The recurrent problem of governmental economy, complicated by imperative need for relief funds, today overshadowed other issues before New Jersey’s newly-convened Legislature….One solution—the drastic governmental retrenchment program of the State Budget Advisory committee—was before the Legislature….The committee’s proposal to curtail highway expenditures and to economize generally in the state service to release $27,857,000 for relief costs already has raised conflict of opinion, however, and a long, bitter debate between Republican Senate and House leaders was expected.  The Senate was dominated by administration supporters, while the House was controlled by adherents to the Essex Clean Government Republican bloc….”  (Jan. 15, 1936, p.1)

“CHATHAM – Partial restoration of teachers’ salary cuts and a decreased state appropriation will make the tax levy for the Chatham Borough Schools higher by $4,380.28 next year….A resolution to restore half of the 10% cuts in teachers’ pay was adopted in view of the fact that all teachers in the borough will be called upon to put in additional extra hours next year when the schools here will be forced to adopt a two-session schedule to accommodate an increased enrollment.  Providing the same teachers now under tenure are re-employed, the restorations of salary deductions will total $2,312.25….”  (Jan. 15, 1936, p.1)

“MORRIS PLAINS -- ....There are ten families of forty persons which will need relief in January at a cost of $220….”  (Jan. 15, 1936, p.1)

“DOVER – One-half the deductions that teachers have been taking in their salaries for the past few years will be restored in September, the Board of Education decided at its regular meeting last night.  The teachers have been receiving a ten per cent cut in their pay and the Board decided, on motion of Mrs. Stelle F. Totten, to give the teachers an additional five per cent to the salaries they have been getting in recent years and an additional amount placed in the budget….”  (Jan. 15, 1936, p.1)

“Acting on Federal orders, the local district WPA office today consolidated ten departments into five newly titled divisions and discharged three of its administrative staff of 61 persons….” [The article goes on to detail the new divisions and their heads.]  (Jan. 16, 1936, p.1)

“Washington. – America had one man whose net income was somewhere between $6,000,000 and $9,000,000 in 1934, Treasury department figures disclose.  The identity of the country’s wealthiest man in 1934 was a closely guarded secret, as were the names of the other 31 persons who were shown by a previous treasury report to have had incomes in excess of $1,000,000 during 1934.  In its attempt to screen the richest man’s identity the treasury reported only that his income was “over” $5,000,000 and it tried to cloak him further by lumping figures on his income and taxes with those of five other wealthy persons.  The “average” man who filed an income tax return on his 1934 income had net taxable earnings of $3,123, compared with an average of $2,963 for 1933….Of the 3,988,269 returns filed up to August 31, 1935, however, 2,237,426 showed net incomes so small they were not taxable.  All of the federal income tax on individuals, amounting to $506,000,000, was paid by the remaining 1,750,943 persons filing returns.  They paid an average tax of $126, or 4 per cent of their net income….To conceal the identity of the two men at the top of the income scale the treasury lumped figures on their incomes and taxes with those for the four persons having incomes between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000.  These six incomes combined totaled $18,035,802….Out of their combined incomes of $18,000,000 these six persons paid $10,355,449, or 57.4 per cent, to the federal government as income taxes.”  (Jan. 16, 1936, p.9)

“….When the old Morris County Children’s Home at Parsippany was discontinued in 1927, the home became an agency to locate foster homes for unfortunate children….Most of the cost of conducting the home is borne by the Board of Freeholders.  In 1935, the average expense per week per child for all services was $5.36.  Of this amount, the county paid $4.90, represented by the annual appropriation of $70,000.  During the last half of 1935, the Freeholders were repaid almost half the appropriation by the State ERA, but this subsidy, it is thought, will not be permanent.  The difference between the figures of $4.90 and $5.36 is financed through incomes from endowments, chapter donations of both money and clothing, individual gifts, the Christmas fund, and board received from some parents….”  (Jan. 17, 1936, p.2)

“Since the establishment of the Mutual Hospitalization Plan on July 16, over 1,600 citizens of Morris County have availed themselves of the protection afforded its members against hospital bills.  Already over 35 members have had need for hospitalization, their hospital bill some cases amounting to over $80, such amounts being completely taken care of by the plan.  Members of the plan have had hospital care in All Souls Hospital here, the Baby Hospital in Newark, Presbyterian Hospital in New York, as well as the Morristown Memorial Hospital, at which hospital the plan was established for the benefit of the entire county….Each person joining the plan is entitled to 21 days semi-private care at the three legally incorporated non-profit hospitals in Morris County, namely:  All Souls’ Hospital, Dover General Hospital, or the Morristown Memorial Hospital—or for that matter in any other legally incorporated nonprofit hospital in the United States or Canada.  Hospitalization, of course, dos not include the medical or surgical services of a doctor, but does provide in addition to bed and board, the following services:  Ambulance, operating room, delivery room, anesthesia (apparatus and materials used, but not the fee of the doctor administering the anesthetic), laboratory examinations, X-ray examinations, floor nursing, ordinary medications and dressings, during the twenty-one day period of hospitalization.  If a member of the hospitalization plan, however, still needs hospital care at the end of three weeks, an allowance of 25 per cent toward the bill will be made at the Morristown Memorial Hospital or $1.50 per day at any other legally incorporated non-profit hospital for seven additional weeks.  The Mutual Hospitalization Plan has five classifications:  individuals, regardless of employment status; husband and wife with dependents other than children; husband and wife with dependent children; one parent and children; and father, housekeeper and children.  The rates for these various classifications range from a minimum of 85 cents a month to $2 a month.  The dues may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or for the entire year….Anyone under sixty-five years of age may join the plan: provided that he is in normal health at the time of joining and knows of no reasons why he should have need of hospitalization at the time of application.  Upon joining, a person is protected at once, with the single exception embodied in the clause opening the plan to maternity cases, where no claims will be allowed until ten months enrollment of both husband and wife.  The plan as here operated is one of the few in the entire county to include maternity services during its first year of operation.   This entails no extra costs….”   (Jan. 17, 1936, p.9)

“….Approval was given to a sewing project to employ 10 to 20 women for which it was said the WPA allotment was $24,960 and towns’ $560 but the Town [Morristown] had no actual cash outlay as it represented rent for a room already secured and minor items like a fire extinguisher….”  (Jan. 18, 1936, p.1)

“William B. Duryee, chairman of the New Jersey milk control board, noted that whereas New Jersey farmers benefitted only to the extent of $150,000 from the AAA, the state was forced to pay some $21,000,000 in higher prices as its contribution to agricultural relief….

But the milk board chairman doesn’t tell the whole story….it is our guess that the state received more than the $21,000,000 in indirect benefits resulting from the better business resulting from the revival of the farm market by the AAA….”  (editorial from the Asbury Park Press, published Jan. 20, 1936, p.4 in The Daily Record)

“When fear rides his shoulders, no man wastes much time picking the road down which he will run.  That explains why the hard rock men of Gauley Bridge, W. Va., took the jobs in that mountain tunnel in spite of the fact that they knew a painful, long-drawn-out death was waiting for them in its remote corridors.  Fear?  The commonest fear in the world these days:  fear of unemployment, of hunger, of family suffering.  That fear is merciless and inexorable….This Gauley Bridge story is a ghastly thing, any way you look at it….

It can be argued, of course, that these West Virginia workers were not compelled to take jobs in that tunnel.  This is a free country; they enjoyed the constitutional freedom of contract; if they were afraid of silicosis, why didn’t they stay away from that dust-filled hole in the mountain?  And it is that argument which shows how terrible the worker’s fear can be.  For the man who is looking for a job in time of economic depression is not a free agent.  As far as he is concerned, his country is not a free country.  The force which drives him compels him to take the first job he sees—any job at all, no matter how poorly paid or onerous or downright dangerous it may be, so long as it has a pay check attached to it.  That is why a contractor can ignore safety precautions.  That is why greed can inflict lingering death on a community of workers.  That is why some authority, be it state or federal, must step in, at times, to see that men are protected against the risks of certain types of employment….”  (editorial, Jan. 20, 1936)

“TRENTON, (AP) – New Jersey’s Republican-dominated Legislature had before it today the pleas of its Governor and a commission to turn thumbs down on the Federal Unemployment Insurance plan of the national administration.  The commission branded the proposal as “unsound” and expressed “grave doubt as to its constitutionality” while Hoffman—at one time mentioned as a possibility for his party’s national ticket—said it was neither “in the interests of the consumer nor the beneficiaries themselves.”…The majority and minority reports agreed that the State should conform to the Federal program for aid to dependent children, and crippled children, the blind and in part to the program of public health, maternal and child health….The majority report, made after a six-month study, recommended:  Reduction of the age limit for old-age assistance from 70 to 65 years.  Reduction of State residence qualification from 15 to 5 years.  Dependent child care under supervision of the state with federal funds approximating one-third of the cost.  Authorization of the State Crippled Children’s Commission to accept federal funds….In his address, which was broadcast, the Governor questioned the practicality of the system of reserves to be set up under the federal proposal and the constitutionality of the unemployment section which provides for a tax on payrolls….The Governor said it was estimated that, under the proposed plan, reserves for old age assistance and unemployment insurance would reach $45,000,000,000 by 1980.  “We are amply justified in suspecting that this procedure required under federal statute offers a convenient method for obtaining surreptitiously from the people themselves the necessary funds for an increased socialization of industry,” he said.  “If this is not one of the purposes of the act, at least the fund offers a most convenient mechanism for the purpose of financing government deficits.  In effect, if it may be used for this purpose, it may be termed a ‘forced loan.” 

