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89 YEAR, No. 37

Cap* May Wav*, Established 1854 Star op tm* Cap*, Established 1868 Cap* May Star 6 Wav*, Consolidated 1807

CAPE MAY. NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16. 1943

DELIVERED BY MAN. IN THE U.EJI POSTAGE PREPAID—62.00 A YEAR

FIVE CENTS

City Holds Out For Lanham Act Housing Funds Cape May’s city commission ol Friday moved to hold oat for fall compensation from the Navy Department in lieu of taxes on the' 60 units of the Navy housing -project here after the Navy had reversed its position and offered to pay only an amount equal to the school taxes on the project. In a letter to Mayor T. Millet Hand, city finance directory—of,-, ficials of thy Navy Department contended that the department was not liable for an amount in lieu of taxes because the city is not required to furnish police or fire protection or other municipal

services.

They agreed, however, to pay an amount in lieu of school taxes because children living in the Navy housing area attend Cape May’s public schools. Referring the matter to CitJ Solicitor Samuel F. Eldredge and special counsel, Mayor Hand said he felt the city should holdout for full compensation in lieu of taxes as provided by the Lan-

ham Act.

"After a series of conferences with naval officers and representatives of the Navy Department, I understood that the Navy representatives agreed that the Navy should reimburse the city under the provisions of the Lanham Act," the Mayor said. Mayor Hand estimated that the difference between the Navy's offer and the city’s estimate of the mmount due would approximate 64,000 to 65,000 a year.

Scout Official Is Appointed Paul D. Lascell. former field acout executive for the Mohican Council, Glens Falls, N. Y.. has been appointed assistant scout executive of the Cumberland County Council, Boy Scouts of America, it was announced Monday by Harry C. Cox, president of Cumberland Council. Mr. Lascell has been scout executive of the Mohican Council for the last two years. Prior to that time he had a wide background of scouting experience in the Red Jacket Council at Rochester, N. Y. The new scout executive comes to South Jersey as a result of the consolidation of Cape May and Cumberland Counties into one council. His time for the first few months will be spent largely in Cape May County although he win serve the entire area of Cumberland and Cape May. Russell C. Lauver will serve the same area as scout executive. Mr. Lascell will live somewhere in Cape May County. He has been a scout, assistant scoutmaster, scoutmaster and district commissioner. He has had experience in camping and outdoor activities, including the position of camp director at camps on Lake Ontario and Lake George. Johnson Renamed To Head Ferry Board COURT HOUSE — Lieutenant James P. Johnson, of-North Wildwood. was re-appointed for a five-year term to the Cape May County Ferry Commission yesterday by the Board of FYeeholders in , session here. Johnson has been chairman of the commission for the last year. William A. Haffert, of Sea Isle City, was appointed to the comtniasionvto fill the unexpired term of William C. Hunt, who resigned some time ago. The commission is charged with attempting to establish a crossbay ferry route from Cape May to Lewes, Del.

Official Passes

GEORGE P. WENT2ELL Cape May's commissianer of public works and a former mayor who died Saturday after an illof several months. Funeral services' were held Tuesday.

Rites Tuesday For Wentzell, Former Mayor City Commissioner George P. Wentzell, head of Cape May's department of public works for many years and a former mayor of this resort, died suddenly Saturday in the Atlantic City Hospital. He was 66. Mr. Wentzell had entered the hospital several weeks ago for m operation. He was rocuperiting satisfactorily after the operation and had expected to re-1 turn to his home on Saturday. Early Saturday morning he suffered a ' relapse and death folHe had been in poor health r several months and some Time ago had been in the hospital for observation and treatment preparatory to the operation. Besides his wife, Mrs. Rosalie M. Wentzell, he is survived by two children, Mrs. Rosalie Wentzell Hill, of Drexel Hill, Pa., and a son, George P. Wentzell, Jr., of

Philadelphia.

