Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-06-22
FOR WELFARE
OF The CITY
Mass Meeting Was Held in
Central Church.
SOME PLAIN talk
Organization Is Proposed Which
Will Stand Back of Local
Authorities.

AS the outgrowth of temperance
Sunday few weeks ago, at which
time the school pledged itself to as
sist the authorities to do what they
can in making Bridgeton better city,
large audience assembled in Cen
tral NJ. E. Church last night
The meeting was called to order by
John o. Spencer and Arthur Wright
was made chairman. Rev. S. G. Pitt
offered prayer.
Mayor Whitaker, Commissioner of
Public Safety Murphy and Corporation
Counsel Stanger were the guests OF
the evening, and were there to throw
light upon the moral and civic condi-
tions of the city.
Chairman Wright introduced Mayor
Whitaker, who said: 81 want to say
at the outset that l believe for a city
of its size, Bridgeton can take its
stand with any in the land for moral
ity There are, however, conditions
that ought to be improved. A marked
improvement has been noticed since
the Tabernacle meetings. When |
assumed the duties of my position
three and half years ago l deter
mined to do my duty under my oath
of Office. The most serious cases be-
fore me have been the violations un-
der the ordinance regulating the sale
of liquor-100 complaints have come
before me, SO of which were under
the ordinance and the other under the
State law. OF this number 13 failed
of conviction for lack of sufficient
evidence. $3SS9 have been received
for fines; II persons have been sent
to Jail for 60 days and 10 for 80 days
Conditions are better, but men are
still defying the law. 1t is difficult to
get evidence, for speak-easy men will
not tell the truth
Mayor Whitaker also touched on
the conduct of girls on the streets
and suggested how the women of the
churches could help in the reclama-
tion of these girls who were going
wrong. He cited the persistency OF
the beer brewers who were using ev-
cry effort to defeat the will of the
people who had voted to MAKE Bridge
ton dry town. These men claim to
have a product of their breweries that
they propose to put on the Bridgeton
market, which the Mayor said anal
yzed 8 per cent. and over of alcohol.
Corporation Counsel Stanger fol-
lowed the Mayor. He called attention
to the hard work that was necessary
TO secure evidence for conviction of
those persons who sell intoxicating Ii
quor, and the desperate characters to
deal with. Some time since, shortly
after he had assumed the office of
Corporation Counsel, case of this
kind was listed for trial, and the par
ties accused had made their threats
as to what they proposed to do if ar
rested. On this particular occasion,
the officers of the City, the Mayor in
cluded, took the precaution to be
"a n
suit from this meeting. He wished
the average man could be aroused to
greater interest in civic affairs. He
like the Mayor, thought Bridgetoh
not behind other municipalities in
its moral standing. "If there are any
places in Bridgeton conducting illegal
business, and you know it, you are
responsible. Produce the evidence
and Mr.. Murphy will bring these peo-
pie to justice. l also think there
should be an organization of the wo-
men of the churches to look after
young girls and older women who are
going wrong. l would like to see ev-
cry social club in the city close their
doors on Sunday, especially during
the hours of the Sunday School SER
vice. These places are enticing young
men away from their duty. Let the
people of the churches pledge them
selves to whatever service thew can
under the authorities, in making ou1
town better. l have written out &