Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1920:
Lassitude in police administration provoked a howl of laughter among the gambling fraternity of Chester when eight men, including prominent sportsmen, failed to appear for their hearing in Sunday police court. All except one of the octette of gamblers gave fictitious names. Chief of Police Deavenport should certainly know Boris Lord – declared to have the greatest throwing arm of any man in baseball during the old days at left field for Mack’s Athletics, and owner of the raided cigar store – yet he watched him give the name of “James McCracken, merchant of Leiperville” without batting an eyelash.
75 Years Ago – 1945:
The organization of a countywide committee to concentrate efforts to urge the passage of state legislation that will give Delaware County a William Penn Park in Chester was announced by Samuel L. Smedley, president of the Delaware County Park and Recreation Board.
50 Years Ago – 1970:
Dr. Clarence R. Moll, president of PMC Colleges, dropped a bombshell on the school’s 350-memer cadet corps Saturday. He told them on-campus military programs “instill a blind kind of patriotism” and said PMC is considering closing its 150-year-old military school. Moll announced he has appointed a committee to decide the future of cadet training at the school.
25 Years Ago – 1995:
Chester City Council is poised to adopt a 1995 budget that calls for 30 layoffs and a 64mill tax hike unless a last-minute agreement on givebacks can be reached with the city’s three unions. The city’s workers’ compensation insurance will lapse unless a premium payment is made by Feb. 21. According to Assistant City Solicitor Linda Cartisano, the state will levy a $1,000-aday fine on the city if that was to happen.
10 Years Ago – 2010:
From the Times Editorial Board: “It has been almost 20 years since Francis Catania stepped down as a Delaware County court judge and that is hard to believe. For those of a certain age in this county, the Catania name has meant Republican political power and influence. But thanks to Franny Catania, who died Sunday, it also meant fairness, compassion and justice. Starting in Ridley Township politics in 1949, he began his rise under the auspices of the legendary GOP boss John J. McClure. He was named to the old Republican War Board in 1961, serving just two years before ascending to the bench.”