…He further held that the program would encourage idleness and disregard of reward for ability and industry of the individual.”  (Jan. 21, 1936, p. 1 and 5)

“The annual meeting of the Central Bureau of Social Service and the Morris County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children was held Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Henry J. Smith, Normandie Park….The Central Bureau assisted 978 families.  Relief was given to families where the wage earner was employed in private industry and was not earning sufficient to care for his family.  The kinds of relief were given which could not be furnished by a public agency, such as glasses, false teeth, surgical supports and braces, insulin, gland medicine, special diets, paying a visiting housekeeper while a mother was ill, and board for children needing temporary care.  Many families came to the Bureau for advice and service who did not ask for relief.  Two hundred and seventeen families were reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.  There were 587 children in these families.  Seven cases were taken to Court where the neglect and abuse was very serious.  Immorality, drunkenness, truancy, neglect, illegitimacy, and indecent home surroundings were found in these families….”  (Jan. 21, 1936, p.6)

“WASHINGTON, (AP) – Immediate payment of the soldiers bonus was voted today by Congress….with its ultimate $2,491,000,000 costs….It provides for payment of adjusted service certificates of 3,500,000 World War veterans in $50 bonds, starting June 15.  Veterans preferring to hold the certificates would draw 3 per cent annually from June 15, 1937 to June 15, 1945….A group of influential legislators was considering the advisability of suggesting that President Roosevelt do nothing about the bill for ten days.  At the end of that period the bill automatically would become law….”  (Jan. 22, 1936, p.1)

“BOONTON – Increasing its budget by $10,000 for the coming year the Board of Education at a meeting last night restored teacher’s salary cuts by 50 per cent….Wooten objected to the restoration on the ground that the problem of tax collections in the coming year is uncertain.  He said too, that the pick-up in collections last year was under pressure with people paying on borrowed money, a situation which makes it “economically unsound” to figure…further increase in collections this year….”  (Jan. 22, 1936, p.1) “With James V. Loughlin, president of the Morris County Taxpayers’ Association, the only objector from the floor and Freeholder John Roach continuing his opposition on certain counts, the 1936 budget was adopted by the Board of Freeholders yesterday afternoon, four to one.  It represents a cut of $131,000 in the amount to be raised by taxes from last year.   Loughlin, a chronic kicker for the past few years, made in general the same objections yesterday as he did in previous budget hearings, and he was ably answered by Auditor John W. Wehman; Mrs. Thomas W. Streeter of the County Welfare Boad, Director Stephen C. Griffith and Finance Committee Chairman A. S. Kirkpatrick.  The Dover man started first about the surplus revenue.  Last year he had argued that the $77,000 surplus be included in the budget….Roach said that the surplus revenue came mainly through new laws in Trenton that gave additional money, with $82,000 mainly from the sales tax that had not been anticipated….at the end of the year there were transfers on nearly every appropriation.  There shouldn’t be except for an emergency like relief.  Every department must stay in its budget, he declared.  Salaries were all out of proportion, they must reorganize the government and establish a purchasing system.  Insurance, he held to be excessive and there should be a return premium on liability insurance….He felt that the committees should break down the entire budget for it didn’t mean much now to the average human being….“You know as well as I do you’re just talking for effect,” said Kirkpatrick….“I am talking for effect and I hope it will be effective,” declared Roach….For three or four years Loughlin has come before the Board protesting but there was conspicuously absent the large taxpayers, said Griffith….There were many large taxpayers affiliated with his association, said Loughlin, but they did not wish to be identified and were afraid they might be discriminated against and driven from the county….Loughlin said he wasn’t against any real charity….Loughlin said he offered to do the work of the clerk, treasurer and bridge inspector for the treasurer’s salary ….”  (Jan. 23, 1936, p. 1 & 5)

“ANNUAL REPORTS GIVEN OF LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS [for 1935]….Morris County Tuberculosis Association….we still face the fact that tuberculosis causes more deaths between the ages of 15 and 25 years than any other disease.  We are ever mindful of the fact that every case of tuberculosis comes from another and our slogan is “Find the Other Case.”…Five thousand, five hundred and 32 visits have been made to 826 families reported by physicians, clinics, workers and other agencies in the community….We were allowed $9,000 by the Board of Freeholders for the care of contact children at the Preventorium at Farmingdale….Since we have not used the full amount…we have requested that the appropriation for 1936 be reduced by $1,000.  We have had 46 patients admitted to the County Sanatorium and a waiting list has averaged from 6 to 12….Following an intensive educational campaign under the direction of Dr. Harry A. Wann, supervising principal of Madison Schools and the Faculty Health Council, 70 percent of the parents gave consent to the tuberculin test to be given and X-rays taken….

36.4 percent of those tested reacted positively….Four large health rallies have been held in the local public schools and many meetings were held during the first week of April for the observance of National Negro Health Week—as part of our early diagnosis campaign….

At present six nurses, under the WPA, carry on a school health service in seven districts of the county previously having no nurse….It has been demonstrated that schools having a nursing service show better health records than those having none, and that this health service definitely saves the community money....A…health council to which the school physician is taking an active part was established in Randolph Township this fall.  This council is looked upon with much interest since it is the first rural one in the United States.

….To my board members, my own regular staff and the WPA staff, who are aware that we have been through one of the most trying years of our existence, I wish to say thank you

….Anna L. Ketch, Executive Secretary…………The annual report of the Visiting Nurse Association of Morristown….A 10 percent cut in our budget has necessitated the strictest economy in all phases of our work.  The colored nurse, under an ERA project up until November 19, made 1,578 visits to 212 families, not alone for bedside care of the sick, but also for instructing many colored families in the elements of personal hygiene and cleanliness.  Since the ERA project was not transferred to WPA, and we felt it very necessary that this important health work among the colored people be continued, Miss Downey was temporarily appointed, On November 20, as part-time worker on our staff…..”  (Jan. 23, 1936, p.3)

“Daniel C. Roper, Uncle Sam’s secretary of Commerce…announced that we are all gradually getting richer.  Mr. Roper had the figures to prove it, too.  Factory employment has gone up by such and such a percentage, factory payrolls by some other percentage, retail sales by still a third percentage, and so on….But before we get calluses on our shoulder blades from patting ourselves on the back over all this, it might be sound for us to sit down and figure out just what we are going to do with all this money—if, as, and when we get it….Are we, for instance, in our great cities, going to spend millions of dollars building skyscrapers we really could get along without, while we permit thousands upon thousands of our people to swelter in slums?  Are we going to go back to the old fever of land speculation, for another instance, so that we go squirrelly over building lots in some seaside subdivision while we permit erosion and bad farming practices to ruin some of the most fertile farmland on the globe?  Are we going to revive the good old custom of building up our foreign trade by loaning money to the foreign customers, always increasing the loans just a little bit faster than the trade increases, so that in the end both they and we go broke?  Are we going to get our feet all tangled up once more in the kind of high-pressure installment selling by which an honest white collar man is induced to mortgage his income for two years ahead to buy things he could really get along without?  Are we going to go speculation-crazy again, so that we ask of any industrial concern, not what it produces or what its balance sheet looks like or how its dividends are running, but what the current quotation may be on its common stock, and who has been buying it lately, please?....it is probably that the answer to all of them is “Yes—to a certain extent, anyhow.”….we did all those things the last time we had prosperity— and look what happened to us.  Do we want it to happen again?”  (editorial, Jan. 24, 1936)

