1936 May-July

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

May-July 1936

 

“TRENTON, (AP) – The signature of Governor Harold G. Hoffman on two bills was all that was needed today to complete the formal return of the administration of relief in New Jersey to the municipalities, a task they actually assumed two weeks ago when state funds were exhausted….In conformance with the legislative action, the State Emergency Relief Administration terminated the services of more than 2,300 employees yesterday….The chief concern of the municipalities is adoption by the legislature of a program to raise funds to aid them in financing relief.  This the legislature failed to do in a number of sessions at which various tax proposals were rejected.  Republican leaders have been meeting the past several days in an attempt to reach an agreement on relief financing, but they conceded yesterday there was little hope of passing a tax program before the May 19 primary election….Though the ERA employees were dismissed, State Relief Director Albert H. Hedden said “we have from $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 worth of invoices and bills which have to be put through and we have to terminate negotiations with 8,000 to 10,000 vendors with whom ERA has been doing business.”  ” (May 1, 1936, p.1)

“Now that even the economy forces at Trenton are demanding new taxes the less suspecting might think that every possible economy had been effected.  On the contrary, but a comparatively few pennies have been saved while the state continues to spend millions more than taxpayers can afford to pay….virtually all state departments continue to operate on a luxury basis, defending their extrava-gance with the announcement that citizens demand the public services they alone can provide….Cutting the salary of the governor and other state officials, which continue at boom levels, would not effect a gigantic saving, but it would demon-strate the spirit of economy that is…sadly lacking in government.  Obviously politicians who continue to pay themselves prosperity salaries show little under-standing of the plight of poverty-stricken taxpayer [sic].  Their idea of an economy is to remove two brooms and a can of brass polish from the operating costs of the State House.  With the few cents thus saved they sanctimoniously announce that all possible savings have been adopted and new taxes will now be necessary.  Taxpay-ers who have lost their jobs or taken drastic cuts in income could give them a practical lesson in real economy….It is time to stop slicing pennies off the costs of government and start carving off dollars….”  (editorial from the Asbury Park Press published in The Daily Record May 1, 1936, p.4)

“Whether you choose to accept the unemployment figures of the American Federation of Labor, which reports 12,550,000 are out of work, or those of the National Industrial Conference Board, claiming 9,848,000 unemployed, it is hard to avoid the riddle that these figures offer.  The riddle is simply this—while industrial production in the last two years increased 26 per cent, why did factory employment gain only 14 per cent?  Perhaps you can attribute the lag to techno-logical advances, or to insufficient business recovery.  Or there may be other factors.  It is admittedly a complex situation which must be fathomed before any permanent solution of the problem can be offered.  And, to do this properly, a complete national unemployment census should go into the causes, as well as the extent, of unemployment.”  (editorial, May 2, 1936)

“TRENTON, (AP) – Republican Legislative leaders resumed their ever-lasting huddle on the relief problem today determined to continue discussion of new taxes to finance relief, despite the approach of primary elections at which every assem-blyman and eight senators must face the taxconscious voters.  The proposals failed to attract sufficient votes at last week’s caucuses, some assemblymen taking the stand new taxes were not needed before the primaries because of municipal economies in the relief lists, but Senate President John C. Barbour of Passaic made clear today the Republican leaders do not consider the relief emergency over.  “We can’t wait until we have spent the last penny out of the baby’s bank,” he said.  “…if the municipalities have any pennies left we ought to get on the job and let them know where the next meal is coming from.”  The municipalities have had the job of feeding their own jobless since April 15 and many say they cannot stand the burden, but a few legislators say the experiment has been beneficial in that it has forced communities to cut off from the public feed trough large numbers of undeserving families.…Leaders admitted no new plans or opinions had developed since last week when a group of assemblymen, led by the five-man Bergen Republican delegation, declined to support income and sales taxes.  The Sales Tax Repeal Association urged that the lawmakers give up the idea and take indefinite adjournment until matters have been allowed to settle.  “Relief has been turned back to the municipalities,” said the organization’s statement, “and the widespread collapse and suffering predicted has failed to materialize.  No one is starving.  No one will.”  It said neither branch of the legislature should return to Trenton until leaders have agreed upon a program “which will provide legitimate relief needs only, rather than one which attempts, at a stroke, to solve all New Jersey’s problems, clean up the results of years of state and municipal extravagance and mismanagement, and at the same time raise enough money to permit political spending to continue.”….”Let it be remembered,” said the statement, “that Governor Hoffman still has power to divert $2,00,000 monthly for relief.  It may be, as he contends, that no divertible funds are available, it has been stated on the floor of the House, however, and Governor Hoffman has not denied it, that millions of state funds, earmarked for other purposes, are in the banks, some not destined for use for more than a year.”….”  (May 4, 1936, p.1)

“CHATHAM -- ….Chatham is undergoing a building boom this Spring, the council learned.  At the present time seventeen houses are actually under construction, and within six weeks work will be begun on the $204,000 addition to the high school ….Unemployment has ended here to an unusual degree, Dr. Fletcher I. Krauss indicated when, as chairman of the welfare committee, he reported that not a single resident of Chatham is on the relief rolls….”  (May 5, 1936, p.1)

“MILLINGTON – Since taking over the handling of relief, the number securing aid has been cut from 60 individuals to 18 and from 18 families to six, it was reported at the Passaic Township Committee meeting last night.  Mrs. Elizabeth Eisel was appointed local relief head and rules were drawn up that those who won’t work will be cut off the relief rolls, persons must reside in the county a year and the state five years and the ERA rules will be followed as to food.  Medical aid and clothing supplies will be in charge of Mrs. Eisel.  The Township will care for those out of a job but able to work and those unable to work will be put under care of the County Welfare Board….”  (May 5, 1936, p.1)

“Whatever else the last few years may have been, they certainly have constituted a great field day for the royal order of crackpots….the spectacle of all these panacea salesmen crawling out from under planks and urging us to save our country by doing this, that, or the other unusual and peculiar thing, is disturbing to a great number of sensible citizens.  But what these sensible citizens usually overlook is the fact that they themselves have cleared the road for the procession of crackpots, by failing to make an effective protest against the ills which the last few years have brought upon us.  This point was admirably brought out recently by Msgr. Michael J. Ready of Washington, assistant general secretary of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, in a speech in Cleveland….The country, he said, simply cannot and will not put up forever with unemployment, hunger, injustice, and greed.  If the ordinary, God-fearing citizen fails to make an effective protest against these things—through his church, his civic groups, his use of the ballot, or whatnot—someone else is going to.  If that someone else turns out to be a bushy-haired individual with an idea that all our ills will be solved if we confiscate all bank accounts larger than $75, the ordinary citizen has only himself to blame.  “In a word,” says Msgr. Ready, “we must hunger and thirst after justice to save the soul of society.  For, I say boldly, the preservation of Christian society depends upon our courage in making it really Christian.  Do we wish to take the leadership in this task of reconstruction and perfect a society on the specifications of Christian social teaching, or shall we leave the task to crackpot reformers?”….”  (editorial, May 6, 1936)

“There is exceedingly good news awaiting the college graduates of 1936.  More jobs are open for them than at any other time since 1931.  Robert F. Moore, secretary of appointments at Columbia University, points out, for instance, that many business and industrial organizations were faced with “an alarming gap” in their personnel forces because of depression economies.  As a result, not only are there four times as many requests for college graduates this year as in 1935, but the starting wage level has risen.  Whereas the top salary a young graduate could expect last year was $100 a month, compensation this year is $125 for the best positions and $100 for “average” jobs.  Those that formerly paid practically nothing now offer up to $85 a month.  This represents the beginning of a foothold for youth.  The absence of that foothold has been one of the great tragedies of the depression.”  (editorial, May 7, 1936)

“BUDD LAKE – Work projects for which a rate of 40 cents an hour will be paid were decided upon Tuesday night by the Mt. Olive Township Committee as William Hill was named deputy relief director with authority to decide upon a client’s ability to perform physical labors….”  (May 7, 1936, p.7)

“DOVER – Plans to obtain better working conditions and a change in the rate of wages paid to WPA workers on Picatinny Arsenal were discussed by James Pittlin of Orange, representative of the International Brotherhood of Masons and Brick-layers at a meeting here last night.  The meeting in Red Men’s Hall, was called by the local International Bricklayers’ Union, representatives of which contend the prevailing rate of wages is not being paid on these projects.  They insist the wages are lower than those paid on similar jobs.  Picatinny Arsenal, they state, is the only place where prevailing wages are not paid.  Fifty masons and approximately 800 laborers are employed at the arsenal.”  (May 7, 1936, p.7)

“It is encouraging to hear that Commerce Secretary Daniel Roper plans an unemployment census.  This is long overdue.  It is too much to expect that definite figures will be available before election. Probably neither party would relish this.  But it is high time we found out just where we stand—not only how many are out of work, but what jobs have vanished and what new jobs are arising to replace them.  Throughout the gravest depression the country has ever seen, no one has ever known, within hundreds of thousands, how many persons were unemployed.  Most recent estimate by the American Federation of Labor was 12,184,000.  The National Industrial Conference Board’s estimates have been near that figure.  But now comes the New York Sun and says that all this is ridiculous.  It estimates the unemployed, in all industries, trades, transportation, and mining, at 3,085,000.  The Sun got its figures through information furnished by 3,000 companies.  If the present population of the country is about 128,000,000, then about 51,000,000 should be working today, and about 3,000,000 of these would be in the group surveyed.  The Sun found how many really were at work in that group, and figured out the rest in proportion.  The Sun’s job is an interesting one, but all such methods are no more than shrewd and lucky approximations….Modern life is complex.  There are so many ways of getting a living, that don’t appear in figures on any recognized big industry.  A widow, left without resources, begins making candy and cake for sale.  Is she unemployed?  Yes, as far as any industrial tables can show.  But she’s getting along.  Two boys, just out of high school, develop an ingenious business of washing, clipping, and exercising neighbors’ dogs.  Are they unemployed?  Certainly, as far as any industrial figures go.  But they may be making a very fair independent living.  Undoubtedly, in making A. F. of L. estimates, much reliance is placed on union members reported not working at their trades.  Yet many such men, skilled at this trade or that, have developed little odd-job and repair work to keep going.  Are they unemployed?   Certainly, so far as the A. F. of L. is concerned.  But they are getting by, and they are not on relief…. Before you try to figure out where you are going, it is always a good plan to find out where you are.”  (editorial, May 8, 1936)

