Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-03


 erly town council was held Monday, with every member present except Councilman -Burdick, who started for Florida a short time before the Ses- sion opened. After the reading and acceptance of the minutes of previous meetings. Water Commissioner Louis W. Arnold spoke in regard to the pay ment of bill of $450 charged against the town for the lowering the water pipes in Beach street, which work was done by request of the highway com nittee. Commissioner Arnold declar- ed that payment was due the water department for the work, and that in the future the water department would expect pay for work done for any other department of the town. The matter was referred to the high way committee for report to the next regular session.
 Judge John w. Sweeney appeared for the owner of the St. Clair confess konery store, and asked why orders had been issued by the police to close the store on Sunday. Chairman Gull ley of the police committee replied that complaint had been received from proprietors of places that are com pelled to close on Sunday, that cer- tain other stores were permitted to do business, and asked that these other places be closed. MT. Culley said that
 
 were doing business seven days a week. The police committee ordered that the places complained against be closed, and they were closed for bus mess Sunday.
 Judge Sweeney stated that the St. Clair was clean, orderly place, and that the majority of the people of Westerly were unfavorable to the ad- verse action taken by the police com- mittee. If the Sunday law was to be enforced, it should be enforced to the letter, and reach out far enough to include Watch Hill and all parts of Westerly.
 J. Irving Maxson asked if the names of the complainants would be made public and Councilman Culley inform ed him if Councilman Burdick was present the query could be answered.
 Councilman Saunders said that the peremptory order closing certain re- putable places on Sunday was done without the knowledge of the coun- cil, and favored making public all that was in connection with the order.
 Judge Sweeney said it was evident that the council as a whole had no knowledge of the matter, the police committee acting without advice of the council.
 Town Solicitor Aeard explained that there had been complaints received from Pierce street residents. where stores were open every day in the week, some for questionable purposes. The law is against stores being open seven days a week. and the police committee enforced the law to a req sonable extent. All the stores in Pierce street section were ordered closed, and then the question was raised in regard to stores located else where, and where there was no danger of violation of liquor laws He sug- gested that as Councilman Burdick would be away for several weeks. the matter of closing certain stores on Sunday be left to the discretion of Councilman Culley and Chief Brans- field for the present. This was agree able to Judge Sweeney.
 The proprietor of the Westerly Ice Cream company protested against the order to close Sunday when it was made applicable to everybody doing business on that day.
 Joseph GriIIs stated that the saloon keepers did not file con1paint against Trasgis and Richmond stores, but ob- tected to the opening of grocery stores in the Italian district that perhaps did some other business on the quiet. In response to query from Councilman Culley, Mir. Grills said he was not a saloon keeper and not the authorized representative of the saloon keepers
 J. Irving Maxson said the fact of keeping the remonstrants secret i'm piled that there was some crooked work, especially as the parties affected had to defend themselves against un- known opponents. Cornelius Culley said the police committee would make the parties known to the council, and the council would do justice to the town.
 Councilman Flynn asked if all par ties doing business on Sunday had been notified to close and Councilman Culley replied that it was not up to him. Chief Bransfeld stated that he had obeyed the orders of the police 
 Judge Nathan B. Lewis represented George T. Hutchins, who owns seven acres of land located near the Woody H1ll Schoolhouse three and half miles from the Mantle station. which he valued at $500 This property has been assessed for 15O0 and the taxes for 1906, 1907 and 1909 are not paid The claim was made that the taxation was excessive and petitioned the coun- ell for a change in the tax rate It was voted to make the tax rate on the property $500.
 Thomas J. Bannon, applicant for a druggists liquor license, presented a letter from the attorney generals of- flee, stating that the granting of Mir. Bannons petition would in no way af- feet the standing of Mir Ramon in the court, and that the attorney generals off1ce would be satisfied with any ac- ton the council might take in the matter. Action was deferred
 petition was received from Charles J. Foy for liquor license for the Watch Hill house. Action deferred