Newark's Last Fifteen Years, 1904-1919. The Story in Outline

Part 3

Chapter 33,495 wordsPublic domain

_Little Mother's League_: Organized in Belmont Ave. School, May 10, 1915, with 46 members, and in Montgomery School, May 26, 1915, with 29 members. Under direction of Health Bd.'s Div. of Child Hygiene. Members, girls between 11 and 13 years of age, volunteer to help care for city's babies. Each member undertakes the care of one mother and baby in her own neighborhood, visits them once a week and reports at consultation meetings held in the schools. Since May, 1915, over 1,151 girls have received and given instruction in the care, feeding and management of babies.

_Lunches, Public School_: Penny lunches served at Hawkins St. School, beginning Dec. 23, 1914. Average daily cost during first months, $1.80; average receipts, $1.51, and cost of free portions, 29 cents. Later provided in Lawrence and South St. schools.

_Medical History, Museum of_: In 1916, steps were taken by Dr. W. S. Disbrow, then President of the Bd. of Health, to collect and exhibit "everything which would illustrate the history of medicine in our city, from its foundation".

A large room on the top floor of the Bd. of Health Building, at 94 William St., was set aside for this purpose.

_Medical Inspection_: Inaugurated in public schools, 1901, under joint control of Bd. of Education and Bd. of Health. Entire control passed to Bd. of Education, 1908-09. Originally organized as a means to control spread of contagious disease, activities have been enlarged to include all matters relating to the health of school children. In 1914 the number of school physicians was reduced from 38 to 8, and the number of nurses increased from 8 to 26. Public school clinic, 25 Market St., was opened April, 1916, and a trained psychologist added to the staff of experts, Feb., 1918. Medical inspection in parochial schools is carried on by Bd. of Health.

_Medical Library Association_: Organized Nov. 18, 1905. The library is housed in and administered by Free Public Library.

_Memorial Tablets_: See Tablets, Memorial

_Memorial Trees_: See Trees, Memorial

_Mental Hygiene, Bureau of--Board of Health_: Established May, 1919. Movement started by establishment of a psychopathic ward in City Hospital as early as 1908. Purpose is to provide a clearing house for cases of mental or nervous disorder and of defectives coming to attention of courts, charitable associations or other city agencies. Will study and contend against drug addiction, enforce prohibition, observe neuro-psychiatric cases among former soldiers and care of psychological cases in parochial schools.

_Mexican Border Uprising_: First N. J. Regiment entrained for Sea Girt to prepare for border service, June 21, 1916.

_Milk Supply_: Thoroughly supervised by Food and Drug Division of Board of Health, established 1913. Dairies and creameries are inspected and scored. Milk, except from exceptionally good dairies, must be pasteurized. Sale of unbottled milk prohibited by city ordinance, adopted Feb. 1, 1916.

Present supply estimate is 100,000 quarts daily. About 25,000 less than 2 years ago. Decrease in quantity due to increased cost. 3 municipal depots, where milk is on sale at lowest possible price, opened by Mayor, Jan., 1919.

_Monuments_: See Statues and Monuments

_Moving Pictures_: First show licensed, Feb. 1, 1906, in 1919, 39. City ordinance under which "Shows and Exhibitions" are regulated, amended, 1910, to include moving picture houses.

_Municipal Christmas Trees_: See Christmas Trees, Municipal

_Municipal Employment Bureau_: See Employment Bureau, Municipal

_Municipal Exhibition_: See Exhibitions

_Museum Association_: Founded through the efforts of the members of the Fine Arts Commission, the Committee on Art and Science Collections, and John Cotton Dana, of the Public Library.

Incorporated, April 29, 1909, with 50 elective trustees and 5 ex-officio trustees representing the city government and the Bd. of Education, by special act of N. J. Legislature. Established for the reception and exhibition of articles of art, science, history and technology and for the encouragement of the study of the arts and sciences. Rockwell Japanese Collection purchased for $10,000 and Museum formally opened in rooms in the Library lent by Library trustees, Feb. 24, 1910.