“The Dover-Rockaway-Wharton industrial area suffers much more acutely from unemployment and relief problems than any other section of the County, the fourth annual report of the State Emergency Relief Administration shows….During the period named, every municipality in the general Dover area expended at least $8 per capita for relief, a figure considered to indicate a critical condition among the jobless.  Denville, Jefferson, Mine Hill, Mount Olive, Randolph, Rockaway and Roxbury Townships, all looking to Dover, Rockaway and Wharton factories for employment, spent more than $8 per capita.  In the same classification are Dover Town, and Netcong, Rockaway, and Wharton Boroughs.  Outside the area, only Morristown Town needed more than $8 a person.  Unemployment was at its worst in four large rural townships outlying Dover, the ERA indicates.  They are Jefferson, Mount Olive, Rockaway and Roxbury.   Jefferson, the high point of the County, expended only 11 cents short of $15 per capita for relief during the twelve-month period.  Mount Olive and Rockaway each exceeded $14, and Roxbury spent more than $13.  Only six incorporated places spent less than $2 per capita, the report states.  They are Butler, Chatham, Chester, Florham Park and Mountain Lakes Boroughs, and Washington Township, all so widely scattered it is impossible to name a common factor that kept their totals of jobless towns, $1.03 per capita for relief, the lowest rate in the County, and only one-fourteenth of the Jefferson Township rate.  Chatham Borough took second honors with $1.08.  Independence of Chatham, Florham Park and Mountain Lakes from the unemployment scourge indicates a high percentage of white collar workers who never lost jobs.  Butler, a truly industrial center, maintained morale because its factories were producing types of goods demanded even in depression years, Chester and Washington are distinctly rural and little affected by industrial crisis….All communities not yet named showed normal relief situations having expended between $2 and $8 per capita for relief.”  (Jan. 25, 1936, p. 1 & 7)

“Henry Ford…announces that if we can ever get up off the mourner’s bench and stop worrying about our troubles, we shall find that there is enough work waiting to be done to keep us busy from now on, if not longer….This sort of thing has been said before, of course, not infrequently by Mr. Ford himself.  But it can’t be said too often, because it points to the basic reason why we should be optimists even when we have a six-year depression as our immediate background….If it is possible anywhere on this planet for men to keep busy and to reap the rich fruits of their industry, it ought to be possible in America….We have all the things for which…countries are prepared to fight, and we have many more things that they couldn’t get even if they did fight for them.  It would take more folly and stupidity than we can be supposed to possess to keep us from recovering from this depression and going on to new heights that will make anything we have known before look small.”  (editorial, Jan. 25, 1936)

“TRENTON (AP) – Immediate need for relief funds today diverted the New Jersey Legislature from deliberate consideration of a financing plan for the entire year.  At the regular Monday afternoon conference with Republican legislative leaders, Governor Hoffman said he would ask that the Legislature provide $6,621,000 for February needs.  He has used emergency powers to divert other funds to relief since last November but did not propose to continue….Public sentiment began to crystallize upon the $27,000,000 relief financing plan of the State Budget Advisory Committee, endorsed in general by the economy bloc.  The farmers joined municipal and business interests in opposing the $12,000,000 highway fund diversion feature, while the State Taxpayers’ Association approved it.  A legislative battle…appeared inevitable….The governor endorsed a sales tax for relief, but the levy was repealed last October in response to public sentiment….” (Jan. 27, 1936, p.1)

“The annual report of the Board of Health, published last night, proves more convincingly than ever that the depression, for all its evils, has had a salutary effect upon public health.  We read that Morristown in 1935 had fewer deaths and fewer serious contagious cases than at any time in the past twenty-eight years.  It is odd that public health declines in periods of prosperity, but it is true….Morristown’s death and contagious figures for 1935 are not unique; throughout the nation besetting economic difficulties have resulted in sober stamina.  The Board of Health’s 1935 statistics in relation to deaths of persons under thirty years of age are particularly heartening….the progress of medicine is clear:  sanitary Morristown is some Elysian field compared with the plague-devastated towns of England, France, Germany and Italy only four hundred years ago.”  (editorial, Jan. 30, 1936)

“While New Jersey as a whole has suffered most crucially from heavy relief loads since 1930, Morris has been in that category of semi-rural counties which have been equal to surviving the depression without downright crucial periods of unemployment and dole allotments.  March of 1935 is generally conceded to have been the low point of economic activity and the time when relief loads throughout the nation were most unbearable.  Federal Relief Administrator Harry Hopkins declared then that over 20 millions, or one out of every six of the country’s population was receiving benefits of the dole.  New Jersey at the time had one of every 6.5 persons on relief, not far behind the national average.  In the same month, Morris County’s relief load of 12,042 persons, the highest from the beginning of the depression to date, meant that only one person out of every nine in the County was helped by dole monies.  The relative picture has not changed with the resumption of considerable business activity.  [The] Federal government estimated there were 12 millions on relief in December, 1935, or one of every ten individuals.  In that month, New Jersey had one in every eleven on the dole.  But this County had re-employed so many that only one of every 23 got relief in December….Expenses for all County relief totaled slightly over $736,000.  Food and milk were far and away the dominant items, for they cost 73.5 percent of the total figure.  Administration of relief and the salaries of administrators accounted for 11 percent.  Other costs were:  shelter or rent paid landlords, 3.7 percent, clothing 3.4 percent, fuel 2.8 percent, medical 2.2 percent, and miscellaneous 3.4 percent.  Another indication that Morris handled the relief crisis more ably than the State as a whole is apparent in the fact that the County municipalities financed 16 percent of the total expenditures of $736,000.  The remaining 84 percent was paid by State and Federal appropriations.  But municipalities throughout New Jersey were capable of bearing only 5 percent on the average, leaving the remaining 95 percent for State and Federal aid….

Contrary to general opinion, only 48 percent of all relief cases were unskilled laborers and farmhands.  All the rest were at least semi-skilled workers, and many were professional, technical, managerial, office, and sales employees before they lost their jobs.  The temporary nature of the Emergency Relief Administration is clarified in the State report’s concluding remarks.  “The ERA has been,” it says, “a tideover device, providing assistance during a period of change and stress, a device which can be liquidated when, by the restoration of a normal economy or by the establishment of a sound alternate program, need for it has passed.  New Jersey is searching for such an alternate program.  The Federal government adopted this year the Social Security Act, which aims at gradual elimination of a great part of the load now being carried by relief agencies, through evolution of old age benefits and also through a program of benefits for those who become unemployed through no fault of their own.”…. ”  (Feb. 1, 1936, p. 1 & 7) “

NEWARK, (AP) – Governor Hoffman today tossed to his economy bloc critics in the assembly a bitter condemnation of their $27,000,000 relief financing program, predicting it would be subject to compromise for political expediency.  Assailing the motives and sincerity of the Essex Clean Government Republican group, sponsor of the program, and their leader, Dr. Lester H. Clee, Essex Senator, the Governor, in a broadcast attack last night, predicted—“A hodge-podge” program of legislation would result, promoting neither economy or efficiency.  Resentful of the criticisms members of the Essex group made of his fiscal policies, Governor Hoffman defended his inaugural proposals to broaden the tax base by imposition of the sales, income and business levies to relieve the burdens of the real property owner.  He endorsed the sales tax last year to finance relief and charged in his address, that the Essex group, although favoring its repeal in response to popular sentiment, in secret conclave agreed that it was needed.  The governor directed his caustic assault specifically at Dr. Clee, a Newark clergyman and a possible Republican Gubernatorial candidate next year.  “The Senator said that opposition to his program,” the governor recited, “came only from special interests, selfish groups and those who occupy the office of spenders.  “He declared that a bill had been presented in the Senate to the chief executive to relinquish his executive power and to sidestep responsibility.  “ I propose to tell the people of New Jersey just what groups it is that is actually sidestepping responsibility and I want to discuss diversions, deals and deficits.  “I am impelled to do this because I do not agree with the Senator from Essex County that he and his supporters alone represent the average taxpayer.  I do not agree with him as to the character of his opposition, and I am convinced that under the RP programme sponsors, the average tax payer and home owner in the State would be a forgotten man.”  The governor has provided for relief costs from any available funds in the state treasury since last November when the sales tax was repealed.  Efforts were being made in the Senate, controlled by Republican administration supporters, to repeal the law conferring this authority…. “My opponents,” said Governor Hoffman, “today would represent me as the exponent of extravagance simply because I disagree with their particular formula and because I hold that it is based on expediency rather than upon principle….”A program has been presented which, on the basis of wishful thinking, is expected to produce $27,000,000.  “I realize that I will be called an obstructionist, as I say this, but let me tell you very sincerely that it will do nothing of the kind….”  ”  (Feb. 3, 1936, p.1)

