Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-11-13

AS Dr. j. Torrington Black has not
yet been >reappointed health officer, nor
any other man for that matter al
though the doctor is acting health of
icer pending appointment, it would
seem just a little bit premature for the
public announcement made by Alder
man Charles c. Perkins, chairman of
the finance committee. that he would
not approve the treasurer's voucher
for the salary Of $4,000 for the health
officer. as there is none for him to sign
at the present time. He may be called
upon to aff1x his signature to the
voucher in the near future, and that he
will not do, for he himself hath said
it, and it's greatly to his credit, for he,
is an alderman. a, la Pinafore. Alder
man Perkins claims that the increase
of the salary was not legal and was
also an imposition upon the tax pay
ers who in city meeting fixed the sum
that could be paid in salaries, and
that he will not be a party to the
transaction of this matter, and if at
that city meeting the raising of the
salary was favored and provision made
for the payment. then, and not till then
would he approve of the treasurer's
voucher for. the Increased salary.
Alderman Perkins, made strong pro-
test against the action taken by the
council in this. matter, and says it is
not in keeping with the alleged. policy
of the new administration which prom
ised retrenchment and not extraya-
gance, and that there was to be an end
to the mania of spending other peo-
pies money without getting. proper re-
turn. Alderman Perkins said that at
the same meeting this big Increase in
salary was voted, that he, as chair
man of the finance committee, was
obliged to ask for authority to borrow
money. enough for the proper conduct
of the city for the next seven months,
or until the taxes collected were avail
able. He said the city had reached
therefore the court of common council
ought to be more cautious in the ex-
penditure of money of the people that
are supposed to be represented. Alder
man Perkins said that the mayor win
be requested to call a special meeting
to ratify or reject the action of the
council in making the salary of the
health officer. $4,000 an increase of
$4,000 at a single bound.
Now that Alderman Perkins has
given advance notice,io his intentions,
hich includes the holding of a special
y meeting. it would be well for DR..
ack and his friends to get busy and
{. : to it that the attendance at that
Getting will be favorable to the doc
rs interests. This. proposed raise in
-sSiary has occasioned more public dis
-sion in regard to the much dis
used health officer. than at the time
hen his bill was vetoed by Mayor
.aer, or when he threatened suit
ainst, the city to recover or when he
lgned and then put up a successful
usgle to withdraw. Despite this al
st continuous controversy over the
1ith officer, the fact that DR.. Black
a competent official nobody can
ny, and some believe him to be the
81, pebble on the beach, so to speak.
r. j. Torrington Black, health officer,
=. = member of the advisory committee
i The Associated Charities and at the
II .ilal meeting of that organization,
sdnesday afternoon he urged the or
nfzation of Boys Club, to have
i arters in the vicinity of Howard
81 rect and Wiliets avenue; which was
u very good proposition as the boys
e running wild in that section, but
. rhaps not more so than any place
q &c where boys congregate during the
!, sening. 1T will she noted that the or
s2nfZaHon does not confines itself to
richly crarit table work .as generally
E!arned, Button a broader scale tending
II the5gsneral, t1plift of the morals Of
II e whols city, One Of the commend
. l,le featifes1fs the district nurse; de-
;artnlent; which 4. now includes two
s f:adukte., nurses, one being recently
delassDr. Black ann ounceds that the
y ty. heath h depart Scoutri-
lind for nurses and i'm return would
tpect their seryi6e hehreqnired in
Instructive health work; especially for
ne welfare of Infants ,..5--.a4. &
:
In actual charity work this orqaniza.
on seeks out the needy and the de-
sarving poor and gives them aid, and,
erhaps. too often. asks for assistance
ON the charity department, and per-
APPS, thereby, gets people to make ap-
ication for help from the commits
aner OF charities and those assisted
= J that way become. likely; unwittingly;
WIN paupers- This is a point that
ould be clearly understood in charit-
e work. and it is here where the As,
yllated Charities and kindred organ
III lions should step in and help the
cdX and prevent them from enter
* the pauper list. which could be OBJ
tsted in many cases If temporary as
lance were rendered charitable or.
aIzations. 1t is not within the
.ss5vince of the city charity department.
seek those who are in need of as
IL taAee and thereby force them to-
t9aconae paupers, nor Is 1t within the