With annual appropriations, collections, cases and equipment have been acquired, valued at over $100,000. Paintings, sculpture, pottery, glass, textiles, bronzes, American Indian material, models of the habitations of man, and many examples of art and industry. Collections also include over 3,000 objects lent to schools for classroom use. Systematic lending of objects. for classroom use began in 1914. In 5 years, 19,012 objects were lent. Largest number lent in one year, 1918, was 7,357.

Disbrow Science Collections held in trust by the Library, were turned over to the Museum, 1912.

Membership in the Museum Assoc. open to all. Dues paid used for maintenance of the collections and purchase of new objects. 10 or 12 special exhibitions are held each year in addition to permanent exhibitions of objects owned by the Museum. Admission, free.

See also Exhibitions; Junior Museum Club; Medical History, Museum of.

_Music Festivals_: First, held at 1st Regiment Armory, 1915. World-famous artists attracted thousands. Dates for the first and succeeding festivals, with the names of the leading soloists, follow:

1st. May 4, 5, 6, 1915. Anna Case, Pasquale Amata, Gadski, Witherspoon, Matzenauer, Kreisler.

2nd. 250th Anniversary Event, May 1, 2, 3, 4, 1916. Anna Case, Ethel Leginska, Freida Hempel, Julia Culp.

3rd. May 1, 2, 3, 1917. John McCormack, Lucy Gates (in place of Galli-Curci), Ysaye.

4th. April 30, May 1, 2, 1918. Geraldine Farrar, Lucy Gates, Arthur Middleton, Clarence Whitehill, Giovanni Martinelli.

5th. May 16, 17, 19, 1919. Anna Case. Reinald Werrenrath, Caruso, Toscha Seidel.

_Naturalization_: Public school evening classes preparing foreigners for U. S. citizenship organized, 1912.

_Newark Day_: For the purpose of studying history and development of Newark, Nov. 7, 1910, the day before Election Day, was set aside by Bd. of Education. At the board meeting, Oct. 27, 1910, it was recommended that principals and teachers and, whenever possible, citizens and officials lecture to the pupils about the city in which they live. The day before Election Day was chosen because local interest would naturally be increased at that time.

Since then interest in the day has grown through the action of the Schoolmen's Club, composed of men teachers, principals and educational officials, which adopted the suggestion of Mr. Frank J. Urquhart, of the Newark Sunday Call, to mark by tablets important historical spots in the city.

See also Tablets, Memorial.

_Newspapers and Journals_:

Newspapers.

News, evg. circ. 92,044, 1919. Est. 1883 Call, Sun. " 50,000, " " 1872 Star-Eagle, evg. " 50,000, " " [B] Ledger, morn., Sun. " 32,245, " " 1914 Roseville Citizen, wkly. " 5,958, " " 1915

[B] Evg. Star, successor to Daily Advertiser, consolidated with Morn. Eagle, Jan. 28, 1916, and from Jan. 31, 1916, published under name Star-Eagle.

Foreign Newspapers.

N. J. Freie Zeitung (German) morn. circ. 11,000, Sun. 15,000, Est. 1857 Kronika (Polish) wkly. " 15,538, " 1908 L'Ora (Italian) " " 2,000, " 1902 Montagna (Italian) " " " 1894 Revista (English and Italian) " 2,000, " 1905

School Journals.

Acropolis, Barringer High School; Orient, East Side High School; The Pivot, Central High School; The Optimist, South Side High School; Polymnian, Newark Academy; St. Benedict's College Quarterly, St. Benedict's College; "Fratech", Newark Technical School; "The Worker", Boys' Industrial; "The Pioneer", Robert Treat School; "Lafayette Messenger", Lafayette School; "Cleveland Alternate", Cleveland Grammar and Junior High School; "Onward", Newark City Home, Verona, N. J.

_Normal School, N. J. State_: Formerly Newark Normal School. Transferred from city to state, July 1, 1913. New building on Belleville and 4th Aves., opened Sept. 16, 1913. $500,000 finally agreed upon March, 1919, as purchase price acceptable to city in transfer.

_Open Air Classes_: Inaugurated Feb., 1911, in Elizabeth Ave. School building for weak, sickly and anaemic children. This school was later set apart for children in incipient cases of tuberculosis and classes for anaemic children were organized in 13 regular schools.

