North Camden Group Hits Taxpayers' Ass'n on 'Failure' At Trenton

Camden Courier-Post - June 13, 1933

State Organization Failed to Offer Constructive Plan, Charge

RAILROAD MERGER ALSO CONDEMNED

The New Jersey Taxpayers' Association was criticized last night at the weekly meeting of the North Camden Civic Association, held at the Pyne Poynt Social Club, 939 North Fifth Street. Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., secretary of the civic group, criticized the tax payers' organization for "failing to do anything constructive for the individual taxpayer of the state." As one of more than a score of persons from Camden who attended the taxpayers' mass meeting last Friday at Trenton, Hartmann said he "heard nothing that he had not heard before."

"All during the meeting," Hartmann declared, "there was not a thing that came out for the benefit of the individual taxpayer. In my opinion the New Jersey Taxpayers' Association should be called the Corporation Taxpayers' Association.

"They appear to be against the income tax, while anyone who has studied conditions of today can readily realize that to tax those with ability to pay, is the first and foremost factor. Another thing that struck me was the fact that Clinton L. Bardo, president of the taxpayers, actually apologized for the remarks of one speaker who outlined an effective method of obtaining results from governing groups. That method was a tax strike."

Harry Walton, who presided at the civic meeting with less than 20 persons in attendance, supported Hartmann's report of the Trenton meeting, George I. Shaw, vice president of the civic organization, condemned the State Taxpayers' Association for voting for candidates who have persistently refused to aid the public.

Shaw also rapped the New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners for "approving the consolidation of the Pennsylvania and Reading railroad lines in South Jersey."

"This merger, which has been authorized in Washington, will result in loss of jobs to 3500 persons and eventually will make Camden a way station," Shaw declared. "The Public Utility Commissioners should be removed. They have not been working for the public welfare." On Shaw's recommendation the association moved to protest against the merger.

Mrs. Stephen Pfeil and William Coughlin reported that Acting Chief of Police John W. Golden has promised to co-operate in a campaign to curb vandalism by boys. Property owners have been complaining about damage to vacant houses.

The association and the Congress of Civic Associations will be represented tomorrow at a protest meeting against the Camden County Emergency Relief Administration. The meeting is to be held at the Convention Hall annex by the Unemployed Union of New Jersey.

Plans for the July 4 celebration of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association also were discussed at the meeting last night.

The association will meet again next Thursday night.