Sign of the times:  “LAKEHURST – The air giant Hindenburg floated majestically to earth at 6:08 A. M. today with the trans-Atlantic dirigible speed crown.  Off to the West the setting moon and the nearby planet Jupiter were celestial witnesses of the newest conquest of the skies….Between 4,000 and 5,000 spectators saw the Hindenburg first at 5:43.  Two minutes later it swooped over the field, circled and returned.  Commander Rosendahl…had arranged for the arrival at 6:30….100 soldiers from Camp Dix were not yet ready to handle the ropes.  But the ship nosed down toward the mooring mast.  More than 100 newspapermen and cameramen stepped into the breach and were pinch hitters for the soldiers.   The reporters grabbed the dangling ropes, and when the wind took an unexpected 180-degree shift, they helped hold the Hindenburg from being torn from the mast.  At 6:28 the ship’s nose was cupped in the mast, and at 7:25 the Hindenburg was safely tucked away in the mammoth hangar….”  (May 9, 1936, p.1)

“BLOOMFIELD – Morris County was affected in a general lay-off of Dutch Elm workers, announced today by L. H. Worthley, who supervises control of the tree disease from his United States Department of Agriculture office here.  The number of WPA employees on Dutch elm projects was reduced on May 1 to 1,381 in contrast to the April maximum of 2,406, Worthley said.  He explained the reduc-tion affected the 11 north Jersey counties where eradication of the disease is attempted.  Worthley indicated…that the department of agriculture is working within the “limitations of WPA emergency funds.”  The westward advance of the disease will be under control in another two seasons of ridding the woods of unhealthy elms.”  (May 11, 1936, p.1)

“The number of relief cases being handled by the town have been reduced by 17 so far, Town Clerk Nelson S. Butera said today, and it is expected that a great many more will be cut off within the next few weeks.  When the handling of relief was turned back to the Town a couple of weeks ago there were 199 cases on relief.  Forty questionable cases were immediately taken up for investigation and of these 28 were cut off as undeserving of relief, while 12 were reinstated.  Out of new cases, 11 have been placed on relief.  Several men have been placed in private employment and this will reduce the total.  Owing to the fact that there are only two investigators available, the work of checking the older cases has to proceed somewhat slowly as all new ones have to be thoroughly gone into first.  A new batch of 60 relief cases has been assigned to the investigators to check and it is believed that a new survey of these will result in many being cut from the roles [sic].  Gradually the entire list of cases handed over to the Town will be gone over and cut down.  Mr. Butera said he expected that by the end of the month the number of relief cases, through the cutting off of those not deserving of aid and the finding of employment for others, will be reduced by one-half the original total.  Practically all of this group will be included in non-employable classes, that is people who because of age or infirmities are unable to work.”  (May 11, 1936, p.1)

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Workers on the construction of the new Madison, New Jersey, post office will be paid sums ranging from two dollars an hour at the top for the skilled workmen, down to fifty cents an hour for laborers, according to the Treasury’s procurement division….Without the minimum wage scale, which is furnished the procurement by the Department of Labor, the construction contract for the job could not be let, according to procurement officials.  They said that copies of such scales must be contained in any contract in excess of $2,000 to which the United States is a party.  The minimum wage scale is drawn up by the Department of Labor from statistics showing the prevailing amounts received by workers in the building trades in the vicinity of Madison….Workmen on the construction of the post office will be given the following hourly rates:  Asbestos workers, $1.25; bricklayers, 1.25; bricklayers’ tenders, .87 ½; carpenters, 1.25; cement finishers, 1.25; electricians, 1.50; electricians’ helpers, .75; shovel operators, 2.00; Crane, derrick and dragline operators, 2.00; concrete mixer operators, 2.00; pump operators, 2.00; hoisting engineers, 2.00; portable and hoisting engine firemen, 1.37 ½; building laborers, .87 ½; common laborers, .50.  Lathers, 1.50; ornamental iron workers, 1.75; painters, 1.00; plasterers, 1.25; plasterers’ tenders, .87 ½; plumbers, 1.25; plumbers’ helpers, .75; composition roofers, 1.40; slate and tile roofers, 1.50; Sheet metal workers, 1.25; steam fitters, 1.25; stone cutters, 1.50; structural iron workers, .75; tile setters, 1.43; hod carriers, .87 ½; stone masons, 1.25; and concrete mixers, .87 ½.  Under the terms of the construction contract, each man employed in the building of the Madison post office must be paid on the site of the job not less often than once a week.  Since the government regulations allow for no deductions or rebates in the men’s salaries for any reason, each man must be given the full amount due him at the time of payment….In case there are any argument over salaries which cannot be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned by the contracting officer, the dispute must be referred to the Secretary of Labor for arbitration.”  (May 11, 1936, p. 1 & 7)

“MENDHAM – There is no one on relief in the Borough now, Mayor W.W. Cordingley reported last night.  He stated he thought things were improving and everyone seems to be busy.  In April $30.50 was spent on relief, of which $11.05 was for food and the balance for milk.  So far this month the only expenditure was $1 to send a child to a dental clinic.”  (May 12, 1936, p.1)

“PARSIPPANY – The teachers and all other employees of the Parsippany Troy Hills Board of Education received a restoration of the final half of the deduction of their salary cuts made in 1932 at the meeting of the Board last night….the vote was five to three….”  (May 14, 1936, p.1)

“The county’s financial situation is the best since depression, Chairman A.S. Kirkpatrick declared in his quarterly report as head of the finance committee at the Board of Freeholders’ meeting  yesterday afternoon.  Only a small amount of back taxes are outstanding while in some cases all of the 1936 taxes have been paid in full.  Outstanding as of May 1 are $4,000 in 1933 taxes, $18,601.35 from 1934 and $74,956.26 for 1935 but since then there were $6,065.19 paid on 1935 taxes, making a net total of $91,492.42 out…..Some of the District Court and County library taxes have been paid well up and state taxes are coming in well.  Mr. Kirkpatrick said three municipalities had paid their taxes in full for 1936….”  (May 14, 1936, p. 1)

“Local control of relief will undoubtedly prove beneficial to Morris County, but a new danger has arisen.  Relief directors may conceivably go too far in economiz-ing on their clients.  Cases of “chiseling” were hinted at all too frequently during the reign of the ERA.  Worse than that, local officials could discover unfair practises right at home in their own municipalities only after weeks of investiga-tion.  When control was returned to the towns and townships, one committeeman gleefully remarked to a Daily Record reporter that “we’re going to cut these relief people right down to the bone.”  He smiled in evident pleasure.  But just because there were abuses under the ERA set-up, it is not gentlemanly to take revenge at the expense of some unemployed who have always played fair with public funds.  The cutting of relief “down to the bone” would have the effect of driving down wage levels in private industry.  This situation would be entirely unfortunate because higher wages translated into greater buying power can alone save us from the depression.”  (editorial, May 14, 1936)

“ROCKAWAY -- ….Rental, heating and lighting costs of the local WPA sewing room will be assumed by the borough, it was decided.  The WPA will continue to pay for the labor of the women employed and for the materials they use, but the finished clothing products will be turned over to Rockaway for its needy.  Whether the sewing room will continue at its present location at 148 East Main street appeared problematical last night.  The building has been condemned by the State Department of Labor because it has no fire escapes.  The borough will be either forced to build the emergency exits or find another building….Since the borough took over control of relief, the number of families has been cut 58 percent, Police Chief Alfred Rarick reported.  He said the ERA carried 45 families the first half of April and the borough 19 the last half of the month.  The first period, he said, cost $740, and the second $163.  Mayor Crane warned that 82 Rockaway men working at a WPA project at Picatinny Arsenal might be laid off in the near future…”  (May 15, 1936, p.1)

“NETCONG – Local school teachers will get a partial restoration of wages “if and when” the money is available, the Board of Education decided.  At present there is a 15 percent cut and it was decided to reduce this by five percent when the funds are found.  There were no provisions made for any increases in the school budget for 1936-37….”  (May 15, 1936, p.1)

“The total cost of relief for the town for May will be $500 less than the partial contribution made to the ERA in the past, it was reported by Alderman Edward Broderick at last night’s Board of Aldermen meeting.  There were 89 families on relief and the costs for the month will be $1,703.64.  Before, including supplemen-tal relief and the payment to the ERA it was around $2,200.  Out of 60 cases discontinued at the start of the month, 23 were restored, 12 new ones were added, 12 were rejected and 19 are pending….”  (May 16, 1936, p.1)

“Reports from all parts of the State following return of relief responsibility to municipalities confirm the widely held belief that there were many persons on the relief rolls who were undeserving.  The number of those applying for aid has decreased amazingly.  Many dropped out fearing disclosure of chronic malinger-ing.  Others were dropped when local officials, faced with the necessity of shouldering the burden of relief, made a real effort to investigate the claims of those who were receiving weekly checks….”  (editorial from the Newark Sunday Call, appearing in The Daily Record May 20, 1936, p.4)