_Pageant_: See 250th Anniversary

_Parades_: See 250th Anniversary

_Parental School, Essex Co._: See Delinquent Children

_Parental School, Newark_: See Delinquent Children

_Parks, City_: Under care and supervision of Shade Tree Div. of Dept. of Parks and Public Property. Distinct from county-controlled parks, like Branch Brook, Weequahic, East Side, West Side and Riverbank, which happen to lie within city boundaries. Largest and most familiar are Lincoln, Military and Washington, all bordering on Broad St. Besides these parks, there are, in business and residential sections, green squares and triangles, to serve as breathing spaces and recreation centers.

_1905_ _1919_ No. of parks 19 29 Park area in acres 19.18 21.77 Value of park land $9,267,000

Among parks added to the system since 1905, when Shade Tree Commission first took charge of the parks, are Wallace Park, a triangle of land bounded by Wallace St., Wallace Pl. and Bank St., purchased by city, 1907; Court House Park, fronting Court House, between Market St. and Springfield Ave., deeded to city by county, 1907; Herper's Park, Randolph and So. 15th St., given to city by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Herpers, 1914, and named in their honor. Ground about drinking fountain, which marks the first landing place of Robert Treat and his followers, cultivated and known since 1916 as Landing Place Park. Name of Madison Park, bounded by Clinton, Belmont and Madison Aves., changed to McKinley Circle when Hiker Statue was unveiled Memorial Day, 1914, in memory of the President who called the Hiker Men to service. Triangle, between Central Ave., Fourth St. and Warren St., previously known as Central Ave. Park, Central Square, etc., named Liberty Square, 1913.

_Parks, Essex County_: Parks within the boundaries of Newark, but controlled by the Essex Co. Park Commission, are Branch Brook, Eastside, Westside, Weequahic and Riverbank.

Weequahic Park enlarged by 50 acres, 1908; Municipal Golf Course of 9 holes opened, 1914, and used by 14,000 players during 1915.

Riverbank Park opened, 1911. Land cost $200,000.

Essex Co. Park Commission Administration Building erected in Branch Brook Park, 1914.

_Parkways_: Parking strips or green cultivated stretches running through street centers. First deeded to city, 1911. Originally constructed by private land companies. When taken over by the city, they came under the care of the Shade Tree Commission. These parkways to be found on Belmont, Chadwick, Fourth, Seymour, Hawthorne and Vassar Aves. and Heller Parkway, and a number of other streets. Park Ave. Parkway is under county park management. City parkways in 1919 add 8.58 acres to the park area.

_Parochial Schools_: See Schools, Parochial

_Passaic Valley Trunk Sewer_: Passaic River became so polluted by the sewage of Newark and other cities lying along its course from Paterson south, that in 1896 a movement was started by Paterson and Newark Boards of Trade, for the purification of the river. After 16 years of litigation, 15 municipalities joined in building a great trunk sewer to collect the sewage of towns in Passaic Valley District, carry it across Newark Bay and discharge it into upper New York Bay. Work began July, 1912, under direction of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, authorized by act of N. J. Legislature, 1907. The cost, estimated at $12,000,000, will be met by assessments on the municipalities joined in the project. In 1919, 90% complete.

_Paving_: See Street Paving

_Physical Training_: Made an essential part of elementary school curriculum, Sept., 1904.

_Playgrounds_: Until July, 1919, there were 3 systems of playgrounds in Newark: 1. Under Control of Bd. of Education, conducted on school grounds; 2. Under control of Essex Co. Park Commission on playfields in all county parks; 3. Under control of Dept. of Playgrounds, under the Bd. of Recreation Commissioners. The last are generally called "City Playgrounds".

In July, 1919, control of the city playgrounds passed to the Bd. of Education, a transfer under active consideration for a number of months.

_Playgrounds, City_: The Bd. of Playground Commissioners was established by act of N. J. Legislature, 1907, to provide playgrounds and recreation places. It was composed of 5 members appointed for 5 years. In 1915 the name was changed to Bd. of Recreation Commissioners, in charge of playgrounds and public baths. Under commission government this board was responsible to the Dept. of Public Affairs, but in 1919, as has been stated, control and ownership of the city playgrounds passed to the Bd. of Education in line with the carrying out of a comprehensive recreation program.

