New Britain herald., 1917-10-11
COUNCIL VOTES TOPURCHASE
 PUBLIC SUPPLY OF POTATOES
That's probably where the $3,5OO will go to-, retorted MT. May.

will go to-, retorted MT. May. Councilman Landers supported the resolution by reviewing New Britain s leadership record in the past. It was New Britain, he pointed out, that first sought the support of the General Assembly in securing reimbursement for cities which had extended finan- cial relief to the dependent families of soldiers who went to the Mexican border. And New Britain will be the first, he said, to establish an of ficial War Bureau, which idea will be taken up by other cities.
 When a vote was taken, the doubt CTS were as silent as the tomb.
 Introducing Healthier.
 The next number on the program was Potatoes, in a ground and loIty tumbling match Some predicted that potatoes would sell at famine prices before the winter was over. It was also predicted that they would De selling for $125 or $1.5O a bushel py March. When the resolution to ap- propriate money for the purchase or potatoes was presented, Alderman Curtis called for an eXplanatloh.
 Chairman H. S. Tallard of the municipal farm committee told the council that the yield at the munich nal farm in Stanley Quarter would be below anticipations, prooaply py oo Der cent. He stated that 1t was the view of the committee that It would be wise to buy and store potatoes to prevent a repetition of the situation last year and he said what amounted to an option had been secured on 5000 bushels at $1.35 per bushel. f the yield at the farm had come up to
 a not be necessary, he explained. The committee has made arrangements for storing potatoes in the public school buildings and at Walkers barns, free of cost, he said. He did not consider it the part of wisdom to antagonize the farmers as they should receive a substantial price.
 In reply to questions by Alderman Curtis, MT. Tallard said he would not favor having the city enter the potato field for commercial purposes.
 "But it amounts to speculating in potatoes', Alderman Curtis said.
 Something like that, replied MT. Tallard.
 "Why not speculate in Colts or Scovills?" inquired the alderman from the third.
 That might be wise, too', retorted Mir. Tallard, with icicles suspended from each syllable.
 Councilman McDonough Jumped into the debate and insisted that the potatoes raised at the municipal farm cost the city $2.50 per bushel. Mayor Quigley said large amount of money had been expended for the purchase of machinery and tools, which could be used against next year. Council man McDonough believed the city would be speculating, if it bought and stored potatoes, and that, he said would be violating of the charter.
 Councilman Dehm glided in between the ropes and said he didn't believe the city should hold the potatoes and than sell them at the prevailing market price.
 Mayor Quigley descended from the chair again and said the questions asked by the hecklers were hardly fair He said members of the council drowned on his proposal to buy po- tatoes when the price was only $1 per bushel. He insisted the potatoes at the farm have not cost s2 per bushel and said the city would need between 5O,OOO and 6O,O00 for public consumption this winter. The duty cf a government is to protect it's peo- pie, he said, and 'if we can keep the price down to $2, I will be in favor of buying 10000 bushels.'
 Alderman May expressed the belief that the meeting of farmers in the mayors office Tuesday afternoon had sent the price to $2 per bushel and Councilman Leroux said he believed the potatoes should be sold at once and not stored.
 Mayor Quigley waxed warm at an insinuation by Alderman May that $500 had been spent by the city to pro- fessional advisors at the municipal farm. The mayor said not more than $50 had been expended and that this was for the actual expenses of ex- perts from Storrs Agricultural college, who refused to accept remuneration. Alderman May insisted he was right, but subsided when he was shown that he had in mind the Home Gardens committee, instead of the municipal farm committee. The mayor then said that to put the potatoes on the market at once would defeat the object of the committee, which was to keep the price down. Councilman Mueller agreed with him but Councilman Cur tis thought the purchase and storage of only 5000 bushels would have no effect on the price.
 Councilman Eichstaedt inquired as to the method to be adopted for the sale of the potatoes and MT. Tallard replied that, if prices went up, the po- tatoes would be placed on the open market.
 Curtis Wants That SIG, ,O0O Back.
 Alderman Curtis was still doubtful He insisted that the $16,000 appro- priated for the municipal garden was merely 8 loan; no city meeting had been held to authorize the appropria- tion and, he said, if the money is not returned, it will be necessary to hold 8 city meeting. MT. Tallard replied that the committee, unfortunately, was nnf in control nf al nfS op1