The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 9

Telephone Plainfield 6-8000 PLAINFIELD, N. COURIER-NEWS, MONDAY, JULY 29, 1935 PAGE NINE Playground Neics Free Acres Will Celebrate Anniversary Soon The Community Forum I Must Write To the Editor About That' TOOMBS man, Ida Oatley Howell and Newton Murdock; secretary. Max Schultz; treasurer, Frederick Scheff; assessors, A. Friptu, Alex. Heller and W.

Wechsler; forester, Will Crawford; survey committee, Max Schultz and J. Pleines; health committee, Dr. Ronald Hotson, Mrs. Chris Blohme, Mrs. Ernest Berger and Julius Prinz; farm house committee, Mrs.

J. Murdock, Mrs. F. Scheff, Mrs. E.

Snyder and J. Tomasetti; fire committee, M. B. Thompson; water committee, William Armbruster, G. Meier, Clarence Sturgis and M.

B. Thompson; roads committee, John Pleines, G. Meier, Chris Blohme. Fred Graf their families. F.

A. Forum Traffic Studies and The $4,800,000,000 work relief pro gram is, allegedly, slow in getting under way because of the conflict of opinion between Federal Relief Administrator Hopkins and Public Works Administrator Ickes over the main objective of the prOoram. With Mr. Ickes the important thing is the type of project while Mr. Hopkin's chief concern is with the number of jobs each project will create in proportion to the total cost The net result is that only approximately 25,000 men have been put to work under the program to date.

Your correspondent submits that 10 times this number of men could be put to work within two weeks on traffic studies throughout the nation. Such a project should meet the requirements of the two conflicting schools of thought Surely, when we consider that in 1934 traffic accidents took 36,000 lives, resulted in 105,000 permanent disabilities and 1,150,000 other persons injured, and that the total economic loss to the nation for these deaths and injuries, together with the property damage loss, amounted to $1,580,000,000 Mr. Ickes could not argue that the project lacked social value. As fully 80 per cent of the total cost of traffic studies would be for labor Mr. Hopkins would be able to take a quarter million families off the relief rolls with only a negligible expenditure for material and transportation for this work.

If a quarter million men were put to work on traffic studies allocated between the states in proportion to population or relif load it would mean that something like 8,000 men would be placed on this work in New Jersey. It does not take a fertile imagination to conceive the benefits which might accrue to this state from a thorough study of its traffic problems. Given the facts concerning where accidents occur, who and wha. causes them, we would be in a better position to intelligently approach the traffic problem. For purpose of discussion let us reduce this proposal to a limited area close at home so that we will be familiar with the territory and traffic conditions and thus be in a better position to visualize the problem and the benefits which might and Clarence Sturgis.

President's Signature Needed on Bill to Give N. J. Elm Plague Funds Washington (JP) The allocation of fundj to carry New Jersey's battle against Dutch elm disease to a finish awaits only the signature of the President. The allotment advisory committee of ihe Works Progress Administration has recommended that be added to sums now being cpent in the tri-state area of New Jerey, New York and Connecticut in attempts to control and eliminate this threat to one of America's most prized shade trees. Plaintiffs Are Given Judgment for $58.88 Annandale In one of the civil hearings before Justice of the Peace J.

Howard Co3s on Thursday, William Wills of Lebanon was tued by Ora Lomerson of North Branch, and his partner, Theodore Pickell of Hampton for $100 because Wills allegedly would not permit them to cut the wheat crop on Wills' farm. Lomerson and Pickell rented the farm from Wills and put the wheat crop in on shares. They were awarded $58.88, plus costs of the hearing and interest Wills received the residue as his share. Italo R. Tarantola of Flem-ington was counsel for Wills and J.

Knox Felter of Clinton was coun sel for Lomeroon and Pickell. Trade Name Filed The Courier-News Eliiabeth Bureau Elizabeth Frank H. Blatz, 121 West Eighth Street, Plainfield, has filed a trade name certificate with County Clerk Neil McLeod Jr. in which he sets forth he will practice law under the firm name of Codington Blatz, at 128-32 West Second Street, Plainfield. Mr.

Blatz is the son of the late County Attorney Francis J. Blatz. Frank Stephen Hall and "ifr it. $4f I I Free Acres Association leaseholders and The 'F arm House 'Maple Lodge," one of first of the land held by the lessees apart from the improvements. This valu ation is checked up by the prices of adjoining land and usually amounts to about eight per cent of the.

non- speculative price of nearby acre age. There are now 91 leaseholders. The early colonists as a rule lived in tents or small bungalows. The township building code now prohib its the erection of buildings without foundations. Tents are taboo.