During his many years as a city official in Cape May. Mr. Continued On Page Four —

Quiet Primary Looms For Cape Next Tuesday Overshadowed by war-time events and activities, the primary election next Tuesday is expected to be one of the most apathetic in Cape May County’s history. With no contests on either county li ket and only a few local contests, voting is expected be unusually light. Little interest in the forthcoming pri n jry has been evoked, even in politic.il circles. Marking time politically or the duration, both major parties have foregone much of the pre-primary fanfare this Headed by Walter E Edge, who seeks the Republican nomination for governor, the Republican ticket in Cape May County includes Nathaniel C. Smith, 0-can City, for Assembly; Norman S. Taylor, Cold Spring, for sheriff; Lawrence M. Lear, of Ocean City, for freeholder; F. B. Lane Haines, Ocean City, for coroner; T. Milt Hare, Cape May, for state ■mmitteeman; and Louise M. Roorbach, Cape May Court House, for state committeewoman. The Democratic ticket, headed by Vincent J. Murphy, of Newark, for governor, includes Augustus S. Goetz, Ocean City, for Assembly; Paul M^ Scull, of Court House, for sheriff; Samuel L. Smith, Ocean City, for freeholder. There is no Democratic candidate for coroner. Benjamin M. Cohen, of Woodbine, and Mrs. Patience Ludlam, of Stone Harbor, seek election as state committee-man and committeewoman. Many voters will take advantage of the day to effect their permanent registration. Persons itering on Tuesday will not lie permitted to vote the same day. >ut will be eligible to vote in he general election.

Jackson Chairman Of Resort Group TRENTON—Percy H. Jackson, director of the Cape May County Board of Freeholders and head of the county’s department of advertising- and publicity, was elected, chairman of a committee composed of resort officials and publicity directors here Tuesday. The committee will work with e New Jersey Council, state promotional agency, in an attempt to work out an organized plan of state advertising supplementing resort promotional programs.

Enrollment Down In Cape May High Cape May High School's enrollment to date for the new school term which opened Monday is •lightly less than that at the beginning of the 1642-48 term, Willard B. Matthews, city school superintendent, disclosed Tuesday following a compilation of enroll-

As of that time there were 26 Ctadents less than last year, Matthews reported, although he indicated that other* are expected to enroll within the next few days. Thia^year’s high school enrollment In the elementary schools, there was an enrollment Increase of tiro, Mr. Matthews reported. This £ssr ^thre^arg SOI pupils in the The school superintendent explained that the balk of the high school drep was in tuition pupil*- The number of stadents from outlying districts is IT tool than last year, while the number of local stadents is nine below

Woman Sentenced On Two Theft Charges COURT HOUSE—Sybil Lerner, !. of Baltimore. Md., was sentenced to three months in the county jail by Judge French B. Loveland yesterday after she had peaded guilty to two larceny charge*. The Baltimore woman was arrested in Cape May last week and was charged with the theft of several vhlyable articles from local hotels. Authorities said one of the cases occurred August 23 and the other on September 2. The thefts involved * valuable ring, a camera and other articles, police said. \

Bandage Work Being Pushed COURT HOUSE—The 34 surgical dressings units of the Cape May County Chapter, American Red Cross, are gradually regaining momentum which they h»d temporarily lost due to a lack of material in the early summer

months.

Branches are now working on the Jun?, July, August and September quotas of material which are now being distributed at surgical dressings headquarters here. Notice that material for the October, November and December quotas has been assigned to the manufacturer has also been received. This means that an increase in workroom production is imperative if all of the assigned material is to be made up by the chapter by the required date, December 31.

Third War Loan Drive Launched For Whirlwind Bond Campaign

Later Train Added To Cape May’s Winter Rail Schedule; Had Been Sought For Visitors

Effective September 19, the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines will inaugurate a new Cape May - Philadelphia schedule, including a bridge train leaving this resort at 8:43 and arriving :t Station, Philadelphia', at 10:46. / Another addition to the offseason schedule is a train leaving Broad Street Station at 4:20 p m., and arriving in Cape May at 6:49. The regular 6:39 train to Market Street Wharf will remain on the winter schedule, J. W. Lawson, general passenger agent of the railroad, announced last Thursday in a conference with Mayor T. Millet Hand, of Cape

May.

