The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 10

It's Been Said A bitter and perplexed "What shall I do?" is worse to man fhan worse necessity. Samuel Taylor Coleridge Telephone PLainfield 7-4000 SECOIVD SECTION Union County lYeics PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1961 PAGE 21 Freeholders to Ask Probe THE Triple 'E' Arsenal Shutdown Holds Team Sums Up Mountainside COI Candidates Cite Platform Marks Top Brass Due Monday For Review Fekecs Bill Payment Advised New Brunswick Middlesex County Counsel Warren W. Wilentz yesterday advised the Board of Freeholders they were "morally responsible" for the $6,888 hospital bill for four months care of dying gunman Michael Fekecs. He advised them to make "fulLpayment." After receiving Wilentz's opinion, Freeholder Director Karl E. Metzger said that, while no action would be taken until next Thursday, "it is likely we will accept the recommendation." In a letter to Metzger, the county attorney said the matter r.v.afM-ii.ti iaiii-1-i-it.

i i in yt88fer torftfi i tmm mini i nmr mmillMtoifaiMimiiiJM'iit Mountainside Republican "Economical Energetic Effective Leadership" (EEE) candidates for nomination for Mayor and Council in Tuesday's Primary Election summed up their opinions and platform in a joint statement yesterday. Heading the EEE ticket is Eugene F. Rau for mayor and Raymond J. Herrgoott and Henry P. Webster for council.

The trio took issue with an opposition plank not to raise the tax rate for municipal purposes. They point out that this only accounts for about seven per cent of the tart dollar add indicates there would be no improvement in road maintenance, storm sewers and the library. Rau and his mates say they have proposed steps for maximum services for the tax dollar in the operation of the library, tax assessment program, increase in fees and licenses and centralization of purchasing. The EEE trio strongly urges a master plan and attacks opposition statements about excluding multiple dwellings and preventing industry in residential zones District 4 at the annual Recognition Dinner for scout leaders last night in Mountainside. Bert Worthing, center, was reappointed district commissioner for his fourth term.

(Photo by Fred Keesing) SCOUT LEADERS RECOGNIZED Joseph B. Hoffmier, right, president of the Watchung Area Council, BSA, congratulates H. D. Merrill, left, who was inducted as chairman of Present Awards At Scout Dinner Mountainside More than 250 persons attended the Recognition Dinner for Scout leaders in District Four of the Watchung Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, to witness the installation of district officers and the presentation of several awards last Anniversary. Elects Staff Westfield The YMCA marked its 38th year and elected officers Tuesday.

George R. Brownell of 152 Effingham PI. was elected pres ident to succeed Frank A. Ketch-am, who had served as president the past three years. Also observed was the success ful development fund drive which now stands at $768,000.

The goal was $747,000. Elected to serve as YMCA directors for three-year terms were D. William Belcher, Dr. James J. Byrd, Howard M.

Clark, Dr. Stacy N. Ewan, Robert Fuller, Frank A. Ketcham. John E.

McAuliffe, F. William Schumacher, H. Emerson Thomas and Robert C. Thompson Jr. Elected to serve the unexpired terms of directors who have resigned were Robert R.

Barrett and Robert E. Ohous. Other officers of the board of directors to serve with Brownell are Vice Presidents William E. Burgank, Donald Rindell, James W. Taylor and Thomas, secretary Charles T.

Farrow and treasurer Peter A. Dughi. More than 130 members and guests attended the event held in the YMCA and heard James A. Aull 4th, secretary for student work, Central Atlantic Area YMCA staff, tell of his experiences as an exchange student to the Soviet Union while an undergraduate in Princeton University. Donald R.

Belcher was toast-master and the Rev. Richard J. Hardmann, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Westfield, gave the invocation and benediction. William Burbank, chairman of the building committee, gave a special report on the YMCA- YWCA development program and stated detailed plans for construction and renovation were being prepared.

Numerous awards were pre sented and officer and commit tee reports were heard. Fund Appoints Publicity Head Westfield Nathan W. James of 319 N. Chestnut St. has been appointed public relations chairman for the 1961 United Fund drive by John W.

