The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1927-07-05
Republican County Committee
Has Its Organization Meeting
Robert NJ Johnston Named Chairman Bertram L. Whitman
Reelected Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
County Leader Johnston, Speaks

RepuDilCdHS OIL ALldutlC CuuueJ
have no apologies to make for the
way the administration has con
Quoted affairs declared Enoch L
Johnson, county leader, following
his reelection as secretary of the
Republican county committee il
the Elks club, Atlantic City, Mon
day afternoon.
Mr.. Johnson was appealing fol
solid support of the party mex
year because of the presidential
election and the necessity fol
electing a United States senator, q
Governor and numerous Other
officials.
johnson Reelected.
Robert M. johnson was reelected
chairman for the fourth consecu
tive year. Bertram e. Whitman
was reelected treasurer and assist
ant secretary.
In the election of the vice-chair
men. Mrs. Mary F. Eccles, of Egg
Harbor township, Mrs. Virginia
Johnson, mother of the county
leader, John Murtland and c. Clay
Lewis, were chosen unanimously
The other officers reelected
were: Samuel Abrahams, sergeant
alarms; Enoch A. Higbee, solici
tor; Anthony ]. Siracusa, assistant
solicitor.
Secure State Aid.
Mr.. Johnson, who was the host
at luncheon preceding the business
session, emphasized the impor-
lance of answering critics of the
republican administration. He said
the board of freeholders, in which
the republicans have a majority
recently had succeeded in financ
ing the Shore road improvement
with state aid. 1.-THE people have
wanted this Improvement for some
time" he continued.
1.-THE financial conditions o.
Atlantic county are excellent ant
second only to those of Unio1
county" Mr.. johnson added
Having been an advocate of Senate
Edge during his political career, he
could point with pride to the
success of Edge as governor il
putting over the Delaware rivel
bridge project and the Hudson
tubes. The bridge has proven Z
success and the tubes will also
be of great benefit. Mr.. johnson
further said that Atlantic county
republicans had been responsible
for bringing both Senator Edge ant
Congressman Bacharach into state
and national prominence. He pait
a tribute to Congressman Bacha
rach at this point, declaring thai
Bacharach has wonder reputation
in Washington and is member
of one of the most important com
mittees of congress.
But One Defaulter.
Referring to the quality of repub
lican officials in general, Mr.
johnson said: "In the past 40 years
we have had but one defaulter il
public office and his defalcatior
was made good by a bonding
company. The present officials in
office in the county are efficientl,
serving"
Republican officials in Atlantic
City administration, he said, have
recently been criticized because Of
the high tax bills, but it is unfair
to charge the city administration
with the increase because they are
responsible for only about 4 3-4
points in the raise, the increase in
salary roll having been but about
$4,000 in the past year.
"The people voted for an increase
of IA or Is points in the tax rate
for more pay for police and fire
men," said Mr.. Johnson. "Tht
organization had nothing to do with
that, for it was majority vote
that said the raise should be made
The majority rules and the people
cannot be wrong under repub
lican form of government. State
school tax increases were also re
sponsible for boost in the rate.
The voting membership of the
committee is considerably reduced
this year owing to a change in the
bylaws intended to equalize mem
bership between municipalities
and also to concentrate authority
It was made necessary because Of