New Britain Herald Newspaper, July 22, 1915, Page 5

A -, Third Ward %iflhci‘l Meeting tative on Floor Greater Part of Meet- ing in Opposition to Previous Reconsideration . Lafayette Street Subway Matter. Sensational statements were made at last night's meeting of the com L mon council by Councilman. O. F. _Curtik 'of the Third Ward, ‘wh:n dur- ‘ing a lengthy' debate on the resolution of "Alderman M. I Jester that the ‘advisory board, appointed by Mavor ‘Quigley several months ago, be dis. charged, he claimed that the unit svs- tem bf keeping 'the business of thn ‘board of public works has never bsen ‘obeyed by that commission and that he can prove that there have beea gross violations of the charter of the City of New Britain. The statements of the councilman were 'not ques- xtioned as they were. made severai ‘moments before a vote was taken on 4 motion to adjourn, -but they were of a nature to set the members of that dllnlfl‘ed body to deep thought < over their real meaning Thre appointment of the _ailvisory ®oard to meet with the jnortant ‘commissions of thecitv government occupied the limelight a short time #go over the methods emploved by the niayor ‘at the time, and judgirg from the attitude of some of the member~ of the council they were not in favor of the proposition, while others high- * 1y ‘endorsed the idea. After -Alderman Jester . had pre- sented his resolution, Councilman S "Degnan, in defending the hoard an) . speaking on its merits moved that in- stead ‘of discharging it, an amend- ment be adopted making the boara one of ten members. Supporting the councilman. Cour. cilman Curtis said that in many in- stances when departments had showx deficiencies in their reports and also ‘Feporting matters that afterward dil 7 mot show up, it might have been = good idea to have such a committec ‘Composed of business men, who could ; Mave offered advice 'which would ‘probably have been. instrumental in Aveiding errors. ¥ 6L Touncilman .Paonessa said'*hat it was a shame to have such a commit- tee appointed and then have it thrown 4 out.without giving it a fair chance. During the back and forth talk that ensued a motion was introduced to adjourn but it was disputed and it réquired ‘a. rising vote to determine _the outcome before it was enter- tain. i g “Says He Is Not Leader. © “When the mesting was called by Acting Mayor Parker, in the absence of Mayor Quigley, the roll cal showed twenty-six members preseént. City Clerk Thompson read the min- utes of the previous meeting and when he concluded the ’councilman from the Third was on his feét im. mediately. He said that at the time of his se- fection it had been stated that he had intended to come into the couneil and run it He said that this was not so and that any man who detecteu things that were not right should be looked upon as a leader “T want t» see things ,run right and T wish ty call attention to the illegality of Ar. ticle 72 of the recent meeting of the common council, in regard to recon- sidering the resolution on the Lafay- ctte street subway.” = After a resolu. tion had been passed by the eouncil and signed by the mayor, he ques- tioned the right of the right of the council to reconsider it and act again in a different manner. Heg did not' see how anybody could act on a matter that had gotten beyond its control. He quoted - legislative action on similar matters. He also claimed that the resolution was il legal, from the -fact that there was no written resolution to show tha: such a motion had been passed by the rommon council. ) “Your five minues is about up.” acting Mllyox- Parker reminded the speaker. “I would like to see where their i= anything-in the charter about five minutes,” quickly shot back Council- nan_Curtiss at the presiding officer. ‘““There is as I interpret it,” said Mayor Parker, The matter here end- ed with a motion that the council- man be allowed as much time as he desired on the subject. Councilman Curtis then moved to strike out from the minutes, article 72, relative t6 issuing subway bonds for the proposed subway. Alderman Jester moved to accept the minutes as printed ang Council: man Paohessa requested * that opinion be given = by Corporation Ccunsel Cooper. on the subject. Judge Cooper said that there was no doubt that there was some illegal- ity to the matter, but that if it were 4o be rescinded and a new. resolu- ion offéred it would be alright. He said the reconsideration of a resolu=- , tion after the council had passed it : and the mayor had signed it was an embarrassng situation. A Councilman , Teich, reading . the Too Nervous To Drive a Car? That’s too bad,.old man, is largely .due to wrong but you know nervousness habits of eating and drink- “ing, = If you would quit coffee and use Postum your nerves woula steady up. " Postum tastes much like fine, mild Java but there’s no drug in it—that’s where it’s got coffee beat a-mile. . “Sound advice, More and more, people are waking up to the harmful effects of caffeine—the drug in coffee—a fre- quent cause of riervousness, heart flutter, dizziness, headache, and other ailments. Instant Postum “is the soluble form of the original Postum Cereal. A level teaspeonful of th e crystaline powder in a cup of hot water make§ a delicious food-drink instantly. 