Magin's Body to Lie in State In Commission Room Monday

Magin's Body to Lie in State In Commission Room Monday Acting Director Abbott Named as Temporary Department Head by Mayor CHURCH SERVICES TUESDAY MORNING FRANK A. ABBOTT Deputy director of revenue and finance, who was named yesterday by Mayor George E. Brunner as acting director of the department of public works to take over the duties of City Commissioner Henry Magin, who died suddenly of a heart attack yesterday. Abbott is Democratic leader of the Fifth ward. The body of Commissioner Henry Magin will lie in state in the city commission chambers Monday night. Mayor Brunner made that announcement today following completion of funeral arrangements with members of Commissioner Magin's family. Magin died suddenly yesterday from a heart attack at the city incinerator plant. On Tuesday morning, the body will be moved to the Church of St. Joan of Arc, Fairview, where a Requiem Mass will be sung at 9 a. m. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia. Half-Holiday Declared The public will be permitted to pay its last respects after 7 p. m. Monday. Mayor Brunner has declared a half-holiday Tuesday morning so that city employes can attend the funeral. The mayor said employes of as many departments as can conveniently be closed will be given time off. The four city commissioners will act as pallbearers. Commissioner Kobus is in Buffalo, attending a convention, but will be home Monday. In addition to the commissioners, Thomas Jackson, an employe of the highway department, and Samuel Magill, a former commander of Fairview Post, American Legion, also will be pallbearers. Jackson served as a sergeant with Magin during the World War and the two men had been close friends ever since. He was named a pallbearer at Mrs. Magin's request. A list of honorary pallbearers is being compiled by Mayor Brunner. City, county, State, Federal and veterans' officials are expected to view the body Monday night. Several veterans' organizations of which Magin was an officer or member will conduct their rituals at the cemetery. Mayor Brunner said that James O'Brien, commander of the Disabled American Veterans and president of the Veterans' Political League which sponsored Magin as a city commissioner, will be in charge of the arrangements for services by veterans. Edward J. Quinlan, a vice commander of the Camden County American Legion, will be in charge of memorial services in the commission chamber Monday night and military services at the grave. The funeral will be a military one, Brunner said. Quinlan requested all veteran groups assemble at the City Hall Plaza at 7.45 p. m. Monday so they can attend the services at 8 p. m. in a body. The police and firemen also will attend the Monday night services in a body. Firemen will be led by Chief John H. Lennox while the police will be in charge of Chief Clerk George Clayton. Brunner said parking at the plaza will not be permitted Tuesday morning until after the funeral party has left for the church. Commissioner Magin collapsed in the arms of James Carr, assistant superintendent of streets, a minute after he had been photographed while conversing with Samuel Burgess, an official of the Nichols Engineering & Research Corp., New York, who was inspecting the plant. The commissioner was 44. Mayor Goes to Home When Mayor Brunner was informed the Commissioner was dead he immediately went to the Magin home at 3043 Alabama road to console the widow, Helen, and a daughter, Helen, 20. The Mayor remained two hours until Mrs. Magin regained her composure. Mayor Brunner announced Frank A. Abbott, deputy director of revenue and finance, will assume temporary charge of the public works department, beginning Monday. "I appointed Mr. Abbott acting director of the department of public works in order that business and functions of the department will not be curtailed," Mayor Brunner said. "This is the largest department in the city and it requires a directing head until such time as a successor to Commissioner Magin is elected by the City Commission." Abbott is familiar with workings of the department, having been acting director several weeks last year when Magin was ill in a hospital. It is reported he will be named to succeed Magin. Although he has the title of deputy director of revenue and finance, Abbott actually is first assistant to Mayor Brunner who heads the revenue and finance department. Abbott is serving his second consecutive four-year term as deputy. For more than 15 years he has been Democratic leader of the Fifth ward. He lives at 346 Cherry street. Native of Camden Born in Camden, Abbott attended Fetters school and later learned and worked at the plastering trade. He was a Fifth ward Democratic leader in days when Democrats ran for but seldom were elected to public office. He went through several torrid political campaigns against the late John Carroll, Republican leader of the ward and political lieutenant of the late former U. S. Senator David Baird, Sr. Abbott learned to play baseball on the rocky vacant lots in the Fifth ward. He was regarded as a fleet-footed outfielder and a fast base runner. For a short time he had a brief fling as a dancer in vaudeville, but Pater Abbott put his foot down, ordered him to return home and learn the plastering trade. Close Friend of Mayor The Damon and Pythias like friendship between Mayor Brunner and his deputy is a legend in the Democratic party of Camden. One of Brunner's first acts when he was elected a city commissioner six years ago was to name Abbott as his deputy at a salary of $3000 a year. Brunner has stated publicly that Abbott will be his aide in any position to which he is elected or appointed. Abbott's loyalty to Brunner is little short of devotion. It's Abbott's job to keep Brunner's appointments, admit those the mayor wants to talk to and give the gate to those the mayor doesn't want to meet. Abbott makes a perfect buffer for the city's chief executive.