Like Arden (in Delaware) Free Acres has a highly developed community social life and recreation facilities. It has a charming open air theater, recently improved with permanent seats, and stage con struction. Will Crawford, well known illustrator, Is the chairman and moving spirit of the Archery Guild. Two and three times during the summer he Archery Guild arranges a tournament where contests are held, the participants wearing costumes of Robin Hood day. The swimming pool has been recently nearly doubled in size.

Fresh water from an artesian well supplies the pool. Dr. Ronald Hot- son is chairman of the swimming pool committee. Following is a list of the guilds and guildmasters: Folks Guild. Max Schultz; Archery Guild, Will Crawford; Dramatic Guild, Freder v-f which houses 'The homes to he built in Free Acres ick Scheff; Mrs.

Ronald Hotson Is president of the tennis club. A women's club has been formed, its object being purely social, which meets- at the Farm House. It main tains a circulating library and sub scribes to prominent book clubs. Haven For Many Possibly because of its accessibility to New York City, Free Acres has provided a haven for many professional men and women, who comprise a large percentage of the population. Many are known far beyond enclavial limits, and have had a distinct influence on the aesthetic development of the country at large; notably Bolton Hall, founder of Free Acres, writer and econo mist; James Cagney, motion picture star; Will Crawford, whose pictures and illustrations of Indian, and Western life are nationally known; Ami Mali Hicks, interior decorator and designer of theatrical cos tumes; J.

Thorne Smith (deceased), writer; Wilma Wynn, dancer; Victor Killian, actor; Herbert Jaffe, pianist and accompanist to Toscha Seidel; William Schechter, baritone; M. B. Thompson, leading tenor with Morris Guest productions; S. Ort-man, teacher; Konrad Bercovici, writer; MacKinlay Kantor, writer. Officers of Free Acres Association are: Trustees, Milton D.

Neu- 222 West Front Street Plainfield, N. J. Costume parades were held on the three playgrounds of North Plainfield, with the following results: West End Best looking, Arlene Rudd; funniest, Bradford Baker; most original. Jean Gotberg; oddest, Mar-jorie Hicks; cutest, Malcolm Baker; oldest in country, Donald Lynch; judges, Mrs. Howard Krausche and Mrs.

Lester L. Ren-ninger. Grove Street Funniest, Anthony Manzianoand James Triano: best lookinc-. Jan Ott; prettiest, Mary Triano; cutest, inano ana Monica Brennan; oddest, Anthony DaLucci: oldpsr Jean Tomplins; best pair, Stanley ana Kooert beet group, Rose, LaCola and Joseph xiccarai; most original, Lorraine Colvin and Ruth Amnions; judges. Mrs.

James MacDonald and Mrs. Julia Eanucci. Hurley Avenue Funniest, Jacqueline Cirmichael and Virginia Kettenring; cutest, Frank Avery; oldest, Kathleen Brasch; most original, Billy Manning; best group, Donald Carmi-chael. Sonny Carmichael and Carol MacDonald; best pair, Joseph Campbell and Philip Mintz; oddest, Donald Campbell; beet looking, Gloria Casey; prettiest. Peggy Rut-ledge; judges, Mrs.

Grace Eaton, Mrs. N. Mercer and Miss Marjorie Leivers. In the events held last week at Green Brcok Park, the following children were winners: In the penknife tournament for girls Albert Skillman and Felixa Siegel came in first in the midget and skeeter groups respectively. In the boys tournament Teddy Sitko and Kenneth Ahgren won.

Teddy Sitko also won the midget boys quoit Tc-ny Grillo winning in the ekeeter group. In the horseshoe contests the first places went to Teddy Sitko and James Edmonson. In the girls' contest Helen Johnitcn and Mae Mahile were champions. In the hare and hound races the winners were Frank Santz, Bobby Buhat, Frank Smith and Elmer Van Doren. Those who were awarded certifi cates in the doll parade were: Betty E3ter, 71S West Front Street, whose carriage won first place.

Betty's carriage was decorated in puik and blue. Jean Bannister was given sec-end place for her carriage, "The Lily Queen." The doll with the nic est hand-iwn clothes was brought by Josephine Skillman, 833 South Second Street. Shirley Sweet, 820 West Front Street, received second place. Betty Ester also took place for the largest dolL Gloria Bosenbery, 722 West Front Street! was second and Catherine Passa-chio, 225 Prescott Place, was third place. The doll, 23 years of age, was owned by Shirley Sweet.

