Fatal Collapse of 2 Houses Laid to Vandalism

Camden Courier-Post - June 20, 1933

Mrs. Pfeil Tells North Camden Civic Group Boys Must be Punished

UTILITY BOARD RAPPED

Declaring that vandalism may have been responsible for the collapse of two house fronts which cost the life of a man on Carman Street, near Seventh, yesterday. Mrs. Stephen Pfeil last night asserted the North Camden Civic Association would request police for an intensive campaign against vandals.

The association, which met at 939 North Fifth Street, recently charged that vandals have caused damage of $500,000 to vacant properties in the city.

"We are going to organize public opinion as to the seriousness of the vandalism problem," Mrs. Pfeil said. "Aside from the loss caused owners, vacant properties have been so destroyed by mischievous boys and young men that each is fast becoming a serious menace to life and limb. The collapse of two house fronts today, which cost the life of a colored man, undoubtedly can be traced to vandalism in the beginning. The problem has implications.

Demands Punishment

"We are going to ask that police apprehend these boys in an intensive campaign,. and we will insist that those found guilty be punished and their parents made responsible for the damage. Parents must be made responsible to break up this wanton destruction of property. We are aware that political interference may be encountered in such arrests, but we will vigorously insist that there be neither fish nor flesh in these arrests, but all punished commensurately with their deeds."

Mrs. Pfeil is treasurer of the organization. Mrs. Elsie A. Stein and William Coghlan, members of a committee appointed with Mrs. Pfeil to negotiate with police, cited various instances of vandalism.

Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., secretary, announced the Congress of Civic Associations was preparing a resolution to be sent to the public utility commission censuring that board for its action in allegedly "boosting electric voltages, keeping bus doors closed, approving underground high speed bridge rails in Camden, approving railroad consolidation" and for "calling Public Service electric rates fair and just."

Bridge Loan Rapped

Julius Kretz reported that a committee of the association was considering the sending of a questionnaire to all residents of Camden inquiring into their electric and gas charges and the service derived.

Thomas B. Hall announced himself as opposed to the $10,000,000 R. F. C. loan sought by the Delaware River Joint Commission for bridge rails.

"I doubt it the corporation would lend that money for the laying of two miles of rails which come to a dead end. I am opposed to an additional $10,000,000 capital investment in the bridge, which would serve to place still farther away lower bridge tolls. The service proposed is not convenient to any class of commuter, and I regard the whole scheme as one of tremendous waste and bereft of proper planning. I do not think the commission can lease rails without proper facilities to the traveling public, and this association will us every effort with federal authorities to present the inadequacy of this rail plan."