Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-06
NEW LONDON'S HEALTH OFFICER
Dr. Torrngton Black Reapponed Big Increase in Salary Claimed be Illegal Without Additional Appropria- tion-Naval Station Officers and Men Appreciate Re- cepton

De. J Torrington Black health off, cer O.. the city of New London, who resigned twice during the adninistra- tion of Mayor Mahan and once while Alderman Alton T. Miner was acting mayor, has been reappointed by Mayor Rogers. His term expired with Oct. 31, but at the November meeting, and while the office was vacant, the court of common council took occasion to increase the salary of the health ofh- Ger from $1,000 to $3.000 a year, as no increase could be made of salary while the incumbent was in office. Then Dr. Black was reappointed with his pay trebleG, but the proposition to raise the salary by ordinance did not pre- vail without determined opposition by Alderman John F. Murray, Alderman Alton T. Miner and others, and party lines were obliterated when the vote was taken. It was urged that such action at this time was an imposition on the citizens who in city meeting voted on a, specified amount for sal aries. just enough to pay as they ex- isted at that time, and no more, and the budget included $1,000 for, the health officer. It is therefore claimed that the increase cannot be paid legal ly unless special appropriation is made in special city meeting. To take that sum from thei miscellaneous fund would be in violation of the city char,
 
 for salaries and the miscellaneous ap- propriation is for the purpose of meet ing unforeseen expenditures, and can not be used for the street, the fire, the police or any other department, not excepting the health department.
 Some of the aldermen objected to raiiroadlng such a measure through the council, and request was made that the action be deferred for month to give the members of the council who were not in the salary raise game an opportu nity to give the subject mature consideration, but without avail. The trick had been worked up in advance and the promoters proposed to play 1t to the limit while the winning cards were in their hands. It is evident that Mayor Rogers had been dealt a hand, for he stayed in the play and gave no intimation of exercising his power of veto. One of the mayors pre- election promises was that he would give the city an economical and business ad- Hninistration, and it may be a stroke of economy to pay the health officer three times more than he has ever received dufing his long term of office, under the apprehension, perhaps, that the health officer had been underpaid, and that the big increase would result In mere efficiency and that would spell economy with a capital E. And this despite the fact that physicians of recognized ability would have been sat- isfied tc be health officer at salary of $1 900 a year. It was pointed out that the il creased salary was larger than was paid such officer in some of the larger cities of the state. and was all out of proportion to the salaries paid the mayor and other city officials and that tho increase was not Justified by the conditions but, as said before, the game was played to the limit.
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 In the proposition there was sem tence that read that the health off cer would devote all his time to the duties of the office, if required, and the doctor will decide that point, for he will take no dictation from the health department committee unless there is weakness in his heretofore independ- ence of action. Nothing was said about e. decrease of the health officers corps of assistants. so 1t is taken for granted that they will be retained and that therefore the doctor could not, if he so desired, devote all his time to the duties of the office, should Cor poratiou Counsel Brennan decide that the councnl acted within it's rights, to raise the salary when no appropriation was made to meet the increased ex- pense to the city. Not even the veriest old fogy would return to the days when a police officer was detailed as regular health inspector and, in conjunction with the city physician, ssafeguarded the health of the city, even if there were no more epidemic of contagious diseases than in these modern and progressive times and when sanitation was not given the consideration it is at the present time. No, the people