1. Canal St., Canal & Commerce Sts. 113' × 112'. Owned. Opened Oct. 1, 1907.

2. Prince St., Prince St. & Waverly Ave. 100' × 103'. Owned (partly). Opened May 1, 1908.

3. Newton St., Nos. 68-70 Newton St. 100' × 100'. Owned. Opened Dec. 10, 1908.

4. Lafayette St., Lafayette St. & N. J. R. R. Ave. 210' × 90'. Leased. Opened Sept. 6, 1911 (closed).

5. Oliver St., Oliver & Chestnut Sts. 156' × 241'. Leased. Opened Sept. 6, 1912.

6. Belleville Ave., Belleville & Arlington Aves. 149' × 359'. Leased. Opened Aug. 15, 1913 (closed).

7. Summer Ave., Summer Ave. & D'Auria St. 50' × 99'. Lent. Opened Sept. 17, 1913.

8. Vailsburg. So. Orange Ave. & Boylan St. 518' × 235'. Owned. Opened July 24, 1915.

9. Avon Ave., Avon Ave. & So. 10th St. 246' × 175'. Lent. Opened 1915 (closed).

10. Broad St., Bet. Emmet & Wright Sts. 118' × 89'. Leased. Opened Sept. 1, 1915.

11. Morton St., Morton St. & College Pl. & Howard St. 87' × 121'. Lent. Opened Dec. 1, 1914.

12. West End, So. Orange Ave. & 12th St. 550' × 530'. Lent. Opened Sept., 1916 (closed).

13. East Side, Wilson Ave. Owned. Opened July 1, 1918.

_Police Department_:

_1904_ _1919_ 444 members of force. 842 members of force. 4 precincts. 8 precincts. 6 bicycle officers. 29 motorcycle officers. 8 mounted officers. 29 mounted officers.

1910. Oct. 1, Autos replaced horse-drawn vehicles.

1916. Replacement completed.

1919. 17 autos.

1904. Cost of administration, $ 509,644.

1918. " " " $1,414,098.

First policewoman appointed Aug. 1, 1918. 3 on force Aug., 1919. Called in cases involving the handling of girls or women.

_Poor and Alms Department and Almshouse Survey_: Made by Dept. of Surveys and Exhibits--Russell Sage Foundation under direction of Francis H. McLean, 1918-1919. Considers whole family welfare problem of the city,--poverty, relief and social agencies. $1,400 appropriated by Bd. of Commissioners for Work.

_Population_:

1904. 272,000, Bd. of Health estimate. 1905. 283,000, State Census. 1910. 347,469, Federal " 1915. 366,729, State " 1918. 430,000, Bd. of Health estimate.

_Port Newark_: Development involved: (1) Reclamation of 4,000 acres of tide marshland on Newark Bay. (2) Construction of ship channel 7,000 ft. long, 400 ft. wide at bottom, and 20 ft. deep at mean low water, the channel to extend into marshland for a distance of ½ to 1 mile. (3) Building of dock frontage of 4,500 ft. with derricks, tracks, and other equipment for handling freight. (4) Building of pier 1,200 ft. long and 150 ft. wide, extending into bay from end of dock, equipped with tracks, etc., to accommodate ocean vessels. (5) Railway distributing and transfer system covering the reclaimed area and connecting with at least 3 trunk lines. Central Railroad of N. J., Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley already cross this area. (6) At least 1 wide paved avenue of approach from center of city.

Actual work begun March, 1914. Under City Dept. of Docks and Meadows, with Morris R. Sherrerd, Chief Engineer, and James C. Hallock, engineer in charge. Funds provided by $2,000,000 bond issue authorized by N. J. Legislature.

Oct. 20, 1915, named Port Newark Terminal Day and declared a public holiday by the Mayor. Marked by first public inspection of the work.

U. S. government in 1917 leased land in this area for Submarine Boat Corporation and also 133 acres for the Quartermaster's Supply Depot.

Course of development changed by war, and future plans now uncertain.

See also Shipbuilding.

