CAPE HAY COUNTY TIMES

Published Every Friday By P>a CAPE MAT COUNTY TIMES PUBLISEIKO Ca (Ioe»rpor»led.) West Jersey and Landia Avenues, Sea Isle City, N. J. S. TWITCHELL, CHAS. O’CONNOR, ™ C. F. SCHUCK. Tremrer. 8«cr«urr. WM. A. HAFFEBT. Bailor md Bu«ln««» Mmnw. AdvertiainK Rates Furnished Upon Application Subscription Price <L50 per year In Advanca. BcUrod at Um Post CCas. Soa Isis City. N. J. as sscond-dsss

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1917 “Executive” Sessions The law permits any governing body of municipality or county, and any body elected or appointed to cany on public busines, except Boards of Education, to hold “executive” sessions, meaning that the public is barred, and the meetings are strictly private. No minutes of these sessions are kept, and no one knows, outside of the chosen few. what transpires. While there is nothing contrary to law in this practice, governing bodies that are earnest in their work for public good, and who are sincere in their deliberations and actions on public matters, frown on such secret meetings and never hold them. The business they transact is the business of the people, aud the people have the right to know in what manner and for what purpose they meet r_7 ft For some reason best known to the members themselves, |the Cape May CcAnty Board of Chosen Freeholders are holding a rapidly increasing number of such “ executive”*ineetiugs. The business of the Board will be transacted publicly and openly up to a certain point Then the taxpayers and residents who arc attending the meeting are shooed from the room and kept out, one hour, two hours, or more, until the session is over, and if they don’t care to wail they can go home. They came without inviution, anyhow! This attitude is entirely wrong. It is also wrong to maintain a stolid secrecy as to what transpires at these meetings, aud even pledge the members of the Board to secrecy, as we have reason to believe has been done, placing the Freeholdeis in a class with any secret fraternity, rather than an elective body to conduct the business of the Cc tn'y for the stockholders, who are the. taxpayers. Undoubtedly these meetings are held for just one purpose. On matters 011 which the Board is not entirely agreed, a secret meeting is held, and the matter thrashed out. If the majority rule for the matter under discussion, the vote when the meeting is again thrown open, is unanimous. The terms of four of the members of the Board expire this year, aud this, no doubt, will tend to make these “executive" sessions iusrease, since after such a session the vote la unanimous, no one can tell the true ieeliug 01 ai out of the Freeholders. This is very nice for them, but it does not appeal to the taxpayers and voters, and the practice should be stopped. Public business should be conducted publicly. If it makes any one Freeholder show his band, let him show it. It is due his constituency to know where he stands, and the courtesy of an open meeting is due the people of the County at large. It is true now and always has been true that the man who can offer goods at the lowest price will get the purchaser’s trade Men who prate about’•America First" will buy pocket-knives that l>ear the impi iut " Made in Germany," aud women who buy dress goods do not reject cloth because it is made in England by English laW. If we hope to insure the home maikct for home products we mu -t impose a protective tariff which will represent at least the diflereuce in cost of pioduction her-, and in foreign countiies, so that the foieiguei will not be able to oiler the goods here at a figure less •.ban the Ameiican producer can afloid to accept. So long as the foreign uroducei can name the lower price, he will sell the goods aud the Ameticau pioduccr will lose trade in corresponding degicc. Aigrutina is going to h- aid u» another one in the shape of a le\y of expoit duties on certain of bri commodities This is the thanks wc get for giving the Wilson-l'uJeiwood tariff key to Argentina to (talk into the American market, and make hcisclf at home.