30c and 50c tins: ° " 'The convenience of Instant Postum is seen at a2 - glance, but some prefer the original Postum Cereal which must be thoroughly boiled—15¢c and 25¢ pack- s}~ ages. Grocers sell both ' is.about the same. - A cfiange from coffee thing for thousands. kinds and the cost per cup to Postum has been a good harter, said that according to it there is nothing to guide members of.the . council. % Councilman Paonessa moved the ac- ceptance of the report minus that par- ticular item. : Couneilman Curtig wanted it strick- .en off the minutes, Councilman Eichstadt claimed that of the council, that had been acted upon. ceptance of the repori of the min utes, with the exception of this arti- cle. “There are two others that if you includs them I have no objection,” said _Councilman Curtis . and the councilman from the fifth acquiesced and.thé motion.was passed. P It was brought up asain late in the .evening and about the same line off arguments pro and con, ensued cven to Alderman McCabe, from the Fifth, who charged that it was an at- tempt in his opinfon to sidetrack the Lafeyette street subway. He said «Judge Cooper has said that it is alright to rescind a motion and then present another one.” Just when the alderman from the fifth had reached the heigth of his oratorical brilliancy, Councilman Teich called question and Céuncilman Do- lan moved that'a Tesolution be pre- scnted. This done & few moments later by Alderman ' Chamberlain and Council- man Curtis, calling for the laying of a' subway from- Main to ‘Washington street at a cost of $4,5600. Xick From Tippy. A résolution was received from the Independent Expressmen’s association, protesting in Tegard to the practice of wagons that are ursurping the rights of the’ agsociation when they come and” hang afound that “edifice” that aderns Commercial street, and to which strenuous objéctions are be- ing raised by members of the assocta- tion. The resolution was signed b.;: that honored personage. Hon. “Tippy’ Fay. 1’; was reférred to-the corporation counsel and the board of public ‘safe- ty, with the provision that the board act on the reccommendation of ‘the rporation counsél. O rdinance Committee Report. The ordinance committee presented the following report: ; 1. Be it ordained by the common council of the city of New Britain: That section 78 of the ordinances be and is hereby amended to read as fol- lows: e No person shall cause or permit any wagon, cart or other vehicle or any part thereof or any animal to remain standing upon &ny crosswalk or to stand upon or extend over any side- walk in sald city or shall ride; drive or lead any horse or other animal upon, over or across any siwewalk at & rate faster than a walk.. No person shall éause or permit any animal or vehicle to remain standing upon afly highway in said city for the purpose of unloading merchandise or other purpose in such manner as to obstruct or block traffic. Councilman Stadler adoption of the report. Councilman Landers 'spgke about the driving of wagons across--side-‘ walks faster than a walk, which was a bad practice. Councilman ‘ Curtis said he agreed with the criticism of the member from the sixth. Corporation Counsel Cooper was asked his opinion regarding the mat- ter and he said that it was eyidently drawn with the idea in view of elimi- nating nulsances such as often exist on Commercial strest where wagons back up and the tailboards project over the sidewalk, a hindrance to pedestrians. Councilman Landers moved that the ‘resolution read faster than a walk. Councilman® Curtis agreed with Cpuncilman Landers. Councilman Stadler said cases applicable to autos make them walk. “You might a Ford,” said Acting Mayor Parker. The recommendation of the committee was accepted and adopted " Mrs, Larson’s Claim Paid. The claims committee presented a bill from Mrs. Larson for damages amounting to about $40 for damages resulting from a fall on a defective sidewalk It was ordered paid. Ellis Street Matter. The committee on rules and legisla- tion reported on the following report: 1. Resolved: That the board of public works be and it is hereby in- structed to