_Postal Service_:

_1904_ _1918_ Sub-stations 26 68 Carriers 170 328 Pieces of mail handled 85,978,300 181,584,236 Total receipts $634,197 $2,115,549.87

Opening of aerial mail station at Heller Field in Forest Hill Section, originally set for July 1, 1919, has been postponed.

_Prices, Food_:

_1904_ _1914_ _1918_ Rib Roast (per lb.) (Not available for Newark) $.22 $.39 Flour, wheat (per lb.) .03 .07 Eggs (per doz.) .35 .52 Butter (per lb.) .33 .55 Sugar (per lb.) .05 .09 Milk (per qt.) .09 .14

_Prison Reform_: (Here are recorded a few facts about N. J. procedure, selected because of their connection with the administration of law for Newark. Complete review of state conditions and progress will be found in the Report of the Prison Inquiry Commission, published 1917.)

Indeterminate Sentence: Or sentence to imprisonment without a fixed time for its termination. Adopted by act of N. J. Legislature April 21, 1911. Is in accordance with the principle that imprisonment is primarily for reformation and that offenders should be released as soon as they have shown themselves again ready to be fit members of society. Provides for a maximum and minimum term, the maximum varying with nature of offense and the minimum not less than a year and not more than two-thirds of the maximum.

Prior to 1911 this practice had applied only to the State Reformatory.

Prison Labor: Law abolishing private contract system of labor directing that work of convicts should be employed in manufacture of goods for state-use was passed by N. J. Legislature, June 7, 1911. Prison Labor Commission created March 28, 1912, to direct development of "state-use" system and control its operation, but without sufficient authority to assure its success. Act passed, April 4, 1913, provided that unfilled contracts might be continued until state-use industries had been established. In view of the practical failure to introduce "state-use" system within the prisons, outside employment of prisoners was authorized by act of April 11, 1910, and subsequent amendments. Since 1913, 4 road camps have been opened for employment of convicts on state roads and have proved a relative success. Farming has also proved profitable. This system not only aims to prevent waste of state resources but to provide industrial training for inmates of correctional institutions of the state.

Employment of county prisoners and payment of earnings to their families was provided for by N. J. law passed 1915. Wardens of jails are instructed to give preference to men serving terms for nonsupport. At Essex Co. jail in Newark, $3,000 or $4,000 have thus been contributed to prisoners' families otherwise left destitute. Benefits will increase as practice is further systematized.

Probation System: Probation and suspended sentence first introduced by act of Legislature, April 2, 1906. Authorizes courts and magistrates to suspend sentence of persons convicted of criminal offenses, to release them on probation and for such time and under such conditions as the court determines instead of imposing penalty provided by the law. Reformatory for Women, N. J. State: At Clinton Farms, Hunterdon Co. Provided for by act of N. J. Legislature, 1910. Opened Jan., 1913. To which the criminal court judges may, at their discretion, send females about the age of 17, who have committed a State Prison offense. Aims to return women to a self-respecting, self-supporting life. All commitments are for an indefinite term limited only by the maximum period of imprisonment fixed by law.

Social Investigation: Investigation of social facts regarding prisoners to be sentenced and circumstances attending Crime was begun in 1908. Made part of probation office work. No sentence is now passed by Essex Co. Court judge until a written statement of all such facts has been presented. Judge no longer tries to make the punishment fit the crime but to make the punishment fit the prisoner and restore him to his normal place in society.

_Probation System_: See Delinquent Children: Prison Reform

_Public Baths_: See Baths, Public

_Public Comfort Station_: See Comfort Station, Public

_Public Lectures_: See Lectures, Public

_Public Schools_: See Schools, Public

_Public Service Corporation of N. J._: Maintains gas, electric and railway departments. Through its subsidiary companies it furnishes gas, electric light and power, and street railway facilities to most of the people of the state.

See also Public Service Terminal; Trolleys.

_Public Service Terminal_: Work on new Public Service Terminal, Park Pl., begun June 24, 1914. Opened for street railway operation, April 30, 1916. Cost, $5,000,000. Terminal arrangements and tunnel system are President Thomas N. McCarter's solution of Newark's traffic problem, especially at the "Four Corners". It is estimated that 400 cars, carrying in both directions 50,000 people, may pass in and out of the Terminal during one hour.