Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-04
W. ]. HAGAN QUITS
NEWSPAPER FIELD
Made Host of Friends in Six.
teen Years Service on
Evening Star.

William ]. Hagan. of the Newark Eve
ming Star. today lenYes the newspaper
field to take n position with the real
estate department of tile Gottfrisd
hrGeger brewing Company.
During the sixteen years in which he
WAS connected with the Advertiser and its
successor, the Newark Star. Mr.. Hagan
became one of the best-known news
paper men In Newark.
Not alone are numbered among his
friends those who are prominent In the
cttys business. Official, legal. labor an
cliurch circles, but also countless thou
stinds who have directly benefited by the
charities he has organized.
Mr.. Hagan's career as II newspaper man
was unique. Ills time was devoted in II
larse Fart TO the charitable projects thar
were launched from time to time.
He Was instrumental in introduclnp tho
present band concert system In the pub
lie parks. He WIS in charge of a fund
OF $4,000 collected by The ADVERTISED.
during the Spanish War for the reliee
of needy families. He supervised the
distribution of 10000 pieces of clothing
and 4,G0 pairs of shoes by the papers
bureau. He had charge of the smallpox
epidemic fund, Then came The Stars
free Ice and outing fund. lie was the
organizer and had sole charge OF this
charity. which has done untold good for
the children of the tenements and their
mothers. Through him was distributed
the High street fire fund, which mount
ed to 1900.
Indeed, the story of Mr.. Hagan's news
paper career is one of a series of sue
eessful charitable undertakings.
He is vice-presi0ent of the Essex
County Federation of the Holy Name So
ciety and secretary of st. Johns Hu1y
Name Society.
Before he Joined the Advertisers staff
in August, 1896. he had been one of the
promoters Of the Catholic Ledger, which
was later changed to the Newark
Ledger.
His2firs important Work was in help
ing to collect money for the families of
First Regiment soldiers who had been
summoned hurriedly to the Spanish
war.
Then came his activity in the found
ing of the band concert project. For
the first time n series was giFel in the
parks. The plan was scoffed at and
called impractical at first. When it had
been made an assured success the city
took over the scheme.
For -four years Mr.. Hagan was the
manager of The Stars Ice Fund. APP
proximately 5000 women and children
were taken to the seashore last year. For
all OF I1eAP lunches WtTt DloNl utdi "
gether with amusement at the shore. In
addition, the orphans Of various institu-
lions were taken on special ears TO We
roma or on a chartered steamship to the
seashore. For those who could not be
aiken on these trips entertainment and
refreshments were provided at the In
stitutions.
Altogether Mr.. Hagan was instrument
tai in dlsbursing about $125, 900 in char
liable enterprises.
Every policeman, fireman, city Off
was known by name TO Mr.. Hagan.
He was familiar with every aspect OF
city life. He was an expert IN labor mat
tiers. How much he has done during
these sixten years for individuals whom
he helped himself will probably never be
known.
During his newspaper carer he was
entrusted with numerous condolences. He
was ON the inside In many of the big
pest stories of the day. And 1t was
known always that his word was H.
violable.
The staff of The sta united today in
wishing MIR. Hagan the best of good FOR
tune in his new venture.
When asked what he thought or the
game today, Mr.. Hagan an
swered, In his characteristic manner
'Fine!'
M only regret is" he added, that
7 shall no longer be able to take adj
vantage of the opportunity the star mas
given me 10 help others who were III
,,ed of mid. When Il mother would come
over to me after returning from n trip
IN tbe seashore and say. i cant tell you
how much good 1t has done my BABY
this outing it-well, IT was better than
n weeks pay