A Statement by Prosecutor Cole The sUtement of Prosecutor Engene C. Cole, to the press this week, is the most novel and unique ever recorded in the County, and so thoroughly warns wrong-doers, and so clearly sets forth the manner in which the new Prosecntor will conduct his office, that few can be left in doubt as to what can be expected. One portion of the statement relating to the corrupt political practices of certain selfatyfed County leaders, is particularly timely, and can leave no doubt in the minds of those familiar with the political situation in the County, as to whom it is directed. Mr. Cole says: “After felling under the ban of awakened moral sentiment and practically into disuse, this utterly indefensible evil has, according to well founded belief, been lately put anew into practice by some would - be leaders, not in all cases long resident in the County.” If he had mentioned a few names, his meaning could not be (clearer. And when he says that “prosecution to the limit of the law” will follow such violations, those who know Mr. Cole know that that is exactly what he means. The stand with reference to liquor law violations is also timely and to the point If the Prosecutor’s office will carry out the policy outlined, the Connty will benefit greatly, and the judicial expenses will be greatly reduced by reason of less crime. It is a matter of record that in nine out of every ten petty criminal cases, the motive for crime was accentuated or entirely created while the prisoner “had been drinking.” To sell to a person who habitually becomes intoxicated, or who bears a bad reputation when under the influence, however slight, of liquor is a flagrant violation of the law, for some reason tolerated to a more or less degree by the authorities. If Mr. Cole will lessen this condition, and prosecute all violators, he will earn the respect aud commendation of every decent thinking person in the County, not a few of whom are in the business of selling liquor. Mr. Cole has set a new precedent in stating before he actively assumed the duties of his office just what he intended to do. We believe he will do as he says.

Ed. Note.—The publication of a communication in the Cape May County Times must not be construed as'an endorsement of the sentiments expressed therein. The columns of the Times are always open for the publication of any signed communication.

Mall Order Antidote One Chicago mail order bouse has reported a business of almost $150,000,000 for 1916, an increase of more than $34,000,000 over the previous year. Remember this is but one of the several large concerns that are in the mail order business. This money, practically every cent of it, should have been spent in the home towns of the various customers. Local merchants offer many advantages with which the mail order houses cannot compete. Prices are frequently cheaper at the local stores than at the mail order houses. There is co delay in shipment and no freight to pay. The reason that these mail order houses flourish is because the local merchants do too little advertising. They should take advantage of their opportunity and constantly tell their customers through the columns of thclo'ad newspapers that they have the same goods for the same if not for less money and point out the many unsatisfactory features of doing business with mail order houses. Careful inquiry by the Times in Cape May County has revealed the fact that thousands of mail order catalogues come here in direct competition with the local merchants. We venture to say that $20,000 of good Cape May County dollars go to Chicago and other large centers, to the mail order dealers, and the bulk of this would be spent at home if the merchants were alive to the opportunity afforded by judicious advertising in their local papers. Buyers cannot know what goods a merchant sells, and what he charges for it, unless their attention is constantly called to it—aud the surest and most economical way to do this is in the columns of the newspaper that the prospective buyers read. The power of advertising is great—so great that a Chicago house did a business of $150,000,000, in 1916, throught it, and part of that vast sum was contributed from our own people. The mail order antidote is advertising, and every merchant can apply it The suggested repeal of the famous “Seven Sisters,” law is right in line with the progressive, business-building plan of the present State administration. Since Woodrow Wilson was Governor and chief dictator of New Jeisey, the “Seven Sisters” lias driven many large corporations out of the State, aud it is sate to assume that w ith this burdensome law repealed, ibe commercial development of the State will take a wonderful forward stride. Sea Isle City patriotism wa- shown with a bare half-dozen flags displayed on Washington's Birthday. The City Hall flig wtu conspicuous oy its

