New Britain herald., 1915-06-09
ON THE TRAIL OF THE ELUSIVE
 COST OF AUTOS IN THE STREET DEPT. Council Probers Meet With Board of Public Works and Ask Some Pertinent Questions Regarding the
 Use of Machines for "Joy Rides'

| While the ScneuQ1eQ ire WOfkS that were anticipated at the meeting of l the board of public works Tuesday evening when the Craig kennedy's'' of the common council headed by l Councilman Paonessa, who have been hot on the trail of the members of the department using automobiles, to l cessive use of the citys cars did not ! mature in their entity, the meeting i was an interesting one due to the questions hurled at the presiden of the board, E. N. Humphrey, City En- gineer w. H. Hall and superinten- dent of Streets Edward Wiegand by Councilman Paonessa. The committee was on the outside c of the meeting hall until the close of the routine business meeting of the board and when the signal was given in they marched with Council man Paonessa at their head. His army consisted of Alderman E. A. Parker and Councilman Teich. Com missioner Degnan was to have attend 1 ed the meeting, but he vas detained on account of his attendance at a circus. | When they were seated Councilman Paonessa, addressing the board, stat l ed that the committee had come be- fore the board to present a resolution 1 adopted by the council on April 19. l After Clerk Emmett had read the
 resolution Councilman Paonessa, said, 1 We came before you to see what ] you have to suggest to curtail the expense of operating the department s cars.'' t4 @ @---
 1 President Humphrey, in reply, ex- plained the conditions that the board ] is up against on account of having no place to store it's cars. He said that 1 if there was place where the city could store it's own cars on it's prop erty saving could be effected on the prices of gasoline and oil. He quoted the figures that the department is paying for gasoline at the present, thirteen cents, and 43 1-2 cents for oil. Tn the latter item the depart ment feels that it is wise expen- diture to purchase the best oil as with cheap oil the motors carbonize, neces- sita ting many repairs from time to time. Regarding tires, he said that the class of work in which the de- partment is engaged makes it very hard on account of ungraded streets
 which have to be traversed, and also in the winter months the cars arc used considerably. a He explained that there had been no attempt on | the part of the board to be extrav- agant He spoke of the. loss of the property on Elm street, which he claimed could have been used to very good advantage at the present time, and urged the support of the commit tee in securing new quarters. He had had considerable information from other cities regarding the cost of maintenance of cars along similar work and it ranged from 4 9-10 to 15 1-2 cents a mile. .-. Inquisitor Paonessa at Work. You have two cars now and you expect to get another one," asked Councilman Paonessa.
 l "Yes, the city engineer will need
 one .on account of the trips to Whig- l vile and Roaring Brook and other
 places,'' said Chairman Humphrey. He | also said that it was the intention of I the water board to ask for machine. I He said that the superintendent Of the water board is obliged to go out sI much at night and it requires the !! hiring of horse to do so. He also said that the finance board was in favor of granting an appropriation l for the purchase of a store yard. , a"Have you. ever considered the
 building of garage?" asked Alder man Parker. I .'We have no place to build one, un less the city gives us the money saie l MT. Humphrey '...-.-. I Have you ever taken the matte
 LID with the board of public safety :?
 asked Councilman Paonessa.
 | "Yes, and they didn't take lSindl to it." said President Humphrey.
 .Is there a possibility of some othe I department purchasing cars and the1
 your board could go in with it ?" aske'
 Alderman Parker.
 Chairman Humphrey said he coul
 not answer this question.
 '.If the City Hall commission woul
 
 s 1ba 7