Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-22
OTHER VIEW POINTS

The Christmas vacation is shorter this year than usual in the schools of many eastern cities and towns. The time lost last fall by the deferring of the opening of school on account of the prevalence of poliomyletis is being in part made up by the shortening of the December holiday rest. Pupils and teachers who accounted themselves lucky not to have to reenter school un- til the end of September are learning that that was not all clear gain for leisure. The school authorities will. however, doubtless hear much grumb- ling from parents about the depriva- tion of their children in the matter 5f much needed rest" Most parents are soft on the question of the length of school terms. Of course sthe children are of the same mind; that's natural And the teachers are seldom 10th to obtain an extra holiday; that's natural, too. But it is not always SenSible.- Providence Bulletin.
 It is not likely that the factory shut downs at Christmas will be lengthy Business is brisk with all the local concerns. Some of the factories are working nigbtshifts to fill special or ders. New Britain industries are not likely to be affected adversely by mar ket fluctuations due to peace rumors. The local stocks are not of the war bride' variety, and consequently. there is no worry over them. New Britain factory products are of the staple kind and in peace times they sell best. A few sub contracts in connection with intuition supplies were filled here, but they were only a small item of busi- ness.-New Britain Record.
 It is some time since so direct and positive an attack on Q public institu- ton of Connecticut has been made as that directed against the New Haven county jail by the Civic Federation of that city. Among the many defects named 1t is hard to say which is the worse., but the list includes danger from fire, unSanitary conditions, lack of segregation of men and women, and the form assumed by the contract sys- tenn. And serious fault is found under each of these headings.-Hartfor Times.
 Rockville has one of the smallest tax rates of any city in the state, which is partly due to the fact that it has spent very little for permanent improve ments and has managed to lag behind it's neighDors about fifty years in the question of streets, sidewalks, gutters and curbings. These are improve ments which most every city is judged by, and ones that we should not over look in our whine for economy. What Rockville needs most of all is a re- assessment of property, which should be done by outside experts on the question of property valuations with one or two disinterested local citizens to aid them. Of course there would he lots of kicks from a good many. of the taxpayers when their assessment was increased, and these kicks would mostly come from those who are al- ways kicking about expenses. There should be no discrimination between the small property owner and the large; each should be assessed for just what the property was worth in the opinion of the experts. Until Rock vile has such a reasessnent of it's property it will either be necessary to raise the tax rate to get improve ments or bond the city,. The reassess- ment would be foolish were it not for the fact that the present assessment is unfair ,as some are paying just about half what they value their property at, while others are paying nearly for the full valuation.-Rockville Journal 
 It is found to be a great temptation in this season of plenty and, for many. of unusual prosperity to .overdo the practice of Christmas giving. It is true, to a considerable degree, that there is not so great a demand for Christ mas charity this year as in many years past, in most of the cities. It is true also that many to whom almost any one would feel that he ought to give in this season do not feel that their benefactors should be so particular about giving for their comfort now as in past seasons They would prefer to attend to every detail of this nature themselves. For these reasons many who are not particularly benefited by the abundance of industrial prosperity z1And cn rsza rrff ffe