Helen Johnston's doJI took second place and Vivien Vincent's doll rated third. Betty Elser won firet place for the best rag doll. In the handmade doll class, Ada Jasin won first place and Frances Mlichek. second. The most unique dolls were brought by Catherine Johnston, Ruth John ston and Nancy Lubeckr The smallest dolls were brought by Helen Johnston and Nancy Lu-beck.

Jean Young, 42 Mariners Place and Jean Bannister, 41 Mariners Place, were awarded prizes for bringing the most attractively dressed, dolls. A large number of persons gath ered Monday night for the Puppet Show. "Little Mr. Picklenose," the boxing and the singing. The characters of the play were portrayed by Mae Mahile, Bobby Buhat "Mr.

and Buddy Buhat. The boxing was refereed by Teddy Sitko. Felix Siegel acted as master of ceremonies. On Friday a story-telling contest was held. Jenny Koyerinstyski won by telling the fastest and funniest story.

Frances- Mlichek won for delivering- her story in the- most dramatic and entertaining manner. The program for this week is as follows: Today, the finishing ef the paddle tennis tournament; tomorrow, a masher tournament; Wednesday, CLeary and hop-scotch; Thursday soap carving contest; Friday, a scooter-car race. Dunellen Helen Boseker. Cor. TL Plfd 6-3601 GIRL WINS JUDGMENT Rita M.

Doushertv. 16. of this place and Cliffwood Beach has been awarded $3,000 by a jury in Common Pleas Court, Freehold, for injuries sufferej when a truck backed into her at Cliffwood Beach on July 9. 1934. Her father.

John M. Dough erty, was awarded $500 for medical expenses. The girl, it was testified, suffered a concucsion of the Dram and a foot injury. The judgments were recorded against Jc-seph owner and Steven Slovens, driver cf the truck. New Market Helen Boseker.

Cor. TeL Plfd 6-3509 Grange Conducts Its Annual Picnic New Market Grange 152 held its annual picnic Saturday at Burnt Mills with 100 persons participating in the contests and games. Harry Burdette was general chairman, assisted by August Morris, Mrs. Leo nihnrn and Miss Eloise Freeman. A tug-of-war was won by Harold Smalleya team.

A rolling pin contest was won by Mrs. Ida Smalley, Mrs. Mae Osborn and Mrs. Clara Williams. Miss Gertrude FitzRandolph won a watermelon contest for girls, with Elmer Williams taking the honor for boys.

A handicap race was won by August Morris. Elmer Williams won the older boy's race. The younger boys' race was won by Edward Morris. The heavyweight race was won by Miss Beatrice Kelsey and the younger girls' race by Dorothy A stunt program was directed by Miss Freeman. South Stirling Harry Kanengelser.

Correspondent. Mrs. Margaret Schrepfer of Slatington, Pa is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Williams of Plainfield Road.

Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Coleman of Mountain Avenue have returned from a trip through Pennsylvania.

Editor Work Relief Part I result from a more thorough study of the situation. Let us confine our discussion to Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties. These three counties have 14.4 per cent of the state's population and in 1934 had approximately the same proportion of the total motor vehicle accidents but 21.1 per cent of the state's traffic fatalities. On a population basis these three counties would be entitled to 1152 of the state's 8,000 workers on a traffic study. Assuming that half this number would be required for tabulating the field studies and for supervision that would leave 576 available as traffic observers.

Such a number would be ample for the most minute study of every detail of the traffic problem. Let us suppose that 50 of these -observers could be stationed along Route 29 between the Somerville traffic circle and the Union-Essex County line. It would be possible tc record the total vehicular traffic on this highway, the average speed of vehicles and the number of vehicles which exceed legal speed limits. We. could learn what percentage of the total traffic is represented by pleasure vehicles, buses, light trucks and heavy trucks and the highway behavior of the drivers of each class of vehicle.

We could also learn percentage of trucks using the highway are overloaded. It would even be possible, with the number of capable mechanics now on relief rolls, to set up inspection stations along State Highways to check the mechanical condition of at least the heavier and the more ancient vehicles on the roads. I4t EAST FROMTrli PHOME 6-2160 LAIMFIELOItX -0 it 3.95 5.90 7.50 9.75 it it 0 Coats to $7.50 9.75 .10.75 12.50 All Sales Final TOMORROW TUESDA Letters In this column are the Ttews of the writer, but not necessarily of The Courier-News management. Write briefly on one wde of the paper. Avoid unpleasant personalities.