“TRENTON, (AP) – Defeat of a bill to “freeze” State highway funds foreshadowed tonight the scrapping of the economy bloc’s $27,000,000 relief financing program.  The measure…was defeated in the Assembly by a vote of 28 to 28….Senator Lester H. Clee of Essex, member of the advisory committee and leader of the economy bloc, said as the “freeze” bill was being voted upon that with its defeat “we might as well throw out this (indicating a printed copy of the $27,000,000 program).  “If the Legislature won’t let us stop highway spending,” he said, “there’s no use trying to put over other bills of the program.  Let the others (opponents) put in their bill for financing relief.”  The opponents were mainly administration supporters, who found arguments for their stand in a statement placed by Governor Hoffman on the desk of each legislator.  The governor said that instead of freeing millions, to be made available for relief, the maximum amount available for relief purposes under the bill would be $965,000.  He said passage of the bill would necessitate stopping a construction program providing work for 4,005 heads of families for one year.  Criticism of the governor came immediately from the bill’s sponsor, Henry Young, Jr., of Essex….Young charged the governor had broken his inaugural pledge to put the highway department on a maintenance basis, saying “he seeks to save for the gods of concrete the funds that he believes to be theirs.”….”  (Feb. 4, 1936, p.1)

“Denville was treated rather undeservedly in an editorial appearing in the Rockaway Record last week.  The writer aggravated a financial wound which the self-styled “Hub of Morris County” alone can heal.  Rockaway’s paper observed that the borough “is being operated on a system of good management” because of the “fact that no cause for a lecture on finances from Auditor John Wehman was necessary, as it was to the officials of a neighboring municipality.” Obviously, reference was to Denville, where Wehman explained the peculiarities of cash basis finance, under which the Hub is obliged to operate.  The cash basis is in truth a constricting financial set-up that demands appropriations in any given year to be made in rigid accordance with the percentage of taxes actually collected in the previous year.  And Denville’s 1935 collection totaled only 56 percent.  Further, the County’s hub is in the throes of an impending tax-sale of considerable proportions.  Some threatened properties are owned by prominent citizens of the township.  It is no wonder Mr. Wehman was on the mat at Denville’s budget meeting to give the committeemen a “lecture on finances,” and it is no surprise that Rockaway’s editor should publish jibes at a rival neighboring town.  However, the difference between the two communities is very apparent:  Denville is a young, struggling, problem-ridden place whose finance is gummed up at present by water indebtedness, a necessary phase in the development of an expanding locality.  Rockaway, on the other hand, is an aged community without the unusual expenses of adolescent growth.  Therein lies the gulf between Denville’s embarrassing and Rockaway’s assured position.”  (editorial, Feb. 4, 1936)

“It is a little hard to look at the most enormous peace-time deficit in America’s history and find reason therein slapping one’s self on the back.  Nevertheless, the trick can be done…. First, consider the circumstances.  The treasury today is substantially more than $30,000,000,000 in the red.  The new bonus bill will put it farther behind by something approaching $2,500,000,000….A new relief bill will be necessary before the year is over, and that may add another billion….it seems as certain as anything…that our debt will run beyond $35,000,000,000 before the year is over….nobody seems to know from where…the money needed to pay for it is coming….But…it is worth recalling that a democracy is the one and only kind of government that can suffer a strain such as this…Without being forced to find a cure worse than the disease.  It is common knowledge that dictatorships almost invariably are warlike, but we seldom bother to figure out just why that is so.  The answer seems to be that dictators have to be warlike to take their constituents’ minds off their domestic troubles….And that brings us back to our original point.  Living under a democracy, we at least know that our tremendous debt won’t do that to us.  It may bring us plenty of grief, but it won’t shove us over the cliff into complete disaster.  Our soldiers won’t have to go overseas to fight to save some all-wise duce or fuehrer from the necessity of admitting that he made a mistake.”  (editorial, Feb. 5, 1936)

“WASHINGTON, (AP) – The Works Progress Administration advised Senator W. Warren Barbour, N.J. Rep., today that applications from Morristown, N.J., for allocations for the proposed Speedwell dam and Speedwell Lake bottom construction projects had been approved here and treasury warrants signed for release of the money….The two Speedwell Lake projects would cost $49,614, of which $43,429 would be financed Federally and $6,185 by the town of Morristown.  One job stipulates the construction of a completely new concrete dam above the Whippany River bed, and it would mean virtual recreation of the once beautiful Speedwell Lake.  As a regular unit in the towns’ park system, the lake would be a center for general recreation.  Town Clerk Nelson Butera pointed out this morning the body of water could be used as another swimming place similar to the one at Burnham Park.  Boating and fishing would also be allowed on Speedwell Lake, he predicted.  According to the terms of the projects approved by Washington today, remains of the former stone dam would be removed.  The submerged shores and channel slopes would be riprapped, the shore roadway would be regarded, the Whippany River channel would be widened, and vegetation and stumps on the bottom would be removed.  Butera suggested today the improvement of Speedwell Lake be followed by application for another WPA project to rejuvenate Pocahontas Lake.  He indicated the job would fall within the scope of the Works Progress Administration, since the principal expenditure at Pocahontas would be for labor rather than materials.  Swimming, boating, and fishing would be possible there after complete cleaning out of vegetation and some grading and trimming, he said.  Speedwell and Pocahontas Lakes at present constitute town eyesores for travelers coming in from the West both on Lackawanna trains and in cars along Speedwell avenue, he observed.”  (Feb. 6, 1936, p.1)

“DENVILLE – A 1936 budget totaling $287,405.40 was passed on first reading by the township committee last night.  The total is comprised of $170,357.14, the amount to be raised by taxation for all purposes, added to $117,048.26, the amount of anticipated revenues….Last year the amount to be raised by taxation for all purposes was $178,687.45, higher by $8,330.31 than the coming fiscal year….”  (Feb. 6, 1936, p.1)

“MILLINGTON – Edward Osborne, custodian of school funds, last evening turned over to the Passaic Township Board of Education a report showing receipt of $25,631.25 from the Public Works Administration as its grant on the two new four-room school houses in Gillette and Millington which cost $95,000 and were completed in June.  Mr. Osborne said that as a result of the payment of the grant $3,000 worth of bonds had been cancelled in each of the following years:  1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1957, 1958 and 1959.  This leaves no bonds due until 1939.  Interest of about $4,000 was also paid.  David Barkman, counsel for the Board, in its negotiations with PWA submitted a bill of $69.11 for costs in closing the grant.  This bill was ordered paid….”  (Feb. 6, 1936, p.1)

“….advising against adoption by New Jersey of any unemployment insurance program….

Two principal objections are advanced by the Governor, in addition to doubts as to the constitutionality of unemployment compensation under…the Constitution….First:  The millions of dollars to be collected in payroll taxes to establish a reserve against unemployment crises will not be secure nor available when needed.  If they are invested in private enterprise they will be subject to the same vicissitudes of investment to which they were already subject before the government taxed them back against bond and mortgage.  If the reserve fund is invested in government bonds…the monies will be no more available than warranted by the price prevailing in the market for government bonds at the time when the reserve is called upon—unless it is proposed by further inflation to issue printing press money with government bonds as the only underpinning.  Second:….this enormous fund would provide a constant invitation to the federal government to maintain increasing deficits and national debt in order that the funds might be invested in government bonds….the Governor has political aspirations; but in view of the tremendous popular appeal which the mere idea of social security has whenever it is mentioned, it must be thought that Governor Hoffman in attacking the unemployment insurance features of a social security program, feels it a duty to run the risk of unpopularity….”  (editorial from the Jersey Journal, published in the Daily Record Feb. 6, 1936, p.4)

“A state-wide conference on “Consumer Cooperatives”, under the auspices of the Living Costs Committee of the New Jersey League of Women Voters will be held here at the Women’s Community Club on Friday, February 14, from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.  “History and Purpose of Consumer Cooperatives” will be discussed by E.R. Brown, secretary of the Cooperative League, and “Consumer Cooperatives in America and Methods of Consumer Organizations” will be the topic of a talk by E.J. Lever, president of the Cooperative Distributors….Mary Arnold of the Consumers’ Cooperative Services, will discuss “The Story of a Cooperative Venture in New York City.”  “Cooperative Credit Unions” is the topic of the talk to be given by Dora Maxwell, Field Secretary of Credit Union National Association….”  (Feb. 6, 1936, p.6)

“If you could look down the road far enough, you would probably get a glimpse of the banners of an army of pensioners, advancing on the citadel of Uncle Sam’s treasury.  The bonus is a closed issue now.  It has been signed and sealed, and awaits only its delivery….