“The government system of administering relief is a failure because it does not acquaint the public with the needs and problems of welfare work.  To remedy matters there must be direct public participation in such work through some agency like the Red Cross.  This, in substance, is what Albert D. Lasker, Chicago adver-tising man, told delegates to the Red Cross convention in Chicago.  Any appeal for development of an alert social conscience which will make the well-fed citizen see the hunger and misery of the unemployed man as his own personal problem is to be commended.  But to go on from there and say that to gain that end we must go back to the private administration of relief would be to take a step possible only to the possessor of seven league boots….it is easy to feel that most of the headaches would vanish if we only could take the whole business off the government’s hands and turn it over to the Red Cross, or some similar group.  But would they?....if we abolished the WPA, we would get an increase in the direct relief cases, so that for the immediate future we can hardly figure on having fewer than 5,000,000 people to feed and clothe.  Laying out $20 a month for each person, we would be spending $100,000,000 a month or $1,200,000,000 a year on relief.  Does any mortal in his senses suppose that we could raise any such sum by public contribution in the community chest manner?  The money would have to come from the government; and if it comes from the government, what happens to that direct public participa-tion that Mr. Lasker talks about?  The relief problem is one long headache, admittedly.  But the headache will go away only when the relief problem itself disappears.  No easy short-cut is open to us.  (editorial, May 21, 1936)

“Scattered reports of “starvation food allowances”, unpaid rents, and dispossessed tenants filtered through to Morristown today as the first month for local control of relief drew to a close.  Indications were that most municipalities in Morris County are taking substantially good care of their relief clients, but there were certain disquieting stories.  One woman, it was said, lived in a county town where clients are not allowed rent money.  She was threatened with dispossession, and, it was reported, forestalled it by using her food allowance for rent the following month.  The story said the woman is now without funds for food.  Another account claimed a woman in a nearby county has been forced to compulsory prostitution to augment the meager food allowance her municipality has given her under local control.  It is the general practice in this County for municipalities to supply food orders only.  The fact that there are few rents paid by towns may lead to widespread disposses-sion, it has been reported.  Meanwhile, clients are without medical funds to arrest illness in its early stages.  A survey which will be completed the first week in June will be the first accurate indication of the comparative cost of relief under the old ERA control and the new local supervision.  The survey will show the total number of cases on relief under each control, and the average cost of each under both methods.  Municipalities have reported in general that they have slashed costs anywhere from 20 to 70 percent.  What services have been cut out under local control will be indicated in the June survey.”  (May 23, 1936, p.1)

“With the eviction of the jobless delegation from the Assembly chamber and the adjournment of the Legislature for five days, the relief situation in New Jersey became serious.  Within a few days municipalities will have exhausted all available relief money, at which time the condition will become more severe than a great many people anticipate.  While the faction encamped in the Assembly did not represent the mass of unemployed, its presence in the state house gave New Jersey a black eye and inspired similar action elsewhere.  For the most part, the thousands of idle in New Jersey have attempted to make the most out of a more or less hopeless plight.  They have refrained from any show of physical violence and have managed to get along somehow….Most assuredly, the so-called seizure of the Assembly chamber by a mere handful of men and women could not be interpreted to bear the sanction of the majority of unemployed.  But the chief significance of the incident is that it gives us a taste of what my happen on a large scale if we ever get to the point where we are unable to care for the jobless….”  (editorial from the Long Branch Record, printed in The Daily Record May 26, 1936, p.4)

“ “Business is better in a very definite way” said C. E. Riddell, special Representative of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.  Mr. Riddell is in this county making a business and banking survey for the Insurance Corporation.  He has visited about 3,500 banking communities in the past 18 months and is constantly noting business conditions.  “Business is better” he declared because bank deposits are still increasing; employment is getting better; industry is expanding; relief rolls are decreasing; farmers show improve-ment; merchants’ sales volume is better; there is some activity in real estate and rents are rising due to a demand for housing in general.  The Morristown area reflects these conditions and they are supported by the Morristown Banks….”  (May 28, 1936, p.4)

“….It begins to look very definitely as if local administration of relief is the answer to the need for economy in the relief setup.  With the practical abandonment of county and state relief administrations reports from all over the state show that when the municipalities are left on their own, greater care is taken in the expendi-ture of public funds….consolidation of small governmental units into larger ones does not always result in the savings claimed….If each community were able to handle its own relief question, there would be no need to seek further for a solution.  But unfortunately the municipalities are not in a position to do this…. even municipal control, when the money comes from outside sources, is not as careful as it should be.  The attitude appears to be that as long as municipal officials do not have to make a strict accounting directly to the people who elected them, as long as there are handouts from State or Federal agencies, there is no need to practice the same economy that would be followed were the funds provided in local budgets….The larger agencies should require from municipalities the same care in the expenditure of State or Federal largess as is exercised when the funds have to be raised locally….”  (editorial from the Hillside Times, appearing in The Daily Record May 28, 1936, p.14)

“MADISON -- ….Refinancing of mortgages on existing dwellings account for 52 per cent of the total volume, of $44,500, while applications for mortgages on new construction totaled 46 per cent or $40,000.  Modernization loans applied for amounted to $1,375….A statistical report by the Federal Housing Administration …shows that under the stimulus given modernization through the Better Housing Program, five dollars of cash work is done for every dollar borrowed and spend under the FHA Modernization Credit Plan.  According to the report, the actual amount of modernization in progress in Madison comes to $8,250….”  (May 28, 1936, p. 18)

“MADISON – George Franklin Mower, 52, committed suicide by strangling himself early this morning in a rooming house at 71 Ridgedale avenue.  He placed one end of a noose around his neck and attached the other to his foot while he lay in bed.  Then, by jerking his foot, he drew the noose tight around his neck and strangled himself to death.  Mrs. Mower, who occupied an adjoining room, talked to her husband about 7 o’clock and then went to prepare breakfast.  When she returned half an hour later, she found him dead….It is believed that financial worries formed the reason for the suicide.  Mower, a graduate of Colgate, was in the insurance business….”  (May 29, 1936, p.1)

“TRENTON, (AP) – New Jersey voters today found little to choose between planks in the tentative drafts of State Republican and Democratic platforms on the controversial issues of new taxes and relief financing.  Although in the Republican-controlled Legislature there was sentiment for new levies to finance relief and lower the property tax burden, planks devised by resolutions committees of both parties approved the return of relief financing to the municipalities and deplored the thought of additional taxation.  Both, however, suggested State aid to municipalities unable to bear the entire relief load….”  (May 29, 1936, p.1)

“The relief question, which had the entire State in an uproar while the State Legislature tried to make up its collective mind about its settlement, and which was suddenly tossed in the laps of municipal authorities amid much excitement, has since passed out of the excitement stage.  The general opinion after a few weeks under municipal administration is that the problem might better have been left in these capable hands for administration from the beginning with financial support from State funds….Westfield has reduced its relief roll considerably.  It is true that much of the work former relief list persons are doing is seasonal, but it remains a fact that there were jobs to be had if the effort was made to find them.  The local authorities made this effort and almost from the very day the town took over the work the relief list began to drop.  There are still able-bodied persons on the list who are willing to work if the opportunity is offered, and local residents have been asked by the chairman of the Poor Committee of the Town Council to aid these people and themselves by reducing the cost, and as a result, the taxes, in finding employment….”  (editorial from The Westfield Leader, published in The Daily Record May 29, 1936, p.4)

“An exhaustive survey of national recovery just completed by William F. Ogburn, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago, reveals that marriages deferred during the lean years now are being solemnized….The repeated postponement of marriages in the last five years constituted one of the great silent tragedies of the depression.  The return to normalcy, so to speak, is very welcome.”  (editorial, May 29, 1936)

“DOVER – A committee composed of the mayors and chairmen of township committees of the lakeland area met here in the Municipal Building last night for the purpose of discussing ways of having WPA projects at Picatinny Arsenal and Lake Denmark continued another year.  With funds running out, the ammunition depot will start laying off men early next month and by June 26 will have dropped 145 men while at Picatinny the layoff will start in July and continue through September, with 1,100 men from 23 communities affected.  Picatinny has sub-mitted a plan for a $695,764 expenditure to the state WPA administration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1937, employing over 1,000 men with the Arsenal contributing $200,000 from its normal appropriation.  The Lake Denmark station has three projectings costing $87,000 and employing 400 men, while it will contribute about $16,000.  Mayor John Roach said that unless these were continued, this section of Morris County “was confronted with the greatest unemployment problem in its history.”  ”  (May 29, 1936, p.7)

“WASHINGTON, D. C. – Morris County farmers will be paid an average of $14.30 per acre for diverting acreage from soil-depleting crops to soil-conserving crops under the 1936 Agricultural Conservation Program of the AAA, it was announced today.  Average payments by counties in New Jersey range from $11.10 in Cape May County to $15.40 in Monmouth and Salem Counties, the AAA report shows.  The figures are based on productivity of all farms in each county, taking into consideration average yields of principal soil-depleting crops over a period of years, according to J. B. Hutson, assistant AAA administrator.  Individual farms in each county will be separately considered in fixing payment rates, and will not necessarily receive the average rate for the county, Mr. Hutson pointed out.  The payments will be made for each acre, up to fifteen percent of total acreage in any farm, which is diverted to soil-conserving crops this year.  Separate payments, on a different basis, will be made for using soil-building practices.”  (June 1, 1936, p.2)

“MILLINGTON – Mrs. Elizabeth Eisel, head of emergency relief in Passaic Township, reported to the township committee at a meeting held last evening that the total relief bill for May was $197.79.  This is a considered reduction over the cost when relief was handled by the ERA.  At that time the share of the township was $299 a month and the state usually added two or three hundred dollars.  Mrs. Eisel stated that 14 families are on relief.  These families include 67 persons.  The sum spent included $173.94 for food, $16.31 for clothing and $7.50 for shelter.  What is considered even more remarkable is that relief workers during May did $100 worth of labor on roads which actually makes the cost of relief about $100.  Mrs. Eisel was again directed to give no food orders to shirkers.  The policy of the committee is:  No work, no food….”  (June 2, 1936, p.1)