Mayor Hand and the city commission had fought for a revised

summer schedule since last spring, C in ting out the desirability of ving a train from Cape May to Philadelphia at approximately 8:30 a. m. During the summer, a bridge train left Cape May at 6:00 a. m. daily except Saturdays and Sundays and a train left for Market Street Wharf daily at 6:39. Charging that the summer schedule presented an unnecessary duplication of service and that it was not designed for the convenience of the majority of passengers from Cape May, city officials vainly sought throughout the season to have a revised schedule adopted. During the long period of negotiations with the railroad, city

officials urged that either the 6:00 a. m. or 6:39 a. m. trains be replaced by one leaving Cape May some time between 8 and 9 Commenting on the railroad’s announcement last week, Mayor Hand said: “While the new winter, schedule will be very convenient for Cape May residents, it is unfortunate that our large number of summer visitors and cottagers were not able to take advantage of a similar schedule.

possible for the railroad to provide comparable service during the next summer season," "* Mayor said.

Can, Fat Salvage Drive Will Be Pushed In County Areas COURT HOUSE—An appeal to all Cape May County homemakers to save every used tin can and every ounce of waste household fat to hurry the Germans and Japs down the road to early defeat was issued this week by Burton J. Smith,

county salvage chairman.

Township Road To Be Paved Soon TRENTON—Plans for the construction of Higby Landing Road along the Cape May Canal in Lower Township, north of Cape May, a war-time project to aid the Navy, were approved today by State Highway Commissioner Spencer Miller, Jr. The surfacing, one-quarter mile long, will extend to Seashore Road connection and will make accessible the former thoroughfare closed by the canal construction.

Big Guns Tested At Fort Miles’Weds. LEWES, DEL.—Residents lot the Lewes and Rehoboth B«ich ares were warned Tuesday by Colonel Robert E. Phillips, commanding officer of the harbor defense of the Delaware, that the first firing of the 16-inch guns in the sand dunes at Fort Mile*, Del., was to begin on <i*yThe firing was heard plainly in Cape May. Yesterday was the first time the big stationary guns have bean tested since the new fort on Cape Henlopen waa started two yean ago. Shipping was also warned to keep out of the firing area around Cape Hen-

District Attorney Gets Draft Cases The cases of four southern Cape May County men, listed as delinquent* under the Selective Service Act. were referred to William F. Smith, U. S. district attorney, for action late last week by Local Board No. 2, which has headquarters in Cape May. Listed as delinquents under the act were Alf Anton Hansen, 36, of 138 West Taylor avenue, Wildwood, Thomas Ashby Waters, 34, now of 1236 Eleventh", street, Washington, D. C., and James Monroe, 22, of Wildwood, all of whom allegedly failed to file questionnaires with the local board; and Leroy Cooper, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who is charged with failing to appear for an examination.

McCawley Receives Navy Coraission PHILADLPHIA — Edmund S. McCawley, Jr., 938 Sewell avenue, Cape May, who has been a member of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps unit at the University of Pennsylvania, completed the course in navel

ensign in the United States Naval

Local salvage cha throughout the county have been asked to redouble their efforts in collecting tin cans and in acquainting housewives with the importance of selling their waste household grease to butchers. While the rationing of meats has a bearing on the quantity of waste household fats obtainable for the war effort,” Smith said, 1 do not believe this condition s entirely responsible for the fact that in this county—despite the recent heavy influx of summer visitors—we have been getting less than 50 per cent of our

.onthly quota.

■'Products of household fats include nitro-glycerine, an importingredient of bombs and bul- . dynamite, bullet-proof windows and cowlings in airplanes, tanks and other war machines: sulfa drugs, tannic acid for burns — Continued On Page Eight —

Men Inducted Into Armed Services Seven - Cape May men were among the group of Selective Service registrants inducted into the various branches of the armed forces at theTamden induction center last Thursday. More than 60 per cent of the men reporting for final examinations were rejected for various reasons, officials of Cape May County’s Local Board No. 2 re-

ported Friday.

