Norwich bulletin., 1916-03-07

 the local lodge gave S100 to charity divided between the Peoples Missiol | and the St. Vincent De Poul society At a recent meeting, and with sma- percentage of the members presen, ! Dr. Scanlon told of several cases that required assistance, and that the Vis- iting nurse was busted getting cloth ing and food for their assistance. I'm mediately $32 was raised and this was given to the nurse to dispense as she saw fit. Dr. Scanlon also told of a poor family, where three children were i'll, and almost starving. He at tended the children once, by order of the overseer of the poor, and was tocu to visit them no more as the ohcial had no funds available for the phy- sician's service. But Dr. Scanlon vis- ited the sick children afterwards and gave them the best possible attention. Dr. O'Connen said these few instances were quoted, not for publicity. but to of the work of the organization he represented. Then the doctor stated that the Westerly Lodge of Elks was planning for a concert to be given in Bliven Opera house, March 19, the pro- ceeds to be devoted to charity. The opera house and orchestra had been offered gratis to the lodge for the pur pose, no charge even being made for the lighting. He asked that the coun- Cil grant a permit for the concert on tAAS OOAANNS SHNN---S~
 Councilman Flynn regretted that the poor of Westerly were not cared for by the town authorities, and declared it to be the duty of the overseer of the poor to report his lack of funds to the town council, and not have the poor people to depend upon outside charity.
 After Town Solicitor Agard stated that the council had authority to grant 1ph r-nn1raC4nA of Councilman Robinson, seconded by Councilman Flynn, the permit was unanimously granted.
 The draft of a petition to the pub lie utilities commission as prepared by Town Solicitor Agard. at the re- quest of a joint committee of the Westerly Board of Trade and town council, was presented and caused considerable discussion. The 0etition charged that the Westerly Light and Power company's rates for light and power were discriminating and un- reasonable and higher than charged in other places in Rhode Island for like service. The petition called for public hearing in Westerly and that the light and power company answer the charges and desist from their present action.
 In response to a query from Coun- cilman Culley. Town Solicitor Agard said that according to the petition the town council was the complainant. The financial town meeting had p9ssod a vote that the council take action to- wards having a reduction in the rates then charged. That the matter was taken up by the board of trade, and a committee was appointed by that body to unite with a committee of the coun- Gil
 Councilman Flynn asked if the f. nancial town meeting asked the coun- cil to bring the matter to the atten- tion of the public utilities commission.
 Town Solicitor Agard said the finan- ciaI town meeting simply asked for reduced rates. but that the powers of the town meeting were clearly defined by law and that action was not bind ing on the town council.
 Councilman Thorpe thought that it was up to the board of trade to prove the charges in the petitions, as the committee of that body had the all legged proof and the council had none.
 Councilman CuIIey declared that the council was in possession of no prof. President CuIIev asked Frank w. Coy. chairman of the board of trade com mittee, if he had any matter to su"- gest to the council. He replied that he certainly had. He said there was no need for information to be given the public as all that was required of the council was to petition the public utilities commission for a public hear ing in Westerly and the board of trade would do the rest.
 Councilman Larkin interpcsed that the council. of complainant should have proof to substantiate the charges made in the petition.
 MT. Coy said if the council desired | it could rave abundant proot, but he | believed there was intent to delay aC- I ,1- @E " | subterfuge on the part of some mem | bers of the council. He said it was | the duty of the councilmen to look after the interests of the people and not this monopoly.
 | Councilman Larkin replied that nat urally the body that makes the charges should prove them and that body is the board of trade and not
 the town council.
 Town Solicitor Agard said petition for hearing before the public utilities | commission could come from twenty | five citizens, or any individual az l grieved, CT from the town council, l and that the charges made must be | substantiated to warrant action by the commission, which would look to the | council for explanation of the charges.
 MT Coy declared that if the cOun- Cil did it's duty and paid heed to the | financial town meeting action, this
 matter would have been fixed up long | ago. IL IS a case or EODUeTy, anu lIle
 council knows the robbery is being
 continued.
 | Councilman Culley announced that
 the council did not treat this proposi-
 ton as a personal matter.
 | Fred s. Opie interjected that this is
 town matter, not a personal matter Town Solicitor Acard said MT. CoN was wrong, as there is no law tha
 gives a town meeting authority to in
 trust the town council, and that tht
 law clearly defines the authority O ; the town meeting, and MT. Coy wei ; knows that to be a fact When NIT Coy says the council has been lax il
 it's duty, that is not so. The tow
 meeting has no authority to direct, bu its action may serve to interest unde
 some shadowy moral obligation
 Mir Coy said he realized that tn
 town council of Westerly had nor
 power than the czar of Russia an ! was under no obligation to resDon to the voice of the people so spoke
 in town meeting, and the council
 not looking after the best interest 5 of tn etown.
 r George Benjamin Utter asked if h, 2 as an individual, could get publi ? utilities commission hearing for tn
 town.
 l Town Solicitor Agard said he coul &.r--.