Hall campaign chairman. James is director of publicity for the Jersey Central Railroad. He will succeed Larry G. Foster, with whom he served on the public relations committee in the drive last year. James, a graduate of Peddie School and Wesleyan University, Middle-town, is a Plainfield native but has lived here since 1961, the year he became the railroad's assistant director of publicity.

He was editor of the road's house magazine prior to that. James will be in charge of all promotional activity to publicize the United Fund drive this Fall. Hall said United Fund board of trustees, of which R. Allen Dur-ling is the year-round public relations chairman. The next meeting of the United Fund board will be today at 8 p.m.

in Town Hall. as "irresponsible, meaningless and misleading" since existing ordinances do these things. On the jetport issue, the EEE team said it has long opposed the proposed jetport in Morris County, and claim that Councilman Lyman Parrigan, running for GOP nomination for mayor under a "responsible indepen dent Republican banner, failed to take an early firm stand against the jetport idea, and once refused to vote on a council resolution voicing official ob jection to the jetport. Rau and his team cited what they termed "no opinion" at titude of the opposition on such matters as the library which was a vital issue in the school election. The trio charges Parrigan had voted with the council to cut library facilities from the twice defeated school budget, and also voted an increase in allotment to the Library Association.

They claim Parrigan states he has "no opinion" on the matter. The EEE slate feels such matters should be faced squarely and taken to the people. night in the Chi-Am Chateau The district includes Fan wood, Scotch Plains, Garwood, Westfield and Mountainside Climaxing a year-long contest, four units, two in Cubbing, one in Scouting and one in Explor ing were selected as outstanding in their group. There was an unprecedented tie for first place among the district's 24 Cub Scout units be tween last year's winner, Fan- wood-Scotch Plains School No 1 PTA Pack 37, with David Har vey as Cubmaster, and Moun tainside School's PTA Pack 70, with Vincent Warkala as Cub-master. Fanwood-Scotch Plains School No.

1 PTA Troop 37, with Jack Kersten as Scoutmaster, was top in the District of the 22 troops. First Methodist Church Post 78 of Westfield, with Frank Og- den as Adviser, garnered top honors among the 11 district Explorer units. Each of the four winning units was presented with an en graved honor unit plaque bear ing the appropriate Scouting seal. Joseph B. Hoffmier, presi dent of the Watchung Area Council inducted the following District Four officers: Chairman, H.

Douglas Merrill vice chairmen, Roger Coney and Sanford B. Wanner. Bert Worthing was re-appointed dis trict commissioner and starts his fourth term. Merrill, the new district chairman, is a Westfield resident and has been associated with Scouting for several years As a youth he attained tne rank of Eagle Scout in Concord N.H. As an adult he has served the past two vears as Cubmaster of Woodrow Wilson School PTA Pack 171.

Long active in civic affairs Merrill has served on the West field Board of Education and is still interested in Little League Baseball and Indian Guides. He is associated with the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company. A member of the First Method ist Church, he lives at 770 Kim ball Westfield with his wife, Ruth, and their three daughters and four sons. John Kozlowski of Westfield received a statuette as the neighborhood commissioner who had done the most for Scouting If a trip by Army and Defense Department officials to Middlesex County Monday fails to persuade them to reverse their order to abandon Raritan Arsenal, a Congressional review of the directive will be launched. "Top brass" from the two departments are scheduled to meet Monday in New Brunswick with State Senator John A.

Lynch (D-Middlesex), the county's three assemblymen, Senator Harrison A. Williams Jr. and congressional representatives to discuss "all aspects of the closing." On the same day, Union County Freeholder Peter J. Mc-Donough of Plainfield will introduce a resolution at the Union freeholders committee of the whole meeting expressing the board's concern in the situation to President Kennedy, Senators Clifford P. Case and Williams and Rep.

Florence P. Dwyer (R-Sixth District). McDonough said the resolu tion would urge them to stop further preparations to close the multi-million-dollar, installation. The three year "fade out" of the arsenal was announced three weeks ago by the President. Not Obsolete Case One of the misconceptions Middlesex leaders and a delegation from the Arsenal hope to dispel Monday is "the notion floating around that it is an obsolete case," Lynch said yesterday in announcing the meeting in the County Record Building set for 11 a.m.

