New Britain herald., 1915-05-06
new BRITAIN CHARTER
AMENDMENTS FAVORED
By Report Ito Senate House Re-
CeiVeS Home Rule Bills.

Hartford, May 6.-The approaching
dissolution of the general assembly
was made evident today by an thrush
of committee reports, cleaning up
practically all business in the hands
of committees.
A joint resolution was adopted
authorizing the painting of a portrait
sof Gov Holcomb,s as is customary,
the same to be hung with portraits
Of former chief executives in the
Memorial hail.
House Suspends Rules.
The house followed the lead of the
senate in voting suspension of the
rules SO that all matters acted upon
may have immediate transmission to
the other branch, and in requiring all
committees, except that on appropria-
tions to give in their reports to-
morrow. wv ,...
The general taxation bill was made
the order of the day for next Tues
day in the house. The bill concern
ing sale of olemargine was recon-
mitted Mr.. Griswold of Berlin saying
that it's provisions were not satisfac-
tory to many members.
Home Rule Bills Reported.
The home rule bills were reported
into the house today. If they are
enacted, as it is expected they will be,
towns, cities, boroughs, school dis
tr1cts and other municipal corpora
t1ons may revise their charters by
piece-meal by vote of the electors by
the terms of one bill, or, through a
commission which shall submit re-
vision of a charter within one year,
the electors may vote to accept or
reject the charter as a whole. The
general home rule bill is in effect an
amendment to the home rule law Of
1913. Tt. is termed an .senabling'' act.
to mark it's difference from the bill
providing that charter may be re-
vised by commission. This enabl-
ing act would allow a uncharted com
munity to change the hours Of OPEN
ing its polls; the compensation of anv
officer Great or abolish an Office:
fix the term Of an officer; define the
duties Of an officer; allow the making
of contract with an adjoining COM
munitys concerning water, police, or
fire protection; enable it to provide
music concerts and celebrations play
grounds, municipal ice plants improve
water fronts, adopt city plans, PEN
sion or give awards to employees.
create sinking funds or special funds,
employ visiting nurses, accept requests
devices, open free legal aid bureau.
borrow money, issue municipal bonds.
to an amount stated for specific
purpose, not to exceed five per cent.
Of the indebtedness of the community.
establish new voting district or ward.
and provide all the machinery for an
elections The boundary Of a senator
- -
Broad Guage Character.
The other home rule BILL which
provides for a revision of a charter
by a commission is also of a broad
gIage character. The appointment of
commission on revision must be bv
at least sixty per cent. of the voters
attending a meeting, but a majority
of those present may adopt a revised
charter, when the same becomes ef-
fective.
Bills Fayorably Reported
Among favorable reports to the
house on bills We're these: Limiting
towns, cities, boroughs and SO forth,
| in their Indebtedness to issue bonds to
| five per cent. of their grand list unless
| otherwise provided by special act: ex-
tending the time in which the New
Britain, Kensington and Meriden
| Street Railway may construct it's
| lines; giving the governor the right
| to appoint special policemen for oyster
| grounds on request of the Oyster
mems Protective association or a Nat
ural Growers association, and re-im-
| bursting the New. Haven road s2.317
for taxes paid by mistake in behalf
Of the Connecticut Railway and Light
/ ing company.
Favorable Reports in Senate.
I Among favorable reports sent into
the senate were these: Repeating an
act providing for Reimbursement in
| part by the state for high school
tuition; amending the New Britain
| charter; regulating the leasing of
shell fish grounds, not now in use,
! and exempting those in use from the
provisions Of the bill.
| Among unfavorable reports were
| those on bills for the appointment of
| a woman vocational secretary by the
| state board of education; and to
change the voting districts in Red
ding.
May Sue Highway Commission.
The decision of the supreme court
to the effect that towns may not be
| held liable for damages sustained by
| a person on trunk line, highways and
| that redress must be sought through
/ the legislature, and which decision re-
suited in many claims being present
ed to the general assembly this ses-
sion, has been reflected in favorable
report on bill which provides that
any person injured on a trunk high
| way or sustaining damage thereon
| may bring action against the state
| through the highway commissioner as
the defendant In the superior court of