Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-08

, lection here, especially in the way of urging larger water mains
 Mayor Makes Reply.
 Mayor Murphy said that he had thought at first that he would not mo- tice this letter. for it seemed to be a reflection on the city. He read the following letter to the common coun- cil: Gentlemen of the Court of Common
 Council: A.
 I wish to bring to your notice the report of J. H. Howland, engineer of the National Board of Fire Under writers, of 1855 Williams street, New York city, dated July 31, 1914.
 In this report he claims he visited our city July 8th and 10th and discussed the matter of fire protection with a number of our city officials and inter- ested citizens, and that nothing has been done in regard to the betterment of our fire department since his last re- port in 1911.
 had no interview whatsoever with this gentleman during his visit here, and had I had the opportunity of con- versing with him I feel confident that I could have shown him several in- stances where his report was far from correct.
 For instance, he makes the state ment that we are continually using un- derSized water mains. This is not so, because upon consulting the superin- tendent of the water board I find that all new mains installed since his re- port have met with the requirements of the National Board of Fire Under writers.
 He makes another alarming state ment, namely, that the delay in carry ing out improvements that are most urgent indicate generally unsatisfac- tory supervision and poor financial Tn "a ,fy all know this. is not so. I can't recall any instance where the water depart ment has not been granted a sufficient sum of money to carry out any re- quirements that the board of water commissioners advocated for the fire department.
 He also states that there has been less money appropriated for men and additional hose and apparatus than in former years. The inaccuracy of this statement Is shown by the fact that in 1904 about $16,0D0 was appropriated; year by year this sum was increased until in 1914 $36,000 was appropriated. Thus you can see that in 10 years the appropriation has been doubled. This sum is appropriated for maintenance only. not, taking into consideration amounts appropriated for new build ings, etc.
 He said that the efforts of our conn petent chief were hampered by polit- 1cal influence and that the chief did not receive sufficient support from the citizens because of this political inter ference. Of all he said. this angered me the most. and wish to state most emphatically that this is absolutely without truth. I have attended city meetings for the last 30 years and nave never yet seen a single instance where politics interfered in any way whatsoever with the appropriations for aY1f fr7 7f f%. department in our city.
 l would state here that if the rates or insurance are to be raised in this city, as indicated by a/report given by MT. Rowland. that it is about time tl'at this body should resent it and that cur chief be instructed to write inc National Board Of Fire Underwriters. giving them the true facts of our wa ter department and fire department winch in my estimation compares very levoraoly with departments of other citles or this size in the country.
 Mayor Murphy said he considered if his duty as mayor to correct misstate- Incnts and he should resent what has been stated by visiting chiefs and he Wlsned that newspaper reports could give the, city proper credit.
 Department Bills Approved.
 The following department bills were approved and ordered paid: Finance department. s12,s65.63; cemetery de- partnaent. s6s6; fire department s2.- 642.12 public works department. Sc 445;31; park department, s1,077.70; gas i.co department, $2,5115s; street light Ing department. s1.351.7S; water de- pertinent. ss,156.25.
 The street commissioners report for August showing total expenditures of S4107 was also approved.
 1 n (N<5,v %t,
 the mayors remarks and sentiments o,, the report on the Norwich fire depart- n1ent be approved and that the clerk notify MT. Rowland of this action.
 The motion was passed and inc meeuns adjourned after a 25-minute