Monday. The Senator said he hopes to persuade Williams and Courtney Johnson of the Army Detachment and Clyde Bothmer of the Defense Department to tour the facility. "After the meeting if our cause is not in good standing, we will ask a Congressional review," Lynch caid. He also announced that concurrent resolutions will be introduced in the State Assembly and Senate on Apr. 24 requesting Congressional action on four points brought up at a meeting last Friday with Governor Mey-ner in Trenton.

They will: 1. Ask the Defense Department to reconsider its shutdown order. 2. Ask an appropriate committee of Representatives and Senators to investigate the abandonment order. 3.

Postpone any further action until a complete study can be made. 4. Ask the Defense Department to reveal its plans for the disposition of Camp Kilmer. Don't Want 'Another Mack' McDonough maintained the Plainfield area especially "can't afford to have another Mack on its hands." Mack Trucks one of Plainfield's oldest and largest companies, has announced it will move to Hagers-town, Md. McDonough pointed out there were 140 Plainfielders employed at the arsenal and a total of "400 or 500" Union County residents are employed there.

At least 80 per cent of the work force at the arsenal lives within a 10-mile radius of the installation. Organizations and official bodies in Middlesex County, expected to be hardest hit by the move, have already begun attempts to change the fade out plans and keep the arsenal. 3 Teachers To Be Feted Westfield The Westfield Education Association will honor three retiring teachers and a school secretary at its annual dinner dance in the Martinsville Inn Apr. 27 at 7 p.m. Retiring teachers are Mrs.

Virgil F. Murray, third grade, Grant School; Miss Lena E. Smith, second grade, Lincoln School, and Miss Elizabeth A. Collins, geography teacher in Roosevelt Junior High SchooL Mrs. C.

Arthur Bingman, high school secretary, also is retiring. Mrs. Louise Fischer is in charge of the program with Mrs. Joseph S- McEnerney making the arrangements. Milton Barnes will be master of ceremonies.

Westfield to Check Decision on Zoning Westfield Westfield offi cials were waiting to get a look at a written copy of the decision delivered orally by Judge Walter L. Hetfield nullifying part of the town's office-research zone before saying whether or not they were considering an appeal. Town Attorney Horace Baker said he hoped that copies would be available by tomorrow. Planners OK New Firehouse Westfield The Planning Board unanimously voted last Rosarians Will Hold y-u -m 1 I llOW Show Mountainside The Altar and Rosary Society of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish will hold its annual dessert-bridge and fashion show Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Deer-field School.

Proceeds will go toward the church building fund. The fashion show will be presented by the Clara Louise Shop of Westfield. Millinery will be furnished by the Hat Box also of Westfield. Mrs. George Stilwell, chair man, and Mrs.

Christian Fritz, co-chairman of hostesses, have announced the following hostess aides: Mrs. H. J. Brannin, Mrs Nicholas Byron, Mrs. Edward Capraun, Mrs.

Joseph DiPiazza, Mrs. Mauro Donatelli, Mrs Peter Dunn, Mrs. Frank Dwyer. Also, Mrs. James Dwyer, Mrs.

Chester Fabian, Mrs. Charles Hartman, Mrs. Ray Hergott, Mrs. James Hughes, Mrs. F.

Karwoski, Mrs. James Keating, Mrs. Daniel Knier, Mrs. Casimir Osiecki, Mrs. Edward Reilly, Mrs.

P. H. Schaff, Mrs. Angelo Senna, Mrs. Joseph Siejk, Mrs.

James Turley, Mrs. George Wiech and Mrs. Edward Mooney. Junior hostesses will include Miss Mary Benniger, Miss Judith Greeley, Miss Kate Lynch, Miss Sharon Oels and Miss Marilyn Sussko. Mrs.

Edwin Sauerberger, refreshment chairman, will be assisted by Mrs. George Guba, Mrs. Michael Kascin and Mrs. Michael Stanzione. Glee Club Plans Concert Westfield The Holy Trinity High School Glee Club will present its annual concert Apr.

28 and 30 in the school auditorium at 8:15 p.m. The concert theme this year is centered around American folk music and American composers. The Junior Glee Chorus will sing a group of Indian songs, and John Briggs and Margaret Smith will sing "The Indian Love Call" by Friml. Joan Buka vis will perform an Indian dance. The mixed choir will sing several sacred numbers, and a folk song medley will conclude the program.

