Ventnor news., December 13, 1922, Image 1

About Ventnor news. (Ventnor City, N.J.) 1907-1926

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VENTNOR, ATLANTIC CITY, N. 3., DECEMBER 13, 1922
Two Cents pee Copy
VOL. 16. No. 29
Veninor Land
Bought by Acre
Syndicate Once Purchased Trad
Now Worth Million* for Small
Sum. of Two Thousand
_ Dollars
By H. C. Test
Isr- / _
Pour men started out t6 buy i
» little Ventnor land. They -wen
offered a- tract running alonj
both sides of Ventnor Avenu<
from about Montgomery Avenu<
down nearly to the present Dud
ley Avenue and out to the Thor
oughfare, and containing 7(
acres. They paid $2,000 for th<
' plot.
This was back in 1885. Thi
syndicate of purchasers wa:
made up of Ashbrook Lincoln
then a Philadelphia business mai
ft-' and now a prominent resident o:
Vassar Square, Ventnor; Sompr:
Lake, nbw of Hammonton
fS Henry J. Dilks, now deceased
and Lemuel Horner, still in busi
ness on Dock Street, Philadelphia
There is a little humorou:
touch to that transaction, as tol<
by Mr. Lincoln. For instance
thepe bold . speculators in sane
dunes rather hesitated when i
came to taking another tract o:
similar size farther down. S<
this was taken over by the eldei
.Richards, I think father of formei
Mayor Bartram Richards, at i
little less cost than the plot oi
- i which we speak. And Mr. Lin
(Continued on page 4)
Firemen Await
New Equipmem
Chairman Bach, of Fire Com
mittee, Favors Apparatus
Sufficient to Give Full.
Resort Protection
Officials and members of the
Ventnor Fire Department are
anxiously awaiting the arrival oi
the new combination chemical
and hose wagon, for which con
tracts were given in Septembei
hist. It is being supplied by the
Seagr»ves Company, of Colum
bus, Ohio. The new machine will
be equipped with a 1000-gaflon
J pumper, 1200 feet of hose, a 60
gallon chemical tank of the acid
and soda type, and 6 gallon ex
tinguishers, containing fomaite,
a chemical extinguishing agenf
>; of great effectiveness.
The new engine has been badly
needed at the Ventnor Station,
according to William Bach, who
heads the committee of the Vent
nor Council in charge of the
equipment of the Fire Depart
ment. It seems that no piece of
apparatus has been added for the
past eleven years, and that some
(Continued on page 4)
■f-f'
Ventnor Licenses Issued
Miss Catherine Orr, Miss Maj
Barnett and Miiss Clara Riley
working force from the Atlantic
City office of State Motor Vehicle
Agent Andrew Orr led a busy daj
in the Ventnor National Banl
yesterday. The young ladies wert
in charge of the temporary agencj
for issuance of licenses for th<
f accommodation of Ventnor ant
lower beach motor drivers anc
owners. Close to 200 tags anc
drivers’ licenses were issued dur
ing the day.
SALESMAN—Good lively young
man wanted for Printing De
partment. Salary and commis
sion. Amusement Publishing Co.
608 N. Tennessee Ave.—Adv
Smart Folk Dine and *Dance in thi
Ever-Populmr LATZCELLAR.—Adv.
Prominent Citizens
Study Traffic Problems
Lions and Other Civic Organisations Have Enlisted in Campaign
to Relieve Street Congestion in Atlantic City
Officers, directors and members
of the Lions’ Club of Atlantic City
are in the forefront of the im
’ portant movement now under way
to aid city rulers in evolving plans
under which the street traffic con
, ditions of the resort can be re
lieved before the big rush of next
summer. Because of the fact that
’ both residents and visitors in
Ventnor use Atlantic City streets,
! there is tremendous interest in the
problem of street travel in At
! lantic City which affects every
i motor car owner and driver on
, Absecon Island.
| first formal move m the mat-'
ter took place with a meeting of
> committees from the Lions,
; Rotary, Kiwanis, the Hotel Men’s
, Association, the Avenue Hotel As
• sociation, Atlantic City Chamber
i of Commerce, Real Estate Board
i and other civic bodies held at the
Dennis. At this meeting Alvin
H. Poffenberger was elected
| chairman; John Murtland, vice
'■ chairman, and Miles W. Beemer,
’ manager of the Publicity and Con
, vention Bureau, secretary.
