New Britain herald., 1917-02-10

chairman of the charter revision committee, to explain to Councilman May, but in the meantime Council man Spencer, on special privilege, called the council members to task for wasting time by discussing mat ters that were not properly before them. His opinion prevailed and Councilman May lapsed into silence for a time.
 Movie Censor Passes.
 The proposed moving picture cen- sorship amendment provides that a committee of five members from the council, the police department or other citizens shall be appointed by the mayor to pass upon moving pic lures. Councilman Curtis objected to the wording of this. While he did not oppose the measure, he did not think shat tho censoring committee should he composed of people instrumental -in framing the law or whose duty it was to enforce it. He wanted an inn partial board free from any bias. Judge Gaffney explained at some length the purpose of the censorship. He said that the school committee. which first instituted the proposition, does not care what pictures adults VI NAIiiSHS DoC ACIlldldS pI IOlSStlo1 1oI the children. It is in order that the morals of the children may not be- come corrupt through the evil in- flucnce of any pictures that the amendment was drafted. It was passed unanimously.
 No opposition was heard son the amendment to keep the voting polls open from 5:30 a. hl until D. m. on election days Who Runs Safety Board. Regarding the amendm ent to split the safety board into a board of po- lice commissioners of four men and a board of fire commissioners of four men, Councilman Curtis objected strenuously. He declared that the most efficient method of handling the
 fire department would be to have a one man commissioner appoint him for his ability and make him respon- sible. Councilman Andrews favored the plan, but doubted that the city was ready for this plan as yet. Coun- cilman Landers also favored the plan, but had the same idea as Councilman Andrews. However, MT. Landers said, eff Councilman Curtis will vote for a salary of s2500 per year for the fire commissioner and $2,5OO per year for the police commissioners, I will vote for his proposition to have one man commissions"
 Further argument ensued, during which Councilman Curtis asked Coun- climan Landers if it is not true that under the existing conditions one man devotes his entire time to the man. agement of the police and fire depart ments. "It is my opinion that one 1~s two manage the departments, replied 1 the councilman amid a general sally | of laughter Councilman Charles l Mueller for economic resons, opposed l the one man commission and when all | argument had ceased Alderman Jes- ter asked the city clerk to 'give us an idea what we're on.' The amend | ment' as originally drafted was passed.
 Dehm for Fair Play.
 The council also voted unanimous ly in favor of Councilman Dehm's to another charter re- vision whereby any callman or super numerary police will be entitled to a hearing before dimissal. All coun- l cil memb bers thought it very unfair to want to discharge a man without all | to make explanations l and Councilman McDonough de- l clared that any board that would re- 1 fuse to give man hearing is not 1 fit to hold ofice.\
 The city plan. commission amend Inent and the civil service amend ment were passed without argument, l but not so the city court amendments. including the one to make the local l court court of unlimited jurisdic- tion in order that aliens may be nat uralized here. Councilman Curtis asked if it is not true that the legis- lature would fix the salary of the judges in case the amendment was passed. Corporation Counsel Cooper replied that it would, but he had no idea of the figures and Representative Hall replied likewise. The amend ,nents were then passed, on motion O. Curtis, with the specif1- cation that the judges salary be not more than $2,500, and the deputy judges salary not more than s1,000. At present these salaries are $2,2OO and $500 respectively.
 The amendment requesting author ity to transfer $15, ,000 from the school building fund to pay for repairs at the grammar school was 
 Did Curtis Spring Joker?
 While Alderman Jester had his gavel in mid-air, about to declare the meeting adjournd, Councilman Cur tis again took the floor and asked the counsel about the home rule bill. He remarked that when it was passed two years ago the people thought that they would be given the right to settle questions for them selves without recourse to the legis- lature and he expressed the opinion that every change suggested, except the city court matter, could be decided