New Britain herald., 1916-01-10
Platnville News BENTLEY'S ATTACK
 DISTURBESTHEMN0T
School Board Has Not Time to
 Give Criticism Recognition
LOCAL SCHOOLS EXCELLENT
Acting School Visitor Does Not Con- sider Critic In Position To Judge
 Afforded By TOWn-Other Items.

Afforded By TOwIl--Other Items. Iii an interview this morning with Rev. H. T. Walsh, the acting school visitor of the Grammar school, when the question was asked if the scho ol board intends to make any reply to the communication regarding the school which appeared in the Herald Saturday, signed by one A. B. Bent ley, the reverend gentleman replied that while he could not at the mo- ment speak officially for the board, he felt sure that with similar "classics" from the same source in view, he thought the members would have no time to give the "diatribe'' in ques- tion any recognition whatever.
 He also said that if he had even the faintest suspicion that the state ments contained in the screed in question would make any impression upon the minds of his fellow towns men, he would condescend to prove to Bentley that in the opinion of the state board of education as well as in his own poor opinion, there is a very excellent school in Plainville.
 Tn my regular visitations to our school" he said, T invariably look over the record of our toWnspeople who visit our school but as far as I can remember, this man Bentley has never as yet honored our school with his superior presence, and such being the case, I find it somewhat difficult to understand how he could give any thing like a fair or just opinion re- garding the quality of the educational advantages, which, under the man agement of the present school board, the children of our town are enjoy ing"
 While Mr. Bentleys attack on the school board and Superintendent Judd caused considerable comment, prom inent citizens who discussed it today were outspoken in declaring that 1t by no means is an expression of the opinion of the townspeople. In fact they were not inclined to pay a great deal of attention to it as they claimed it was of such a vicious character that it did not merit consideration. The impression is general that the school board in Plainville measures up to similar bodies in other towns and that the schools here are properly con- ducted While a strong discipline rian, Principal Judd is generally re- garded as a most efficient official and the results he has obtained give ex- cellent proof to his capabilities.
 Town Meeting Matters
 The laying of a tax rate and the renewal of the contract for street lighting will be the principal matters to come up for action at the ad- journed annual town meeting sched- uled for tonight Although there is but little talk of the session it is expected that there will be a good at tendance as speculation over the at titude of the voters on the matter of either raising or reducing the tax rate. The estimate to expenses to be presented will show it is expected, that the selectmen will probably spend little less than they did last year while there will be a substantial in- schools.
 While the making of an abstract from the report of the assessors has not as yet been completed the board will make a preliminary statement tonight. Members said today that there will be a slight increase. The raise will not be above normal, how ever, and will have but little bearing on the revenue to be obtained by taxation. The failure of a number of non residents to file statements and the action of the board in equalizing the value of building lots will, it is