Tickets are available from students or at the door. retired to Florida after he had resigned from the force last May, will have to return to be arraigned under the new charges, Stine said. Fromm resigned last May 23 and lives in Westfield. Fromm allegedly downgraded the tickets while in his job as violations clerk. Disclosure of the ticket-fixing came during a routine state audit in Trenton.

Immediate county and municipal investigations were ordered during the Summer of 1959 by Edward B. McConnell, administrator of the state court system, at the request of Chief Justice Joseph Weintraub. 'Should Have Known' According to the grand jury, Fromm "willfully did alter and falsify" the 25 tickets specified and Pfirrman "knew or should have known by virtue of his official position" that Fromm's actions were "improper, unlawful and in violation of the law." "His failure to terminate the practice violated the laws of the state," the indictment said. The addresses of the 25 persons to whom the tickets were issued were not noted in the indictments. The names, the original offenses and the offenses to which they were changed follow: Joseph Longo, speeding 50 miles per hour to speeding of the bill from Elizabeth Gen eral Hospital could be taken to court "although the outcome of OU'l TfUUXU UV MAAVA IU111 since no legal precedent existed.

1Vn Parallplc No cases in New Jersey or elsewhere have exactly paral leled this one, in which the county was charged for treat ment of the 25-year-old mass slayer of six who lingered in a coma from a shot he fired in his head as police closed in dur ing one of the state's greatest manhunts last July. If the suicide attempt had been made during the killer's apprehension in Middlesex, rather than in Union, where it occurred or had he been hospitalized in Middlesex, there would have been no question about the bill, Wilentz said. "There is no question that this defendant was being held for our law enforcement authorities, that detectives from the prosecutor's office and employes from the sheriff's office guarded Fekecs," the opinion read. However, the deciding factor was Elizabeth General was a "non-profit institution and fail ure to pay a substantial bill by this county could be quite dis ruptive of its budget. Therefore, Wilentz concluded that "although the outcome of a suit against the county by the hospital is uncertain, moral con ditions are such as to advise Middlesex to make full payment of the bill rendered." $8,051 Total Cost Total cost of the treatment for Fekecs, accused of slaying six persons, including two policemen, was $8,051, but $1,150 of that was covered by a hospitalization policy Fekecs had as a former Westinghouse Electric Corporation employe in Edison.

Fekecs also left a small group insurance policy, which Prosecutor Edward J. Dolan said had gone to the killer's former room- imate. Paul Vaia of Highland Park, a fellow Hungarian refu-j gee from whom the slayer bilked almost $20,000 over a four-year period. Jtsut, little else ekecs ac quired in his desire for high living remained. At one time or another, the slayer had five high-priced cars but all were foreclosed on or repossessed.

Fekecs' victims were four per sons in the North Brunswick of Dr. Francis M. Clarke Jan. 26, 1960, and two Franklin Township policemen July 10 which linked him with the earlier slayings. He shot himself two days later, as cops participating in a manhunt closed in, and died Nov.

2, 1960. Issued Case 40 miles per hour; Salvatore Longo, overdue inspection to illegal parking; Anthony Gritti, speeding 40 mph to illegal parking; Anthony J. Zappulla speeding to illegal parking; Elenore M. Bellero, speeding to illegal parking. Other Charges Also, Lila O.

Phipps, speeding to illegal parking; Howard Hickman, speeding 46 mph to speeding 40 mph; Mary Kascin, disregarding a red light to illegal parking; Anne Davis, speeding 46 mph to speeding 40 mph; Sanford A. Farrand, speeding to illegal parking. Also, Dan F. Sweet, speeding 41 mph to speeding 40 mph; Carol Zink, speeding to illegal parking; Charles Kish, disregarding a red light to illegal parking; Jules S. Fishkin, speeding 50 mph to speeding 40 mph; Gerald L.

Morel, speeding 50 mph to speeding 40 mph. Also, Helen Vogler, disregarding a red light to illegal parking; Elizabeth M. McFar-lane, speeding to illegal Arthur G. LaForge, three tickets for speeding to illegal parking. Also, Clyde Shiffer, speeding to illegal parking; Nicholas P.

