New Britain herald., 1915-02-02
6'kFfff COMPETENT, SAYS AUTO EXPERT
No Action Taken as Commissioner Re1'ty Asks More Time.

the safety board Commissioner Heal ey's request that the final decision be held in abeyance for ten days until he can complete some investigations of his own, was granted, though the auto expert had declared in his sealed report that Dennis O'Keefe is com potent man. MT. Healey explained TAat because of the rumpus in the boaTd he had not investigated the matter during the experts stay here Tor fear of being accused of trying to fix him by some of his opponents who are unduely suspicious. Chief amongst the other important business that came up was finding of Special tOficer James Carrides guilty of neg lect of duty and the asking for his res 1gnation, and the postponment of final action on the pensioning of Fireman William Hultberg
 Unlike the last monthly meeting of the board ex-Commissioner J. E. Andrews did not attend and Chairman filling held undisputed sway Says O'Keefe is o. K. J. H. Shepard, the auto expert, in a 1 sealed report said Dennis O'Keefe is able to handle the police patrol livery 1 good on good and bad roads. up and 1 down hill and in heavy traffic He can improve but is competent Shep- ard eGid that with hours practice every day for a week O'keefe will do much better Regarding Thomas Ril- ey, the night driver, MT. Shepard says he is %. K.," but knows very little about the mechanical side of it. Commissioner Holmes said the question is whether or not O'keefe sh ould be discharged as incompetent 1FN hnr f1,nf NJ1 be retained. MT. Healey expressed his previous doubts as to MT. OKeefe's ability and said he is much surprised at the report on him. He is not yet convinced as to O'Keefes ability and asked, as a favor. that action be de- ferred ten days until he completes some investiga ations under way. He has no feeling in the matter he says, and is not trying to persecute Officer O'Keefe.
 MT. Holmes said that this matter has been held up long enough and the commissioners have had a chance to investigate yet he can see reasons why MT. Healey did not take advantage of 1t. He therefore said he favored ex- tending the courtesy asked by MT. - HealeX. In response MT. Healey ex- Nained that he took no part in the
 
 afraid that if he did some of the many suspicious minded people might think he was tampering with Shepard. He says the opinion is that he is "after" O'Keefe and for that reason he kept out of it.
 MT. Meehan was not in favor of continuing the patrol driver matter and further, although he respected MT. Healey's and MT. Holmes views Chairman filling stated his past stand on the matter. While he is prepared to vote at once he wishes to respect MT. Healey's wish and the case will go over until special meeting may be called when MT. Healey will feel that he can vote more intelligently on the matter. It will not be more than ten days hence. MT. Healey expressed his thanks for the courtesy. He has no objections to Officer O'Keefe talk ing an hours lesson a day. but he ob- jects to him acting as regular driver pending the vote of the board.
 Pension Is Held Up.
 William Hutberg's petition to be -ypensioned from the fire departm was received. He was appointed on May ,, 1893 and has served for twenty-one years. While responding to an alarm from box 43 on Sep tember 4, 1914, at 1915 a. m., he was stricken with peculiar attack that has since puzzled the five doctors who attended him. His health has been impaired ever since. Yesterday he was examined by Dr. H. T. Bray. He is 66 years of age and has grown prematurely old, but with care can live many years, but he should not do any heavy or eX- citing work. He is not fit to do duty as a fireman and if he does he may suffer a shock. says the doctor.
 There was a lengthy discussion as to whether or not board has the right to pension a man who is not injured at fire. MT. Hultberg's ailment is organic and the corporation couns sel will be asked to give ruling as to whether or not the city ordinance will permit the board to pension a man whose organic trouble has been aggravated by going to fire. Until the decision is made no action Will be taken by the board.
 Communication and Action. , It was voted to have the matter of installing a fire alarm box at the cor ner of Commonwealth avenue and Pennington avenue left in the hands 'Of the chairman with power.
 A letter from the Western Union Telegraph company. calling attention to it's accurate electric clocks, was received.
 The civic bureau of the New Brit ain Chamber of Commerce sent in 6 letter suggesting that morgue be made at the police barn. This vii be possible since the horses have beer sold and taken away.
 From the United Electric Ligh