New Britain Herald Newspaper, May 19, 1921, Page 11

MAYOR FOR WOMEN | | very commendable, IN GITY POSITIONS: from First Page.) (Continued o & net debt ¢ $017.262.43 with 135,000 in assesaments to collect with 425,000 collectable when properties are bullt upon Spage is given to a discussion of the unemployment situation and work of the municipal bureau for employment. The rent problem which loomed up | A vear ago, i% not acute at present. Mayor Curtis says, huat atill exists a lessor degree Mayor Curtls explains the ne ot rioemen’s bureau such as has ¢ baen established. the city, he remarks, (o the servicemen in this respect A paragraph of the repert is al Intted to each of the commissioners and to the property and personal fax collactors. What has been done and what is planned by each, is explained in detail The mayor ton crossing ence be used with The report follows New ° provide also discusses the Clay- trap, urging that influ- to have it dene away Britain, Coenn. May 18, 1821 To the membhers of the Common Counedl, New Rritain, Cientlemen “Another year has passed by, and following the requirements of the charter, a resume of municipal affairs & herawith presented to your honora- ble body, “From a condition of unprecedented business prosperity to one of depres. | sion 18 the fortune of our city within in past 12 months. A few months ago thers was not enough labor to supply tre demand; orders for our products could not be filled. Today hundreds aro seeking employment, goods are plled high in our store rooms walting for a market. During this past fiscal year, notwithstanding the shortage of funds, several important improve- ments were made or gotten under way For instance, the West Main and Park stroet subways; the public works store house and yard: a start on the new water supply system: new implements, such as road roller, etc. have been bought; changes in the municipal law, as charter amendmenta establish- of the servicemen's hureau, the tion of an employment servic tNe work of re-valuation of propert re all in the line of improvements, nd will be, in my opinion, a benefit to | he city and ita people. City Reports “The amnnudl report4 of the different ity departments and officials have een presented te you, giving in detail n account of their work for the past ear and their recommendations for our consideration. A reading of the me will be informing, and of ad- | Antage to those interested, or who Ave to*do with city affairs. It is to hoped that they will be properly nted and distributed at an early ate Conn City Finances “Our net debt this year is $4,047,- 17, against that of last vear of §3,- $3.44, showing a net increase of 53,743, king the cash balance the treasury last year of $342,223 comparison with the $621 .02 of is yeur, shows us an increased ance of § 4 which would 1l further reduce the euse the of April from § 748,73 to 74.768.96. Thia increake is principal- due to new bond issues, one of 0 for the sewer department, 0 on subways and $5625.000 to ghool department, making a total $670,000, The standing of the de- riments for the presant fiseal year pwa an increase in the (isnkng -4 Wa an Increase in the sinking fund the reduction of our general in- [btedness of $70,633.27. A year ago balance left in the general fund $12,808.72. This year there wam a janee of 354 There was a r balanee by over 000 in the or department fund, and in the 00l bullding fund thers was a ¥ $00.419.44, and this year 3339 .03, This large amount will be Inated by payments on the new ool which is being erected Our grand list was inereased this trom a little under $538,000,000 1,22 00, due in part by an ‘eade in the value of the manu-, uring plants of between founteen | fifteen million dollars. The other | ases throughout the eity, (most | hem Jjustifiable) were brought it by the incremssd values of | perty, which had a low assessment tofore. This work of re-valuation y will still further raise the imt. and Insures a reduction in AX rate for the coming year Taxation and Re-valuation he work of re-valuation lization of property values carried on throughont the and is still being continued. It is impertant and dificult work It In net expected will satisty F one, but most of the business nd a large number of taxpayers end 1. The progress already has demonstrated ita worth. It hown by the larme increase of nd list, (most of it justifiabl h & few errors have been mad he made in the future, but as an dlscoversd they have or will prrected.) The expense of this! has been more than repaid by | ar's receipts from property not | fore listed. Our wystem, [ be- | is ahemd of that of any other n the state. This statement is on personal inquiries at the | nt city offces in the large cities ' { | | and has past ty's standing financially was of Assistance at Hartford we applied for the privilege of more bonds. The present legis- is insisted that the cites should ted the privilelge of issuing v when their debt would not %6d over § per cent of their lint; mo It can be seen that the Increased list in to us has heen of ad- | The DDEN FR! many ways public It is a duty | for the apirit shown by most of our people, corporate and otherwise, in not com- { plaining about the large increases is and the work eof cach week demonstrates the value of what is being done in the discovery and correction of former errors or omissions in property