report an order for the working of Ellis street, between Maple street and Cherry street, work to be done at such time as the common council may order. Said street to be laid out and worked to the grade as now established, the curb lines and curbs to be the same distance between as intended for street purposes, i. e., thirty feet apart, and the sidewalks to be laid the same width, as intended, i e, five feet, but laid close to the curbs, as they are now laid on that section of the same street, be- tween South Main street and Maple street, the owners to have the privi- lege of terracing or extending their lawns out to the inner edge of the flag or concrete walks after the same have been laid. | On a recommendation of Council- man Teich, the matter was referred to the corporation counsel, city’ engineer jand a committee of four to be .ap- pointed, and a report be submitted at t;\e next meeting of the common coun- eil. 7 Want Comfort House, moved the that in you can't Councilman Dolan brought up the matter of the comfort house proposi- tion and said that he was opposed to the plan of the committee and the board of public works in regard to having an_appropriation of $100 for an architect to lay out a site which he would select. He said that he did not oppose the proposition, uut he wanted to be shown something definite in re- gard to it, before the specified outlay was expended. Councllman Téich asked if it were it was fmpossible to strike the article ' from the :minutes as it Was business | Councilman Degnan moved the ac- | not possible for the city-engineer 16 | garage. Counrilman -Téleh ""M”‘ this matter but T want to draw up plans. City Engineer Hall said that it was the idea of the committee to get an architect to look over 'the ground thoroughly and make a selection. Councilman Pucnessa said he felt | as if the city engineer was capable enough of drawing ‘specifications for the station. The said that he felt as though there should ‘be no repi- [tmon-ot the controversy in which | the school board figured several years ago Which cost the city sev- | eral thousands of dollars. ! Councilman Degnan in speaking on the subject sald, that, it seemed to be the idea of some persons that the statijon will not be placed in the | city building as proposed by the com- mittee. He said that it was out of the question to place the station on the park, and that the proposition to | have it on what has been mentioned as the isle of safety, would be im- possible, for the reason that it would cost an enormous sum for éxcavatian. Councilman Wagner made a stir- ring appeal for the erection of the proposed station, claiming it an ab- solute necessity. He spoke 6n can- ditions in foreign countries, and to the present needs of such a place. Councilman Teich said, that he did not want to go on record as being apposed to the proposition, but he thought that the committee in charge and the City Hall commission, should meet and come to some understand- ing on the matter. Alderman Chamberlain said, it seemed to him as if it was a case of “the cart before the horse,” to dis- cus plans ar architects, before the He urged that something definite be done in the matter of location. Councilman Curtis said that the idea of paying an architect $100 was out aof the question. He felt that the comfort house was a necessity, but that préliminary plans could be se- cured from . an architect without the outlay of the $100. / He ridiculed the idea of the com- mittee to place the station under the probate court, as the odors arising from it despite the care taken, would raise a serious objection from the other occupants of tHe bullding. The matter of entrance would also prove to be a thorn in the side of the com- mittee. He also said that in view of the fact that the building is a non fire proof structure, and the ‘laws state that records of the city shall be kept in a safe place, that if the state ' inspector came here he would put the “kibosh” on the whole mat- ter. He suggested that the commit- to consider the land south of the park, and take the matter up with the trolley officials in regard to building the Isle of Safety and Sta- tion combined. with the councilman/from the Third Ward, in regafd to securing an ar- chitect to draw plans gratis.