That would seem to make pensions the logical next step….Now it would be very foolish to see in all this nothing more than an outburst of greed on the part of ex-service men.  Pensions for ex-soldiers are an old tradition, in this country….The World War boys are simply following in the footsteps of the Civil War veterans, the Mexican War veterans, the veterans of the Indian wars, and all the rest….this sort of thing is nothing more or less than one of the hidden but inescapable costs of war.  The administration at Washington estimates that the American government, to date, has spent $7,800,000,000 on its World War veterans.  The new bonus will add substantially more than $2,000,000,000 to that.  And if pensions ever come, the figures will become astronomical….The time to have worried about all this expense was in the spring of 1917, when our participation in the World War was still ahead of us….if we don’t like it, there is one foolproof way to avoid it; by staying out of war.”  (editorial, Feb. 8, 1936)

“….The ordinary citizen—the ultimate consumer, the good old taxpayer, the man who buys what the farmer raises and the industrialist manufactures, and who kicks through with the taxes that keep the country going—has one function above all others.  That is to get it in the neck.  He is the originator of the grin-and-bear-it phrase….who ever heard of giving a sucker an even break?...The one person who can never conceivably get any help out of his government is this same consumer and taxpayer….”  (editorial, Feb. 8, 1936)

“New home construction in New Jersey under the Federal Housing Administration single mortgage system is expected to take a substantial spurt in spring, far exceeding the FHA  building activities of 1935….”We have already made commitments for insurance on more than 125 mortgage loans for new home construction to be started in spring,” declared Mr. Underwood….”We also have close to 500 new homes which are now in various stages of construction, which are a carry-over from the 1935 season….Most of these new homes are located in North Jersey in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Essex, Union, Somerset and Middlesex counties.  South Jersey will be in the swim by spring, as sixteen commitments for a group of new homes in Camden were recently issued by our office.”  It is expected also by New Jersey FHA officials that the average cost of a home built in 1936 under the FHA plans will be higher than in 1935.  This is to meet a demand for better construction, and it is estimated that the price will show an increase of about $1,000 per house.  The single family house will predominate as it does at present….Figures compiled this week by the Federal Housing Administration of New Jersey show that the mortgages accepted for appraisal at the state FHA offices in Newark total 5,264 for $26,540,307.  Of this new construction accounted for 1,859, for $10,163,234, while for refinancing of existing mortgages there were 3,405 applications totaling $16,372,133.  Commitments for FHA insurance were made on 3,737 cases for $19,186,952 at the Jersey office.  A break-down in these showed 1,491 totalling $8,121,491 for new construction and 2,246 for $11,065,461 for refunding of existing mortgages.  The average loan was $5,500….”  (Feb. 8, 1936, p.12)

“TRENTON, (AP)—New Jersey Labor has its own plan for unemployment insurance.  The State Federation of Labor in a measure introduced by Senator Edward P. Stout, Hudson County Democrat, would parallel provisions of the Social Security Act—with smaller assessments against labor and industry.  The bill proposes a system confined to New Jersey.  Employers would be taxed less than one per cent of their payrolls the first year, increasing to a peak of three per cent in 1940.  Employees would pay half of one per cent increasing to two per cent.  After 1938 workmen losing jobs would draw half-pay not to exceed $15 weekly….Senator John C. Barbour of Passaic introduced a series of bills to bring the State Old Age Pension and Child Welfare laws within the provisions of the Federal Social Security law.  The old age limit would be reduced from 70 to 65.  Governor Hoffman has opposed the unemployment insurance title of the Federal Act as tending to socialize industry….”  (Feb. 11, 1936, p.1)

“MENDHAM – Mayor W. W. Cordingly reported at the Borough Council meeting last night that for the month of January, the Borough had given relief to 8 families whose incomes were insufficient for their needs and there was only one family entirely dependent on relief.  The amount expended for last month was $57.32.  Mr. Cordingly anticipated an increase in relief demands for this month.  C. Madison Day, president of the Board of Education, appeared before the Council to ask it to make application, as had been done in other communities…to provide dental service for school children whose parents were unable to finance this work.  Heretofore, relief funds were available for this, and school children, upon recommendation of the school nurse, were cared for.  The WPA is not at this time taking care of this need.  The Mayor told Mr. Day that the matter would be investigated and a resolution passed…provided such application does not involve expenditure of Borough money….”  (Feb. 11, 1936, p.1)

“DOVER -- ….The Board approved an item of $555 of the ERA for relief here during the month of January….Mayor Roach publicly praised Lt. Com. Samuel Chiles, Director of the ERA here and Alderman Williard Parker who is working with Mr. Chiles.  “The WPA projects started here have helped the financial condition of Dover.  Many communities who failed to take advantage of the WPA are now feeling the effects of not doing so,” stated the Mayor….”  (Feb. 11, 1936, p.1)

“The First National Bank, with a total of 66 loans, leads the field of financial institutions of Morristown in the number of home mortgages placed under the single mortgage system of the Federal Housing Administration.  The National Iron Bank, also of Morristown, has completed two loans submitted for insurance.  In accordance with the FHA plan, any home owner or prospective home owner may borrow up to 80 percent of the appraised value of the property he wishes to construct or refinance, provided the amount does not exceed $16,000.  The money is furnished by the mortgagee and insured by the government…. Each installment carries besides interest and amortization of the principal, a small service charge to the lending institution, government insurance, 1-12 the annual taxes and 1-12 annual fire insurance.”  (Feb. 13, 1936, p.1)

Daily Washington Letter, by Rodney Dutcher, Feb. 13, 1936, p.4:  “….If the NRA had gone on unmolested, one thing you’d know by this time would be the amount of canned dog food consumed by human beings in this country….An effort was made, chiefly by the Breeders’ and Veterinarians’ League, to clean up dog food standards.  One of the arguments was that people ate a lot of the stuff, made up of things the packing houses don’t know what else to do with and in many cases unfit even for dogs.  “Your attention is called,” wrote the league, “to the large amounts of canned dog food sold in areas heavily populated by white people of southern European and Mexican extraction and also in the colored sections of large cities—areas where a dog would be a luxury.”  NRA also heard of dog food salesmen who would open up cans in front of prospective buyers and eat therefrom, just to show how good the stuff was.”  

“Annual Report Morris County Welfare Board….At the beginning of 1935, we added one new investigator to our staff, but we also assumed definitely, the work of investigating the cases committed to State and County Institutions.  This has consumed the entire time of this one new worker and has not helped us to meet the increased appeals for assistance.  If it had not been for a special project underwritten by the E.R.A. that gave us two investigators and six clerical workers who worked twenty-four hours per week, we should have been completely swamped.  The total cost to E.R.A. of their salaries has been $4,117.00 and we wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for their aid.  The W.P.A. has just renewed this project from January 27^th to March 15^th.  If this help should be withdrawn on the above date, we would be faced by a serious situation….The increase in the new applications and grants has been steady during the past three years….It is probably due to two factors:  First, that the families of these applicants are no longer able to care for their aged dependents as they have been in former years; second, an awakened consciousness of the existence of this type of relief due to publicity given the Social Security Act and the Townsend Plan….During December…we began to supplement the wages of W.P.A. workers who could not meet the minimum needs of their families on the very low WPA wages of $11.00 a week, or who had not been paid for three weeks or more.  Up to December 31, there were 22 cases of this type.  By January 31, this has increased to 125….The population at the Welfare House remains the same from year to year, varying from 90 to 100 with approximately 75% of the inmates men and 25% women.  More and more, we are being asked to care for the chronically ill who need some nursing care but cannot be handled in the general hospitals.  With no increase in the number on the payroll nor in the total expense, we have made changes in the personnel that have enabled us to give better physical care to these patients.  On the recommendation of the Department of Institutions & Agencies, we are requesting a night nurse for the coming year, as those who are on duty all day cannot be expected to handle emergencies that arise in the night as well….The total cost for the year has been $24,654.75.  The number of patient days was 35,040.  The average cost per patient was $21.41 per month….

