New Britain herald., 1917-04-14
Torn Topics


The annual city meeting ON next
Tuesday night gives promise of devel-
oping into q real affair. Usually the
city, meeting is a routine proceeding,
but II people now exhibiting, an inter-
est in it continue to maintain that in
terest 1t is certain that there will be
things doing. In view of the dubious
outlook of the future. because Of the
war and possible heavy taxes, Mayor
Quigley has suggested e. big slice in
the estimates so that the tax rate will
not be more than twenty mills at the
most. Thus far he seems to have the
support of the city, but the rub comes
when the slicing of the estimates be-
gins. The board of public works as
well as residents of that district OBJ
ject strenuously to any plan to do
away with the laying of a permanent
pavement in Park street. Likewise the
residents of the southwestern part of
the city are at once plunged into the
depths of gloom and rise up in right
eous indignation when it is suggested
that their new fire station be held up
another year. A plantto do away with
the, south end park also meets with
strong opposition, but seemingly not
do oIIOhk dS Vic OCACA. IWO. AAAoCs ~
il evident if the citizens have the cour-
age of their convictions there will be
some lively action at the. meeting on
Tuesday. One thing is certain, how
ever, and that is that the tax rate
should be reduced this year.
Indications point to next Thursday
as being one Of the gala days of the
decade, to go hand in hand with that
memorable day last fall when the SOL
diers returned home from the border
and were given > royal welcome.
Everybody knows. the meaning OF "a
triots' day If they are at all familiar
with American history. but 1t Is conf
parstively new in this section to OBJ
serve it thus prominently, although IN
Massachusetts, 1t has long been one OF
the most important days Of the year.
April 10 marks the anniversary Of the
battle of Lexington when the shot was
fired that was heard around the
world. When the Minute Men of the
Revolution left their plows and gath
cred up their muskets to take issue
with Great Britain's relocated SOL
diery and to strike the blow which ul-
tmately spelled freedom for those OF
us who live here today 1t is fitting
that this year New Britain celebrate
this day royalty. Street parades. pa
trlotic speeches and demonstrations
do much to arouse the spirit Of the
nation New Britain should again
find herself OF, next THURSDAY
That season OF the year has now ar
rived when every man with a little
plot of land should turn his thoughts
to domestic gardening. The action of
to- 10
vacant lots they own for people who
wish to have little gardens is most
commendable one and one that should
be followed by others in the city who,
more fortunate than their brothers,
own considerable land that Is not
used. At all times, are home gardens
a desirable and beneficial thing. but
more particularly this year should
the home garden idea be fostered by
the citizens of New Britain in common
with others throughout the country.
and for several reasons. In the first
place we do not know what trials the
future may hold forth, for war. al
ways a terrific drain on the resources
of the country, may yet prove embar-
RAISING in regard to the food supply.
If each family has a little garden OF
it's own, where at least some of the
vegetables for IT'S own use are raised
it will be doing much to better condi-
tions. In the second place, in view
of the present high cost of living
even a small garden wilt count ma
terially in helping to reduce the fam
ily expenses and if it were a universal
custom there is no doubt but what its
effect would be for the lowering of
prices. throughout the country. Then
too, there is the physical side of the
garden question. Back to nature Is
regarded by physicians as one of the
best remedies for the tired city dwell
Ter. While it may be physically hard
work to spade up garden plot and
care for the plants and vines, yet |
such worlxe Isl. 1efrcshings wonk and by
doing it. the workerris benefited ply |
sica1ly, I'm Germany France. Belgium
and England the people have been !
taught to use every available foot or !
ground. We are told that in these |!
countries it is an unknown thing to
find large vacant lots, far from the |
firing line, that are not, used for gar !
den purposes. It is an economic nee
essity to utilize every available plot.
If New Britain people would consid- |
err these facts carefully and act ac-
cordingly they would. he doing an in
estimable good for the country, as
sisting in solving the economical
question, assisting In raising the I
standard of health and In. setting
worthy example. 1t will indeed. he
selfish land owner who, rather than
permit some family to till his soil
for their own benefit. let's the land re-
mhin idle all summer to raise only
crop of weeds. :.
In this connection laws and ordi-
naces strictly enforced, giving ample
to the amateur gardeners
Many times people who plant small
gardens are deprived of much Of the