\ “If you want something, you have got to pay for it,” he said. *“I have heard many times that the plan to have the station in the city hall is going to be knocked out, and I am going to fight the thing to a finish. The people want the station and I believe in giving the people what they want,” said the Fifth Ward representative. “I know what I am talking about, when T say that an architect can be secured to draw preliminary plans without cost. I have been in the building business for twenty years and have had considerable experience in such matters,” said Councilman Curtis. He moved to refer the mat- ter back to the committee in charge. Councilman Landers said he was glad to hear the councilmen from the Third and Fifth talk as they did. He sald the need of a station was evl- dent, but he thought it should be placed in a conspicuous place and not behind some building. Councilman Dolan said it was to knock the proposition that he brought the matter bafore the council, but he did not want to expend the $109 until the committee had shown the council something definite, Councilman Wagner did not think that it was a matter of dollars and cents so much as giving the people what they wanted. Councilman Degnan in speaking on the proposal *o place the station on the southend of the park, said that it. meant tho expenditure of several thousands of dollars extra for excava- tion. Councilman Landers arose and suggested that Councilman Curtis's rirtien ko me-svanted in writing which caused laughter, My sight s a little bad, but if 1 given a little ime I can do it,” an- swered Councilman Curtis. The resolution was then acted upon and was referred back to the com- mittee. Auto Investigation Report. The special committee on the in- vestigation of the cost of mainten- ance of the autos in the board of public works department was brought up and Councilman Conlon, present- ed “the following majority report of the committee: A majority report of the committee on autoing was also presented. Tha report said that the committee had made careful investigation and that in order to supervise and carry on the work in this department for the best interests of the city the board found it necessary to operate three cars, two owned by the city and one is rented. The cost of operating each car is as follows: No. 1 used by the street devartment, $404.12; No. 2, used by the sewer and street depart- ment, $538.83; rented car, $396.75. The committee is of the opinion that as the cars were compelled to travel over rough roads most of the time, i the cost of operating the cars has not been excessive. The gommittee feel that there is a possibility of reducing the cost of operating the cars by buying gasoline and oil in larger quantities and storing the cars committee knéw where théy stood. | gallon mere ‘Councilman, Degnan did not agree ; ‘adopt. Councilman Paonessa m to amend and substitute the- ity report. On motion of Couneilm Curtis it was tabled until the ' nekt’ meeting. Councilman Teich moved it adop- tion. * Councilman Paonessa then arose #hd Offered” axi amendment, that the minority report of the committee be adopted. The report was as fol- lows: To His Honor, the Mayor, and Mem- bers 7f the Common Couneil:— Gentlemen:—We hereby submit a minority report of the committee ap- pointed to investigate the expenses of running and maintaining the auto- mobiles operated’ by the board of public works.. We find as follows:— First—Owing to the lax system of keeping accounts in the office of the board of ‘public works it is impossible to determine the cost of mainténance of any separate automobile owned by the city, Second—It does not appéar as though the board of public works ob- served Section 275, page 195, of the city charter. .This section provides for a bill in detail before it is paid. Third—As near as weé can ascei- tain the ~ost of maintenafice of the cars used by the board or pubne works for aleven months is as follows: Street department, including rented car ..... .+ .$1,131.64 Sewer department 262.46 chans ety Total ciieianeanes. $1,884.20 Fourth—We find the city has paid from 3 cents to 6 cents a gallon more for gasoline, 30 cents to 86 cents per gallon more for oil, and $1.05 per. for denatured alcohol than private individuals can buy the same, and other articles in the same proportion, Fifth—Although the Ford cars are warrantad for one year, a large sum has been expendeéd upon the repair of two cars and so far as we can learn. no effort has been made to se- cure. any : assistance from the Ford Motor company to make good its guarantee. The total bill for répairs ie $244. Sixth—As the board of public works Was lax in not having the depart- ment's cars equipped with speedome- ters, your committee cannot report Aaccurately on the cost of running per mie.; The: city engineer made the statement before your honorable body that the street department car cov- ered 75 miles per day, or 22,500 miles Dér year. Granted that this car was drivens about the city streets at the rate of fifteen miles an hour the of- ficlal in charge of street work, who operated the machine, spent five hours a day in riding