Fedeison, speeding 50 mph to speeding 40 mph; James Mac-Gregor, speeding to illegal parking, and David A. Baxter, speeding to illegal parking. night to recommend to the Mayor and Council the selection of a site on the east side of Central north of Sycamore Labor Head Backs Daly Summit "I know that I am expressing the sentiments of the entire labor movement in Union County, as well as the rest of New Jersey, in wishing you a victory on Apr. 18 which you so richly deserve." This is the text of a letter to Eugene F. Daly of 7 Tulip a Republican candidate for freeholder nomination from Editor Lewis M.

Herrmann of the N. J. Labor Herald of Newark and a special represent ative of the International Typo graphical Union of which Daly is a member. The letter was read last night at a meeting in Daly's home of his workers from 15 municipalities. Miss Harriet Parker of this city, Daly's campaign man ager, presided.

She outlined his platform which pledged him to work for: Better streets and highways, improved commuter transportation, an increased program of technical training for industry through joint co-operation of county industries, an improved attitude towards labor, and a limited county-area-wide movement to handle countywide prob lems. Herrmann also wrote, "This is a real oportunity for members of the labor movement to put into office a man (Daly) who speaks their language, and who has dedicated most of his life to the service of his fellows." hook-and-ladder truck and more than one pumper. But having one crew and pumper always on duty on Central Ave. would save many precious minutes for emergencies on the Southside, which underwent a major housing boom in the past decade. Clifton which is in the process of being made a through street, would provide access to the Rahway Rd.

sector. The West Central, off South would continue to be served from the main firehouse. Discuss Town Yard The board also considered a report by Tanner's committee on town yard locations. Two sites on the Southside were agreed as "prime possibilities," and cost was seen as a major factor in choosing between the two. Preliminary approval was given Robert E.

Newman and Margaret J. Newman to subdivide 45 substandard lots in the Brightwood area into 15 lots which conform with the zoning ordinance. The lots are in the block between Smith Brown John St. and Cleveland Ave. The area previously was plotted for 25-foot fronts, while the new frontage will be 70 feet per lot.

I. B. Johnstone, representing the applicant, said there were no plans for building now. The board elected John A. Hoff as its vice chairman.

Lindsay M. Collins was designated to represent it at a meeting of county planning boards in Mountainside Apr. 21, when the possibility of a county board will be discussed. Edward V. Ehlers, administrative assistant, said he was awaiting cost figures on tiered parking from Morristown, where he previously served as town clerk.

The subject was recently raised at a joint meeting with the Chamber of Commerce. Financing could either be public or private, he said. Another request from the chamber concerned better mark- ers lor lots. municipal parking during the past year. Many were recognized for having completed their leader ship training.

The following re ceived Den Mother awards: Violet D. Geffken, Betty Csas- zar, Dorothy Williams and Edith Ross. Scouter's Keys were earned by Cubmaster Edward Demar-ais, Scoutmasters Leonard W. Fish and Rogers Dearing and by Assistant District Commissioner Ray Olsen. Scouter's awards went to Richard D.

Gruman, Claude Geffken, Joseph Michaels, J. R. Manier, William B. Kelly George Dieterle, Ray Ball and James Ross. Five Scout leaders received awards for their work in direct ing special activities.

They were Bart Heinz and Bernard Reiter for the Cub Scout Olympics held in Westfield; Sanford B. Wanner for the Fall Camporee held in the Watchung Reservation; Richard D. Gruman for the District Court of Honor held in Mountainside, and George Mc Moran as governor of the Klon dike Derby in the Lake Surprise area fo the Reservation. Recognized for their part in organizing the district's first Troop Mother's Club were Hans Ebel and Mrs. W.

E. Berning. More than 50 Scouters re ceived certificates for their par ticipation in leaders roundtables meetings and about 20 for regularly taking part in the district committee meetings. District Commissioner Bert T. Worthing was in charge of the dinner-dance.

Music was furnished by Joe Volpe and his orchestra. Corsages were do nated by Wyatt's Trading Post (Westfield), and Park Florist (Plainfield.) The invocation was given by Rev. David O'Connell of St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church. The benediction was given by Rev.

Richard Smith of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield. At the headtable were: Mr. and Mrs. Guy Byam, Mr. and Mrs.