We are indebted as always to the various individuals and organizations too numerous to mention here who have given freely of their time and talents to entertain our patients throughout the year.  Especial thanks are due to the E.R.A. orchestra which has played on many occasions….”  (Feb. 14, 1936, p.11)

“Congress these days seems to be wearing that expression of outraged surprise peculiar to a man who, having bought a nice new $5000 automobile, discovers suddenly that he is going to have to pay for it….And now, as the air fills with rumors that the administration is going to bring in a new tax bill, the congressmen are acting as if someone had played a mean trick on them.  To anyone but a politician, the absolute necessity of levying some new taxes at this session must appear inescapable.  There is, first of all, the bonus, which is going to run to approximately two and one-quarter billions.  Something like $300,000,000 is needed to pay off obligations incurred under the defunct AAA….there almost certainly will be a new relief bill before the session ends.  Facing these unavoidable new expenditures, and faced also by a national debt of more than $30,000,000,000, Congress might reasonably have been expected to do a little worrying about where the money was coming from.  But this is a campaign year, and while a congressman does not mind facing the voters with a great spending record for which he must account, he hates like grim death the idea of going before them as a collector.  It is very questionable, however, whether the electorate as a whole is quite as stupid as the congressmen seem to believe.  The electorate may have its dull moments, but does at least understand that income, in the long run, has to equal outgo….Rodney Dutcher, Washington correspondent for NEA Service, reports that the administration is going to ask Congress to levy about a billion dollars in new taxes this year….A Congress which is in a fair way to boost expenditures by three billions ought, surely, to be willing to find a way to collect at least one….Why, then should Congress act so pained about it?....the sooner everyone learns that you can’t spend public money without collecting it from John Citizen, the better off all of us will be.”  (editorial, Feb. 15, 1936)

“Betty is only one little girl who’s [sic] Dad isn’t earning enough to buy warm underwear and shoes.  There are many other children in Morris County who might make the same appeal.  Betty’s father only earns enough to pay the rent and buy food.  He has nothing extra for clothing for either himself or his children.  The Clothing Room of the Central Bureau of Social Service needs replenishing as the Bureau is cooperating with the Morris County Welfare Board in furnishing second hand clothing to men on W.P.A. jobs.  There is great need for men’s clothing—trousers, underwear, wool socks, sweaters, shirts and shoes; also shoes and underwear for children.  Please, Mr. Head of the House, look in your closet and find that favorite old suit or pair of shoes you’ve been hiding away.  How about that suit of woolen underwear you discarded and your wife has put away in moth balls?  And how about the underwear or rubbers or shoes that your little Betty has outgrown?  The Central Bureau of Social Service Room 327, Park Square Building—Telephone Morristown 4-0233—will call for clothing if you cannot deliver it….”  (Feb. 17, 1936, p.2)

“TRENTON, (AP)--….Majority and minority leaders planned to confer with Governor Hoffman Friday, a quiet movement to compose Assembly differences on financing was begun and investigations of the relief administration and of inheritance tax cases which might provide funds were proposed….The Governor last night charged the Legislature with “failing miserably” to solve the financing problem and singled out the economy bloc plan for attack.  He termed “hokum” the bloc’s first bill to stop highway building until decision was made whether to divert construction money to relief.  He contended that not millions, as supposed, but only $965,000 was available….“The Legislature is still walking out and trying to leave the burden on my shoulders,” said the Governor in an interview.  “That ends this month, because $2,000,000 will not carry the relief load.”….In the House, where the economy bloc has failed twice to align sufficient votes for the first bill of its program, a quiet movement toward compromise was started….Senator Clifford R. Powell, Burlington Republican, introduced a resolution demanding a general Legislative investigation of state relief administration in an effort to determine the advisability of restoring supervision to municipalities….”  (Feb. 18, 1936, p.1)

“Thirty-five women worked today on the WPA Housekeepers’ Service Project in Morris County, Katherine M. Donaldson, District Supervisor of Women’s and Professional Division reported to William H. J. Ely, State WPA Administrator.  This is the first WPA service of its kind to get under way in New Jersey.  The program is designed to give free home assistance in housework and caring for children in homes of needy persons in which ill health or other factors incapacitate housewives.  The project entails an expenditure of $70,343 of which federal funds total $70,124 and the Freeholders’ $219.  One hundred and twenty housekeepers will be employed when the project is in full operation.  A supervisor, a trained nurse, and three assistants are directing the work of the women now in the field while another class trains.  The following groups have assisted:  All Soul’s Hospital, Central Bureau of Social Service, Dover General Hospital, Madison Settlement House, Morris County Children’s Home, Morris County Welfare Board, Morristown Memorial Hospital, State Board of Children’s Guardians, Tuberculosis Association, Visiting Nurse Association and the Morristown Women’s Community Club….The ages of the women selected range between 40 and 60 years….Typical duties of the housekeepers include cleaning and care of the home, preparation of meals, laundering , making and remodeling clothing, caring for children, and simple home care of the sick.  All these duties are under competent supervision….Several practical nurses are on call for duty in homes where there are invalids, and it has already been found that their aid had eliminated the necessity for hospitalization of members of the family or removal of children to institutions.”  (Feb. 18, 1936, p.6)

“….Witness…the plight of the Denville school board.  Its project for excavation for two domestic science rooms under the Main Street School was hopefully submitted to the WPA last September as the first job applied for in Morris County.  Since then, although both Democrats and Republicans on the school board have admittedly pulled strings in Morristown, the project has remained on the dead list, despite Newark’s and Washington’s approval.  A little tale that might be titled the “Denville WPA Mystery, or What Happened to the Domestic Science Department?”  A board of aldermen, a township committee, or a school board dispenses public funds.  So does the WPA.  But a town, township, or school district is subject to public surveillance or examination—a right that is generally ceded by the public to newspapermen, so that newspapermen may report to the people what is being done with their money.  Contrast the dictatorial attitude of the WPA in New Jersey.  Although it does handle public funds, it disallows the right of newspapermen to enter its holy of holies and report what takes place therein.  It is all very interesting in the light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that “a free press stands as one of the great interpreters between the government and the people.  To allow it to be fettered is to fetter  ourselves.”  ”  (editorial, Feb. 19, 1936)

“….the metropolis of southern California recently claimed the right to decide for the entire state just who could and who could not cross the state borders.  As a result, under the orders of the Los Angeles police chief, coppers have been sent out to block every highway and railway entrance into California, from the Oregon border all the way down to Arizona.  The idea, of course, is that the down-and-outer has a way of drifting toward the sun when cold weather comes….When he gets there he may be just as hungry and homeless as he was before he started, but he knows at least that he isn’t going to freeze to death.  Los Angeles’ irritation at being obliged to feed and care fort this winter army of transients is perfectly understandable.  But when Los Angeles policemen are encamped on then Oregon border, hauling tramps off the brake beams, forcing tin-can tourists to turn around and yanking hitch-hikers out of ordinary cars, it is evident that someone has gone a few hundred miles too far.  You need only imagine what would happen if the same sort of shenanigans were tried at every state line to see how un-American this sort of stunt really is.  The logical conclusion would be to erect tariff barriers around each state and require the traveling man to get passports and visas whenever he wanted to go from St. Louis to Chicago.  Los Angeles is a city wherein 100 per cent Americanism is highly regarded.  That being the case, someone ought to remind the Angelenos that their police chief is engaged right now in a highly un-American activity….”  (editorial, Feb. 19, 1936)

“It begins to look as if the American electorate were about to treat itself to the spectacle of a presidential campaign in which the principal issue is ignored by the common consent of everyone involved.  To get a parallel, you would have to imagine the campaign of 1860 fought out without a single mention of the issue of chattel slavery.  Today’s principal issue, of course is that of unemployment….you get fine words about a more abundant life, a balanced budget, inflation, security, the road to Moscow and a tolerably well-rounded whole….No one knows exactly how many unemployed people there are in America today.  The best estimates seem to agree that the total is at least 10,000,000.  This, it is true, is a drop of some four or five millions from the depression’s worst nevertheless, it represents a continuing, unsolved problem which is nothing less than appalling.  Here is why it is appalling.  Not only does our country contain more people than live in Greater New York who are unable to support themselves; there is every reason to believe that even when our industrial machine gets back to normal, the vast majority of these people still will be without work.   We have reduced the depression’s peak in unemployment only by about one-third; but we have gone probably three-quarters of the way in overcoming the slump in production.  And, unless our progress through the remaining quarter cuts down unemployment at an infinitely greater rate than did the progress through the first three-quarters, it is as certain an anything can be that even when we are producing on the old pre-depression scale again, our unemployment will still number well in excess of 5,000,000….We simply cannot go on indefinitely with that load of jobless men on our backs.  We can’t balance our budget until we can cut relief expenditures and we can’t cut relief expenditures until the people who are on relief go back to work.  Unemployment is the key log in the whole jam….”  (editorial, Feb. 20, 1936)

