dap? iHmj Iter mh Uaur

88th YEAR, No. 7

' Caps Mat Wavs. Established IS34. Stas or the Cape. Established 18«e. Caps May Stas a Wave. Consolidated 1©07

CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1942

FIVE CENTS

1,200 Men Will Register On Feb. 14-15-16 Ail estimsted 1,200 Cape May County men between the ages of 20 and 45, except those who have previously registered, will register for Selective Service on February 14, 16 and 16 at the three registration centers in the southern section of the county. Selective Service officials said today. With 170 volunteers ready to cooperate in the third national registration of men, officials of Local Board No. 2, in charge of this section, said they expect the registration to be carried out with little delay and confusion. Registration Centers Registration centers will be at the board headquarters in Cape May High School, Wildwood High School and the old court building, Cape May Court House. The centers will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday. In a statement this week, state Selective Service officials said: "Men within the age bracket of 20 to 46, who have not registered previously, should register with the Local Board having jurisdiction over the area in which their permanent residence is located. If this is not possible, register with the nearest board and give as your address, your permanent residence. Prepare for registration. Do not put it off until the

Seek To Lift Ban On Commercial Fleet

^ 0.5,

Friday moved to protest a ban on commercial fishing boat commissioners announcwhich has been in effect for more than ^ M * nd , y nig ht when the budget

The Local Board this week has (Continued on Page Four)

West Cape May Resort Season Tax Rate Same Problems Ta Be As Last Year I Discussed Soon

School Board Voting Light Mayor Frank S. Rutherford, of Cape May Point a member of that community's school board for several years, was defeated for (^-election Tuesday by Commissioner Milton H. Bair, one of his colleagues in the borough governing body. In one of the most hotly contested school elections Cape May Point has had for some time, Bair won by a margin of four votes, with the final tally giving Bair 61 and Rutherford 47. In Lower Township, Leslie Bates, of Villas, Ernest Corson, of Erma, and Michael McPherson, of Cold Spring, were elected to the school board. McPherson was re-elected for another term Sidney Ellis, of Cold Spring, was defeated by a margin of 12

votes.

Final tally of votes gave Bates 104. Corson 94. .McPherson 94 and Ellis 82. The township school budget was adopted. In West Cape May. Theodore W. Reeves and Everett V. Edsall were re-elected to the Board Education, each receiving votes. They were unopposed. Mr. Reeves, believed to be of New Jersey’s oldest school board members in point of service. has been a member of the West Cape May board continuously since 1898.

operations in this area

two weeks.

Calling for city action, Senator L Grant Scott, Cape May's commissioner of public affairs, declared that Cape May Harbor boats are the only commercial fiahing craft prohibited from their normal operations due to the war emergency. Boats from other porta along the Atlantic Coast are continuing to fish, he said.

'Result Of Rumors”

"Fishermen in this area are precluded from the opportunity to earn their livelihood by the federal ban, which apparently was imposed as a result of rumors that boats in this area are supplying enemy submarines with

fuel,” Scott said.

“The fact that our commercial fishermen are prohibited from pursuing their occupation while others are permitted to fish is an inference that there is ground for these war rumors, although no specific charge has been made against any fisherman in this “I believe the loyalty of these men to the United States is above question. They have all applied to the captain of the Port of Philadelphia for permits to fish and have discarded their radio direction finders, their radio-tele-phones and their sounding devices as a precaution against possible conUct with enemy craft operating in coastal waters," the Sena-

tor continued. Fish Prices Up

With fish prices rising sharply as a result of a scarcity and because of the importance of fish to the nation’s food supply, it is ruinous to our commercial fishermen and those associated the huge industry in this area be precluded from fishing. Several of these boats done helpful work in the past, aiding survivors of shipwrecks and reporting off-shore activities to Naval authorities," Scott con-

tinued.

'Only Thursday night, a fishing boat crew reported a large steamafire off shore, of which the (Continued on Page Four)

Officials To Plan Post-War Projects

The city commission on Friday isumed the duties of planning a comprehensive, long-range public works program for possible use during the anticipated period of

post-war unemployment.

Mayor T. Millet Hand announced that the commission would act as a committee of the whole to map a program of worthwhile public improvement projects, which may be instituted with little additional preparation and when such public works

was introduced. The rate will be the same as that of last year. According to the budget as it was introduced, the estimated tax rate for the current year will be $5.70, but a $1,400 decrease in the West Cape May school budget will bring the rate to last year's level, Commissioner John J. Stewart, director of revenue and

finance, explained.