“DOVER – The first annual festival of music and drama to be presented by the Morris County Recreation Division of W. P. A. will be held Wednesday evening at the local high school.  The program, sponsored jointly by the Dover Recreation Commission and the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, will be one of wide interest.  A three-act English drama, which has been given only once before in America, is now in rehearsal under the direction of Beatrice Emmett, recreation dramatic supervisor….The W. P. A. Symphony Orchestra, directed by Nicholas J. Parella, will provide the instrumental music….”  (June 3, 1936, p.3)

 “While Governor Hoffman yesterday filed in the state library without his signature the measure to appropriate $378,715 for dependent children and $133,352 for old age pensions during April, May and June, because the Legislature had failed to provide funds to meet these appropriations, which were to pay the state’s share of the cost of the Social Security Act’s provisions for old age pensions and the care of dependent children, it is not believed that this will mean that these costs will not be met.  In his letter filing the measure without approval the Governor declared “For the past few years the state’s share of old age assistance and care of dependent children has been financed through emergency relief funds, without an appropri-ation therefor.  The Legislature, in failing to provide revenues for unemployment relief has, likewise, failed to provide funds for old age assistance and for the work of the State Board of Children’s Guardians.”  It is believed that the necessary funds, appropriated by the act which the Governor filed without his signature, will be drawn from the Dorrance inheritance tax, payment of which is expected now that the United State Supreme Court has, for the second time, refused to review the decision of the State Court of Errors and Appeals upholding the right of the state to levy this tax.  Failure to provide the $512,067 provided for in the act…would mean that the State would lose the Federal aid provided for in the Social Security Act….”  (editorial from the Paterson Call, published in The Daily Record June 3, 1936, p.4)

“A unique conference, sponsored by the New Jersey Conference of Social Work, and bearing especially on the present relief situation, will be held Tuesday, in the Parish House of the Church of the Redeemed [sic], in the interest of Sussex, Warren, Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon Counties....The purpose of the confer-ence is to furnish expert information on relief and social work to those on the job rather than expecting them to travel in search of it, also that in order to be successful, municipal administration of relief must depend upon the active and intelligent interest both of the lay public and responsible officials.  Arrangements have been made for outof-town members of the conference to meet in private homes for tea.  This plan is to give those coming from a distance an opportunity to rest and relax before the evening session.  Dinner will be served at the Women’s Community Club at 6:30 o’clock.  A charge of $1 will be made.  Reservations for both tea and dinner must be arranged for in advance….the public is welcome to the general sessions insofar as hall facilities will permit.”  (June 3, 1936, p.6)

“While relief costs have been materially reduced since the municipality took control on May 1, state aid to assist in handling public relief is needed, Town Clerk Nelson S. Butera stated in a lengthy report to the Board of Aldermen last night.  He recommended…that the Town appoint a general committee to study a new method of raising funds through taxation other than on the property owner alone so that the approximately 10,000 voters help carry the burden rather than 4,000 property owners.  With the present funds available, the department can operate for about four months without asking additional funds, he said and declared “the time to prepare for the additional money that will be needed is now.”….In view of financial conditions “state aid is imperative and absolutely necessary at least for a period long enough to allow each municipality to provide some new methods of raising funds to carry the relief load in the future”.  Turned over by the ERA on May 1 were 119 families, representing 420 persons and during May there were 178 families of 680 persons handled with 152 families receiving direct relief.  There were 84 families and 254 persons cases discontinued during the month, leaving an active case load as of May 31 of 94 families, 396 individuals and 9 non-families.  There were 95 applications handled during the month and 66 accepted and 29 rejected.  The 66 cases taken on can be laid wholly to the lay-off on WPA and other public work projects, he said.  During May, the department placed 18 persons in either permanent or temporary employment and Mr. Butera appealed to all citizens and particularly the businessmen to give the department an opportunity to furnish them so that relief costs can be reduced and the citizens benefitted.  The 18 were placed because of the “cooperation of a few of our thoughtful citizens and our employment agencies.”  Relief expenditures for May were as follows:  Food, $1,666.11; milk, $322.84; shelter, $35.75; clothing, $29.28; fuel, $96; medical, $15.00:  total, $2,073.94.  The administration costs of two case workers and a secretary amounts to approximately $228.32 which has been assumed by the County Welfare Board.  This was a very low cost, Mr. Butera pointed out but he warned that it does not necessarily reflect what the costs will be in the future as at this time of year the relief costs are always reduced by seasonal employment.  “It is no doubt apparent that the municipal administering of relief is costing less.  The question in my mind is whether or not relief is actually being administered in some municipalities or are the relief clients just automatically being refused aid.  If they are being refused aid, this is not caring for relief,” the director declared….”All cases should be considered regardless of whether the applicant has access to outside aid and such cases will be considered if the client tells the truth and does not attempt to get relief under false pretences,” he stated.  All heads of families who have received relief have been required to work this out on some town project where physically possible.  Those not complying with this were automatically dropped from the relief rolls….”  (June 6, 1936, p. 1 & 7)

“Municipal handling of relief was subjected to unanimous censure by six New Jersey public welfare experts at a Northern meeting of the New Jersey Conference of Social Work at the Redeemer Church Parish House yesterday.  More than 350 welfare workers from Morris, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Hunterdon Counties attended.  The speakers sounded the keynote of the conference in asserting to a man that local administration of relief results, in many cases, in human misery, bitterness, and even starvation.  Comparisons of relief costs under ERA and local control, it was pointed out, are deceptive because municipal overseers of the poor have forsaken “essential services” once provided by the ERA….Barnard [Chester I. Barnard, former director and chairman of the New Jersey ERA] intimated that local economies have been effected by some overseers because they have simply refused to give relief.  “The reported savings in some places in the last month or two seem to me trivial,” he declared.  “It is a matter of surprise to me that virtually all expenses has [sic] not been eliminated by the simplest of all processes—by not doing the job.”  The former State director pleaded for decency rather than economy in the handling of public welfare.  “I regard it as indecent,” he said, “that some Americans should be permitted to live in squalor and lack of the bare necessities of life so long as our State is paved with two and four track ribbons of concrete, traversed by pleasure autos too numerous to be counted.  We cannot afford at this time to make economy the first criterion in the relief business. 

The issue is not so much who will administer relief but rather between decency and economy.  The return to the Poor Law standard of relief, now in effect in many of our towns, is not the right way out of our difficulties.”  Barnard lashed out at what he termed public indifference in the State to New Jersey’s public welfare problem.  Saying he would be surprised if the Legislature provided funds in 1936, he asserted that inaction at Trenton is caused by the public’s avoidance of relief as a “disagreeable subject.”  He argued the public is willing to be misled for the present “because it hopes that the relief expenditure reductions are true.”….Barnard said he agreed with Federal Administrator Harry Hopkins on his “insistance [sic] that it is a public obligation to give a helping hand to the down and out, and that it should be done with considera-tion for human dignity and with as little brutality as possible.”  Commissioner Ellis [William J. Ellis, commissioner of the State Department of Institutions and Agencies] likened the current situation in New Jersey to conditions prevailing among the poor in England in Elizabethan times.  “With little inquiry,” he said, “it is easy to discover in certain areas of this State almost the entire program of the Elizabethan overseer of the poor in many of its worst aspects.”  He pointed out compulsory road work for municipalities at 20 cents an hour with a limit of a $2 weekly food order, regardless of the size of the family.  Ellis said there are food orders emblazoned with “I, having declared myself to be a pauper, etc”.  The commissioner observed that “the appalling nature of our reversion to these ancient principals is emphasized by the era of kindly concern which this State had for the unfortunate only a few years back”.  He cited poor people forced to accept employment from more prosperous neighbors at wages far below those prevailing in any recent time.  Ellis said he deplored “the unceremonious scrapping of the ERA for relieving the needs of the poor”.  The result of this collapse, he argued, is the wreckage which is occurring in New Jersey since it abandoned its program and became the “victim and example of widespread and misleading propaganda to the effect that the overseer system is a more economical and effective way of provid-ing aid to the poor.  He said the traditions “which encumber the office of the overseer are alien to modern industrial society” and said the office was evolved to meet the needs of a rural economy that took pride in a narrow attitude toward humanity…. Prof. Lindeman [Prof. Edward Lindeman, former president of the New Jersey Conference of Social Work] …attacked the argument that unemploy-ment is the invention of the social workers and that the jobless could work if they wanted to.  He also criticized the claim that the bulk of welfare recipients prefer relief to work.  Most of the unemployed, he said, are Americans thrown out of work through technological improvements…. The speaker said the local overseer is less competent than trained social workers because he is subject to local hatreds and prejudices….Public relief was seen by Kenworthy [Samuel F. Kenworthy, executive secretary of the New Jersey League of Municipalities] as a permanent problem….”Even with a complete return to normalcy and a restoration of business conditions to 1929 the relief problem will remain,” the speaker predicted….He said in some communities relief has been “practically discontinued” and added there is refusal to supply the needy with shelter, clothing, gas, light, milk and fuel.  He asserted the ERA spent 20 per cent of its monies for these extra services….Mrs. Thomas W. Streeter, president of the Morris County Welfare Board…warned against the public’s attitude in gaining “false satisfaction from the present low relief costs under local control”….”  (June 10, 1936, p.1 & 7)

From the Daily Washington Letter by Rodney Dutcher, June 10, 1936, p.4:

“….Latest WPA story is one about a woman who was explaining her situation to the state director in Pennsylvania:  “There was me and Sam, he’s my husband, and five children.  We didn’t have a job.  It seemed like we was an awful lot of people to be on relief.  So I decided to let Sam go.  Then the WPA came in style and I got work with them.  There was nobody to leave the children with while I was away from home.  So I took Sam back.”  ”

“The National Youth Administration now estimates that at least 5,000,000 young men and women between 16 and 25 will be looking for jobs this summer.  The N. Y. A. arrives at this approximation by adding, to the current four million odd out of work, 1,000,000 high school graduates and 130,000 to 140,000 college graduates.  Many of these young people will be placed in jobs at once.  The prospects for young graduates are the best in five years, the government agency finds.  This is true, among other reasons, because employers more and more are turning to high school and college-trained youths for new blood.  And so, despite today’s huge unemployment problem, youth must not lose its interest in education.  The road to gainful employment necessarily is longer these days, but in the end the best-prepared man reaches the goal first.”  (editorial, June 11, 1936)

“Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hilbert, of Montville, committed to the County Jail for 30 days on Wednesday on a disorderly conduct charge, were to be released this afternoon with assurances that they and their two children, Roberta, six and Mary Lou, one and a half, will be given a home and food orders until such times as Hilbert can secure work.  The Hilberts, who originally belonged to Montville, were living in Morris Township but their application for relief there was turned down as they had not lived there the year required by law.  So borrowing a truck, Hilbert loaded his furniture and returned to Montville.  When [sic] he camped on the front porch of Ward Witty, township committeeman and relief director of the township and demanded shelter.  Witty called in State Police, had the Hilberts arrested on a disorderly conduct charge and Justice of the Peace Henry H. Grimm committed both to the County Jail for 30 days.  Naturally, with no where else to go, their small children accompanied them.  Immediately after their commitment yesterday, jail authorities got busy and Sheriff Fred S. Myers took the matter up with Miss Edith McCully, executive secretary of the County Welfare Board.  Miss McCully communicated with Witty and arranged that a house be furnished the Hilberts and also a food order was promised.  With this taken care of, the release of the family was only a matter of formality and Justice Grimm was expected to sign the necessary papers.  Hilbert, who is a brother of Chief of Police Russell Hilbert, of Montville, will not keep a job, according to Witty, who says he several times found work for Hilbert but the latter did not keep the jobs.  Witty said that there was some delay in getting a suitable place because Montville, a rural community, did not have as many houses available as a larger town like Morristown.”  (June 12, 1936, p.1)

“Robert W. Hilbert…was a free man again today, marking time until Monday morning when he will be able to begin work on [sic] WPA tennis court project in Boonton…that will pay $48.40 a month….combined efforts… found the Hilbert family a four-room house on the banks of the Rockaway river on Route 6.  The rent is $16 a month—with the first month taken care of out of township relief funds.  Hilbert…claimed he had been “framed” by Witty and by Montville Chief of Police Russell Hilbert, his brother.  “It’s all lies, what the newspapers say about me parking my furniture on Witty’s porch….Why, he had six men, two of them his sons, trying to push me off.”….”They even ripped my underwear….It’s a lie when they say I won’t work….”  Hilbert said he had formerly been a lineman in a Westinghouse plant with 65 men under his charge.  He claimed he had gotten two promotions while he was working for the Department of Agriculture on a Dutch Elm project.  “For the past two weeks I’ve been working for $10 over in a hotel near here.  That ought to show that I’m not afraid to work....”  Mrs. Hilbert corroborated her husband.  “He brings home every cent he has,” she said.  Hilbert said it was not true he had gone to demand shelter from Witty of his own accord.  When he was evicted from Morris Township because he could not satisfy the year residence requirement for relief he was told by the County Welfare Board, he said, to go to Witty.  The township even supplied a truck for his belongings, he claimed …..Ironically, Mrs. Hilbert said, her husband was owed $19 for odd electrical and painting jobs he had done during the past month, but he could not collect the money.  “If we had only gotten $10 of that, all this fuss would have been avoided,” she said.”  (June 13, 1936, p.1)

“The eligibility requirements for enrollment in the Veterans’ Contingent of the Civilian Conservation Corps have been modified so as to permit the selection of not more than 25 percent of the number of veterans needed to fill the July replacement quota, which will soon be announced, from veterans who are not actually receiving public welfare aid….Only those veterans who are physically able to perform ordinary labor will be selected for enrollment.  ….”  (June 13, 1936, p.3)

“Six men whose heads have greyed over New Jersey relief problems the past four years stood at the Redeemer Church parish house here Tuesday and put to rout, to their satisfaction at least, the facile contention that local relief control has effected genuine economies….They pointed to essential services that have been completely disregarded by overseers of the poor who, they said, were creating conditions of pauperism.  If the peculiar shortcoming of overseers is their fanaticism for economy at any human cost, the peculiar shortcoming of the ERA administration was its failure to oust chisellers and grafters at the public trough….The Daily Record stands for municipal administration of relief with the proviso set by Barnard, namely, that it should not lead to the brutalities that characterized the little dictatorships wielded by the old overseers of the poor.”  (editorial, June 15, 1936)

“The Morristown Trust Company was recently approved as a mortgagee by the Federal Housing Administration…and accordingly can make mortgage loans under the single mortgage system of the FHA.  In accordance with the FHA plan, any home owner or prospective home owner may borrow up to 80 per cent of the appraised value of the property he may wish to build or refinance, provided the amount does not exceed $18,000.  This money is furnished by the mortgagee and insured by the government.  The mortgage may be repaid over periods up to twenty years, in monthly installments which often do not exceed the amount now paid for rent.  Each installment carries besides interest and amortization of the principal, a small service charge to the lending institution, government insurance, 1-12 of the annual taxes and 1-12 annual fire insurance.”  (June 18, 1936, p.2)

“How would you like a job?” says the portly businessman  to the college graduate, who jumps for joy at the offer.  Herblock editorial cartoon “The Ideal Graduation Gift”, June 13, 1936, p.4.

“An invitation to the general public to visit six WPA sewing rooms in Morris County was announced today by J. Francis Moroney, district director….The public is urged to examine the methods of production used and to appraise the garments produced by the workers on the projects….”Emphasis is dual in this program,” Moroney pointed out.  He said security wages are being paid to women who were formerly relief clients, and added that a “tremendous supply of women’s and children’s clothes are being made available through established welfare agencies within the district”….Morris County’s sewing rooms are located as follows:  Morristown, 6 Vail place; Dover, 36 Morris street; Rockaway, East Main street ; Boonton. 1005 Main street; Madison, the Settlement House; and Millington, at the Passaic Township Hall.”  (June 18, 1936, p.8)

“If WPA funds can be obtained for a survey of the needs, type and courses for a county vocational school, a committee appointed by educational and social service leaders will proceed with an investigation into the possibility of erecting such a school in Morris county….The need for vocational education in Morris County has been acute for some time, but no successful plans for the building of a school have been advanced….”  (June 19, 1936, p.1)

“WASHINGTON, D. C.—Government conducted war on Morris County mosquitoes will be continued for another three years before the eradication campaign is handed back to New Jersey, Forest Service officials here announced today.  Detailed operations for the Morris County CCC camp at Morristown during the next six months were outlined by the service at the same time….the camp has embarked on a far-reaching program to speed up drainage throughout the county, clear away debris from slow moving streams and team [sic] out underbush which shades the pests’ breeding places in forests.  Sixty-eight thousand square yards of stream banks in the county will be graded and brush removed to make passage of water through them easier.  Another 470,000 square yards of stream will be cleared out in the new six month period while some 25,000 cubic yards of soil is slated for removal in the establishment of new ditches.  Government officials plan to spend around $2350 monthly for upkeep of the Morristown camp during the next period, a figure which does not include the pay and food handled by the War Department.”  (June 19, 1936, p.9)

“CHATHAM – New heights are being reached this spring in Chatham real estate activity, according to a report issued today by the Madison Better Housing Committee.  Leaders of Chatham realty and building groups reached by the committee during the past week declared that the present activity exceeded their highest expectations.  Credit for the upturn, they said, was due to the increased use of FHA methods of financing and the improvement in general business conditions.  In support of their statement they cited the amount of new construction during the first five months of this year, which was 374 per cent over the amount for the same period last year.  So great has been the advance that a shortage of building workers has threatened, they said….Evidence of the part played by the Federal Housing Administration in stimulating the upturn is seen by Benyew D. Philhower, chair-man of the Madison Better Housing Committee, in the amount of new construction financed through that federal agency.  “Eighty per cent of this year’s increase in building volume or $75,000, was financed through the FHA single mortgage system,” Mr. Philhower declared….The FHA is also credited with being a factor in the advance made this year in the real estate market, according to Chatham realtors.  J. Oscar Williams, who manages the Karolyna Development, reports that in his office alone sales of improved properties worth $32,000 were financed through the FHA, while Milliam [sic] H. Fitze said that the smaller cash invest-ment made possible by the FHA has been instrumental in a “considerable number” of sales of unimproved lots….Pointing out the flourishing state of tract develop-ments, Mr. Fitze stressed the fact that no attempt was being made to speculate.  “Builders are preceeding [sic] in a definitely sound manner,” he continued.  “Developers are erecting only two or three homes at a time and waiting for sales before continuing their operations.”….”  (June 20, 1936, p. 12)

“The opening of the summer boxing season for the C.C.C. Camps of Northern New Jersey will take place Friday when five of the camps will engage in a tournament at the Berkshire Arena near Dover….Vince Dundee, former middle-weight champion of the world, who is taking an active interest in boxing in the C.C.C. Camps, will referee the bouts to be staged on the first card….Excellent boxing material has been discovered in the camps throughout the state….The participants from the various camps have been in training for the past three weeks.  Many of the scrappers have won honors in both the Golden Gloves and the Diamond Gloves tournaments conducted throughout the country….Judges for the evening will be John MacAllister, owner of the Swannanoa Country Club and former training quarters for Max Schmeling and Barney Ross, and Maurice Cruels, the former fight manager.…”  (June 23, 1936, p.10)