At this meeting three tentative
■ plans for relieving traffic con
ditions were put forward. The
first proposition would involve the
moving of the present railway
stations back beyond Baltic Ave
nue; the second was to elevate the
tracks of the railways entering
the resort so as to allow un
impeded street traffic on Arctic
\ and Baltic Avenues; the third in
volves the building of viaducts
over the present railway rights of
way on those two back avenues
which then would -be open for
street travel without the present
annoying delays at railway cross
ings during periods of • heavy
travel.
The first exclusive interview
secured by a representative of
the Ventnor News anent the
traffic problem was with Albert T.
Bell, Vice-President of the Lions,
one of the members of the Leeds
Company, owners of Haddon Hall
Chalfonte, and a leader in all civic
projects. Mr. Bell said:
“There were three objections
put forward to the proposition to
move the stations. By shifting
their locations to a point back of
Baltic Avenue there would be
opened to motor and other vehicle
travel both Arctic and Baltic Ave
nues, but it is a question whether
it would be wise from a resort
'standpoint to change the location
of the stations now in the con
venient centre of the city. /Then
Dr. Porteous .Declares Enoch
Johnson Out of Danger
In a special interview with a
Ventnor News Representative
Dr. E. J. Porteous stated Enoch
Johnson, well-known Politician of
Atlantic County, is convalescing so
rapidly that in the Doctor’s opin
ion he has crossed the Rubicon
and is beyond danger. Mr. John
son has been under the personal
charge of Doctor Porteous, who
has been called to the Philadel
phia Hospital each day during the
critical period. It is expected
that Mr. Johnson will return to
Atlantic City by the end of this
week.
Seasoned Cord Wood — Any
Length. Phone 9. Borton Coal
Co.—Adv.
E. B. Yellow Taxicab Co. Phone
600—Quick, Safe Service.—Adv. j
again such a change would compel
heavy travel in a lateral direction
especially by hotel busses and
taxicabs, creating a new problem
in street traffic. The third and
most vital objection might come
from the railroads which would
have perfect right of refusal to
give up their present valuable
central-city station sites.
“Tremendous cost in money and
necessity of spending years at the
work appeared to be the greatest
objections made to the plan of
elevating all railway tracks enter
ing thf city- It would take at
least five years to plan and erect
the elevated structure and in the
meantime all traffic back of At
lantic Avenue would be compelled
to move toward the beachfront to
clear the building operation. At
the present high costs of material
and labor the railways would
probably refuse to shoulder the
entire costs and it is a question
whether Atlantic City could share
the cost burden. Then there is
report to the effect that it might
be difficult to find proper founda
tion for piers to hold the tremend
ously heavy elevated structure
sufficiently strong to carry the
great engines and steel trains of
the modern railroads.
“Those who have interested
themselves as progressive citizens
in the resort traffic problem ap
pear to agree that no real Telief
can come until, a certain amount
and class of traffic is forced to use
Arctic and Baltic Avenues. To
make this possible it appears to be
(Continued on Page 31)
Schafer Arrested
on Postal Charge
Veteran Official of Atlantic City
Office to Have Hearing Friday
Before United State*
Commiftioner
Testimony of a sensational
nature is promised on Friday next
when William C. Schafer, Assist
ant Superintendent of Mails in
the Atlantic City Post Office, is
given a hearing before United
States Commissioner John Iszard
on charges of violating the penal
code governing postal regulations.
Sdhafer was arrested on Satur
day last by Federal Inspectors
Jennings and Seip on specific
charge of having converted post
age stamps to his own use in
stead of turning them over to the
proper office employees. The
amount of stamps involved totaled
$85.00, according to the complaint,
but it is alleged that the Federal
officials have further testimony
which will be brought out at the
hearing.
Former Postmaster William B.
Loudenslager entered the $1,000
bond demanded by the Commis
sioner for release of Schafer.
Schafer, who has been an em
ployee of the Atlantic City office
for 16 years past, was suspended
by Acting Postmaster Frank
Moore pending the outcome of the
charges and investigation. ^
Deliveries at any time desired
daily and this insures Ventnor
householders the best service for
all kinds of sea foods, if orders
are given to the CHELSEA FISH
MARKET, 2707 Atlantic Avenue.
Phones—Bell 2180 and 2181.—
Adv.
CANNEL COAL for the fireplace.