Explains Difference Difference in the estimated and actual' tax rate is caused by the legal requirement that the budget item for school expenses be the same as that of the previous year until the school budget is for-

mally adopted.

West Cape May voters Tuesday night, in the annual school elec-

post-war employment.

Osman M. Corson, acting city engineer, was named coordinator to prepare projects which are formulated by the commission. Municipal officials throughout the nation have been contacted by the Federal Works Re sene with a request that they prepare, Shelves of projects upon which | workers now employed in war and defense industries may be placed when their present occupa-

tions have ended.

« •» '”»>« • 1 “ k to last year's borough tax rate.

“Offset County Rise”

In a statement issued by the commissioners with the introduction of the budget, they explain-

. .

“The Borough Commissioners have endeavored/' in preparing this budget, to offset the increase in the county taxes and the loss in assessed valuations by the use of cash surplus in order to stabilize

the tax rate.

“The estimated tax rate as

shown on this budget is $5.70. However, when the actual figures are determined fo^ state, county and local school taxes it is believed that the rate per $100 valuation will be approximately the

same as in 1941 or $5.46.

Add Defense Item

“It was necessary, due to present conditions, to insert an n the budget fbr

Borough Chairman Reports On Drive West Cane May’s committee in the Cape May County Fight Infantile Paralvsis campaign which ended recently collected a total of $125, Miss Katherine Hyneman, chairman, reported today. Miss Hyneman said she had received the following contributions: American Legion Auxiliary, $5; Woman's Community Club, $5; West Cape May P.T.A.. $10; West Cape May schools, $7.88; West Cape May Fire Company Auxiliary. $5; Cape May Point Welfare League, $5: Rebekah Lodge, $2; Triangle Class, West Cape May Chapel, $5; and proceeds from the card party, $41.22. Community chairmen from all sections of the county this week -submitted their final reports to French B. Loveland, of Ocean City. chairman of the county

drive.

Township’s Tax Rate Increases Following a statewide trend of increased tax rates, Lower Township will have a rate increase of 15 cents per $100 vajuation, the township committee disclosed Monday nignt when the 1942 permanent budget was introduced. The tax rate this year will be

$3.95.

The grand total of all appropriations this year is $89,508.32 compared with a total of $92,345.53 in 1942, the budget dis-

closed.

The increased county rate added more than $2,500 to the amount paid last year for county taxes by the township. This year the amount is $8,531.99. The amount to be raised for local purposes this year is $8,757.78. In a statement issued with the budget, the township committee explained: “Your committee has used every possible economy in the administration of the township affairs, and considering the contemplated activities believe the township will be materially bene filed hereafter. Considering the county ha: advanced its rate 22 points for the year 1942 and the rate of the Township of Lower will be only 15 points higher, a saving of 7 points, the Township Committee feels the saving in the township administration should be noted. “The prospects for collection of delinquent taxes and tax liens are much greater than heretofore,” the statement concluded.

Airport Plans

Begun By Army Plans and specifications for the construction of a half million

iollar airport in Cape May Coun- F , vjre ., v „

ty have been authorized. Director I additional Percy 1 H. Jackson, of the Board ^ | 0CJ1 | civilian defense, of Freeholders, said today. j “Th e operating appropriations Jackson received word that were carefully considered by the August R. Butz, district airport Commissioners and they believe engineer. Department of Com- ti, em to be adequate for the needs merce. Civil Aeronautics Admin-1 0 f t he borough during 1942," the

istralion, of New York, notified statement concluded.

Colonel H. B. Vaughan, of the Total appropriations under the U. S. Engineer Department, to new budget amount to $46,207.96 proceed with the necessary plans, i for !942 compared with $46,071.91 Commenting on the construe- ! j ast y ear . The appropriation for tion, Butz declared that from an coun ty taxes increased from $2, —ring standpoint nothing —•>«•»« - — * ♦.

id in the way of the completion of the project.

Government and county enginirs. Director Jackson said, today •e now in the process of establishing boundary lines in the area

Lower Township.

The airport will be located between the Villas and Route 4, he old Seashore Road. About 1000 acres are now being surveyed to establish the line of which 500 acres will be utilized

for the project.

At the meeting of the Freeholders on Monday, a resolution was adopted authorizing acquisiof the land either by gift, grant, purchase or condemnation

jjroceedings.