“Painters, carpenters and plumbers throughout Morris County must be extremely busy and not in need of any extra work if a judgment could be formed from the number of bids received by the Board of Freeholders yesterday for changes at the Court House.  Only four bids, two from painters, and one each from carpenter and plumbing firms, were received, greatly to the surprise of the Board.  It was thought that 20 or 30 concerns would be bidding on each job, as none of the work was very big so that small firms weren’t barred by the magnitude of the job.  The work to be done is for the moving of the County Law Library to the upper floor of the former County Clerk’s Office in the main building and transferring Probation Officer Robert L. Murphy from that wing to the rooms now occupied by the library…The work of moving the metal cases holding the hundreds of law books has been awarded to a firm in Newark for $800….The remodeling is part of the yearly plan of making changes and improvements to the building, each year the work being kept within an appropriation made in the budget.”  (June 25, 1935, p.1)

“….the governor…signed the bill providing for an Armory in Morristown.  That will mean in time the erection of a building here to cost at least in the neighbor-hood of $150,000.  The other was the definite approval by the Treasury Depart-ment of the government of the construction of a new post office at Boonton….the building will probably cost at least $60,000.  These projects will provide work for many now out of work and together with a distinctly noticeable boom in the county in building give indication that better times are in store for those connected with the building trades.  Goodness knows they have been at a low ebb for enough years, and until they are really active again there can be no ending of the depress-sion.”  (editorial, June 25, 1936)

“A certain amount of prejudice must be discounted in studying Relief Adminis-trator Hopkins’ report showing neglect approaching starvation under the local supervision of relief in New Jersey….Despite its frailties, Mr. Hopkins’ inquiry is probably the most thoro that has yet been conducted in New Jersey and until it can be refuted it must be accepted as a challenge that the state cannot afford to ignore ….many in the state were entertaining the hope that local administration had solved the relief problem by cutting its cost in half without impairing the service administered the needy.  But such  hope was based not upon an exhaustive inquiry but rather upon casual observation.  Under the circumstances another survey, to be conducted by a disinterested agency, to determine the exact status of relief in New Jersey is highly in order….”  (editorial from the Asbury Park Press, appearing in The Daily Record June 25, 1936, p.4)

“Some of the lesser injustices should be taken out of the federal government’s work-relief program by the new ruling that an unemployed man no longer need take a “pauper’s oath” to get a work relief job.  Formerly jobs were open only to people who has [sic] received direct relief prior to last November.  Such a rule was bound to work occasional hardship, and it did.  Many a man who needed a work-relief job to keep body and soul together, but who had managed to stay off the dole in the past, had no chance to get one.  The new ruling puts a much-needed flexibility into the program…..”  (editorial, June 30, 1936)

“While a Morris County WPA orchestra played music propitious for the festive occasion, members of CCC Company 1212 and ladies from Whippany, Morristown, Chatham, Paterson and other points danced “aboard the good ship 1212” until the hour of 1 A.M.  The company recreation hall was decorated in the manner of a ship and the wind that blew through the windows of the hall and set flags and bunting within waving, considerably enhanced the illusion….All of the decorations were done by the members of the company themselves, under direction of Sol Corrao, Morristown sign painter, illustrator and WPA teacher….”  (June 30, 1936, p.5)

“Harry L. Hopkins, federal relief administrator, has charged that New Jersey is witnessing “a return to indecent, degrading Elizabethan methods of poor-law administration” because relief costs have been drastically reduced since relief was handed back to the municipalities.  It is probable that the standard has been lowered in some places, but we doubt if anything like Mr. Hopkins describes has taken place on any large scale.  How Mr. Hopkins could know what he is talking about in advance of a report from WPA investigators sent into the State a few days ago to look into the matter is a mystery….In any case the federal government is not paying the bill now and we cannot see what reason it has to complain of the results being obtained unless it is a vague fear that New Jersey will demonstrate that there are better ways to relieve distress than those which have been followed to date by the Washington relief authorities, through CWA, WPA, PWA and ERA, which would not make good campaign material in an election year.  There is no perfect system of administering relief none which can possibly please the taxpayer or the relief recipient….we do find a feeling that the more it can be made a neighborhood affair the more even and fair will be the distribution….many municipalities will have to have some outside assistance, if local real estate taxes are not to be kited, but the State will do well to leave to local officials the administration of the funds subject to some reasonable standards, but standards sufficiently flexible to be fitted to conditions in a rural township or an industrial centre.”  (editorial from The Freehold Transcript, published in The Daily Record July 2, 1936, p.6)

“C. C. C. Company 241 won the first round of the Lidgerwood Twilight League last night when it swamped the Trojans, 12 to 6, in a game marked with a free mixture of brilliant and blundersome fielding plays….”  (July 2, 1936, p.12)

Sign of the times:  “The driver who takes unnecessary chances on the road tomorrow had better put his worldly things in order beforehand because the chances of his survival are scant, Motor Vehicle Commissioner Arthur W. Magee announces….”By strict enforcement the authorities can prevent a repetition of the recent Memorial Day weekend record when eleven lives were lost in accidents in the State.  Last year on July 4, and the following day traffic casualties totaled eight.  Plain, unadulterated common courtesy is the safest and best rule for drivers to follow if the accident situation is to be kept under control….”  ”(July 3, 1936, p.1)

“The Morris County Welfare Board made a plea to municipalities today asking them to maintain their relief standards “to the end that relief in our County may be conducted in an orderly and adequate manner.”  Citing the fact that the board itself has final jurisdiction in the maintenance of relief standards, the president, Mrs. Thomas W. Streeter of Morristown indicated, however, that the board considers the present set-up unsatisfactory.  The president said the board “deplores” the arrangement whereby it maintains policing powers over municipalities while it does not itself contribute to the cost of relief.  Mrs. Streeter pointed out that the board attempted to have a state law passed which would transfer the responsibility for maintaining relief standards from the board to the municipalities.  She added, however, that in view of the fact the law was not adopted, the board “will not hesitate to take direct action in accordance with its legal duty if it finds that any municipality is not providing adequate relief”….”  (July 3, 1936, p. 1 & 2)

“New Jersey relief is “inhuman and cruel” because “human values are held lightly,” Walter West of New York City, executive secretary of the American Association of Social Workers, wrote in a report….The assertion followed on an investigation of local relief administration in 41 Jersey towns since the ERA ended April 15 and the poor were handed over to municipalities….”Jersey is experiment-ing with slow starvation for relief recipients as a possible solution for the problem of providing relief for those who cannot maintain themselves,” West wrote.  The social service executive pointed out there was “every indication that many local overseers of the poor, having been critical of the ERA regime because of the lack of local responsibility and control, were convinced that it was possible to admin-ister relief more economically.  They, therefore, took steps to inaugurate a program of drastic retrenchment.”….West warned the “serious consequences of the Jersey experiment can best be grasped when one realizes that two out of every five persons on relief in the State are under 16 years old.  It seems incredible that any State or local government would seek to find out how long it takes a child to succumb to malnutrition, but the facts indicate this test is being made in Jersey with official sanction.”  From the findings in the 41 towns, West reported the following conditions:  Persons working out their restricted food allowances are paid as low as 20 cents an hour.  All unattached persons are being denied any relief in 10 places.  Residents of less than five years are denied any relief in 10 areas.  In 25 communities, no rent payments are made, although seven officials reported they would act if families were evicted.  Medical aid has been eliminated as a relief item in 12 communities.  Aliens are denied any relief in three communities.  No gas or other fuel is provided for cooking in 26 towns.  Electricity for lighting has been eliminated as a relief item in 30 places.”  (July 3, 1936, p.2)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

“The temporary 3 ½ per cent interest rate on all Federal Land Bank farm mortgage loans held by members of the Morris National Farm Loan Association has been extended for one year….Extension of the temporary low rate was made possible by action of Congress…and covers all interest that comes due before June 30, 1937 on some $505,000 of Land Bank loans now outstanding through the local association.  For the country as a whole, some two billion of loans are affected….”  (July 6, 1936, p.3)

“MADISON – Morris County ranks second of the twenty-one counties in New Jersey in new construction financed through the Federal Housing Administration, according to a statement made last night by Edward L. O’Neill, Field Represen-tative of the FHA….He emphasized the role of the FHA in stabilizing the real estate market through its insistence on good property and construction standards and sound financing….During his address…Mr. O’Neill declared that New Jersey was one of the most active states in taking advantage of the Federal Housing Administration.  It ranks second in loans, he said.  Estimating the dollar value of the loans as not less than $15,000,000, he asserted that the total amount of modern-ization started in New Jersey thru the impetus given private capital by the FHA was approximately $100,000,000.  He emphasized the fact that it was private capital which was financing this work.  “No government funds are being used,” he said.  “The purpose of the National Housing Act was to loosen private capital and put idle money back in circulation.”  Regarding the interest permitted on modernization loans insured by the FHA, Mr. O’Neill said that the maximum rate was 9.7 per cent.  But while admitting that this was high, he advised his audience to remember that it was simply the maximum permitted rate and declared that if a borrower could obtain money at a lower rate the FHA would insure the loan.  Smiling, Mr. O’Neill added: “The trouble is, there are not many banks where an individual can borrow money at a lower rate.”….The soundness of the FHA system of building financing, he said, is revealed in the number of abuses it has discouraged in the mortgage field.  It has insisted in the principle than an individ-ual should have a sufficient equity in his property and sufficient resources to increase his equity by periodic payments against the principal of his mortgage….” (July 8, 1936, p. 1 & 7)