H. Douglas Merrill Bert T. Worthing, the Rev. and Mrs. Richard Smith, Mr.

and Mrs. Joseph Hoffmier, Scout Executive and Mrs. Russell C. Lauver, and District Scout Executive and Mrs. Arthur Koeppel.

to spend the Winter in a health- may deduct on his income tax but also those of his wife and food he and his family ate on the grounds that they would have to eat in any clime. The claims were denied by the Internal Revenue Service. Bilder appealed to the U.S. Tax Court, which permitted him to deduct his expenses but not those of his wife and daughter. Ruled in His Favor Yesterday, the U.

S. Court of Tax Appeals ruled in favor of all of Bilder's claims, reasoning that a man who suffered several heart attacks would certainly have to take along on any vacation his wife or a nurse. The court ruled further that, in Bilder's case at least, he could not have been expected to leave behind his three-year-old daughter at home. So claims for his wife and daughter were ruled legitimate and Bilder won his case after a six-month legal battle. ew Indictments In Ticket-Fixing Vacation for Health Deductions Allowed Philadelphia A federal court ruled Tuesday that a sick per for a Southside firehouse.

The recommendation was based upon a report by a subcommittee headed by Rudolph Tanner, and including John A. Hof and upon consultation with Fire Chief Martin D. Burke. The board also expressed a tentative approval of a building sketch by architect Julian W. Couzens of Westfield, holding the design as "not incongruous with the neighborhood.

The sketch, showing a brick build ing of colonial design which as much resembled a residence as a firehouse, elicited complimentary remarks from several board members. The doors would face the rear, not the street, and the building would be attractively landscaped. Chief Burke said that the building would house one pumper, with room for more, staffed by 12 men working in three different shifts. Crews of four, while below the number recommended by the fire underwrit ers, would be adequate for the time being, he indicated. Of the 12, nine would be additional personnel, while three could be spared from the North Ave.

firehouse. Firehouse Crowded Burke and Tanner agreed that room at the present firehouse is at a premium. An emergency pickup truck and the Civil Defense engine could also be moved to the Southside headquarters, which could also be used for motor repairs and storage. A Southside firehouse had been under consideration for about the last ten years. As an illustration of its need, Burke cited a case in which it required 22 minutes to reach Grove St.

from the North Ave. location. That was during one of this Winter's heavy snowfalls, at a time when the weather difficulties were compounded by traffic congestion. Burke said that traffic snarls in front of the firehouse have presented serious problems to the department. The North Ave.

facilities would still be available for Southsiae-ires requiring the Elizabeth New indictments in the Westfield ticket-fixing scandal were handed up yesterday by the Union County Grand Jury against former Police Chief Albert Pfirrman and former Sgt. Alfred M. Fromm. The new indictments carried the exact same charges as previous ones returned last May 26, altering public records for Fromm and misconduct in of fice for Pfirrmann. But, the charges were made more specific by noting 25 tickets which were allegedly altered, falsified or downgraded between Apr.

10, 1958, and May 20, 1959. -The old charges were merely- for altering Municipal Court records in the fixing of 800 tickets. The grand jury also noted the names of the persons who were issued the 25 tickets which were downgraded from speeding to parking violations or to smaller speeding offenses. However, Prosecutor H. Douglas Stine withheld the 25's addresses.

Had Been Freed Fromm had been freed from the previous indictment by the Appellate Division of Superior Court after he had contended the charges were unclear. Pfirr-mann's old indictment will be dismissed and superseded by the more detailed one, Stine said. The former police chief, who son who is ordered by his doctor giving clime such as Florida return not only his expenses children. The court ruling was a victory for attorney Robert M. Bil-der of Mary Allen Lane, Mountainside, N.

J. It is expected to result in many similar claims. The Internal Revenue Service has 90 days to file an appeal. Had 4 Attacks Bilder went to Fort Lauderdale, for the Winter of 1953-54 on the advice of three physicians after he had suffered! a lourtn heart attack. Bilder claimed deductions of $750 for transport to and from Florida and rent while in Florida for both 1953 and 1954 as well as deductions for direct medical expenses.

He also claimed a $1,000 deduction each year for a share of the rent for his wife and daughter. He did not claim anything for transport for his wife and daughter and nothing for the jirG.