New Britain herald., 1914-08-22
Measure for Relieving Unemp|oy-
 ment is Roundiy Criticised.
PLANS FOR TEMPERANCE CAMPAIGN
Report is That H. HI. Spooner Will Come Hero to Lead Campaign for No License-Jack Rose, Famous Reformed Gambler, Stopped Here.

Reformed Gambler, Stopped Here. If comment heard about the center Of the town this morning IS reliable indication, it appears that the senti- ment of local taxpayers is against the proposed sewer construction work on Maple street to relieve unemployment. The story in last evenings Herald giv- ing the attitude of the directors of the Plainville Business and Improve ment society was the first intimation to the public of Selectman William J. Johnson's plan to furnish work for men who are unable to secure employ ment.
 Ex-Selectman Frank B. Newton was willing to express his opinion on the proposition today. He agreed with others in giving Selectman John son credit for absolute sincerity in the suggestion, but he thought the scheme was not practical.
 We can't afford to build storm water sewer in Maple street." said MT. Newton. "The first year that I was selectman the town authorized me to go ahead and construct this surface water sewer in Maple street. After thinking the matter over decided that tie town did not know what it wanted h matter of fact we do not need a storm water sewer in Maple street any more than we need one at the foot of Canal street, in Pierce street near it's junction with Broad street, and in several other places"
 George S. Babcock, prominently mentioned as a candidate for first se- lcctman at the coming republican caucus, is opposed to the scheme. He agrees with MT. Newton that, in the first place, the town cannot afford to undertake new sewer construction under present business conditions. Furthermore MT. Babcock claims that the so-called "unemployed' in Plain vile are not numerous enough to build any considerable length of storm water sewer. He says that his obser- vations about town have convinced him that there are less than ten able bcdied men out of work in Plainville. Som- of the men who are on shor\ time. in local factories would not be sttraced by an offer to work on sewer construction in their leisure hours. Mr. Babcock thinks that the town would be short sighted in launching cut on such an extensive undertaking to furnish employment for a mere handful of men. With the return of better business conditions in the event of new developments in the European war, MT. Babcock thinks that the unemployed might be reduced to zero. And then who would build the. sewer?" he asks.
 In Selectman Johnson's outline of his plans to the Business and Inn provement association, he thought that the construction work could be stopped at any time to be resumed again when the conditions of the town treasury warranted further expendl- ture.
 Local taxpayers who have been in- terested in plans for an extension of the sanitary sewer system, think that the proposed scheme for new con- struction ought to be concerned with sanitary rather than surface water sewers.
 Selectman Johnson was not at his office in the town building today Some of lis friends say that he has been advised not to call special town meeting to consider the Maple street sewer. They think that the taxpayers would vote the proposition, down in short order.
 Hear Spooner Is Coming.
 It is reported that the leaders in the campaign for no license in Plain vile this fall have decided to accept the services of H. H. Spooner of Ken sington, secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut Temperance Fedora tion, who desires to give assistance III the local fight. One of the local leaders admitted today that he had been corresponding with MT. Spooner. He did not care to make any announcement about the campaign at present but said that the no license workers are busy with their plans to place -Plainville in the dry column this year.
 MT. Spooner has given intimatior that the state temperance federation Paper Goods and Berlin Construction