Communications

Music and Advertising

TO THE TiXPAYBaS:— I have alwaya been a co Mi* lent advocate of aa low a tax rate ai car be made conahtent with an economic and progreaeive adminiatra'ion of the city'a affair*. I do not favor an increaae in tx rate for any other porpoae than abaolalely necaeeary expenaea of government, together with carrying chargee on the bonded irdebtadneea incar red for permanent improvement* to preserve the city'* credit. 1 do not think the Commieaionera have any right in law to increase the tax pa ye r*' burden* for any other porpoees than mentioned, and certainly should not. therefore, aaenme the reeponaibility of an increaae in the tax rate 'or the porpoae of providing for moric and advertising at a coat of $3000, which mean* on increaae of 17 per cent in the tax rate, without an aasori from the taxpayer* that U»ey are willing to npbold them in incurring each inie. A* one of your Commtasionen I shall be willing to vote for an inet for the pnrpoee* stated if a majority of the taxpayers respond in the affirmative to the questions anbmtUed to them. The practice of increasing the tax rate aa baa been done in recent year* (or the porpoae of (orniabing extraordinary attractions which do not form a part of the expenditure* of tl»e administration of the city’s affairs ia, in my opinion, detrimental to the progress of the resort, because I do not think there ia anything gained by so doing. In other words, the advantages that accroe by reason of the famishing of mnsic is to my mind more than offset bv the deterrent effect the higher Ux ra't or burden imposed has upon woold-be investor* in city property. It is only by an increaae in taxable ralnatioM tost we can expect to derive sufficient revenue to meet operating expenses, and the exorbitant .-ate has undoubtedly had a eericne effect upon such increase. I do cot think there i« any better inducement to offer would-be Investor* than reasonable laments and a low tax rate, and if farther sdditioM are to be made to the tax rate sod the burden* increased far mote aerious remits will. In ray opinion, be encountered. F. W. Fowkes, Director Revenne and Finance.

SAVE YOUR MONEY NOW

even at a sacrifice, if necessary, then you you will not want or be dependent upon others in your old age. Here your money is secure, is easy obtainable when you want it, and will earn for you three per cent, interest Security Trust Company, CAPE HAY, N. J. 3X Interest Paid on Savings Deposits

Euiroa Cape May Coukty Time*: There having appeared in your colami an item stating that 1 am a candidate for City Commissioner has naturally created the impression that it ia a fact, I desire to correct the impression by stating that 1 am not a candidate for Commissioner. I am, however, a candidate to serve for the good and betterment of our city, and for such I have 1 a standing candidate for the past ten year* and shall continue to be such ao long m I am a resident of Sea Isle City. Oar city is in need of candidates for co-operation and unity to place the n of Sea Isle City where it rightfully belong*—in the fore ranks of seashore reaorta. Yours truly, Ihviso Fitch, City Clerk

"What became of all the buds that were here two aeaaoni ago7" question •d the tourist "Some have grown Into bachelor'* buttons and some Into wail flower*."— Exchange.

Have you lost anything? Do.i’t sit down and mourn with a “I’ll never get it back" expression on your face. Cheer upl Put out a dragnet for it That means use lost and found ad. in this paper. Most people are honest, and few want rewards, so the cost to you is trifling.

RIDGWAY HOUSE A T- THE-FERR1ES PHILA.

HOTEL * RIDGWAY A T- THE-FERRIES CAMDEN

ASSOCIATED HOTELS EUROPEAN PLAN ROOMS WITH PRIVATE BATH HOT AND COLD HUNI-IHC WATUt IH EACH ROOM •

Short* Brothers

Central Electric Wort.

6a* Range* anil Fixture*OFFICE. LANDIS AVENUE

CONTRACTORS A BUILDERS

ESTIMATES CHEERFULLY GIVEN LUMBER AND BUILDINQ SUNPLIEG PAINT. COAL. MOTOR BOAT BUPPLIK8 STRATHMERE LUMBER CO. EARL M. WADDINQTON. Masaoat RBKMBMMMMCMMneiCMBPMMMMMCIMI

£a*B*B;B?a«a-n-a•s-n-a-B-a-b? Modern Convenience* Open AD The Year t MRS. FRITZ CRONECKER’S HOTEl BEUEVUf Lundfe Avenue and Fritz SL Sea tale City, N I t eet»»»it*B*BsBRBAB-B-BiBRBsBHi*a»B«-B«g'»a^c^

Let me estimate on your PA IN TING Special attention to seashore work. Best materials used and work guaranteed. THOS. S. FLOUNDERS & SON. Contracting Painteri and Paper hanger*. SEA ISLE CITY NEW ipu-iRV Phila Office-6110 Master Street JfiR ' 3EY