“TRENTON – New Jersey faces a relief crisis today.  Unless some agreement is reached in conferences between the Economy Group and Governor Hoffman this afternoon, Reeve Schley, of Bernardsville, Mrs. Thomas W. Streeter, of Morristown, and others of the Emergency Relief Council will be forced to liquidate the relief business and close their shop next Saturday morning.  Schley has put the proposition straight to Governor Hoffman that $3,415,000 must be assured for March or state relief stops.  And those who know Reeve Schley and Mrs. Streeter know they mean business.  There are to be no subterfuges, quibbling, hedging or horse-trading if they continue to function in office….A new bill will be introduced in the Legislature by the Economy Group tonight appropriating $4,000,000 from state funds to take care of relief for March.  This was decided upon this morning following a caucus of the Clean Government leaders….What if the Governor refuses to budge from his previous obdurate position against retrenchment?  What if he continues to  sulk in his executive office and won’t play the game of give and take?  That means, according to the Relief Council and Republican leaders here, that relief will be thrown back on counties and municipalities, and that in the end means bankruptcy for more than one unit of government.  Also it might mean, they say, a march upon the State House that would rival the indignant army of citizens who in 1892 stormed the capital and took possession of legislative chambers breaking the backbone of race track legislation and driving many a senator and assemblyman in political oblivion….Yet there is hope.  Only today came the glad tidings to the Economy Group that Assemblyman Hugh Baldwin, of Sussex County…would join the Clean Government forces and fight under the banner of economy….If it is true that he has seen the light as Saul did on the Jerusalem-Damascus road, one more vote has been gained for those relief measures.  But not, however enough. …the Economy Group say it is up to the Governor to break the deadlock in the House so that the Legislature can act.  Efforts, these men assert, have been made ever since the Legislature started to put through bills to discover where savings could be made in State government to assure relief needs.  But with every attempt Hoffman supporters in the House have voted down the bills along with the Hague Democrats….”  (Feb. 24, 1936, p.1 & p.2)

“It is a funny thing that a nation which owes so much to up-to-date machinery as America does should be so mortally afraid of the stuff.  This fear appears in various ways.  Sometimes it takes the shape of an order from a relief commission to the effect that jobless men put to work fixing a highway must do so without the help of automatic road-scrapers, concrete-percolators, or brick-shufflers.  Sometimes it leads an economist to declare that unemployment is an incurable problem which forever will grow worse and worse because of our mechanical ingenuity, so that in the end three or four jobholders will push the buttons and pull the levers which do all the work of the nation….The Machinery and Allied Products Institute of Chicago recently released a study of machines and jobs, pointing out that the age of technological advancement has, in point of fact, increased employment.  America’s population increased 218 per cent between 1870 and 1930; the number of jobs, in the same period, increased 291 per cent.  In the long run, machinery makes us better off, as a people, and not worse….”  (editorial, Feb. 24, 1936)

“It was a friendly discussion of that burning issue of highway diversion, members of the study group of the Morris County Women’s Republican Club heard in the G.O.P. headquarters in the Park Square building, Friday afternoon.  Senator Elmer S. King and Assemblyman Frank Kelley locked horns for a short spell while the women fired question after question at the two legislative gladiators.  Somebody started the polemic onset by calling for a hands-up vote on the question of whether highway money should be diverted for relief or used for the purpose for which it is collected, that of road construction.  Up went a few hands for diversion, and up went some more hands against diversion.  Then up jumped Assemblyman Kelley and asked the women if they really knew what they were voting for.  As no one admitted ignorance or showed facial expressions of lacking economic intelligence, the Assemblyman proceeded to explain, what in his opinion, diversion of highway funds meant….“we have an emergency….,” Kelley argued.  But I don’t admit there is an emergency,” interrupted King.  “We just got to stop kidding ourselves about that.  Back in 1926 we had an emergency, yes, but not in 1936…” …. “I say the Legislature has got to do something about this stopgap,” said King.  “I was discussing the budget proposition,” retorted Kelley….And having been convinced—or were they?—the women served tea and cake.  Mrs. David Barkman, president of the Club, poured, assisted by Mrs. Thomas Wiss and Mrs. W.W. Barker….”  (Feb. 24, 1936, p. 6)

“TRENTON, (AP) – The Legislature’s failure to find relief money in its seventh session left to its leaders and Governor Hoffman today the job of finding a way out.  Economy group representatives, opposed to administration policies, met their third defeat last night when the opening bill in their program was defeated 29 to 29.  The bill would “freeze” highway funds until August for possible diversion….With relief funds assured by diversion until March 10, legislative leaders hope to find a “painless” method of paying relief costs at least until primary elections are over in May.  At yesterday’s conference the governor suggested they “think over” a one per cent gross receipts tax on business….Extra police guarded the statehouse from an expected demonstration but only a few hundred persons gathered on the front steps after their spokesman, Ray Cooke of Trenton, entered the assembly.  Debate on the “freeze” bill circled around blind Thomas M. Muir of Union who led the administration’s attack….He defended Governor Hoffman “as the best governor I’ve ever known.”  To interrupters he shouted “how would you like to go to hell” and to Assemblyman Charles R. Geddes, of Union, an opponent, who charged he supported the governor because he was a motor vehicle agent, Muir retorted, “You’re a liar.”  Muir singled out for sarcastic thrusts Young as “the uncrowned king of Essex” and Dr. Marcus W. Newcomb, assembly speaker, who several weeks ago failed to vote on the measure saying he had to answer a telephone call….”  (Feb. 25, 1936, p.1)

“TRENTON, (AP) – Relief clients, faced with the prospect of receiving food orders instead of cash relief after March 1 because lawmakers have not raised the money, marched on New Jersey State Capitol last night and “demanded that the legislature stop fooling around and find a plan to finance relief.”,,,,Ray Cooke of Trenton, president of the Workers Alliance of New Jersey, appeared before the Assembly, shook a heavy finger at the law-makers and asserted that “just as soon as you put us on food orders you’re going to have trouble on your hands.”  Cooke “demanded” that New Jersey follow New York’ example of providing additional aid to WPA workers with large families.”  (Feb. 25, 1936, p.1)

“….The afternoon conferences of the Economy group and the Hoffman supporters ended, as they have so many times before, deadlocked on road fund diversion….Once again the bill to tie up road funds for relief purposes went down to defeat in the House….That reported conversion of Assemblyman Hugh Baldwin, of Sussex County, turned out to be a shame and delusion.  Baldwin voted against economy….The grange decided it wouldn’t be economy to take money from roads to feed the poor.  “And you know,” said Baldwin, “it wouldn’t do for me to go against the grange.”….Then the “gentleman from Atlantic,” the Hon. Thomas Taggart…failed to line up with the Economy forces.  Taggart thought he would, and then he thought he wouldn’t.  And he didn’t.  His excuse was that a few days ago he attended a conference of the Clean Government men in Newark who kept him in that great city all day, didn’t take him out to dinner, or even give him a cigarette and a match, he said.  “They treated me as though I had no business there,” shouted Taggart as he declared his opposition to economy.  “And after that somebody tried to intimidate me with threats to vote for economy.”  All of which started one of the most disgraceful, vulgar, free-for-all debates in the House of Assembly that has occurred since the days of the race track gamblers and the coal combine stealers.  “You’re a liar.  You got the bum’s rush.  How would you like to go to H- - l,” were a few of the bar room phrases frequently heard, with Speaker Marcus Newcomb powerless to preserve order.  It out-profaned some of the boisterous sessions of Morristown’s Board of Aldermen.  Through it all, to the credit of Morris County and their two splendid representatives, Assembly Frank Kelley and Grey W. Higbie, these gentlemen maintained their dignity and refused to enter into that sort of cheap talk.  “I’m simply mortified,” said Kelley after the session.  I can only hope that such a scene will not be represented, and that the Speaker of the House will hereafter use his power to preserve order and crack down on such tomfoolery.  We have got to get down to business if anything is to be accomplished.”  It’s obvious to say nothing was accomplished last night.  The House remains deadlocked as it has from the beginning. …As one Assemblyman said on the floor of the House in a forensic defense of the economy program, there are two men who can break this deadlock.  “They are Governor Hoffman and the Mayor of Jersey City, Frank Hague.”  But his sweet words for economy were wasted on the desert air as the gallery and the Hoffman and Hague representative howled him down.”  (Feb. 25, 1936, p. 1 & 2) “Morris County is being very properly surveyed, thanks to projects of the Works Progress Administration.  The geodetic survey is being continued and it is being planned to establish a point in every municipality, a boundary corner of the municipality in most instances.  Therefore it will soon be possible for any curious property owner to connect his survey with the great network and learn his altitude and longitude.  Another project which was started months ago is a survey of the water courses of the county, and closely allied to that is the survey for mosquito extermination.  A base map of the county is projected.  Levels have been run in various projects so that it will be easier to determine your altitude, when at home, above sea level.  Fort Nonsense apart from historic interest has been found to be a fine place on which to build towers for observations from other high points in the surveys and red and white striped poles are seen in other places.  Another group of men is busy studying the old roads of the county, interesting to historians and useful some times in settling disputes….[following is a description of the history of boundaries and early property records]….”  (Feb. 25, 1936, p. 12)

