New Britain herald., 1917-05-17

I0C Iu0 0Uxu0BGOu UUpplys xno 1IU~ portance of this work must not be mini,nixsd. yet, feel that a public work involving the expenditure of ap- proximately @200.000. under present conditions. should have your very . decision.
 The cost of material and labor is about 26 to 20 per cont. higher than in normal times, there is . scarcity of labor and 1t is very doubtful If 1t is wise in view of these conditions for the city to engage in . work as extensive as the building of the Burlington tunnel.
 would therefore recommend to your honorable body that this matter be laid over until the winter months As tunnel work can be carried on then as we'll as at this season of the year and we will then have . clearer idea as to the problems confronting us due to our entrance into the pres ent war.
 Civil Service.
 By the enactment of a charter pro- vision placing the ire and police ap- pointments under civil service New Britain has taken another stride for ward in governmental efficiency.
 For years appointments in these departments were largely a matter of politics. today men enter these de- partments on their ability a police mon and hremen not as political wire pullers.
 I hope. in the near future. to see other departments placed under civil service which will eliminate the fear of removal held by many competent city employees when . change b made in the administrative head.
 Sewage Dasposal
 Tho problem of sewage disposal has now been taken up by the state. Edward F. Hall, bill was introduced in the legislature carrying with 1t n appropriation for 326,000 with which to build state sewage disposal ex- perimental station.
 Tho result of these experiments will be of interest to New Britain as our study and experience of this problem has not as yet warranted our spending any considerable sum of money in attempting to remedy the defects of our system or the building of any new system recommended.
 Municipal Ice.
 The harvesting, sale and distr1bu- ton of municipal ico has been placed in the hands of firm whose contract pledgss them to carry out the plans of the city regarding the sale and distribution of ice. This firm has now entered into | contract to pay tho city a sum of money which will bring i've per cent. upon the city's S~a S<A distribute the ice to our citizens at thirty cents per hundred.
 The intent of the city in entering into tho ice business was to secure . supply of pure ice at . reasonable rato to it's citisens. This h being ao- complished.
 Never before in the history of this nation have we faced food situation 50 acute, SO worldwide m scope aS iS presented to us today.
 The situation demands tho tmmo- diate attention and cooperation of every citizen in order that we may have an adequate food supply. not only must we secure to ourselves . sufficient amount but we must assist in feeding the people of Europe.
 To do this we must not only in- crease our production of foodstuffs but we must practice the most rigid economy in tho consumption of food.
 The gravity of the situation must not be minfmixed. We must as citi- gems. as officials, as . government dedicate our energies to the oonserva- ton and production of foodstufns.
 It Is not . question of profit at this time: the person who conspires to force up the price of foodstuffs or in any way curt1ils production Is . traitor to this country and should b. branded as such by our citixena.
 We are dealing with big issues. let us be big therefore in meeting the call which has como to us.