Men inducted last Thursday

USD Unit Gets Monthly Report The September meeting of the USO Management Committee was held on Monday evening with Donald Lear, chairman, presiding. The resignation of Steven J. Steger as chairman of athletic activities, due to press of other duties, was accepted. The committee asks that housewives in Cape May who have mad? jelly or jam this summer donate one or more glasses for use in the snack bar during the winter. Court House women have already sent a donation. The painting of the entire by John Stewart has been < pleted and the new floor covering in the snack bar and halls has been laid. The snack bar top has also been covered with linoleum. It was voted to purchase new draperies for the ladies’ lounge, game rooms and gym, to complete the decorating scheme. Adjutant Thompson reported that 10 beach song services had been held on Sunday afternoons during the summer with an approximate attendance of 1,250

persons.

Dr. Harding Speaks To Kiwanis Club

Dr. Benjamin M. Harding, well known Cape May visitor and a medical missionary who has spent many years in China,

CAPE 1-,. X’Vc.p. der. Frederick M. Stiefel, Jr., I Dr. Harding, who was repaRobert Archie Swain. Jr, Frank tnated aboard the liner Gnps-

Underkofli

WEST CAPE MAY—Luther Albert Palmer. " COLD SPRING—Alvin Dwight Cunningham.

CLASS HAS SESSION Members of the Triangle Class of the West Cape May Union Chapel resumed their monthly meetings in the social hall of the chapel on Tuesday evening, after discontinuing their business sessions during the summer.

holm which brought Amerii refugees from China, had been held a prisoner by the Japanese after their invasion of China. During his period of captivity, Dr. Harding had many experi-

ences. '

For many years Dr. Harding conducted a medical mission in China, providing the only medical service for a vast Chinese population in the area. At last night’s meeting, he toid vividly of his experiences in the Orient.

Further Hearing Held Here On Stone Harbor Rail Service

A further hearing on the proposed abandonment of the Stone Harbor branch of the Pennsyl-vania-Reading Seashore Lines was held in the old city hall here on Tuesday morning before Examiner Robert Romero, of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The hearing was scheduled by the ICC after it had ruled that the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines had not put in competent evidence _ of the effect of the proposed abandonment on the parent companies at a previous hearing held at Cape May Court House last spring. At Tuesday's hearing, C. H. A. Chain, special agent of the office of the comptroller of the Pennsylvania - Beading Seashore Lines, was the only witness. He submitted testimony on estimated

In his testimony Chain stated that Stone Harbor traffic resulted in a small profit to the parent companies during 1941 and a slight loss during 1942. There was a six-dollar deficit over a two-year period. Chain said his figures were based on the railroad's estimated operating ratio. Using a 50 pepr cent' operating ratio at the suggestion of Examiner Romero, Chain estimated that the parent companies’ revenue, exclusive of the branch Itself, .was increased. H^. pointed out that the branch alone showed a deficit each year. The hearing was on the railroad company's petition for permission to discontinue the fourmile branch from Stone Harbor to Cape May Court House on the grounds that maintenance and repair costa were not justified by the- volume of business on the

Nominate Swain For Re-election OCEAN CITY—Presidents of Kiwanis Clubs in the South Jersey seashore area met here last Wednesday and nominated Charles A. Swain, of Cgpe May, for reelection as lieutenant' governor of this division. It will be Sjvain’ second term. Under a reorganization plan effective next year, The division will be known as Division No. 2, comprising Cape May and Atlantic County clubs, while those in Cumberland County will join another division. The three com ties heretofore have been togethi in the Delsea Division. Attending the meeting wei _ Ernest Winterbottom, president of the Egg Harbor Club; Frank H. Hart, president of the Somers Point Club; John J. Spencer, Jr., president of the Cape May Club; Lee Hewlett, president of the Absecon Club; Monroe Sours, president of the Pleasantville Club; Frank Greer, a director of the Atlantic City Club, and John E. Trout, president of the Ocean City Club.