“Morris County laborers on WPA projects will work 23 hours less a month according to a schedule for the new fiscal year, William H. J. Ely, State Administrator, announced today.  Laborers will receive the same monthly pay though their 130-hour month will be reduced by five to 25 hours in 16 counties.  Morris is one of these with an almost maximum cut in hours so that men will now work 107 hours.  In five other counties, laborers will continue their 130-hour month but receive $2.90 to $3.50 reductions in monthly pays.  Mr. Ely, explaining this “seeming disparity,” said:  “An impartial survey established the prevailing rate for laborers at 35 to 50 cents an hour.  Where the rate was high the number of hours had to be reduced to keep the worker’s monthly earnings within the federally-established maximum pay.  Where the rate was low the worker could not earn his old monthly pay by working the State-established maximum number of hours now available.”  “I call it a ‘seeming disparity,’” Mr. Ely said, “because, according to statisticians’ tables, workers in low-pay Counties can buy the same volume of necessaries in their pay as workers in high-pay counties can buy in their communities with higher pay.”  The federally-established maximum monthly earnings for Morris County were: unskilled, $48.40; intermediate, $55; skilled, $63 and professional and technical, $69.”  (July 8, 1936, p.1)

“The number of persons receiving support through the Bureau of General Welfare of the County Welfare Board decreased during June….Starting June 1 there were 300 persons receiving relief but during the month the total was cut to 298 with the cost being $4,284.  Very few new cases were added as 33 applied for aid and were investigated and only nine of these were accepted while 24 were rejected.  Aid to the various municipal bodies in their handling of relief was reported by Miss McCully, who said:  “The number of municipal cases fluctuates weekly.  We are doing case work in four municipalities at their request, each of the four visitors being assigned to a township where she holds office hours one day a week.  Following this, she makes her investigations, and consults with the municipal director of welfare as to the relief to be given.  Other municipalities are calling on us more and more for help on problem cases, and our services are being offered to another township where the local director finds that the work of investigating cases is taking too much of his own time.”  The old age assistant bureau showed a decided increase with 25 new grants being made and 14 discontinued, leaving 656 at the end of June at a cost of $11,314.25.  There were 90 new applications and eight reapplications during the month, which is three times the average monthly intake during the past two years.…At the Welfare House there were two admissions and two discharges, keeping the census there at 99. The WPA sewing project supplies the workers with bed linen and clothing for men and women.  They have also provided an instructor in occupational therapy for women.  Donations during the month included a wheel chair, and a deer.  A Band Concert was given for the Welfare House inmates.”  (July 8, 1936, p.7)

“Down in Hammonton, the rule has been made that those on relief who refuse berry-picking jobs will be dropped from the relief rolls and left to shift for themselves.  So far a number have been dropped as a result of their refusal.  About this time last Summer, some Jersey City youths sought work in south Jersey when they heard berry-pickers were needed.  They returned in a few days, tired and hungry, with tales of sun-up to sun-down work for no more pay and nothing more than poor food, a straw bed in a barn, and a few pennies.  What at first glance may appear to be justice in refusing relief to those who refuse work, will be seen on closer consideration a grave danger to all workers.  A rule which would arbitrarily throw persons off relief who refuse any job offered no matter how poor the pay, would work hardship not only upon those on relief, but upon those now holding jobs.  It is only fitting that any person on relief who refuses a job at a fair salary should be dropped from the rolls.  On the other hand, no man or woman should be required to accept work at bare subsistence wages for fear of being left to starve.  The matter of determining what a fair wage should be is undoubtedly a difficult one, for conditions will vary greatly in every locality, with the result that a minimum wage which no relief recipient may refuse must be set by local authorities.  Such minimums should be set at the local prevailing wage scale, however, if both the relief recipients and the employed workers are to be given adequate protection.  Let workers who accept part time work be paid from relief funds the amount their earnings fall short of a living wage; let families where only one of many is earning money receive additional money from relief; but let us not attempt to force those on relief to take jobs at standards lower than that paid their neighbors.  That is poor business.  To do so would quickly reduce the wages of all workers to a sub-relief standard, not because the majority of employers would want to cut wages, but because the few unscrupulous employers to be found everywhere would forces wages down.  These few would find the relief rolls a constant reservoir of cheap labor and would use it to such personal advantage that all would quickly be forced to follow the same line, with the eventual ruin of business.  General reduction of the wage level all along the line is followed by inability of workers, earning only enough for food and shelter, to buy the products of industry.  Production is cut down; more unemployment resulting.  The unscrupulous employer along with the honest man is ruined as the final consequence of the vicious practice he started….”  (editorial from the Jersey Journal, printed in The Daily Record July 10, 1936, p.6)

“TRENTON, (AP) – Arthur Mudd, director of the State Financial Assistant [sic] Commission which has $6,000,000 to aid municipal relief, worked today on a formula which would make “advance” loans to municipalities while the relief money was distributed at a rate of $1,000,000 a month.  The formula proposed a distribution of the money on each municipality’s ratables and ability to collect taxes.  It provided the municipalities spend the money first and be reimbursed later.  The commission yesterday vetoed a suggestion by the municipalities that the money be distributed as needed and a special session of the legislature called when it runs out. Representatives of the state league of municipalities told the commis-sion many municipalities had exhausted their funds and some were unable to borrow.  They said about $10,000,000 would be needed for relief in the next six months….The commission said at a previous meeting it authorized State Treasurer William H. Albright to loan immediately up to $5,000 for relief when an urgent need was shown by any municipality.  Albright said there were no applications for the loan….members of the commission are generally agreed upon allocating the fund upon a reimbursement basis.  There is no other way out than to expect the municipalities to bear the extra cost….”  (July 14, 1936, p.1)

“….the school teacher has had a tough row to hoe these last few years.  He has been nobody’s friend, the target for every crank and demagog, the No. 1 item on everybody’s list for economizing….When the depression came, the revenues of state and cities fell away alarmingly, and expenses had to be cut.  Where did the cutting start?  Why, right in the little red schoolhouse, to be sure—and in the big new high school, the expensive technical school, and the university campus.  First the teachers found their pay being reduced.  Then, in case after case, they found that the checks weren’t coming through at all.  The famous Chicago situation, where teachers existed somehow for months, and even years, without seeing a red cent of pay, was only the most spectacular of many similar situations.  Just how the teachers lived is not quite clear; but they gritted their teeth, tightened their belts, and hung on somehow.  Then, as the worst of the economic pressure passed and things grew a bit easier along the economic front, the witchburners began to light their torches and go out on the prowl.  Here, once more, the school teachers were the first and most obvious target—an ideal target, for the average teacher simply cannot answer back when inquisitors get on the trail.  From the things that happened thereafter you would almost suppose that our teachers had been convicted, en masse, of trading with the enemy in wartime.  State legislatures and city councils thought up binding oaths for the teachers to take.  Investigating committees groped their way through textbooks and lectures.  Young women who had their hands more than full trying to get irrepressible youth to pay a little attention to the intricacies of plane and solid geometry were solemnly asked if they believed in the Constitution from kiver to kiver.  Only the football coaches escaped….The teachers have lived through it….you can’t blame them if they are hoping that the country’s return to prosperity will cause their fellow citizens to leave them alone and let them get on with their thankless, illpaid and tremendously important job.”  (editorial, July 16, 1936)

“Several years ago, when the picket fires of our economy seemed to be flickering out against the approaching night, someone asked an economist when the depression was going to end.  “It will end,” he remarked dryly, “about six months before we realize that it has ended.”  Looking about this broad land today, one is forced to wonder if it isn’t about time for us to wake up and realize that something happened to us some six months ago…. Wheels are turning as they have not turned in years, factory chimneys are contributing their agreeable mugginess to the city air, and people are busy once more….The Federal Reserve Board’s index of industrial production reached 100 in April and has gone higher since then…. Building contract figures are up….Freight car loadings have risen….The bottom hasn’t fallen out of everything, after all….Better times have arrived; really good times are not far ahead….”  (editorial, July 17, 1936)

“Praise for the strides made by the WPA sponsored Planning Board for Morris County was given yesterday by Alfred N. Brooks, field representative of the Regional Planning Commission…during the course of his inspection trip here.  “I can truthfully say that Morris County is easily among the most progressive in its work of the 17 counties involved in my commission’s plan for the port of New York Authority area,” Mr. Brooks said.  Mr. Brooks was particularly pleased with the comprehensive amount of data amassed by the PWA project workers under the direction of John A. Raymond, project statistician, and Andrew J. Proskie, engineer, during the five months the project has been under way.  Among the major achievements of the group has been a base map of the county, compiled with a high degree of accuracy—a map which has corrected a number of errors which in some cases have caused errors in taxation.  This one feature, Mr. Brooks pointed out, has fully justified the project….”  (July 18, 1936, p.1)

“LYONS – War veterans may be immediately enrolled in the CCC even though they are not in receipt of public relief benefits, according to announcement made at Lyons today by M. E. Head, manager of the Veterans’ Administration Facility.  There are many vacancies existing in present veterans’ companies and it is desired to fill the vacancies by July 28.  For this reason, enrollments have been thrown open.  An [sic] war veteran honorably discharged from the service is eligible for enrollment in the event that he has not formerly been a member of the CCC.  If he was formerly a member and was discharged on or after September 30, 1935, he is not eligible for reenrollment for a period of one year following the date of his last discharge from the CCC.  All veterans having previous CCC service must have been honorably discharged from their last enrollment.  Contrary to expectations, there was not a large exodus of veterans from camps upon receipt of the “Bonus” benefits, according to Mr. Head….Any veteran interested in enrollment should immediately apply to his nearest American Red Cross office, headquarters of Veterans organizations, National and State Re-employment Offices, Thorton Webster, Veterans’ Placement Representative for New Jersey,  Post Office building, Newark, or direct to the Veterans’ Administration Facility at Lyons….”  (July 18, 1936, p.8)