Recreational problem* confronting shore and lake resorts this summer will be discussed at a series of conferences to be held under the auspices of the New Jersey Council, the state's promotional and development organization. The first of these meetings will be held at Atlantic City on Tuesday, the second at Asbury Park on February 24 and the third at Cranberry Lake in Sus-

sex County on March 3.

Municipal and county officials, chambers of commerce represen-, tatives, hotel men, bus and train representatives and all others interested in the New Jersey resort problem have been urged to

attend the conferences.

The meeting at Atlantic City will be for those in the area below Toms River. Other sessions will be for those in the northern

sections of the state. Seek Better Rail Service

With the curtailment of the use of automobiles and the great need seen for the providing of recreation for defense workers who are not able to go far from their plants, the groups wiH*sj}i9cuss ways and means of attracting vacation seekers and the providing of better bus and train service, if possible, so that the resorts will be able to entertain the usual number of visitors. Stress will also be put on maining for an entire vacation at one place instead of touring. This, it is believed, will extremely helpful to hotel men and tourist house business, a:

(Continued on Page Four)

Cape Man On

Normandie

Chief Boatswain’s Mate William

Legislature Acts On Measures To Speed Cape Canal Project Bills authorizing the New Jersey State Board of Commerce and Navigation to acquire rights of way for the Cape May Harbor-Delaware Bay canal and appropriating $100,000 to the board for the purchase were introduced in the State Senate on Monday by Senate President I. Grant Scott *of

Cape May.

A House measure was approved

Callaway Will

Leave Base

Commander Steven W. Callaway, U.S.N., who has been commanding officer of the Cape May Naval Air Station since it was re-commissioned by the Navy in September, 1940, will leave Cape May today to join his new com-

mand with the fleet.

To replace him as chief officer

empowering counties and municipalities to take possession <* lands to be condemned for national defense purposes prior to purchase, but providing for a method

of payment to owners. Prepare For Airport

The Senate amended and - sent back to the Assembly, the bill introduced by Speaker John E. Boswell, of Ocean City, which would allow Cape May County to acquire 600 acres of land near the canal for an airport being built by the Civil Aeronautics Authority.

of the air station here, Lieuten-1 Much of the marshy land to be ant Commander Paul Warner, of dredged for the canal will be the Naval Training Station at used as fill for the airport. The

Kiwanis Club Will Entertain Ladies

will

Cape May’s Kiwanis Club

ive its annual Ladies’ Night this •cning at the Cape Island Baptist Church. The dinner-meeting

will begin at 6 o'clock.

An elaborate entertainment pro-

NorfoHc, Va., has been transferred to Cape May. The transfer orders are effective immediately. Commander Callaway said yesterday that Lieutenant Commander Warner is expected to arrive today to take command of the air

station.

Callaway is a pioneer in Naval aviation. He learned to fly in his youth shortly after the successful flights were made by the Wright brothers, and has been a Navy flyer ever since. Under his administration, the Cape May Naval base was recommissioned in 1940 and has since been expanded to one of the more important bases on the Atlantic coast.

d'Romtra, U.S.C.G., son of Mrs. |U|flhcAPlfA Sophia d'Romtra, of 223 Perry lYlUUIIb UllbClVC

street, Cape May, was overcome by smoke and fumes aboard the former French luxury liner Normandie when the huge ship was swept by fire Monday evening. d’Romtra, a former resident of £ape May Point, has been assigned ti the Normandie — later changed to the Lafayette since its acquisition by the United States—since the fall of France.. He was in charge of a detail of Coast Guards which supervised^

817.77 to $3,820. The amount to raised by taxation for local purposes decreased from $10,994.56 to $10,596.20 for the cur-

rent year.

S98 City Total In Polio Drive Cape May's local committee in ,c Fight Infantile Paralysis Drive conducted here recently netted $98, Mrs. Irene Pharo, local chairman, announced Tuesday. Mrs. Pharo in a sUtement this week thanked the public for contributions in the drive and commended Steven J. Steger for his

efforts to swell the fund.

A list of contributions follow*. -

i had been overcome.

“•IsnSTii."’' ° t5 "

c '“ b " 3 £$ a" d,R “"" r * h “ ,n “ 1 ' ' ,1 *

look””' « Southampton for ,om«

Police Department 1.00j llnle -

Atl. City Elec, employees... 1.00 Cape May Public Schools.... 15.00

the French ere* of the internedy^^ Mlss Mary Moon-

ship until the United States en-

tered the war.