Witn the editor's permission nam do plume may be used if you give your real name and address. Fire Insurance Rates Editor, The Courier-News: your article of Fire Insurance payments in the City of Plainfield is very misleading since a reading of the article leads one to believe that the Are insurance companies are securing an enormous profit out of the local premium return. no busmets an tuucuon without overhead expense which averages with all fire insurance companies around 50 per cent of their premium Income. Included in these expenses First: Loss adjustment expense. Second: Maintenance of home office.

Third: Maintenance of rating bureau. Fourth: Maintenance of other re-. Iated organizations, such as The National Board of Fire Underwriters which maintains an Arson Bureau, and an Inspection Bureau, Fifth: Agents' Sixth: ta) Taxes local to Firemen's Pension Fund; ib) Corporate ta federal ana sia.e; ic) mco-je tax. Fire insurance is based on the law of average arrived at from figures obtained over a number of years covering every locality in the country and divided into type of building and occupancy so that aver-ags rates are promulgated for aver- age risks. While it is true that the last several years have been profitable ones from an underwriting point of view, to most fire insurance companies a review of the five year average for the companies writing the largest volume of fire insurance reveals the following combined loss and expense ratio as taken from Bests: Insurance Co.

of North America .96.6 Home of New York .98.1 Continental of New York 94 J. Hartford ...96. Fidelity Phoenix 4 Phoenix Great American .99.2 Aetna Fire 99- During recent years there have been no serious, conflagrations throughout the country but insurance companies in order to pay their losses must build up reserves to take care of such catastrophies when they occur out of excess earnings during the intervening years. to the average individual very lit-tU is paid to the possibility of a total destruction of a wide area but insurance underwriting re-ou-res a thorough study of conflagration limits so that many companies limit their commitments to very definite amounts in various areas, not only as to towns and cities bat down to definite amounts in a particular block containing concentrated values. The National Board In order to maintain average rates have set up certain standards of fire protection in communities and go into the detail of efficiency of the fire department, adequacy of water supply, alarm system, police co-operation, distribution of fire fighting equipment and the availability of co-operation from surrounding communities and the recent recommendation for additional firemen is due to the fact that Piainfleld is short of this particular requirement.

Stress is laid on secondary source of water supply both from other communities as Veil as cross connections between various mains within the city, so that in case of a serious fire and one main from the pumping station were disabled water would be supplied bj another main in another section of the city. In closing may I say that the PUrafield Fire Department enjoys an excellent reputation as an efficient and careful one using proper discretion as to amount and type ot extinguishing fluid to use and with thorough knowledge of the location of inflammable hazards throughout the city. To my recollection there has not been a loss or a single life as a result of a fire which in itself is a great tribute to their ability. F.espectfully yours, HARRY ROTHBERG. Mt.

Bethel Mrs. P. J. Freehaut Correspondent Tel. Millington 15-M-l Catholic League Plans For Dance in August Catholic League of Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church met in Civic Hall recently.

Its recent ca-nival and dance was reported a success. A sick committee was appointed to visit members- of the League who became UL It comprises Mr. nd Mrs. William Wehle. Plan are being made -to hold a dance on Aug.

9 in Civic HalL Miss Ann Arrighi will be in charge of distributing books for an affair In which three cash prizes will be awarded. GRANGE PLANS ACTIVITIES Mt. Bethel Grange 201 met Grange Hall Friday evening. The unit will entertain the New Market Grange on Aug. 22 with a lecturer's program.

Mrs. Harry C. Hayes ef Broadway Road is the lecturer for the local grange. The program which was presented before the Whitehouse Grange in June by the local unit will be repeated. NEWS BRIEFS Mr.

and Mrs. John Hansen of Brooklyn visited over the weekend ith Mrs. Hansen's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry C.

Hayes of Broad-ay Road. Mr. and Mrs. F. W.

Ralph re observing the 39th anniversary their wedding today. Unemployed Association of War-nt Town-hip will meet tonight Villa Calosso. SUMMER FASfrflOON A number of Anniversary of Free Acres to Be Celebrated Working Model of Henry George's Ideal In corporated in 1910 91 Leaseholders Free Acre The Free Acres Asso ciation which will celebrate its 25th anniversary Aug. 3 and, 4 is a working model of Henry George's ideal, that the land belongs to the people as an inalienable birthright, and that therefore the rent of the land should be taken by the people, instead of taxes, for all their public expenses. The Free Acres Association In corporated in 1S10 under a New Jersey law entitled "An Act to Incorporate Associations not for Pecuniary Profit," owns about 70 acres in the Watchung Mountains, on both sides of the boundary line separating New Providence and North Piainfleld Townships.