“CHICAGO -- ….with young America marrying again, in record numbers, the United States must build immediately more than 2,000,000 new houses to avoid a nation-wide housing shortage….“since 1928 approximately 3,000,000 homes have become uninhabitable because of obsolescence, and we have actually lost 150,000 through fire and tornado.  Against this decline in housing facilities, up to the start of 1936 only 315,000 new homes were constructed, which leaves the nation with actually nine per cent fewer homes today than it had in 1928.  In other words, America stands in need today of more than 2,000,000 new residential structures.”  Effects of the new home construction are already being reflected not only in the building tradesmen being put back to work…but in the sharp revival of business experienced by the home furnishings industry….”  (July 18, 1936, p.12)

“The local Better Housing Office…under the supervision of John J. Camisa, has reported an increase in the number of applicants for F. H. A. insured loans, for re-financing mortgages, under title two of the National Housing Act.  It is also reported by building inspectors in this area that modernization and repair work to existing structures is on the upgrade.  Title one, under which this type of work is done, has been extended to April 1, 1937….With greater employment and an increase in wages families that doubled up during the depression are now seeking their own homes or apartment….As employment increases and income rises better standard of living quarters will be demanded by present and potential tenants.  Now is the time for owners of single family dwellings and apartment buildings to anticipate this demand and repair or modernize…. The progressive merchant will decide either a large or more modern store to attract and hold…new business…. Manufacturing plants may need to modernize or replace obsolete equipment…. Office buildings and other commercial establishments will require new equipment, modernizing or redecorating….The…Better Housing Committee, working in co-operation with the Federal Housing Administration has an office located at 10 Community place.  A well trained staff is in attendance at this office with whom any one desiring information or help may consult.  There is no charge for this service and all interviews are of course held in the strictest confidence.”  (July 20, 1936, p.1)

“TRENTON, (AP) – The State Financial Assistance Commission, a new relief agency, said today that 114 municipalities have already been eliminated from a share in the $6,000,000 fund made available by the state for relief as financially able to care for the needy unassisted….Relief officials estimated, however, that approximately 450 of the state’s 564 municipalities would share in the relief money which the commission plans to distribute for six months at the rate of $1,000,000 a month.  All municipalities which receive a portion of the monthly aid fund must declare by resolutions that they are unable to shoulder the entire relief load because of outstanding taxes, decrease in other revenues, and inability to reduce operating expenses.  Each municipality will estimate the cost of relief for July in its resolution, and future payments will be made on a reimbursement basis for the past month’s expenditures….Vouchers will be paid by the comptroller after approval by the director of the commission and the state treasurer….”  (July 21, 1936, p.1)

“DOVER – Max Heller, president of the Recreation Commission, has made arrangements for another outdoor concert by the 20-piece WPA Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Nicholas Parella….a large audience is expected to attend.  There is no admission charge…but a silver collection will be taken to pay the expense of the orchestra….”  (July 21, 1936, p. 6)

“Employees of the Engineering Department at Greystone Park have sent out form letters containing a copy of an appeal forwarded to the Governor, Commissioner of Institutions and Agencies, Board of Managers of the Hospital, Superintendent, Warden and Engineer in charge at the Hospital and State Senators and Assembl-ymen, asking that the stagger system of employment at the hospital be ended.  They claim that while the legislative provisions for a stagger system ended June 30, they are still on a part time basis, losing one day a week, and ask that they be restored to full time pay again.  Their appeal reads as follows:  “….they were forced to take one day a week off without pay which has cost each one of them from $300 to $400, per year….We would like to ask if you think it is fair that this small group of about 80 men who spent the best part of their lives to learn their various trades at small salaries, should be kept on the stagger system….”  (July 23, 1936, p.1)

“WHARTON – Wharton’s eighty-three persons on relief forced the Wharton Borough Council to apply for state aid last night to carry them through the remainder of the Summer, and, possibly, through the Winter….It found that 23 families need relief for a total of 83 persons, many of them unable to work for their WPA allotments.  The July relief costs will total $425.  The borough’s reserve fund for relief purposes is too small to carry the emergency load much longer….In passing its resolution, the council pointed out that the number of relief clients here is exceptionally large for the population, and that tax collections are lagging behind a normal rate.”  (July 23, 1936, p.1)

“SEA GIRT, (AP) – William J. Ellis, State Commissioner of Institutions and agencies has turned down a request by some 80 engineering employees of the State Hospital at Greystone Park that they be restored to a full workday week and a stagger system in force since 1932 be discontinued.  Ellis, reached at his summer home here, said he felt “there is no reason for changing this policy in that it is working out satisfactorily.”….”  (July 24, 1936, p. 1)

“WPA-sponsored concert and dance orchestras will make 39 appearances in Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties between today and Aug. 28, Nicholas J. Parella, supervisor, said today….”  There follows the schedule of concert orchestras and dance orchestras.  (July 24, 1936, p.1)

“A good many local lawyers will cheer the news that the WPA has finally found some projects which will give them a source of income.  A great number of lawyers have been graduated in the last few years by the law schools and for many now practicing, or hoping to practice if clients show up, the “pickings” have been pretty slim of late.  Lawyers have been among the forgotten when it came to doling out relief projects, but it is a fact that many of them do need help.  The painful truth is that the joke about the local lawyer who had a $5 case last week and two small ones is no idle jest.  Some lawyers have not only not had the $5 case but were unable to secure the “small” ones.  The WPA program designed to improve the financial circumstances of impoverished lawyers throughout the state has the approval of the New Jersey Bar Association….Among the legal projects to be considered are: digesting of workman’s compensation laws and decisions; codifying of municipal laws (which would be a great help in city policing); codifying of ordinances of certain municipalities in New Jersey; instruction of classes in naturalization; instruction of classes on traffic laws; assistance with the annotation now being made by the American Law Institute; assistance in complet-ing the revision of statutes under direction of the revision committee of the Legislature.  It is unfortunate that men and women of the legal profession must turn to the government for assistance.  The situation is a sad commentary on the overcrowded condition in the profession.  Although bar examinations are made more difficult, the number of new lawyers admitted each term to an already overcrowded field is appalling….The profession is filled with lawyers seeking to make a living and in order to do so many are forced to take cases at ridiculously low fees. The situation also creates the temptation to take cases of a shady nature.  The solution of the lawyers’ difficulties in the long run does not lie in govern-mental relief thru WPA projects but in limiting the field and cleaning house within.”  (editorial from the Jersey Journal, appearing in the Daily Record July 29, 1936, p.6)

“Charles Edison, the State Director for New Jersey for the National Emergency Council today commented on the current figures of the Public Works Administra-tion for projects in New Jersey.  He stated that the figures show that there were 199 Federal projects costing $64,463,468 and 149 non-Federal projects to the amount of $34,566,589, making a grand total of $99,030,057 of which $13,107,528 has been completed….The Federal projects include buildings for use of the Federal Government and the non-Federal projects are those which are intended for the use of municipalities, counties and the state and sponsored by these bodies.  For these projects the Federal Government made grants of from thirty to forty-five percent of the cost, and loans for the balance at four percent if they desired to obtain the balance of their funds in that manner….The statewide projects….include harbor improvements, highways, disease control, aircraft, radio equipment and dredging and deepening river channels.…” (July 31, 1936, p.1)

“The WPA renovated and reconditioned sewage disposal plant here was turned over to City officials yesterday afternoon in ceremonies sponsored at the plant site.  The project…included the cleaning of two large beds, totaling more than 2 acres.  During the past seven months more than 1,250 tons of stone were taken up, cleaned and replaced, and augmented by 500 tons of new filter stone; 250 tons of sand were dug up, and replaced with 2,850 tons, of which 850 tons were furnished by WPA, and 2,000 tons by Morristown.  Fifteen workers were employed on the project since it began….”  (July 31, 1936, p.1)

“New Jersey can ill afford to leave unnoticed the startling report released today by the American Association of Social Workers which declares that local authorities in parts of New Jersey are slowly “starving people on relief.”….if the American Association of Social Workers is right in many of its charges, New Jersey is the state of a cruel, home-made raw deal for the poor, and the Republican majority and the Democratic minority who refused to support Gov. Hoffman’s plea for adequate relief financing by a sales tax must take the blame.  If the charges are not true, the social workers will stand indicted throughout the nation as unreliable soreheads, who cooked up a pack of malicious lies just because they lost some jobs when the state Emergency Relief Administration folded up.  It must be presumed that the social workers have too big a stake in the nation to risk their reputation thus rashly….When the load was shifted to the municipalities this spring, it was natural that the municipalities, to ease the fearful local tax burden, should try to cut relief expenses as much as possible.  Most of the professional relief workers and social workers, who, in some instances, had been extremely generous in their dealings with the needy, were discharged.  The municipal overseers took over the super-vision.  Some of these overseers are called “hard boiled.”  They know the mendicants and the needy, and they have a very good idea of the worthy and those not so worthy in their municipalities.  They could have and should have advised ERA if they knew of relief sponging.  It is hard to believe the poormasters, who are usually political satellites, are suddenly grown so much wiser than professional social workers.  But it is easy to believe that both honest poormasters and honest professional ERA social workers were commanded by “higher-ups” to put political favorites on the relief roster….The public will note that today’s charges tend to corroborate the findings of Harry L. Hopkins’ investigators, who were asked for a report on New Jersey.  What they told the President’s national relief administrator was so damaging to New Jersey’s fair name that Gov. Earle held this state up before the Pennsylvania Legislature as an example of how not to solve the relief problem….”  (editorial from the Jersey Journal, published in the Daily Record July 31, 1936, p.4)