New Britain herald., 1917-05-17

patriotic legislation, free from the taint of selfishness and political jug glery
 Economy and Retrenchment. believe that at this time no great amount of public work should be un- dertaken; conditions are abnormal. hibitive; further, your government may be called upon to assume hnan- cial burdens on account of the war which in themselves will increase taxation to such an extent that our taxpayers may have grave difficulty in meeting their obligations.
 would therefore recommend to your honorable body and the various boards and commissions, that all the work in various departments that can be curtailed or eliminated be laid over until we can see with clearer vision what is confronting us.
 Health Department.
 This very important department. progressive at all times is doing . work that our citizens Ican well be proud of. Always slightly in advance of other health departments. this de- partment recommended municipal daughter house which was erected, placed in operation. and at this writ ing promises to be self sustaining.
 The erection of A municipal slaugh- ter house was step as yet taken by few cities. Tho building of . munici- pal slaughter house was opposed by those who did not realize its value or opposed 1t for mercenary reasona.
 For years, diseased meats of all de- scrtptions were placed upon tho city markets by ignorant or interruptions persons whose ono desire was profit. It was stated by these persons that the number Of animals butchered in New Britain was 90 small that 1t was . ridiculous proposition to build . municipal slaughter house yet, I lind from the records of the health de- partnnent that an average of over two hundred animals . month hos. been slaughtered and inspected.
 There is no question but that previ- ous to the erection of the slaughter house over three hundred animals were butchered in this city but the persons who formerly butchered dis eased animals dare not bring tlasm be- fore the inspector It the slaughter house. Thus is New Britain safeguard ed against diseased meats.
 Later in the year this dspartznent will undoubtedly bring to your atten- tion thee necessity of erecting and an isolation hospital for the care of contagious diseases.
 It Is not necessary for mo to go further into details regarding the work of this department, . perusal of the annual reports of the various L. Ha~Sa A~ scope and importance of its work.
 Taxation.
 After . careful study of the taxation problem in this ctiy. have been forced to the conclusion that our pres- ent system of assessment for taxation. if we can dignify 1t by the name of system, is obsolete, inadequate and negotiable.
 In my 1916 message to your honor able body, recommended that the as- sessors devote their entire time to tho work. Time and study must be spent upon this problem. Part time onicials in this important department of the government is ridiculous.
 The income of tho city is not keep ing pace with tho necessary demands made by growing city. The growth of the city has increased land values: increased land value is community created wealth and 1t is only just and fair that owners who arc deriving greater incomes from their property on account of its increased value should pay . just and equitable tax.
 An inadequate income is forcing the government of the city to deny to its citizens their reasonable requests for ! street Improvements, better fro pro- tection, park and playground develop ment
 find upon investigation one of the most fragrant violations of our tax laws. I find that the assessors have on their books tho sum of $33,e03 as the taxable amount on hand in Ma tional banks and Trust companies. f Yet, the reports of our local National bank and Trust companies show de- ] posits of over six million dollars. Little attention. evidently. is paid by people who make out their lists of i taxable property to the items on the l list.
 The assessors have certainly been l lax in not insisting that this item on 1 the list be made out, and, if they are not satisfied with the list as made out | by the property owner, they should in. l vestigate, for surely out of over six million dollars on deposit in tho local banks more than $22,6o3 should ap- pear on the books of the assessors. !! believe that this itsm alone, Money on deposit In National banks or Trust companies'' would increase the grand list. if properly located and taxed, by over three million dollars.
 Another item which the assessors
 have failed signally in locating Is the
 amount of personal property. We
 have on the books of the assessorx m
 amount slightly in excess of $So.oo0
 when it is common knowledge that