Austin Coal Co,. Tel. 865.—Adv.
Council Head
Resigns Seat
GeoVge A. Gumphert Voluntarily
Retires from Active Participa
tion in Municipal Affairs
After December 31st
Declining to give a definite rea
son, but intimating that pressing
business interests- prompted his
action, George A. Gumphert,
Councilman-at-Large and presL
dent of Common Council, tendered
his resignation as a member of
that body last Monday night.
The resignation was accepted
on motion of Mr. Adams, who ex
tended also a vote of thanks to
Mr. Gumphert for his public
service. Mr. Gumphert will re
tire on December 31st. The term
for which he was elected does not
expire until the end of 1923.
With the retirement at the end
of the month of Mr. Brooks, whose
resignation tendered before elec
tion becomes effective on Decem
ber 31, Council must fill two
vacancies in its own body at the
first of the year, inasmuch as Mr.
Brooks also had another year to
serve.
Mr. Gumphert when asked at
the Close of the meeting the cause
of his voluntary retirement de
clined to make any explanation,
saying that he had “nothing to
say-’’ He admitted that he had
been considering the matter for
several months. He also confided
to friends that important business
interests required much of his
time and his frequent and at
times prolonged absence from the
city precluded taking an active
part in municipal affairs. _
Mr. Gumphert has served in!
Council since 1912 when he was
first elected as a member repre
senting the Second Ward. Two
yearj ago he was chosen as
Councilman-at-Large and was
elected president of Common
Council.
During his term as president of
Council Mr. Gumphert has been
acting mayor on three or four
different occasions. He was gen
erally looked upon last winter as
a likely candidate for mayor, but
when the time came he declined to
permit his name to go before the
people. At that time Mr. Gumph
ert talked of tendering hi^ resig
nation and it was alleged that he
was disgruntled over the political
situation.
Mr. Gumphert is engaged in the
metal pattern business in Phila
delphia, his son, William, being
associated with him.
Scanlans Take Over
Paige and Jewett
Scanlan Brothers, enterprising
agents for the Peerless car in this
section, have added to their line
the Paige and Jewett cars. At
their salesrooms and show rooms,
3303 Atlantic Avenue, the Scan*
lan Brothers now have on view
entire line of the Paige and.
Jewett as well as of the Peerless
and there is promise of a big
boom in the sale of the cars
throughout Atlantic City and
County.
Air Rifles Taboo
- Chief of Police Devereaux is ap
pealing to parents to forego mak
ing gifts to their children in the
form of air rifles., Under a city
ordinance it is unlawful for any
person to shoot such weapons
within the city limits. Several
| years ago a resident suffered the
loss of sight as the result of being
shot by tneans of an air rifle.
Fresh, Tender Baby Lobsters, 90e—
In the ALAMAC LATZCELLAR.—Adv.
PACKARD TAXI SERVICE
——3113— Phone* —3114—
Reliable A Quick Service—Adv.
Solons to Fill
Two Vacancies
Dr. J. F. Massey May be Named
as Councilman-at-large, While
Several Aspirants Seek
Brooks’ Seat
When Common Council meets
to organize on New Year’s Day
there will be but five members,
two vacancies having been
created through the resignation of
George Gumphert and Ralph
Brooks.
Harry G. Scull also retires from
Council, Hiram G. Steelman hav
ing been elected to succeed him at
the last general election.
Rumors have been persistent
that Mr. Scull would be named by
Council to serve the unexpired
term of Mr. Brooks, but it is'now
understood that Mr. Scull declines
to consider the proposition. He
has stated that he did not seek
re-election because he desired to
devote himself to his business and
that the plan to have him serve
another year was proposed by
friends in Council. Hiram G.
Steelman will take his seat as Mr.
Scull’s successor.
There is much speculation as to
who will succeed Mr. Brooks.
Harry Jones has been mentioned,
he having been an aspirant prior
to the entry of Captain Steelman
in the race. Allen B. Endicott,
furniture dealer, is said to have
the support of a large following,
while E. Bert Wright, of the Hill
Dredging Co., ha^also been con
sidered as likely material.
Second Warders insist that Mr.
Gumphert’s successor should hail
from the lower voting division.
There is, however, no legal bar to
a resident of the First Ward being
named as councilman-at-large.