Local Groups Scouring City In Bond Sale whirlwind house-to-house bond selling campaign started in Cape May yesterday morning as part of the nation's Third War Loan Drive, with representatirea of most local organisations conducting the canvass. The local committee hopes to complete the - bulk of the Cape May drive by Saturday night, although the campaign will continue throughout September. Plans for the local drive were mpleted Tuesday night at a bond rally for canvassers held at the high school auditorium. Organizations whose memberships are conducting the city-wide canvass include the American Red Cross, the Woman’s Community Club, the Kiwanis Club, the American Legion and its Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary. Dr. Samuel A. Barker is chairman of the West Cape May campaign, Mayor Frank S. Rutherford and Commissioner Frank W. Hughes are co-chairmen of the Cape Mm Point drive, and Mrs. Helyne T. Walter is chairman of the -Lower Township canvassers. Local committee members expressed the hope that the fourday drive would bring in the bulk of bond purchases with the reel of the month to be devoted to mopping tip and call-backs. Cape May has been divided into five districts for the canvass. Each district has been assigned to one of the cooperating local organisations which will be in charge of the canvass. District One is bounded by Ocean street, Columbia avenue, Madison avenue to Corgie street, Texas avenue and Beach drive. The American Red Cross, with Mrs. Steven J. Steger as chairContinued On Page Four —

Plane Spotters Will Get Gold Wings ERMA—All active spotters now working at Observation Post 184A here will be awarded gold wings by officers of the First Fighter Command at a meeting to be held at the Consolidated School, Cold Spring, soon. The honor roll of the observation post is on display in the window of Faulkner’s 5 and 10. The roll Contains names of all persons now active on the post. Mrs. Ernest Corson, chief observer, this week reiterated ar appeal for more observers U man the observation post. Anyone having a minimum of two hours a week to spare for the work should call Mrs. Corson, Bell phone Wildwood 2504R11.

One License Tag For Jersey Cars In '44 TRENTON—Registered autobiles in New Jersey will carry only one license plate next year. It will contain black letters on a cream background and will be bolted to the rear of the vehicle. State Motor Vehicle Commissioner Arthur W. Magee has reluctantly followed the example of New York and other states approving the issuance of a i gle license tag with every registration next year because of the scarcity of steel.

October Draft Call Will Be Lighter The next contingent of south•n Cape May County Selective Service registrants will report at the district induction center at Camden on Saturday, October 9, for final examination and induction. Local board officials said the October call is approximately half the sise of the September call.

Hearings Delayed COURT HOUSE—The hearing of* Cape May City tax appeals has been postponed to Saturday, October 2, at 10 a. m_, Edward L. Rice, secretary of the County Tax Board, announced this week. The bearing on Cape May appeals was scheduled to be held here on September 25.

Pre-Induction Study Offered To Pupils Pre-induction courses in navigation, aircraft mechanics, aerodynamics and meteorology will be given in Cape May High School this year to prepare youths whose induction into mBithry service is imminent to attack the problems of such service, Willard B. Matthews, city school superintendent, announced this week. The course, he explained, would all be on an elementary plane, but would provide students with the fundamental groundwork upon which to continue studies along special lines either in college or the various military services. Plans are being completed for the revival of the school clubs which functioned during the activities period last year. There will be radio, model plane building and other similar clubs, moat of them part of the school's wartime training program. The physical education course has been broadened to encompass pre-induction training for high school students, it was ex-

Ministers' Group To Meet Next Monday

morning, September 20, at 10:31 o’clock in the-'^Hethodist parsonage as the guests of the Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Blair. Mrs. Theodore F. Thompson has been invited to have charge >f the devotions. Chaplain Syver Olvin Sorlien, U. S. N., of the Cape May Naval Air Station, will be the guest speaker.

POLICE PROBING THEFT ATTEMPT HERE COURT HOUSE—Stole polk* are investigating the attempted robbery of the Cape May Harbor Fish and Supply Company which occurred Friday night. The office of the company waa entered and company officials found evidence of attempted burglary Saturday morning. Nothing was taken, police said.

APOLOGY Due to conditions beyond our control, it waa necessary to omit numerous items from this week’s Star and Wave. Space limit alia— prohibited use of a considerable nount of news. Wherever possible, sterna whose time value is not essentia], will be printed next week.