around, leav- ing him only four hours of his time to the supervision ,of street work and his many other important duties. Seventh—The board of public works admits an expenditure of & cents per mile for each car. This amqunts to $3.76 a day, or $1,125 per year for the cost of maintenance of the street department car. We would recommend. First—The passage of an ordinance for the dismissal of any official or employee, who uses the city cars for his own personal use or profit. Second—That the city provide a garage where all its cars except thoss used by the first departnrent, can be housed, the garage to be in charge of a skilled mechanic, who would make repairs on all cars owned by the city, and who would be athorized to as- certain and report where materialls and supplies can be purchased to tre best advantage. Fourth—The attention of the board of public works should be called to the city charter and ordinances with reference to the contracting of bills and they be hereby requested to gov- ern their acts accordingly. ‘Want Garage for Eight Cars. After a lengthy debate on the mat- ter the council voted to accept the majority report. £} ‘Water Department Gets Car. It was voted to recommend the pur- chase of a Ford car for use of the in a city garage, the repairing and washing of cars to be done by help in the employ of the department. As there are several automobiles in var- ious departments owned by the city and as it will be necessary for the city to purchdse more in the near future, the committee ig of the opin- ion that the city should have its own water department at a cost of $450. Councilman Paonessa spoke of the need of such a car, and stating that the superintendent of the department has been foced to cover much ground with a horse and wagon. Salary Raise Discussed. The salary raise for the clerk of the police and city court was brought up by Alderman Anderson, who rec- ommended that the salary be made $1,200, and referred to the salary committee. He suggested that a re- cess be taken for five minutes, to allow the committee to take action in the matter. Councilman Curtis in speaking on the matter said that the clerk should be given the raise as under the pro- visions of the charter he was de- prived of the income deprived from private practice, which he has to abandon, and suggested that the com- mittee bring in a recommendation at the next meeting. He suggesed that if the report was favorable it should read that the salary be from July first when the term of office began. Cauncilman Dolan raised the point of where the money was coming from. “O take it from the incedental fund,” said Councilman Conlon. “I guess you won't,” said Council- man Dolan. Alderman McCabe, said it was only right that the clerk should get the rajse and that it should include the time when the' term of office began. The motion to have the committee report submitted at the next meeting was passed., Curtis Again. Councilnian Curtis questioned City Engineer Hall, in regard to the man- ner in which the contract for the paving of Lafayette street was award- ed at the meeting of the board of publi¢c works Tuesday. evening. He inquiged if the specifications called for afconcrete road and if all con- tractors hed-irad the same opportun- ity to bid on the job and if they knew it was to be bullt of concrete, Engineer Hall told of the manner in which the specifications were drawn and said that they were in the board rooms for several days before the meeting. He sald that the bids were also advertised. “Well I am not going to fight over ! Al e given a fair chance,” €ald- Councilman Curtia. Outing Committee Report. Councilman Nowlands of the out- ing committee, reported that arrange- ments had been made for the affair to be held at Lighthouse Point on August 11. Dinner would be served at Shanley’s and he urged that all owning cars contribute them. T ~all | with orty owne to P flug five feet in wiat) property " Btank y 11 fouy AONOT walk be or before The resolution | structed. to against the Comptroller H. L, Curtis presented ; favor of the City € his quarterly report as follows: I submit herewith a statement showing experiditures and balances re- maining in the various City Depart- ments at the elose of business, Juna 30, 1915: DEPARTMENTS Streets Sewers . Sewer Mjintenance .. Catch Basing ..... Permanent Pavement Parks, Central ,. Subway ...uy. Street Lighting . Street Sprinking Street Improvement Fund . Police . Fire .. Salaries Incidentals Health < T Interest and Discounts Payment on Prineipal Special Appropriations . Charities . Cemeteries .. Municipal Building Las Consolidated School District. Walnut Hill Park. Dogs Taxes . New Schools .. Water . .e Public