New Britain herald., 1916-03-23
CURTIS EXPLAINS
 DUELLING SYSTEM Says Man Who Ignores Challenge
 Is Considered a Coward WONDER WHO HE MEANS
Councilman From Third Ward Now Believes All Chance For Debate Is Of-Explains How Tax Burden Has Been Increased.

for the republican nomination for
 ley, made public today letter he ad-
 dressed to the mayor in which he ex-
 plains the duelling code when that
 pastime was considered an appetizer
 for the morning meal. Tn his letter
 MT. Curtis says that the man who ig-
 nored challenge to a duel was consid- | cred a coward.
 Mir. CurtiS's Letter. MT. Curtis letter follows: New Britain, Conn.,, March 23, 1916 1 MT. George A. Quigley, Mayor,
 City of New Britain
 Dear Sir:
 As you have not, up to this time,
 answered by mail or through the l press, my letter of the 21st inst, I as- i sume you do not intend to make any
 arrangements in regard to a joint de- ! bate with me about city affairs during your last four years connection with | them.
 In your statements to me and the 1 press you termed me as your chal- l lenger, therefore you probably un- 1 derstand the formula of the code duello. In the past, when actual
 
 proper, the custom, I believe, in case challenge was declined or ignored. was to post such person as a coward and sometimes notify him to go armed, as he would be attacked on sight
 III ChlS case, as a further mark of fairness, l wish to notify you that as you nave assumed to greater de- gree than any former mayor of the city, responsibility for the conduct ana management of it's affairs, having the power of appointment and re- moval, which you have not hesitatel to use as you saw tit that your ir- fuence has dominated the public action of a large portion of the com mon council during your two years as mayor, places the city operations and present conditions up to you. As you have, during the past four years, made definite promises. verbally, printed, and written, as to what you would or would not do as a public official, in the conduct of public bus mess. I claim such subjects are legitimate and proper to discuss with you in the press or on the platform.
 Not Mud Singing.
 These are not personalities. Their handling in a courteous manner is not mud slinging. You would not term praise for what you have done as either, neither should you so designate criticism or correction. I claim you have fallen down lament ably as to what you promised. and that many of the acts of youA ad- ministration have been inefficient and unbusinesslike, instead of to the contrary, consequently, city money has been wasted, service in many ways demorahzed. I propose to ex- plain these matters. and make public what I consider indisputable evil dence as proof. This will be done with regret, as it may bring in off, cials who are not directly to blame, but are the victims of circumstances, the system in vogue, and of your personal assumption of almost ab- solute control of everything, whether you know anything about it or not, but the benefit of thousands is Su- perior to the feelings of a dozen. Respectfully,
 o. F. CURTIS. ] P. $. It has just occurred to me that at the time you were alderman and very active as an investigator of | different city matters and depart | ments, you did not evince any back | wardness on account of personalities 1 or mud singing, for instance, the | Town Home matter,
 Yours,
 o. F. CURTIS. Concerning Taxes. Regarding high taxes MT. Curtis said today:
 -Four years ago taxes were $5.35 1 per S1,000 less than today Two years ago the mayor pledged himself to prevent any further tax rate irl- | creases. The rate at that time was 1 16 3-4 mills and was considered high, and in fact, it was higher than ever before since the adoption of a l 100 per cent valuation for property. Look at it now--19 6-1O mills nearly 3 mills higher yet, it means 1 one month rent is less to the land | lord in 24 months necessitating an in- crease in rents. It means nearly $4 extra for each s1,000 valuation on 1 property.
 1 The factory managers, will be | obliged to pay thousands more in taxes The merchants must get it out of their customers in order to make their living and pay their bills, | The landlord must get it out of his l tenants so as to live himself and pay his bills so most of it comes l down to the working man, he must 1 help pay the merchants, the doctors. 1 the railroads, trolley Co.,, moving pie | ture men, the cafe owners, landlords l and others taxes. There is no eG- | cape for it unless his wages go Up. l Everybody is a taxpayer himself or Continued On Tenth PaSe3