New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-07

confronted for some time as to who
was the father of the petition to in
crease the salary of the prosecuting
attorney from $500 to $1,000. AL
derman w. J. McCabe introduced it at
the council meeting, but no one knew
who asked him to do it and finally 1t
developed, as far as could be learned,
that he did it on his own initiative.
Prosecuting Attorney Klett sent word
to the members that he knew abso-
lutely nothing of the proposed in
crease until he read 1t in the papers,
but said that If raise was to be given
the position he did not think $2,10o
was too much, Mr.. McDonough said
he had no doubt that the position was
worth much more than it pays but he
thought the method of the request was
out of order He thought the request
should come from the incumbent.
Attorney B. w. Alling, Mr.. Klett's
law partner, represented him at the
hearing and outlined the work he has
to do. He said he has to be on the
job 365 days in the year and every
Sunday is at police headquarters maxi
ing out warrants. During the past
fiscal year there were 1913 arrests,
necessitating that number of war
rants, and fully half as many more
cases that were disposed Of out of
court. In Bristol the prosecutor gets
$1,000; in Torrington there is a m owe
on foot to pay their officer $500. In
Milford, where there were 367 arrests
last year, the salary is $1,000 Mr.
Allfng explained in some detail the
large amount of clerical work con-
nected with the job, especially when
extradition papers are made out.
"How much work does he do?'
oueried Mr.. McDonough. Mr.. Alling
replied that Mr. Klett generally takes
a. months vacation each year and
aside from this period he doubts If the
assistant prosecutor is called upon
more than fifteen times a year.
Lawyer H. P. Roche appeared in favor
of the increase in salary and said from
his legal associations he is familiar
with the work and thinks the job Is
worth $4,000 and $500 is rather
I small compensation
On motion of Mr.. Dehm the salary
was increased to 800.
Woods Seeks 1878 Raise.
A petition was received from AS
sistant Prosecuting Attorney Joseph G
Woods asking that his salary be in
| creased from $3.50 to $500 per year
Mr.. Eichstaedt said he had asked Mr.
Woods to attend the meeting and pres
ent his case, but he had not appeared
The chairman further said he had
learned in a roundabout manner that
Mr. Woods was credited with saying
that he was asking the raise for the
Job, rather than for the incumbent, as
he did not expect to have the position
another year so did not care person
ally whether the request was granted
Mr.. McDonough remarked that, &C
cording to Mr.. Alling, the assistant
prosecutor does not have such a great
deal to do.
Mr.. Dehm remarked that whether
he prosecuted or not, Mr.. Woods has
to lose his time. He has to go down
to court every day to see whether
there is anything to do or not, Mr..
Dehm said.
"Are you sure about that?" asked
Mr.. Eichstaedt.
"Quite sure" declared Mr.. Dehm.
He also remarked that he did not
think it would be possible to get
many lawyers to do the work at the
figure offered.
"N1r. Woods was quite anxious
enough to get IL d year dSo ehI tleSo
figures Mr.. Eichstaedt said.
Eyes. probably he has now found
out that he would make more the
other way" Mr.. Dehm replied. On
motion of Mr.. Dehm action was de-
ferred until a meeting next week
when Mr.. Woods will be invited to
attend.
COMPTROLLER Airs His Views.
On the suggestion of DR.. Reeks, SUI
perintendent of health. his request
a slSing that the tuberculosis nurse and
the sanitary inspector be placed on a
salary basis was not acted upon. DR..
Reeks spoke at the suggestion of
Comptroller H. L. Curtis. Later Mr..
Curtis appeared before the committee
and explained that he has a plan
whereby all employees Of the board Of
health, except DR. Reeks, VIII be taken
from the salary list and paid out Of
the boards budget. This, he said, is
so it will be possible to pay the en-
Moves every two weeks rather than
monthly as at present.
Ouinlivan Gets More Money.
DR.. Reeks explained the request Of
Plumbing Inspector Thomas Quinlivan
for more money. At present the in
spector gets salary of $1,000 and
$500 for transportation and asked a
salary of $500 and transportation Of
$500. Dr. Reeks said that a year ago
the salary committee favored making
the pay for this position $500 and
$500, but on a previous recommends
ton Of the health board the council
voted to make it $1,000 and $500. The
doctor explained that today Mr.. Quin-
Ivan receives only $3.50 per week,
which is no more than g. journeyman
plumber gets, yet he has to pass on the