“TRENTON, (AP)  The Legislature’s economy bloc prepared today to put into effect a program which it says can produce $27,000,000 for relief.  Legislative opposition to the group’s program is expected to dissolve next Monday after the governor’s announcement that he would stand aside.  The executive…offered his opponents free rein to prove their claims.  The economy group…are expected to lead off with their thrice-defeated bill to “freeze” 1935 highway funds…The group has also recommended a ten per cent reduction in the annual appropriations bill…adoption of federal social security legislation…and capture of free surpluses in the general treasury….Hoffman told conferees he has already diverted $7,000,000 to support relief in 1936 and told economy group supporters they would “have the honor of trying to divert money that has already been diverted.”…. Economy group leaders have left a door open to possible taxes by pointing to their initial stand that “all economies and diversions should be effected before new taxes.”  Should their program be effected and relief requirements found unsatisfied, they may join the governor in supporting a new tax….”  (Feb. 26, 1936, p.1)

“The County Welfare Board has sent to the Freeholders a statement calling their attention to the impending relief crisis in the state and how it may effect this county.  It outlines what may happen if funds are not available by Friday for continuation of the state work, in which case the temporary relief will devolve on the County Welfare Board….The Welfare Board asks the Freeholders to make available $1,700 for this work for a two-week period if the state funds are not available….Of this amount, $1,350 will cover administrative costs of temporary relief and $350 costs of permanent relief.  If no state relief funds were available the county would lose $108,000 in anticipated revenues.” [from the actual letter to the Freeholders] :  “….should ERA activities cease at any later date, the duty of administering temporary relief would then devolve upon the Morris County Welfare Board.  Under the provisions of Chapter 373, P. L. 1931, administrative costs would be charged against the county and the actual cost of relief would be charged back to each municipality for its own residents….The gravity of the situation can be appreciated by a glance at the effect on Morris County if no state relief funds should be available for the remaining ten months of the year.  The County would lose in anticipated revenues approximately: 

Refund of 75% of Old Age Relief…….$ 75,000; Refund of 75% of Board of Children’s Guardians…….21,000; Refund of 50% of Morris County Children’s Home…….13,000: $108,000.  In addition the county would be liable for unexpected expenses in the administration of permanent and temporary relief which might run as high as $40,000.00.  Besides this increase in the County budget, the relief charged back against the individual municipalities would probably be about double the amount contributed by them in 1935; or approximately $100,000.00 more than they have already anticipated in their 1936 budgets.  If state relief funds can no longer be counted upon, this entire additional cost of nearly quarter of a million dollars will fall upon the real estate taxpayers of Morris county.  We are sure you will exert every effort to prevent such an occurrence.”  ”  (Feb. 26, 1936, p.1 & p. 11)

“The Morristown Teachers’ Association, in the first of a series of letters designed to clarify its position to the public in regards salary restoration and general school conditions, made public today a communication it had sent to the Citizens’ Division of the Chamber of Commerce…..”[from the letter to the Record] “….teachers feel that they are the victims of a breach of faith on the part of the Board.  The second salary cut of five per cent instituted two years ago was made for two assigned reasons….a lowered cost of living and an acute financial emergency….the pledge was given that when this emergency passed the cut would be immediately restored.  The teachers feel that the crisis has definitely passed….The teachers feel that their loyalty through times of stress, with unimpaired morale, entitles them to a fair and temperate statement of their position….” [from the letter to the Citizens’ Division] “…. 1.  There is a definite trend in the state toward restoration of salary cuts….The trend in Morris County and in this immediate vicinity is particularly striking.  Of communities near by, the following have passed restorations amounting in most cases to a half of the salary cut:  Bernardsville, Madison (complete restoration), Boonton, Dover, Chatham, Rockaway, Wharton.  The salary cut in most of these communities was 10%, as compared with the 15% cut in effect here.  2. The 15% cut now in effect here is more severe than that in most New Jersey communities….4. The cost of living, according to Department of Labor and other reliable statistics, has risen appreciably since September, 1933.  The rise is estimated as about 15%, with the major rise in food….6. Tax collections for the year 1935 are the best since 1929 in relation to the current levy and the total collection of $927,000 higher than in 1929 or 1926, to take two years at random from pre-depressions days….These figures show a steady and uninterrupted rise in the last three years, and indicate that the financial condition of the town has definitely improved….”  ”  (Feb. 26, 1936, p.3)

“Evaluating the American educational system the other day, Dr. Stephen Duggan, director of the Institute of International Education, noted that the depression has done much for our philosophy of learning.  “Because of the hard times,” he declared, “educators and students have been obliged to adopt a more realistic view of higher education.  In a word, the depression has taught us that the educational system must prepare men and women for life.  It may mean wholesale revision of our present theories, but the challenge is unavoidable. …”  (editorial, Feb. 26, 1936)

“Justus P. Nesbitt, Morris County director for Emergency Relief Administration, today denied charges that affiliation with the Democratic party was a requisite to job getting under his organization’s sponsorship.  Nesbitt refuted the statement of Raymond Stevens of Corwin avenue, Kenvil, that he had been denied a job because he admitted to having voted Republican…“I first applied at the WPA office and was told they could not give me work because I was not on the relief roll prior to November.  They told me to go to the ERA office at 17 South street and apply for relief.  I told them I was not looking for charity, all I wanted was work.  Of course, $11 a week isn’t much to live on and support my wife and son, but it is better than nothing.  I found a young woman in the office in South street and made known to her my desire to get a job.  She asked me ‘What ticket I voted,’ and I replied Republican.  “I am sorry,” she replied, “we can’t do anything for you.  You know this is a Democratic setup.  You have to be one of the boys, you know.”  “There has never been any interest in the politics of applicants in this office,” Nesbitt said.  “There is no point to it.  The WPA has to give 90 per cent of their jobs to men who have been relief recipients between May and November of last year.  Our work is to certify that their applicants have been on our rolls during that period.”  Nesbitt displayed three application forms.  “I’ll admit,” he said, “that almost every possible question appears on those forms, but there is no reference to the politics, religion or race of the applicant.  That has never occupied any part of our investigation.”  (Feb. 27, 1936, p.1)

“The prospect of a regional high school embracing Parsippany-Troy Hills, Hanover and East Hanover foundered on the rocks of finance last night when members of the Boards of Education of the three districts met with County Superintendent of Schools Walter B. Davis….Mr. Davis dealt a severe blow to the project when he said he believed it would be almost impossible to get a PWA loan and grant for the construction of the building….Mr. Davis said he had investigated all angles and believed that such a loan could not be secured.…”  (Feb. 27, 1936, p.1)

“The Freeholders had much discussion about little yesterday afternoon as they debated a proposal to notify all departments to curtail expenses.  Finally, deciding it didn’t mean much anyway and the real responsibility was up to the board, it passed the motion.  The final word was the declaration by A. S. Kirkpatrick that it was not necessary, being only a political gesture, and John s. Roach, denied this and charged Kirkpatrick was not for economy.  “You people are steeped in it,” said Roach on the political matter, and declared he was going to bring up whatever he thought was right.  Director Stephen C. Griffith declared Roach had no right to make the remark, and Roach said his motives “were sound and you know it.”  Griffith ended it by declaring both speakers out of order.  The debate started on a letter from the Welfare Board, notifying the Freeholders of a possible shortage if the state cannot find more funds available….Griffith said they were very fortunate in having a Welfare Board on the alert and hoped the emergency would not arise.  Roach said the situation was serious and….the board should immediately curtail spending activities so as to have money available.  Griffith declared the budget was based on absolute needs and there was very little if any chance for curtailment…. (Feb. 27, 1936, p.1)

“WASHINGTON, D. C.—Continuation of development work at the Morristown National Historical Park until October 1, 1936, came one step closer to realization today, when the National Park Service disclosed that the application for the continuation of the CCC camp in that park had been favorably recommended by its regional officers….The widespread interest that is being shown in Morristown Park is demonstrated by the inclusion of a section of the Wick House in a volume on Colonial  Culture, now being prepared by Thomas J. Wertenbaker, head of the department of American History of Princeton University….(Feb. 27, 1936, p.13)

“The relief load in the State has decreased 56 percent from the corresponding figure for January a year ago, it was disclosed today in tabulations released from Newark ERA headquarters.  The load is 26 per cent less than it was in December.  Reductions were reported in spite of the approval of applications submitted by persons who had never before been on relief.  Others who had gone off relief and had been forced to go back on the rolls were included in the currently lower figure.  Morris County tabulations show a decrease of 66 per cent from the number of persons on relief a year ago and a reduction of 19 per cent from December totals.  In January, 1935, 11,491 persons were on relief in Morris.  In December the number was 4,765.  The current total is 3,864.  Reductions throughout the State were attributed to the absorption of thousands of cases by the WPA.  An average of three persons go off relief for every WPA job created, it is estimated.”  (Feb. 29, 1936, p.1)