boundaries and listments Sewerage Proble With the net 262.43. with perhaps $i sessments to collect, ing along for sew in some of it trail- years, and $25,000 col- lectable when properties are built nupon. our system of assessing for %uilding sewers, is in my opinion al- most a farce. By placing the cost of disposal, maintenance and trunk lines the public, and also about two- hirds of the cest of the street lines, while we are still facing damage sui as well as paying damages occasion- ally and plenty of prospects ahead: also, co-operating with the state au- thorities on experimental work to the | tune of wevetal thousand dellars per vear, and still large sections of the city to be sewered and trunk lines to be provided. is only part of the ex- pense sgaring us in the face. The so-called Stanley Quarter section has been surveyed and it is planned to connect with the trunk line sewer to the sewer beds, at a cost of probably $300,000 or more. If our engineers are correct in their reports, we have another experience ahead of us. which will be rather an expenfive and dif- | ficult job. The judgment of our predecessors in charge of sewer work was not far sighted enough to build } city's future growth; conse- Quently, the trunk lines collecting the surface water and the sewage for the sections north of Myrtle street west of Hartford avenue are now in- adequate to carry anything over the normal every day flow. Therefore, when there i= a heavy rainstorm there : is a back flow into basements and cel- lars, and there are still many streets to sewer and connect up, and’ still room for many more in that section. To rip up Hartford avenue, East Main, Lafayette, Main and Myrtle streets and build ona or possibly two meore large trunk mains will he a great expense, as well as annoyance to the public. It will also mean new pave- ment most of the way. Most of these matters should be taken up and settled this yvear or next. “The treasurer’s books show for the past vear that there was expend- ed $107,964.72 for sewer work, and as near as ¢an be ascertained, taking the amount collected, $17.211.97 and the probable assessment on other sewers built but not passed upon by the board of compensation and assess- ment means a total return to offset the $107,964. of $38,952, leaving us 370,000 fo the bad. as far as returns in cost are concerned Unemployment Situation. “Business depression has been the cause of a Jarge number of our peo- ple being thrown out of work during the past six or eight months, and while New Britain is not as hard hit as a good many other cities in the state, there are a large number of people here who have not had work anywhere from nine months ago up to the present time. During the win- ter there were many complaints made to me, with requests for work. This spring the demand became more pro- nounced, and In order to bring the matter more prominently before the public, T endeavored to secure a cen- sus of the umemploved through vel- untary applications. This resuited in some fifteen or sixteen hundred peo- ple signing applications for work. Judging by the class of applicants, it is apparent that they are only a past of the idle workers, and evident- Iy many of the people do not care to make their wants knoewn. The inter- est shown and the lar demand for work has resulted in the establish- ment of a temporary municipal em- ployment office, which your honorable body gave the authority to start, also the appointment of an employment committee to act in an advisery ca- pacity. The applications have Deen classified, and work supplied to quite a large number of the most needy, with the expectation of ecaring for nearly every one eventuall The aif- ferent city departments have co-oper- ated in compiling the information re- quired, and these who could furmish employment have assisted in every way possible. i has resuited in a large number having secured employ- ment for a short time, and we are in hopes that through the funds the city has Arranged to raise through a bond issue, to enlarge our activities in the way of work through the bhoard of public works and thé water depart- ment, 80 as to satisty those who are willing to do work of that character. From present indications it will be necesmary for the city to continue this plan for some time The Rent Proposition. “The shortage of rents Acute as a year ago, but have not dropped materially. Human nature still remains the same, and complaints are frequent of the hard- heartedness and indifference of many landlords. A great deal of credit is due the chairman. David L. Dunn and other members of the rent committee for their interest and the work they have done without any financial re- turns. The needy people have been alded, and their work has benefited many people. The superintendent of charities has also aided, helping out casén of distress in that line “There was so much interest taken in the matter of high rent charges last year that petitions with hundreds of names, were sent to the governor, requesting that a special session of the legisiature be called to amend the present laws, that I thought the pres- ent legislature would pase same leg- islation along these lines. Thers was an attempt th start something of that character, but thare were =0 many other matters to attend to, that it was not followed up. 1 am sofry that there was not interest enough