-? Dr. -John EV Massey, of South
Newport Avenue, has been sug
gested as Mr. Gumphert’s suc
cessor. Dr. Massey, who is a
World War veteran, is an active
member of Harvey Post of the
American Legion and has taken
a decided interest in civic affairs.
He was talked of as a possible
choice for membership in the
Board of Education last year.
Wife of Mayor-Elect
Recovering fronr lllness
Friends of Mrs. Almerin Mars
ton, wife of Mayor-elect Marston,
are happy over reports that she is
recovering from a serious illness
caused by a heavy cold contracted
during a southern trip. Mayor
elect Marston and Mrs. Marston
spent a two weeks’ vacation in
Virginia and on their return Mrs.
Marston was stricken with the
cold which developed dangerous
symptoms. Improvement was
noted yesterday and there is now
every assurance of the early re
covery of the prominent Ventnor
matron.
Judge Cole Ventnorite
Former Judge Clarence L. Cole,
one of the best known and most
public spirited citizen of New
Jersey, is about to become a Vent
nor resident. Through the real
estate firm of Paul B. Fry, Judge
Cole has leased for himself and
his family a fine second floor
apartment in the modern build
ing at Hillside and Ventnor Ave
nues, owned by Catherine Getz.
Judge Cole and his family, who
have for years lived in a hand
some residence on upper Atlantic
Avenue, Atlantic City, will move
into their new Ventnor home im
mediately after the holidays.
DANISH COOKING SCHOOL Classes.
Specializing Desserts. Tel. 8207-R.—Adv.
Furnishing Finest Food—The ALAMAC
LATZCELLAR.—Adv.
Resort Faced | ;
Coal Embargo
_ *&.
Drastic Provisions of Mercantile
License Law and Threatened
Arrests Created Scare Among 4'
Householders
_ SZT&iri
Reports that Ventnor house- -
holders were to be cut off from
their supply of coal because of i
the drastic provisions of the City - -
Mercantile License Ordinance
created a big sensation .yesterday .
before it was learned that amic- r
able agreement had been reached -
under which the- leading coal 'ij
supply firms of Atlantic City will
pay the coal truck tax demanded
for the present at least. On the
part of the city there was a post-.,
ponement of the order under
which the police department had" ;
been commanded to pick up every ‘-Sf?
unlicensed truck using Ventnor
streets after noon yesterday, and
time will be given for payment of 2SS
the tithes before any drastic
action is taken. J
Rumors that the coal dealers
of Atlantic City who are forced
to make long hauls to deliver coal >• fv
in Ventnor would resist the pay
ment of Mercantile Tax on their
entire fleets of trueks started the
report that the coal men would!, s i *
halt all deliveries at Jackson
Avenue. Worried citizens whose
coal had not arrived telephoned
into City Hall in belief that the
embargo had been placed and it .
appeared to be consensus of opin
ion that anything possible should -
be done to avoid a break in the
flow of coal to the lower section
of the Island.
To both householders and coal '
(Continued on page 4)
-— w '
Margate to Lay v
New Sewer Main 14
-
Commissioners Order City Engi- i;2
neer to Prepare Plans for \;MI!
Project Forced by Building
Boom
_ City Engineer Rightmire was
directed on Monday afternoon by
the Margate City Commissioners ^
to prepare plans and specifica
tions for the installation of a t> Jj
sewer main on the south side of
Atlantic Avenue, extending from
Fredericksburg to Cedar Grove
Awaiyje. The distance is 64000
lineal feet.
Building activity in this part
of the city makes it mandatory
for the city to provide utilities
and under the proposed plan a
longitudinal main of ten-inch
pipe will be laid from Fredericks
burg to Mansfield Avenue. Under
the plan the main will converge
at Frontenac Avenue by means
of gravity toward the central
point. Between Mansfield and
Cedar Grove Avenue lateral
mains will be laid along each
street and connecting with mains
on the north side of Atlantic
Avenue. The cost will be ap
proximately $16,000.
The Commissioners were
prompted in their action by a
communication from Howard G.
Harris, who pointed out that a
number of cottages would be
built in the near future and that
some action was necessary.
A resolution was adopted
granting assignment of tax title
to a property at 110 Jefferson
| Avenue to Joseph DeAngelis, of
i Washington Avenue.
Resolutions transferring funds
from various appropriations to
depleted accounts were adopted.
BOARDWALK BOOK SHOP
503 Boardwalk — Phone 3545-R
Everything in Books. — Adv.