New Britain herald., 1914-08-27
OPPOSITION FAILS
 TO STOP EXTRA TAX
Livtiy City Meeting AppTopTialts
 $22,(O0 for Street Work. .

After wheezing a bit and making
 several false starts, the machine .op-
 posing the appropriation of approxi-
 mately $22,OOO extra for street de-
 partment work, finally gave up the l ghost and stopped dead at the city 1 meeting last night.
 1 More interest was shown in the
 meeting than for many months. A | large representation of the com
 mon council was present and it was ! interested in the subject had not all lowed any grass to grow under their feet while rounding up their friends.
 People who never take any interest in city affairs were there armed with an aye" and it was whispered around
 that there was gentleman of color concealed in the woodpile. Political Opposition Rumored. Late yesterday afternoon it be- came evident that there was to be some opposition and it was said that it would come from quarters that were not friendly to Mayor George A. Quigley. While some of the op- position was accepted as bona fide interest in the welfare of the city there was some, it is claimed, that was aroused through the desire to block any move that might reflect credit on the Quigley administration and give it any political capital to use in the next campaign. It was also said that neither of the big political parties would show much opposition because such move might be used against it on the stump when orators could point to the opposition as horrible examples of predatory interests that would let the people starve in the streets.
 Alderman E. w. Christ, who is acting mayor in the absence of Mayor Quigley, called the meeting to order and City Clerk A. l.. Thompson read the call. He then read a resolution prepared by Corporation Counsel J. F.. Cooper which called for the lay ing of an extra tax of one-half mill the money to be used in street work. Alderman M. T. Kerwin moved that the resolution be adopted
 Kilbourne From Missouri
 School Committeeman Edward O. .Kilbourne stated that personally he was not opposed to the extra tax but would like an explanation of why 1t was being laid.
 This is an unusual procedure and I think We should have an explana- tion," said MT. Kilbourne. The streets were given due consideration by the board of public works when 1t was mapping out its plans at the beginning of the year. They were con- sidered by the board of finance and taxation at that time and that board appropriated as much money Is 1t believed the city could afford to spend"
 Hard Times'-Ald. Jester.
 Tn reply to Mr. Kilbourne." said Alderman M. Irving Jester, II would like to say that it is well known fact that we are having hard times. The factories are running on s!iort time and the appropriation of ,h,s money will give men who are out of work, oc doing little work, chance to augment their income. Thc object is simply tc give work to the unem- ployed. Otherwise they might be thrown on the city's hands and de> pend on the charity department for aid"
 Thinks Factory Hands Incapable.
 1T don't think factory hands are ca pablo of working on the streets, MT. kilbourne. And l don't 1 think they would do the work if it l was there for them to do. I under 1 stand about 100 applications for work l have been received. l do not consid- CT that a large number or more than | what the average administration has to contend with. In the time of May or Ambrose Beatty there were 500 ap- plications for jobs. I am opposed to 1 the proposition but I think it would ] esta blish a bad precedent"
 Ayes Bat For 1000.
 Acting Mayor Christ called for vote on the resolution and the "ayes" carried everything before them. There were few noes and they shouted l Justify but were forced to capitulate | before superior numbers.
 Water Commissioner w. B. Ross berg made a motion to adjourn and 3 big crowd went out on the sde- walk where they gave vent to their opinions although they said nothing during the meeting.