taken to push the matter. The presumption is that people are so conservative in this state that ther do not care to change or broaden the old lawe, al- though soma othe. states have done so with good results, notahly the states of New York and Wiscenstn. The imtormation secured from is not as the prices - | law . s power, and provement brought about in the rent situation. Charter Changes. “After due deliberation, the charter revision committee submitted to your honorable body -'several important changes that it might be desirable to make In the line of improving city { management. Most of these you ap- [ proved, and in all probability they will | soon become part of our municipal The principal changes were the merging of building, plumbing and electrical inspecers’ positions under one head, that of a board termed a building commission. “A board for the purchase of sup- { plies, with power to appoint a sal- aried agent. reorganization of the park commission, with changes in its powers and duties and reorganizing of city plan commission with increased providing means for erection plan commission with increased pow- '-v providing means for the erection | of a comfort station, resentative body to f the city take the place meeting, Im- gard to the police pension board, and several ninor changes, progressive lines. merated will honorable body nances effective Ex-Service Men's Bureau. “There has now by the authority given Dby your honorable body been established a municipal home bureau for the worthy all along The changes enu- require action by your in the way of ordi- them workable and to make { jand powers o ‘pxmm: and extending the law in re- i i ] l investigation of the needy, and deserving ex-service men, their families and relatives, also to press their just claims either on the state or national government., besides furnishing immediate aid in case of emergencies by the city. This bu- reau has been organized at an oppor- tune time, as the war bureau was discontinued several months ago. thinking its services were no longer required, and the Red Cross, which was expected to finish up its uncom- pleted work has also ceased its ac- tivities in this line. From facts brought to my attention. there is no j doubt of the need for this work to he carried on for an indefinite time. It is a duty that the city should as- sume and carry on from the stand- point for right and justice as well as self-interest. Board of Public “During the past vear. whilae thera was not much money available for new work. this department hai kept rly busy and has made a number needed improvements. Thq growth ot the city demands more work by this department each succeeding year, but due to the war, work which should have heen dona was deferred, so we have arrived at a stage where it is necessary to do a large amount ot street and sewer work to be abreast of the city wants. With the present supply of labor at the market vailing prices for that and ms and the bond issue for raising money. it appears to be a good chanca to cateh up with a large amount of work which has been long deferred. Through the creation of the offica of general superintendent and securing 2 man of large experience to fill it. T fee! quite optimistic in regard to the benefits toc be derived from tha ex- pansion of our work this year I will, no doubt, be the endeavor of the board of public works, as well as my- self, to sec that whatever funds are expended. full returns for them will by secured. Charities Departmen: “There have been several changes in this department during the past year. In the first place, there was an entirely new board appointed: later on a new superintendent was inetalled in place of the former one who re- signed. The past winter a new super- intendent was placed in charge of the Town Home. An inspection of the Town Tleme properties as thev were ® couple of months ago, and one at the present time would demonstrate that quite an improvement had been made by the present management. The new general superintendent has also demonstrated his value in many Works. ““There are quite a number of im- provements badly needed at the Town Home, and while it may not be possi- ble this yvear to make many of them. still they must necessarily be made at an early date. A new hog house is required right away. There should be more storage capacity for keeping under cover the implements used on the farm. Most of them are out- doora the vear round. and their de- terioration is rapid and consequently, a money losing proposition to the city. ““‘An inspection of the section of tha building used for females shows that it is very unsatistactory: it is a fire menace and unsafe I would suggest that a sprinkling apparatus be in- stalled at the carliest opportunity to used until it is supplanted by a fireproo! structure. Thers are many aged occupants, who are unable to move around very rapidly, and If this wooden structure should get on fire, there is a great risk that some of them could or would not be ahle to ge: ous alive . “A visit to the charity office any day at the present time will demonstrate that there is a large amount of work to do. and if the pres- ent conditions continue more funds will be required before the vear is out. Last year over $500 of their appro- priation wat ne: expended. Schoo! Debt, “The school department of our city is one, if not the most