After this country's declaration of war, the Normandie was taken over by the government and was undergoing transformation preparatory to entering United States service at the time of the

fire.

d'Romtra was one of the 220 men injured and overcome in the blaze. He was taken to a New York hospital for treatment. In a telephone conversation with members of his family here. Chief d'Romtra said he was unnjured in the fire, but that he

Anniversary Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Moon, of Perry and Washington streets, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a family party on

Monday.

Participating in the celebration were Dr. and Mrs. Moon, Dr. and

C. Moon, Mr. and Mrs.

Moon, Jr., Mahlon Moon

ss Mary Moon.

Congratulatory telegrams, cards and flowers were received throughout the day by Dr. and

Mrs. Moon.

The Moons were married in Philadelphia on February 9, 1892 when Dr. Moon was 23 and Mrs. Moon 21. He is a native of Morrisville. Pa., and Mrs. Moon is a

native of Chester, Pa.

After their marriage, they resided in Chester for some time before moving to Camden, where Dr. Moon operated a pharmacy

for a number of years.

After living in Camden for 22 years, the Moon family came to Cape May in September, 1917, SoSrssSte, ..id -j™

caution, were beiuj taken aitainst "" -"* 1 '

Army has started to clear for the canal project, which recently got approval as a Navy project for defense of Delaware

Bay.

Canal Starts March 1 The canal, expected to be completed during the coming summer, ig scheduled to be started i or about March 1. Senator Scott last week said

my engineer, that a large government dredge will be assigned to the canal project in order that the work may be completed as quickly as possible. It is estimated that the canal construction will require approximately three and one-half months. Needed For Defense Construction of the Cape May canal, sought for the last 60 years as a safety measure, was approved recently by the Navy Department as a necessary waterway link to connect New Jersey’s inland waterway with Delaware Bay as part of the defense pro-

gram.

Surveys and preliminary studies , necessary before construction of the canal can begin have been completed by Army engineers. Senator Scott said. Completion of the cross-county canal will eliminate the necessity of small craft passi the often-dangerous 1 Cape May Point.

soldiers from a Cape May Coun- Berger Helgesen 5.00 _ - . , ty Army unit, who will present ] Mayor T. Millet Hand , rOT uUQS[6SniB 10 vaudeville acts, following the George Wentzell L00 j ° ”

regular club, session. Ralph Stevens '-00 j petitions which will be present-

Approximately 65 club mepi-! Dr. Warren D. Robbins .... 1-00 t0 Governor Edison—-shortly

hers, their wives and friends are Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Appel gate LOO | ns j<j ns , that a Cape )lay County expected to attend the meeting. I Mrs. May Phillips ' 0(1 | attorney appointed As Circuit

The social room of the church John Hewitt 100 i Court Judge to replace Jujige Wilwill be appropriately decorated Mrs. J. Woodruff Eldredge.. LOO f re( j Jayne, who recently

for Valentine’s Day, and there Mrs. Earl Hollingsead * 1 will be special 'music based on the Anonymous Valentine theme. Anonymous

of the Mecray estate.

Two years later, he purchased the Mecray Pharmacy which he has operated continuously since

that time.

Asked for his prescriptii, successful marriage, Dr. Moon

said:

’T think if you try to do right and just be fair to everyone, the way to sue-

British War Relief Society Disbands Mrs. F. Mulford Stevens, chairman of the Cape May unit of the British War Belief Society, called a special meeting of the unit's Executive officers Wednesday afternoon at her home on North street for the purpose of disbanding. •The Society wishes to thank everyone for their cooperation in all linea of work.” Mrs. Stevens ■aid. "Appreciation is extended to those who devoted much of their time at the local head Quarter* and to those who did knit*^VL11 work is being completed 0»«- week and the final shipment •f garments will be sent to the IMnMptta headquarter* for distribution,” Mr*. Stevens concludBF

County WPA Officers Given Promotions Promotions of two Cape May County WPA executives were announced last week. Oram E. Henry, of Wildwood, area superintendent in this county for the last three years, and Miss Kathryn Haney, of Cape May Court House, area clerk for the same period, have been elevated to the position of district engineer and executive assistant, respectively. Mr. Henry, in his new position, will be engineer for District No. 5, consisting of Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Camden, Salem and Gloucester Counties. He will continue as area superintendent in this county, but will have his office in Atlantic City. Miss Haney is now executive assistant to David W. Raining, recently appointed branch manager for District No. 5. No one has been named to replace her in the Cape May County office.

flsiqiAiJianiA J'Cfi (Dhaftt IOUL CbiiuvBA Only Tlins QusL&lwnA.

