The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-03-12
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BILL

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lined the purpose of the bill.
Councilman Harkins opposed the
adoption of the resolution and said that
it was the so-called Grove bill lie
thought that the bill would be a pad
measure for citizens of New Haven TO
resort to. He thought that it might be
good for large property owners, but not
for owners of small properties The
board of aldermen at a meeting few
weeks ago voted to instruct the eorpo-
ration counsel to oppose the passage OF
the bill, and at the last meeting of the
aldermen motion, to reconsider taat
action failed of passage. Mr. Harklns
last night moved to concur with the al
dermen. Councilman Davis offered an
amendment to instruct the corporation
counsel to oppose the passage of the
bill.
Councilman Hewitt spoke for the
adoption of Councilman Minors resolu-
ton and explained the provisions of the
bill In some detail, and in reply to the
argument that the bill would benefit
large property owners but not small
property owners said that he did not
think that owners of large properties
would run the risk of Offering their
property for sale for price less than
what they considered it worth.
Councilmen Foote said that among
the many thousands who are suffering
from excessive assessments are many
who can i'll afford to do So and that
there are hundreds of widows, orphans
and old people who cannot afford an
appeal to the courts, but who. under
this bill could obtain just reduction
of assessments without mourning any
expense whatever.
Councilman Dawson said that this
was eminently a bill for the benefit of
Poor men. The rich might go to the
superior court; the poor certainly could
not. He considered that the Chamber
of Commerce had studied the matter
earnestly and carefully and that the
councilmen would do well to support
this effort to remedy unjust assess
ments.
Councilman Mansfield said that this
measure would, he believed, relieve
great numbers of taxpayers who are
unjustly assessed. Some find fault
with the measure but none of the fault
AiiiSSio PlpPOsC etiiy liiie bCItCi diio az
counselled the members to put them
selves on record in favor of the best
method of relief that yet offers.
Mr.. Harkins speaking again said that
he did not believe that the chamber of
commerce members who were present in
the interests of the bill were working
for the interests of the poor people.
He thought that the bill would benefit
real estate dealers more than anyone
else.
Councilman Wheeler said that the
motives of the chamber of commerce
had been questioned. He asserted that
the motives Of the chamber of COM
merce's efforts were solely to promote
the public welfare He was confident
that no selfish motive actuated any of
the members.
Councilmen Bracken and Davis spoke
against the bill A vote was then
taken on the amendment to instruct
the corporation counsel to oppose the
passage of the bill and the amendment
was lost, the members voting as fol-
lows:
Ayes-Messrs. Bohn, PARROT. Buch
muller Maley, Cotton, Maroney, Davis.
Bracken--3.
Nays-Messrs Wheeler, Browning
Minor Hofacker, Hill, Sullivan, Hosley,
McKiernan, Baldwin, Fulford, Hewitt,
Barrows, Dawson, Gilbert Hamilton,
Harkns, Skinner, Goode, Yardley,
Foote, Mansfield, Bradley-22.
On motion of Councilman Minor, his
resolution was then adopted. A few
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reconsider and his motion was lost by a
vote of 20-9
The communication Of Anthony Car
roll concerning comforting decorations
on members of the board of finance and
which the aldermen refused to accept
was presented last night. Assistant
City Clerk Martin started to read the
communication and Councilman Hewitt
moved to table 1t. Councilman Davis
moved to amend to have the communi-
cation take the regular course. He
wanted it read. Councilman Wheeler,
one of the members Of the board of
| finance on whom Mr.. Carroll would
confer a medal asked if the commune
cation had been presented by mem
/ Der Of the board. Councilman Wohl-
maker thought that "out of respect to
the board, it ought not to be read"
Mr.. Hewitt withdrew his motion to
| table and moved that the communica-
| ton be not accepted and not placed on
the record Mr.. Harkins said that while
he was not in sympathy with the COM
munication he did not think that the
board could consistently take action on
the paper until it had been read. 10 do
so would, he thought, establish bad
precedent Mr. Hewitt agreed with this
view and withdrew his motion. The pa
per was then read, after which the
board voted not to receive 1t and that
it should not be printed in the journal.
Anthony CAROLS petition asking thai
the common council reconsider its ac-
ton on the report of the special COM
mittee which conducted the Kelly in
yestigation was read and the petitioner
was given leave to withdraw. The
claim of City Engineer Kelly for reim-
bursement for expenses incurred by hin
in that investigation was referred tc
the claims committee in concurrence.
The board adopted resolution pro-
viding for the appointment of a specia
committee to receive bids for sprink-
ling streets in which car tracks are
lead But a resolution to require the
director of public works to advertise fol-
bids for horses and drivers to equip the