important that we have. both in numbers engaged and the amount of funds used. The health. character and education of the city’'s children is the most import ant faotor in the makiog o' our futura citizens of this large number of children, and getting the funds to furnish the build- ings, staff of teacher: ¢ a large one. Al cost1 have increased very materially in the past few years. and at the present time it does not seem as théugh there could be much reduc- tion More school building: ara re euired. and of course a larger j1 necessary te run them. I: seems efforta te have the state shoulde- some of the expenses of the towns and cities are made at each legislative ses. department’s creating a rep- | The problem of taking care | forea ! ’ sion. Fow successful these will be is A auestion, aa the state also has ity financial problems to solve. The city has advanced some $45.000 in the last two vears, and the State Board of Education tried to impress on the legislature the need for reimburse- ment, but the funds have not as yet | | ! VIAY, 1921, About been forthcoming. need be said on the may be superfluous, is to urge the school board to keep down tha ex- penses as low as is consistent with. the results which the public expect them to obtain, and to make a special study of getting wore if possible for the all that subject and this COME TO HARTFORD'S BUSIEST SHOE ’ monecy expended. | this year out of the city’s entire in- cent. if possible over draft last year and for terest on school bonds, with payment of some coming due, years ago the expenses did not | come over | ot getting the 45 mora As per FORCED OU SACRIFICING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF NEW SPRING A SUMMER SHOES, OXFORDS AND PUMPS FOR MEN is instance, | more than 30 per cent. town's expenses. *“There is now pendi lature a bill to appre to build a new State in our city and whey required for tha in- whereas several run (Continued on Te: STORE AND SAVE MONEY. WE MUS VACATE WOMEN A CHILDREN---REGARDLESS OF COST OR LOSS---NOTHING RESERVEI We have no other alternative than to SELL—SELL—SELL every pa in this immense stock. OUR LEASE HAS BEEN SOLD ! WE ARE COMPELLED TO VACATH No matter how great the sacrifice—we must accept the loss which means a clean-cut sa: ing of thousands of dollars to the Shoe Buyers of Greater Hartford ! The man, woman or child who passes up this extraon dinary event is simply neglecting the opportunity of a lifetime ! These Prices Will Stir the Country From End to En a $2.50 value. Removal Sa Made ported leathers, in al styles. Black or en. Regular w . oy’ ak teed. val Salc Price WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT pairs Ladies’ Oxfords a 11 colors, and Jenther: broken sizex. Regular prices 85, old lems $1 Removal Sale Price $47 T * and 3 hite Tenni { s'.-.oo. Removal | kia | values. Men's, Pumps | zray, brown and black suede and leathers, $6.00 | Removal Sale Price iu Wome ris* High Brown Regular == O to $10.00 ! FASHIO, &7 Womeme aud Grewa G yles, (Dxfofd ppers, in gra: ck. Suede, ki rlcel 5 8 29 Dr. Kimbail's fa style | (Comfort Oxtord in | - uxt_the sho Tor tender feet. 55 vaiue = Removal Sale Price :r$2 9 i 850 pairs Hood Camvas Sports | 47 uo-mlur price | Pumps and Oxfords. 50, | BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ DEPARTMENT Every | price 95| Ll elk zrowing xirla, all sizes. price $3.00. Removal Sale Price 7 sar 183 Sporix heeln, ue. Removal Sale Price % Shoes. rubl tan trimmed. $2.00 S feet. er, plenty SR50 value. 1 Sale ~ of m for Removal Sale Price 24 Russin 1énthers. Remeoval Sale Price 37 $1 98‘ $1.98| m.,»$4 89\.‘ o4 Kangnreo $7.89! GREATEST SHOE VALUES EVER KNOWN Boy Scomt Shoes, tan and biack, , :3..10 value, Sule Price 27 pairs Loys' t for service e Price 22 00 pairs Women's Strap Slippers, n rubber’ he $1.98/} and_ Girls® v$2.89 pairs Women's and Grew: nd C: e en $2.48 Removal Sale COME EARLY 4v 160 pairs Children's zun metal cnlf and tan calf extra high cut Lace Shoes, sizes up to 11. Regu- Iar price $1.00. & | Removal sale Pr a2 »’ Tennix | nbout Shoes, | Removal Sale I’ 3 . 00 pairs and Oxfords. elk noles. Reg. price $2. Al Sale Price 37 . | & Pin to Shoes, hrown and white, high and | er Girlw mizen up with | price $2 coy | Removal Sule Pric u?im pates Misnes® skin Strap Pumps—nall sines. $4.00 $1.98 Iy bh-mov-l Sale Price 12 % I nde of woll& bath- | Reguin er toes. o Patent Colt- 27" 290 palrs Youni Men's Mahox- any Brown an Shoes, newest year sewed. $5. | Nomoval Sale 1 210 phirs Hood's Heavy Duck Outinz Shoea, for outdoor ® up (o 6 Nexwr wold leas th 48 k- Removal Sale Price 2™ . BLUSINESS DEPARTMENT T 630 pairs Dr. Cushion boon $1. 98% £57200 pairs $3.00 White, and Gray Camvas Oxfords. cr or rubber Rewaoval e Price 24 . “Brown leath- Whitcomb's | 24" Attention, ra. Y new apring style | inglish lasts, broad or rown; $10 rice 2 $5 . airs Men’s Scout Shoes, ck, elk moles. %" 1,000 pairs Prof. Richardson's $10 Arch $5_89 men and women. Removal Sale Price ~ Mem’s U. S. Army Hip and Storm Klnx Rubber Doots. government inspected; for fisher- men, farmers, teamaters, apertamen | and all men; $10 value. Removal Sale Price & pr$3 90 27 Hundreds of Sale Price Mr$ RE T30 pnirs First Quality ular price $2. | Removal Sale Price 2% SLATER N Removal Sale Price u." IF YOU ARE GOING TO NEED SHOES WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR