Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-06
Special Appropriation Might Be In

ing or through the press made their
 position clear to the taxpayers. | Special Appropriation Might Be In- adequate.
 The cause of the immediate condi- tions, it seems to me, is found in the
 statements of Auditor Jensen on pages ] 25 and 192 of this years council jour nal, showing $36, 145 in unpaid bills at
 the close of the last year outstanding | against the gas and electrical depart
 ment. This accounts for all but $14, . l 900 of the 50,0O0 for which the com
 materials and labor may account for
 the balance; but as this $14,000 is but l S.6 per cent. of the operating and gem
 eral expenses for the year, $163,000 | (this years journal, page 33), and the commissioners state that the increases in the cost of materials and supplies range from 25 per cent. to 300 per cent, it seems possible that the sum asked for might prove inadequate and the department again close its yeSr
 with large amount of unpaid bills. Not in Spirit of Criticism. Neither in their printed reports nor in the data accompanying their com
 munication do the commissioners give the average rates received per ki1owatt hour for. electric current, nor per 1000 cubic feet for gas. also believe that the other data called for in the reso- lution should have accompanied the request for the appropriation, and the
 same Is not asked for in a spirit of
 criticism but only that we may have
 information which will enable us to do
 our duty to the city and its citizens and taxpayers under the oath which we each took when we became mem
 bers of this common council.
 Trouble Rests on Inadequate Plant.
 After hearing the remarks made by Alderman Dolbeare Councilman w. F. Les Tn the trouble rests on the hopeleSsly inadequate plant and. not on the com missioners. He said he thoroughly believes the commissioners are run ming the plant to the best of their ability
 Several of the members of the council took advantage of the oppor- tunity to express their views on the resolution. It was then adopted.
 Sunday His Biggest Day.
 Alderman Casper K. Bailey then presented to the council a letter ad- dressed to John Stefanos, signed by Mayor Brown and bearing on the sell ing of fruit on Sunday. The letter his capacity as first selectman. The letter was to the effect that no ex- ception could be made in the case of MT. Stefanos who requested that he on Sunday as he has done in the past. After the letter had been read to the council by Clerk CroweI Alderman Bailey offered a few words of expla- has but one arm and has family of five children. He has been sup porting himself and family with his earnings from q small store on aid from the town. MT. Bailey said | that MT. Stefanos had told him that | his biggest day was Sunday and his | earnings on that day averaged $1.50 | ord nuts, the sale of which is now bar | red on Sunday. Mir. Bailey said he | could not see why stores should be | allowed to sell cigars and cigarettes | fruit and peanuts. He did not feel | that it was any worse to sell fruit | and peanuts than to operate street | cars and carry on any line of business man who is willing to earn his own living should be pauperized by the city.
 Case an Unfortunate One.
 In answer to Alderman Bailey Ma yor Brown Spoke of the Sunday law that often brings criticism on those who enforce it. He spoke of this par ticular case as an unfortunate one Il but said he could see no reason why II an exception should be made.
 He said the selling of soda water, III cigars, tobacco was allowed because II .hese articles were not purchased to De carried home but were used right ,ruit might sometimes be eaten where II t is bought yet 1t is generally car- jed home and in this respect is III ,lassed with groceries which can be III ,r selling cigars. tobacco and soda .continued on Page Seven, Fifth coI.)