New Britain herald., 1916-11-20
Ex-PastOr in Congregation

Ex-Pastor in Congregation
 Rev. F. l.. Grant, who recently re- signed as pastor of the Congregational church, sat with the congregation at the services yesterday morning. MT. Grant will not assume the duties of his new position pastor of the church in East Hampton until De- cember 1, and he will continue to make his home here until about that time.
 The sermon yesterday was delivered by Rev. o. w. Barker of Hartford who retired from regular activities in connection with the ministry, because of failing eyesight MT. Barker gave most inspiring talk He was invited to preach again next Sunday. It is said that he is not a candidate for the appointment as pastor.
 Town Meeting Tonight.
 The question as to whether the town shall purchase the voting ma chimes used in the recent election or return to the Australian ballot will be decided at an adjourned special town meeting to be held tonight at 8 o'clock.
 The Automatic Register company, manufacturers of the apparatus, has set a price of $500 on each machine. Tn case the town should vote to buy them the s150 paid for the privilege of using them at the election will be applied on the purchase prce.
 With few exceptions, the voters seem to be we'll satisfied with the ma chimes and it Is expected that a vote to purchase them will be passed at the meeting. There may be some objection to their use on the grounds of economy, the opinion being held by certain taxpayers that the town cannot afford to spend the money re- quired for their purchase. About $200 has already been expended on the apparatus, the town having to pay ex- press charges and the expense of in stallation in addition to the rental price. Rather than sacrifice this amount, 1t Is believed many who might otherwise object to the pur- chase of the machines, for economical reasons, will support a resolution making them town property.
 The selectmen figure that an ad- ditional mill will have to be tackled to the tax rate to cover the cost of the machines
 Need Town Court That the police question in Plain ville can never be answered with any degree of satisfaction while the present system of disposing of court cases is in vogue is the opinion of First Select man Johnson on whom has been thrown the big end of the burden which has been developing for the past few years as a result of the agitation for the patrolling of the streets at night.
 MT. Johnson, with many others, be- 1ieves that Plainvi1le is of sufficient he may not take the initiative In the matter, it is probable that he would give his support to measures permit ting of the appointment of a judge and prosecutor to serve in place of the jus tices and grand jurors. The system now in use here is almost archaic and is anything but satisfactory It tends to disrupt organization among the constables and has the officers pulling against each other instead of working together, with results that give cause for little encouragement.
 The selectmen have decided to re- quest the constables to bid for the pa trolman's berth, the recent town meet Ing having failed to give them any in structions other than the mere order to have policeman appointed. The officer whose terms are the most satis- factory will be given the place Con- stable Marine Is at present serving as patrolman. He will probably send In