New Britain herald., 1915-03-20
EVERY LITTLE TALKER
A REASON Of HIS own
That's The Way Charter RtViStrS In
press Observer at Hearing.
ONLY few AGREE ON Anything

Nursery Rhyme: "SOme Like 1t Hot,
Some Like 1t Cold, Etc."-Too
Much Politics, Says Schultz.
New Britain's army of charter re-
visers marched up Capitol HILL in
Hartford Yesterday, said their little
say to the committee on cities and
boroughs regarding changes needed in
the local charter. and then marched
down again. 1t is true that all did
not march as many Of them motored.
1t is doubtful whether a similar
committee of the legislature ever
listened to such a wide divergence
of opinions on charter changes The
majority of those present appeared
to be in favor of a board of three
assessors appointed by the mayor, one
man to devote all his time to the Of
fee. There were various other
schemes preached, however, SO many
in fact that it was hard to keep track
of them. The delegation was far
from being unanimous on anything.
The assessorships was the bone of
great contention although there were
some fireworks regarding other
amendments to the charter, especially
the adjustment of the board Of pub
lie safety and the substitution Of sep
arate commissioners over the fire and
police departments.
Schultz Accuses Quigley.
Charges that the last appointment
to the board of assessors was made
by Mayor Quigley because Of political
reasons were made by Representative
e. w. Schultz. These the mayor en-
phatically denied, saying that the ap-
pointment was made because of the
high efficiency of the appointee,
James, j. Watson. Representative
Schultz also sent a shaft in the d.
rection of eN-Mayor George M. Lam
derS. father of the bipartisan COM
mission system, when he said that the
plan was beautiful in theory, but did
not work out in practice.
Corporation Council J. E. Cooper
and Senator George w. Klett had their
little argument on. the matter or re-
ferring the amendments to the people
for their decision. The former be
lieved in the referendum and SAID 1T
was the usual course taken. Senator
Klett denied this and replied that
there had been many amendments
but a referendum on but few occas-
ions. He believed a Referendum would
be too expensive. *..
c. j. White of the Chamber of Com
merce took issue with Councilman e.
J. Danberg when the latter said the
common council is closest to the peo-
pie. He said the Chamber of Com
merce came nearer to expressing pub
lie opinion.
O. T. Curtis expressed the opinion
that the democratic party was not en-
titled to more than one representative
on the board of assessors because it
was shown to be SO far in the minor,
fly at the last spring election.
How They stood on Assessors.
This is the way the delegation lines
up on the assessorships: Representa-
tive Schultz, three assessors, one per-
manent, elected by the people; eX-
Mayor Landers, two or four, appoint
ed by the mayor; Councilman Paones-
sa, four appointed by the mayor;
Councilman Danberg, same; Aldermen
Warwick and Jester, three, appointed
by the mayor; O. F. Curtis, same; John
w. Allen, three permanent assessors,
appointed by the mayor; G. j. White,
two permanent assessors, appointed
by the mayor; Senator Klett, three,
one permanent, appointed by the
mayor; Edward F. Hall, same; JOS
eph r. Andrews same. With the
exception of Mr.. Allen those who
wanted three assessors expressed the
hope that one would be permanent.
Representative Schultz presented an
amendment to the section regarding
the number of assessors. This called
for the election by popular vote of
three assessors. electors to vote Tor
two The assessors would serve for
three years.
J. r. Andrews expressed ! him
self as opposed to the election Of as
SCISSORS. .
Alderman d. B. Warwick said it
would be a step backward to elect as
SCISSORS by popular vote.
Councilman A NJ. Pa onessa was al
so in favor of the appointment of as
SCISSORS. He did not think elective as
SCISSORS could be independent. He
said that the common council went
on record as favoring no change in
the office Of the assessors
Mayor George M. Landers said
years ago assessors were threatened
with political death at the caucuses
if they didn't look out for certain
properties. He believed it dangerous
step to go back to the elective system
and he did not fear that any mayor
would appoint men who would not do
the work properly. If the number of
assessors is cut to two there would
also be danger. he said, as there
is safety in numbers. There would
be danger that two assessors might
be req ched'' and would trade With
each other" 1t might be all right to