New Britain herald., 1917-01-04

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 chiefs declaration, tried to prevail upon him to reconsider but he stated that he had forwarded his resignation and the matter is not up to the fire commissioners.
 While the letter of resignation sent to H. c. Thompson as chairman of the board simply stated the chiefs in- tention of giving up his place, it is understood that friction between the commissioners and the working head of the department had something to do with the cause. Members of the board were not inclined to be talka- tive regarding the matter this morn ing, although they admitted that their refusal to concur in all things the chief suggested may have discour- aged him.
 Chairman Thompson had a talk with Chief Norton this morning and 1t Is said the conversation was of friendly nature. The chief explained that for years he had given up his time to the department without any compensation whatever and the posi- ton proved a steady drain on his f. nances. The town even neglected to pay for his telephone which he had in stalled principally because of the aid 1t rendered him in his capacity as chief of the department. The asses sors raised the valuation of his prop erty in preparing the grand list, help ing to increase his expenses. Other things had come up that made him rad Ho c%4 S,1 ca1ad attention to the fact that the fire commissioners were paying but little attention to the department At least they seldom, if ever, meet as far as he knew and they entirely ig- nored the executive board of which the chief, officers of the company and the commissioners themselves were members He had spent lot of time looking after the apparatus and att tending to the fire alarm, besides is- suing permits as forest fire warden and doing many other things grati- tuitously.
 He believes that the town has an efficient department and he considers that 1t is not fully appreciated by the townspeople probably through their thoughtlessness rather than real lack of interest. The town has been '" entire time he has been at the head of the department and every blaze which required the services of the f1remen to extinguish has been fought by the men in capable fashion.
 In talking over his resignation with a Herald man the chief declared that he has no i'll feeling in the matter but he has grown tired of the manner in which the department has been neg lected by the town and he feels that he has done his duty and is entitled to relief.
 A meeting of the fire commissioners has been called for tom morrow evening at which time the chiefs resignation will be considered. It is expected that an effort will be made to get him to reconsider. The Hose company will also meet tomorrow night and that body is also expected to try to get their leader to remain with them. Some of the hremen have stated their intention of leaving the company should the chief insist on withdrawing and wholesale restgnations are prom ised unless the difficulties which now seemingly exist are adjusted.
 It Is believed whatever misunder- standing exists can be satisfa ctorily explained and the chief may be pre- vailed upon to withdraw his reslgna- tion. In that connection he called at- tention this morning to the selectman's budget in which the expense of the fire department and the forest fire warden was given at $900, whereas the actual cost of the protection Is usually but about half that amount. If allowed the full amount he intimated he might reconsider.
 The Banquet.
 Except for the announcement of Chief Norton made at the close of fes- tivities which served to have de- pressing effect on the gathering, the hremen's banquet was one of the most enjoyable affairs held in some time. It was arranged for by the Hose company and the thirty-two members present had a most happy time. Land lord Missett served a tasty repast, with roast pig and roast turkey as the piece de resistance of the menu.
 Foreman William Foran presided at the post prandial exercises and called on a number of the firemen for songs and stories.
 Leaves School Board.
 Writing from New Orleans where he is spending two months visit with relatives Rev. R. Fl. Burton has ad- vised the members of the school board of his intention to give up his duties on that body. At a meeting of the board held last evening it was voted to accept MT. Burton's resignation with sincere regret MT. Burton wrote that his work as rector of the Church ~ of Our Saviour will occupy so much of his time during the next year that he did not believe he would be able to continue as member of the school board. He has been con-