New Britain herald., 1915-08-03
Aich Mr. Clark said he would do in near future.
 Gibney vs Jarvis.

Colonel Jarvis arose and offered the restitution that the meeting be ad- jouFned, asking Selectman Gibney if he was proceeding correctly. MT. Gibney answered that he was not up in parliamentary procedure. Colonel Jarvis answered by saving Common sense would tell you so \
 Well, man has first got to have some common sense before he can use ! it. retorted the selectman. ts
 John Emerson arose and offered the following resolution:
 Resolved: That the treasurer of the town of Berlin be instructed to pay { William F. Flanagan the sum of $2O.31, said sum being overpaid taxeA for the years 1908 and 1909.',
 Tn explaining the resolution Mr. Emerson said that MT. Flanagan dur. ing the years 1908 and 1909 had twice paid taxes to the town. While hap rening to be working away from home . bill for taxes was sent to his resi- dence His mother at once paid the money to the town clerk and received receipt. Soon after another bin for taxes was received bylF'lanagan, With out consulting his mother he went to the tax collector and paid
 MT. Shaw. the town treasurer, took the floor and declared that if he had received the money he turned it over to the. tax collector.
 Elmer E. Austin, at that time tax collector of Berlin, stoutly denied this assertion, saying that he had never received the money. He continued, saying he did not see why the town should suffer Either he or MT. Shaw should be made to suffer. If it can be shown when he had received the money he would be glad to return it to Flanagan. The town of Berlin should not be responsible for either his or MT. Shaw's error He again said that he would stand back of his statement that he would refund the money if he had received It.
 Nevertheless Mir. Flanagaq has two receipts and should get his money" declared MT. Emerson.
 Colonel Jarvis wanted to know If there was any disputing of the facts. He wanted to know if Town Clerk Shaw had paid the tax to MT. Austin.
 He did not,'' answered MT. Austin.
 Tn his own defense Town Clerk Shaw took the floor, saying that no money had been handed to him, that AS HSiu IlOI pnfu OvcI E9Co AiS 4eeA.A SOA- lector
 MT. Flanagan has paid taxes twice Stc duly authorized officials and there fore the town is responsible,'' asserted Colonel Jarvis. "Mr Flanagan is en- titled to his money, and if MT. Shaw nd MT. Austin cannot come to terms we will have to resort to the courts !"
 Richard Murray one of the town s h oxyio oCf fo n or vuifht frni. onel Jarvis that the controversy should be ended and that Flanagan should be paid. Then the town of Berlin should settle with the tiso men.
 The resolution was passed.
 Dunham Hurt Like the Devil.v
 William Durham arose and pro- claimed his grievances against the town.
 Ut hurts me like the devil to hear the criticisms and slurs against the town officials he shouted. Tt is getting to be so that you can't set good men to serve as town officers. It is enough to discourage the stones in the street. It is rotten that a man should be treated as these men have. Where does your money come from if not from farms, while some citizens sleep in their soft beds and smoke cigars? It's d--m rotten and hurts me clean to the bone"
 After unburdening himself of this speech Durham sat down amid thun- dering applause and again became silent spectator during the rest cf the meeting.
 Colonel Jarvis again proposed that the meeting be adjourned.
 Selectman Gibney wanted to know if the meeting was to be adjourned to a specific date.
 Collection of Back Taxes.
 Before the question could be an- swered former Tax-Collector Austin asked if back taxes had been collect ed.
 Tax-Collector Lewis agreed with MT. Austin that back taxes should he collected. He said he could see 10 reason why they should carry a list of uncollected taxes. The statutes provide for the collecting of such taxes" he declared. Proper steps should be taken at once to collect them
 The only legally organized body to abate taxes is at a town meeting where previous notice has been served on the taxpayers by the tax collector or by the superior court" answered Selectman Gibney This meeting cannot abate taxes. The tax collector must notify the taxpayers that all unpaid taxes will be brought up at the next town meeting
 Col. Jarvis wised to krfow if the se- lectman had power to collect the $12,- 900 due Berlin on back taxes.
 Three years ago special commit tee consisting of Col Charles M. Jar wis, Daniel Wester and myself was ap- pointed to look after the back taxes,'