Only nine questions will be asked men who register on February 14, 15 or 16 for possible military service under the provisions of the Selective Service Act, Lieutenant Colonel Edgar N. Bloomer, acting state director of Selective Service for New Jersey, said to-

day.

Registration of the individual should require a comparatively short time, the Director said, pointing out that the registrant will not be asked to fill out questionnaires but must only answer interrogations about his identity, his place of residence, and his

mailing address.

Each registrant will also be required to list his telephone, if any; his age in years «nd date of birth, place of birth, the name and address of the nerson who will always know his address, his employer’s name and address, and his place of employment or

business.

"While it is important that registration be mmiocted ss sneedily as possible." Colonel Bloomer said, “every registrant

rerentl. .

igned the position, are toeing c culated this week among me: bers of the bar in thii county. Members of the Cape May Countv Bar Association, luting individually rather than as an organization. are signing the petitions, which request the appointment of a Cape May County law-

the

will be -given ample time to respond properly to the questions on the registration card, which on this occasion will be green. White and melon colored cards, respectively, were used for the first and second Selective Service registrations." No questionnaires will be given registrants when they register, nor will they then bo required to undergo any physical examination, Colonel Bloomer emphasized Questionnaires are given to registrants after their order numbers have been determined and Reached by their local boards. Physical examinations are given only after the boards have passed on the general qualifications of the registrants and have determined that they should not be deferred for reasons of interest to the nation. While registration must be conducted as of February 16 to conform to the President’s proclamation issued early in January, (ContiBued on Pag* Eight 1

County Tax Rate May Be Lowered Slightly Possibility that Cape May County's 1942 tax rate of 78.5 cents pe(- $100 valuation may be decreased two or three cents was indicated to the Freeholders Monday as they passed the 1942 budget. by E. L. Rice, secretary of the County Board of Taxation. He said the decrease might be effected because of slightly revised figures on the assessed valuation of property in the countv. This will be determined by the board when it meets next Tues-

day.

Point Tax Rate Cut 11 Cents Despite the county tax rate increase and extensive improvements during the last year, Cape May Point’s 1942 tax rate will beell cents lower in 1942 than it last year, the borough comion announced Friday with the introduction of this year’s permanent budget. The new tax rate will be $6.96 per $100 valuation. Last year’s rate was $6.06 per $100. The amount to be raised by taxation for local purposes this year is $15,802.78. Last year it was $17,791.08. Total appropriations this ar are $31,341.92 compared with total of $33,252.40 in 1941. In a statement issued this uek. Mayor Frank S. Rutherford 'The commissioners have tried to plan their expenditures so that the taxpayers would not be under any great expense for the improvements that are being made

the borough.

“This year we have an added expense as a result of the Army unit in our community, but we trying to operate as efficiently as possible to avoid in- ■ reused burdens for the tax pay-

s'o specific candidates for

post are named in the petition, although it is understood that there are three principal aspirants. Those renorted as possible successors to Judge Jayne are

Mayor T. Millet Hand, of Cape — -- -- May. Robert K. Bell, of Ocean year’s rate, due largely to the Citv, and former Common Pleas fact that the county was unable Judge Palmer M. Way, of Wild- to appropriate a large surplus wood. I this year as it did in 1942.

INCOME TAX REPORTS PREPARED Have your Income Tax prepared early, and avoid the last minute worry. Also Social Security Forms and Unemployment Forms prepared. PAUL SNYDER. 281 WINDSOR AVENUE Key. Phone 900 - Residence Phone 681 - I^ell Phone 90

era. (Continued on Page Eight) Greaves Naaed Dog Agent In Borough Harry F. Greaves, Cape May County S.P.C.A. agent and special agent in several municipalities ia charge of dog licensing and control, this week was appointed as a special officer in charge of dogs by West Cape May’s borough commission. The appointment was m«4e Monday night by the bprooglk ' commissioners, who moved ta renew for the current year the agreement between the borough and the S.P.C.A. of Cape May County, under which that organization will provide pound* and aid - in controlling the dog situation. Greaves announced that he wiB be at the first floor of the borough hall every Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 o’clock from now until March 10 to register dogs and to issue licenses under the recently-enacted state law which requires all dogs to be registered i and licensed.