New Britain herald., 1916-06-22

plaln the project. lie introduced MIL Diggs, a lighting expert, who came here yesterday to inspect the layout The latter said he approved the lay out in general He ould suggest one Or two minor changes due to local conditions. He was ready to answer questions and Councilmen Curtis and Landers availed themselves of the Op- portunity. MT. Landers wanted to know if the lighting of residential streets with lamps of smaller candle power would be as effective as a small Ter number of high powered arcs.
 MT. Diggs said most of the arcs at present are hidden by foliage. He thought the ornamental system could be extended on West Main street to advantage. MT. Landers wanted to know if the saving thus far affected would permit of the extension of the system to Hartford avenue on East Main and to Park and perhaps other streets City Engineer Hall said the extension could be made, but the maintenance cost next year would nat urally be greater.
 MT. Curtis wanted to know if a saving in the way of a two per cent discount would be gained by the use of the new lights. He also asked the city engineer if he depended entirely upon the word of the lighting company in gaining his information. MT. Hall said the same rates as proposed are paid in Waterbury. MT. Curtis again favored postpOnement looking to econ omy and a possible extension of the system. He didn't want to cut down the lighting area and suggested that the board of public works and the lighting company get busy and bring in definite contract which he had thus far failed to discover. A letter from the company suggesting the nec- essity of action before the end of June was read. The letter declared that the company is losing money on the business and will be forced to withdraw it's proposition unless &C., ton is soon taken.
 Councilman Landers thought the council the board of public works and the company are acting like school boys in the matter It ap- peared to be a highly technical mat ter and complicated to a degree. Frankly, he didn't understand 1t. Mr. Landers then proposed that the mayor name a committee of three
  definite contract so the council can see exactly what is proposed both in the way of lights and the yearly cost. The proposal was adopted.
 The appointment by Mayor Quigley of Carl A. Carlson as sealer of weights and measures and the appointment of Edward F. Hall as temporary comp troller were approved. The saenger- test committee thanked the council for acepting it's invitation to attend the festivities here during the first week in July. It was explained that badges and tickets giving admission to all events would be distributed. On m otion of Councilman Landers the mayor was empowered to name a committee of five mem bers to take the annual inspection of the Town home, the board of charities having ex- tended an invitation.
 A resolution by Alderman McCabe and other fifth ward mem bers was in troduced, calling for the grading of Cleveland street from Myrtle to Broad. The fifth ward alderman ex- plained that the matter has been urged before but no action can be secured MT. Landers suggested if the alderman from the fifth wants
  for a report at the next meeting of the council would help. MT. Curtis suggested that the board of public works usually reports on matters re- ferred.
 Pay for City Soldiers.
 Alderman Stadler introduced a resolution providing that city officials who have responded to the govern 1o ,oiv salaries while absent. The resolu- tion was adopted.
 Prior on Fairgrounds.
 F. H. Prior, who has just resigned as chairman of the public amusement commission, appeared before the council and explained the needs of that department. Mr. Prior had pre- viously sent a letter to the council on the matter and had been invited to appear and tell his story. He ex- plained that he was in no position to make a definite recommendation as the commission had had no oppor- tunity to confer with the school board and owing to the fact that he is now in the military service and liable to leave the city at a moments notice was forced to drop matters at once. However, he desired to speak a word for the playgrounds The work should not be allowed to lan- guish, but instead some effort should be made to purchase land for the purpose. There are $500 in the northern section of the city and if the Burritt school property and the rest of the Landers playground are sold the Bartlett school playground will be all that is left for the north west section. A playground is urgent 1y needed for that section and one is