New Britain herald., 1917-03-10


 main tlic same. presumably. It is the water department which shares with the safety board the property of arousing the most interest, should the charter rcyisions be passed Then the water board will, he composed of four commissioners and q clerk. This is taken to mean that F. J. Egan will be dropped as commissioner, although he has good chance to being re- stained a; clerk. What disposition will be made in regard to the building in- spector is uncertain. Certain 1t Is, however. that should the council not see fit to give to an all time man a salary commensurate with that paid elsewhere Arthur N. Rutherford, who can have the position again should he desire it, would not even consider the matter. Whether he will or not un- der any circumstances at this time problematical. s
 According to the calendar the first day of spring is March 21, less than two weeks away. We notice the wo- men scanning advertisements and store windows for advanced styles, but we have vet to hear from the ru- ral subscriber who reports the first blue bird or robin. Heres a chance for the Stanley Quarter Bird club. to score a point.
 It is to be hoped that the present generation will live to see the install lation of catch basin or some other drainage system between> the car tracks on Main street, between the Trust company corner and the north end of Central Park. Never yet has there been a rain storm that this sec- tion was not so completely flooded as to make it impossible for pedestrians to cross without boots. Either a ferry or a new drainage system Is the rem- edy.
 The public should insist that the Hartford and Chestnut street trolleys stop for passengers at the corner of Main and Church streets as of old. True, the company has moved the sta tion little nearer the corner but at that the prospective passenger has to trudge thirty yards or more down the street to catch the car. And then what is he confronted with? If a rainy, slushy day as was yesterday, he has to wade ankle deep through the wet to board the car. A station
  venience of the public is to be consid- cred at all.
 The scarcity of paper would be greatly reduced if the printing of use- less circulars were stopped. How many such do you throw away every day?
 If the present safety board has done nothing more, it should receive the praise of the press and public Tor establishing the system of issuing or ficial badges to reporters. In the past both the public and the representa- tives of the press have been imposed upon because there has been no way to tell who was a legitimate newspaper representative and who was pseudo one Many complaints have been re- ceived at this office. and presumably at other newspaper offices, from com mittees in charge of fairs, bazaars, dances, entertainments. festivals and other species of entertainment stating that a dozen reporters had tried to work" the man at the door for ad- mission. In many instances 1t has been learned, young men with aDso- lutely no connection with newspaper have professed to the ticket-taker that he was representing that sheet in or der that he might gain admission. Thus, the real newsgatherer was placed at a disadvantage. Unless his identity was known his visit was the subject of suspicion. The same holds true of fires, wrecks and other occa- sions where a newspaper representa- tive is entitled to some liberties. With out some official insignia establishing his identity the authorities had no way of telling who was the fakir and who was the genuine. But it is to be hoped that this will be changed now. Now any official be he door tender, policeman, fireman or ticket taker may feel justified in refusing admit tance to any person who applies in the name of any newspaper unless he displays his badge of Identification. In the files of the safety board is kept 8 record of just what newspaper men hold these badges and it is intimated that should any badge be found in the possession of any but it's rightfui holder it will be revoked.
 The Berlin authorities must be pat ting themselves on the back that the mysterious murder on Kensfngton avenue more than 9 week ago oc- cured just where it did. A few yards further down the road and the task of solving the mystery would have devolved upon them. Wonder what the opinions of the local police on the geographical question may be?
 The words of commendation given Dr. T. T. Reeks and his health de- partment by the finance board are we'll deserved. Than Dr. Reeks the city has never had a more efficient and conscientious devotee. His skill as a physician. coupled with his broadmindedness and farsightedness make of him a power for genuine good in the community. The ;.y may well look at the past admin ,;tration' of the city's health department and consider if a iOh well done