Amusemen State Highway Municipal Tce Plant. Petitions Recelved, Petitions were received as follows: Joseph Towers ror a fire hydrant on Stanléy streeét south of South street; Caesar Rosa for » sewer in Mill street from South Main street, 200 feet west- erly; Carl Bengstron for a walk, curb and macadam of Ash street from Vega to Maple streets; Michael Glin- ski for the sprinkling of Booth street from Orange to Broad street; Gus- tave Sobolowsky for a flag or con- crete waik on both sides of Sheffleld street from Pleusant to Keélsey streets; Virginia C. Taylor et al., for the wu- ter comin‘ssioners to donate ice for the public milk station not to exceed 6,000 pounds, without further expense to the ecity. Augusta B. Lumpp for abatement of a4 charge against Agus- ta. Berndt for town taxes on list of 1903 and liened in the year 19056 which taxes were pald when due but for some reason credit was not given for said payment, and they were not aware of the existence of said lien until they received a bill from the collector June 22, the amount of tax to be abated with $5.16 with interest Rev. Lue; Bojnowski, trustee of the ' Polish Orphanage by his Judge B. F. Gaffne, upon the vroperty of the orphanage on Burritt and Jerome street and Usgood avenue for the year 1914-15 be abated has been the custom in the past, the orphanage being sup~ ported solely by the contributions of persons charitably inclined and not self supporting; C. O. Kallberg et at. for abatement of sprinkling assess- ment on Chestnut, Stanley and Dwight streets during the period said streets are undergoing repairs owing to double tracking; Scandia Land company for abatement of sewer as- sessments lald against land now used , for street purposes, the streets being Columbja and Munroe treets; from the Expresmen's association, by Thomas Fay, presidnt, for the abate- ment of nwsance caused by teams being left directly in front of office of the organization for hours at a time, said organization having comne plained to the rallroad officials, the police department, the prosecuting at- torney ani informed that they had no power to remove these teams; R. J. Andrews for a water main in New- field road; 2. O. Kilbourne et al. for crosswalk at the corner of Common- J. Higgine et al. for water main in Cemetery Lane; Amelia Tuttle for abatement of lien on - property on South Main street against the estate of W, W. Woodruft for $73.90. The claims committee reported recom- mending that the claim of Mrs. Louis Larson for damages on account of fall on defective walk on Chestnut street be referred to the corporation counsel with power, . Adopted. Ths report of the committee on supplies and printing authorizing i thase of a desk for the office at a cost of $31 was adopted. The comptroller reported payment of claim of Florence Turner for dam- ages amounting to $300, and a bill of A. A, Lyman for $2056.52, Special Committee Appointed The East Ellis street layout report was referred in action of Counciiman Eich to a committee of 4 appointed by the mayor and to the corporation counsel and city engineer., The reso- lution of the committee on rules and legislation was Indefinitely postponed. Street Work Ordered. The board of public works recom. mended that the comptroller be in- structed to draw his order on the treasurer for the City Coal & Wood Company subway department for $861.40 and for M. O, Baker street department $699.84; that the board of water commissioners be instructed to| | lay a suitable water main 1n Newfield read running from West Main street 8 nce of 800 feet provided the usudl bond is filed and that the peti- tioner shall in no way nold the city liable for the acceptance of said street; that the contract for the pav- itg of Lafayette street from sl Grqve street be awarded to' the necticut Good Roads company at a cost of $1.24 yard for reinforced Johnson be C. Germond connecting - with sewer in Zumojski pany and mént for § Baker, 3 Abatements - The mayor and | on the application EXPENDED $ 22,944 7,448 3,178 34, .28, .01 R % A8 17.8¢ 4,044 4,497, 686, 12,64 17 1 12,101.97 12,371, 3,109, .21 86 7 26,718.21 20,510, $318,010.44 rell for the | lien on a sewer street in the men th cou been and be abated Carlson & they paid this & on account not been ! CGue the w slreet improvim ers the cf ages In 1910 the order duplicate favor of the $6.70 for 1 adoption of nue in 1910, structed to ‘the pets for abat dren’s Home, at nue, due July 1, $87.87 be roperty at No, eet, and that t) propery at the ' Griswold street | amounting to 8 ! the matter of July 1, 1614 the same finance comn tion and report as t) of abatément, but The bosrd of wealth avenue and Stanley streets; J, | CESMent reco; ’yw¢ o v