The railroad station for Free Acres is Berkeley Heights on the Passaic and Delaware Branch of the Lackawanna Railroad. All land belonging to the associa tion, except five acres acquired by purchase in 1919 was a gift from Bolton Hall, ardent "Single Taxer" and personal friend of Henry George, who more than 50 years ago. foreshadowed just such a plan of living in his book "Progress and Poverty." Bolton Hall found himself the owner of a large tract of land, a run-down farm and a farm house. He thought that in these was an opportunity to do several good things at once; to found a "Single Tax" colony, giving people without means a summer home, furnish an object lesson in how community values grow and how they should be used. Hearty Response Invitations were sent out to Single Taxers to attend a meeting and the hearty response proved the keen interest felt in having a little place in the country without being hopelessly in debt.

The founders were Bolton Hall, Mrs. Ella M. Murray (from whose "Historical Review of Free Acres" parts of this article have been taken), and Miss Amy Mali Hicks. They suffered many hardships. Bolton Hall converted the hennery on the farm into a cabin for his own use and Mrs.

Murray and Miss Hicks came out to the farm house on weekends. The house was old, dirty and draughty and it smelled damp and musty. Part of the cellar wall was down and a great brick cistern in the cellar for the storage of rain water accounted for the chill dampness. A wood stove in the kitchen and in the main room was the only heating system. However, nothing could cool their enthusiasm, and in due time Free Acres was born, named and the association formed.

To it Mr. Hall made his generous "Deed of Gift," presenting 65 of the 70 acres of the farm to the Free Acre Association "to have and to hold as long as it was held in accordance with the stipulations fully set forth in the Deed of Gift." Trustees selected for the first year of the existence of the corporation were: Frank C. Shaffer Amy M. Hicks and Bolton Hall. Gates Closed to None Being a single tax colony and not a colony of "Single Taxers," Free Acres has never closed its gates to any applicant, whether Single Taxer, Socialist, Anarchists or Rigid Conservative.

Some of the early problems were finding am unfailing water supply, transportation to and from the station and a common meeting place. Mr. Hall sank an artesian well at his own expense and until the colony could provide a public water supply, the water (pumped originally by a kerosene engine and later by an electric engine) was free to all. The supply was eventually found insufficient and has been superseded by that furnished by the Commonwealth Water Company. There is a Water Board consisting of three members, and each lease-holder is charged at a flat rate of $15 per year whether or not the water is used.

Transportation was not an association activity, but a small group of colonists contributed money necessary to purchase a horse, harness and conveyances, and formed the "Horse Association." They provided someone to care for the horse and be responsible for meeting trains. This mode of transportation was later replaced by a privately owned motorbus. As to t. common meeting place, the basement of the farm house was made into Frank Stephen Hall, and was then and is now, the scene of many delightful and interesting gatherings. Officers Carry on Business The business of the community is carried on by officers, who are members of the association, but any act of any officer, as such, or any measure suggested or proposed by any officer must be submitted to the regular meeting of the association and voted on by the members at large.

The assessors made an annual valuation of the rental value READE'S RETURN ENGAGEMENT BY REQUEST One Week Starting Saturday, August 3rd (Special Matinee "Ladies Only" Thursday, August 8th, 11 :00 A. A Quick, Complete Clearance of Entire Summer Stock Regardless of Cost Street, Afternoon and Evening Dresses 35 Dresses formerly to 6.90 reduced to $1.95 65 90 109 232 it it it it it it 0- for Women and Misses 10.75 "20.00 it it 22.50 25.00 it 25.00 44 29.50 44 35.00 tt tt tt 4 Sport and Dressy for Women and Misses 25 Coats formerly to $20.00 reduced 35 21 44 36 44 44 PRINCESS SALMA RETURNS BY POPULAR ACCLAIM Hundreds of patrons requested a return engagement of this world famous "Psychic Marvel," who sees all, knows all and tells all. Princess Salma predicted the Italy-Ethiopia situation. The Princess will appear afternoon and evening daily including Sunday from Saturday, August 3rd, to Friday, August 9th, inclusive. Advertisement No Credits No Approvals No Exchanges.