New Britain herald., 1918-01-25


 not handled With kid gloves 'Take the city engineer, for instance he said. ''I feel he is worth 5000, but I don't think the city of New Britain can afford to pay such salary and don't believe any salary matters should be passed until they have been thoroughly investigated.
 McDonough Raps COuncil'
 Immediately MT. McDonouSh arose to make an explanation concerning hls action at the previous meeting In rec onmending a decrease in the bulld- ing insuector's salary. lie said he has personally given this item more consideration than any other and was well informed on it. He remarked that there is really but little building going on now, and then recalled that .'when the salary came up in the council a year ago We were taken out of the council session and in less than three minutes came back with the salary recommendation. At that time there was even less consideration given than there has been now and at the time I tried my best to have the salary fixed at $2,200 for I thought that was all it was really worth. l don't approve of arriving at a decl- sion in two minutes as we had to do then and the committee was hXed Regarding the mayors letter, | would say that I have investigated all cases. The speaker likewise said that in his investigations he has not visited the heads of the departments 'as that IS generally all fixed" He said he con- ferred with employees and past en- ployes of the various boards. In con- clusion, he said, however, that he thinks $2,20O an ample salary for the building inspector but he is willing to be shown and favored calling the building inspector before the com mittee to explain.
 On motion of MT. Sullivan 1t was voted to rescind the actions of the previous meeting, Whereupon Mayor Quig1ey again took the floor and said that at this time, when the people are carrying big financial burdens, he thought every office holder who can live comfortably on his present in- come should waive rights to an in crease. He did favor an investigation in all cases, he said. Commenting upon the absence of Alderman o. F. Curtis, father of the readjustment resolution, the mayor said: T suppose he should have attended these meet ings, but he may have different ideas" Chairman Eichstaedt imme- diately suggested that the committee report unfavorably on the resolution of Alderman Curtis and then take up the individual petitions. "Our report will be all shot to pieces" he said. The mayor assured him however, that the committees honest report should be treated courteously by the council and he felt sure it would be.
 Health Board Raises.
 pr. George Bodley, chairman of the health board, asked permission to speak in favor of the increases asked by members of his department and it was granted, although MT. Sullivan remarked that as a general thing he found that the head of the depart ment takes all the credit and gives none to his workers. That condition exists right here in city hall" MT. Sullivan however, did not refer to the health board and did not object to having Dr. Bodley talk. Taking up the raise asked by Plumbing h. spector Quinlivan, pr. Bodley said that originally the inspector had wanted raise of S70O, but the board had considered that at this time $500 raise was fair and thought he should get it. He then explained the duties of the inspector and said that it is compulsory that he maintain an automobile, which adds materially to his expenses and the reduction of his net salary. MT. Quinlivan is an eff cient man and is so recognized by the plumbers" the doctor concluded Referring to First Sanitary Inspector Fred McEnroe, the health board chairman told of his duties in investi- gating and inspecting yards, tene- ments, stores, drug stores, etc. At present, after three years work, the inspector gets $500 and is entitled to a raise of s200. MT. Beloin asked if MT. Dolan did not do the same kind of work as MT. McEnroe and on being informed that he did practically the same, he asked if he was not con- sidered just as capable. That would hardly be true as he has not been al the work as long and hasn't got the same grasp of details" Dr. Bodley re piled. He added that in other cities similar inspectors get from $1,200 to $1,400. The doctor also said that Second Sanitary Inspector John A. Dolan was entitled to a raise of from $9O0 to S1,0O0 and the third inspector, Thomas Crowley, was entitled to a raise of from s780 to s90O, which had been considered as the minimum for this work. He also favored an increase of from $500 to $500 for the clerk and stenographer of the board, who is the oldest employe in point of service, he said, and it is her duty not only to officially receive all man. ner of complaints, but also to keep an accurate record, card index sys- tenn and other detailed routine
 Other Petitions Heard
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