New Britain herald., 1917-04-21

inal as it is against the law to exploit the flag.
 It is estimated that there are; 1,200 or 1900 dogs in New Britain and, ac-; cording to the law, they must be n- censed befofe' May .2. The law gives owners up to and thrpugf l. This is a economical one and nowhere near no sensible reason why licenses should not be due on April 30. The idea of giving an extra day of grace is mex plicable.
 The action of the liquor dealers, in closing their saloons on Thursday was commendab1e. It begins to look as though the liquor interests arc see- ing the writing on the wall. Many think that if the United States gets into this war to any appreciable extent 1t will be the death knell for the sa- loon business, even as it has been abroad. The new state law providing for the closing of saloons on Memorial Day is thought by many to be but a step in favor of the~white ribboners.
 The average New Britain family does not have to be confronted with lot of figures and statistics to be convinced of the high cost of living and its great increase over few years ago. A few figures, gleaned from the report of the Charity department, are startling. however. While Town Home Inmates get wholesome food and plen- ty of it, everyone knows that their diet is an economical noe and nowhere near as elaborate as that of the average American family, therefore that which Is true at the Town Home is true to a greater exteyt in the ordinary home. Figures submitted show that the aver- age cost of a Town Home inmate in March, 1908, was $9.s7. During the month just passed the average in- vidual cost was $1S.17. Almost double. Truly. the move for home gardens, which New Britain has so readily adopted, is a meritcrious, one. Tn these days every saving counts and 8 con- siderable amount can be saved by hav- ing a> domestic garden. Many more New Brltainites should enroll with Governor Holcomb in the agricultural army.
 Not day too soon now, can the board of public works begin watering and oiling the city streets. Spring has evidently come to stay. The Marchy winds have dried up the mud and the frost is out of the ground, leaving all streets in a terribly dusty condition. While it will be many weeks before the oil arrives to be used, there is plenty of water and 1t should be used. Dusty streets are not only unpleasant. but dangerous to the health of the community.
 Store keepers and others should also bear in mind the ordinance relat- ing to sweeping off sidewalks after 8 o'clock in the morning. There is noth- ing more distasteful to 8 pedestrian or more insanitary, than to have the broom brigade industriously engaged while passersby dodge in and through clouds of dust. The ordinance should be enforced.
 The annual report of Chief of Po- lice William J. Rawlings embodies some recommendations that will have to be carried out, principally the one to enlarge headquarters where the men are now so cramped that all pa trolmen cannot have locker space. The need of revolver practise for supernu- meraries is also apparent. It is signi- ficant in connection with the depart ment's work to note that there was not a single month during the. year when one or more women were not arrested, and in July, IF females fell into the clutches of the law. The arr rests during the mcnthsof May, to- tailed PA, the largest single month. The lightest month of the year was April when there were 159 arrests. Among the causes for arrest is in- cluded 149 charges of violating citN ordinances, showing that city officials have been on the alert. That the po- lice motor patrol is an absolute neces- sity is evidenced by the report that it travelled 4,165 miles during the year. This proves positively that the patrol should be used exclusively for police purposes and the hospital should have an ambulance of its own, thus doing away with the necessity of having the police car answer private hospital calls as we'll as do police and emergency duty.
 Yes, it would be much more con- venient for patrons If the Hartford and Chestnut street cars were per- mitted to take on passengers at the corner of Main and Church streets rather than several hundred feet fur therj down.
 The able manner in; which the po- lice, under Chief Rawlings and Cap tain Grace. handled the traffic on Thursday afternoon reflects great credit on the department. They han died the situation in true metropolitan style. There was never any jostlfng and the traffic squad and other details succeeded in holding the vast crowd Tn check at all times. The department showed its efficiency.