New Britain herald., 1918-03-02
CURTIS EXPOSE ON
 POTATO SITUATION
Alderman'S Accounts Show 3,638 Bushels Are Not Accounted For
AND THE END IS NOT YET
Overdraft to Pay Expenses May Be in Order-City IImplOycs, School JanitorS and War Burca,, Called to Assist in Delivery


 Assist in Delivery
 Alderman o. r. Curtis Is unable to digest the potato question and in lights on the municipal potato prob lem which he has discovered by per- sonal investigation.
 In MT. Curtis statement he claims that 3,63S bushels of potatoes have disappeared, or are unaccOunted for. He gives his views on the cost of the agricultural experiment to the city and expresses the opinion that the end Is not in sight. expecting that there will be an overdraft
 Mr. Curtis also takes a fling at Mayor Quigley for claims His Honor has made for progress in municipal departments and insists this progress was in great measure due to the mayors predecessors in office
 The statement follows:
 There appeared in Wednesdays paper an announcement of Mayor Ceu1gIcN's candidacy for a rcnomina- ton, and a statement of reasons therefore from His Honor.
 Among those mentioned are the complete motorization of the fire de- partment apparatus. This was in- augurated and got well under way during Mayor HaIloran's ad1ninistra- ton by Chairman Callahan What else was there to do but carry it through? He says the police force is nearly doubled. It has been in creased from time to time since the city was chartered and will continue to grow as the city expands long aft CT His Honor retires from office
 Tt is claimed that the streets were improved and eNtcnded---sO they were under former mayors. and most likely will, under those who fill the office in years to come.
 The health department has been reorganizod and made very efficient How much credit should be given to the mayor for it, it is difficult to decide. The plans, legislation, and even the superintendent had been provided for in the later days of the Halloran regime and the present in cum bent carried out the program ai- ready Formulated and has supported the board heartily during his terms of office. The credit for the efficiency of this department is mainly given to Dr Reeks by the public.
 He does not mention street clean ing which has been extended and car red on during the past three or moro years, though of course it had been done for tho past four years: nor city street srrinkling which has been in operation the past ten or twelve years.
 He failed to mention how many fire escapes had been put un recently, or give the daily menu at the Town We notice he is in favor of moro all time men on the board of stating that he knows of one or two properties that are not as much as they are mort gagged for. We fail to sec how full time men can increase the sale of property at higher prices. It is what you can sell property for which gives it value, unless it has the value for the owner S use. If there is no sale or use for property it is valueless for the time being. If full-timc men at food fat salaries can add actual value to property, let Us have them by all means. Real Estate agents especial 1 ly and all those who have real estate to dispose of will no doubt favor this l chance to get higher prices for their ! property. Wonder if raising salaries i will raise prices"
 There are several matters of mo- i ment which have been initiated and l carried along by the present admin 1 StratiOn and entirely independent of i former administrations, almost or l ginal as to their adaptation by any 1 One of the most prom l ncnt was municipal potato raising 1 This subject at first was frequently !! mentioned in the municipal news but l If late, interest has Wancd. IL is l difficult to get any report and in l eaCt no full and correct report has yet l seen light. Excuses and delays are | always in order and even council l orders are not needed. We get cheer l ful and optimistic statements from | ime to time that potatoes are being | sold rapidly. that they are going like | hot cakes. That we have produced | },000 bushels of potatoes that would ] not have been if we had not raised l -hem. That the food supply is so | much larger. Once upon a time we | were to roll in potatoes (not in clover) at 75c to $1 a bushel. We i lear people were to be protected from he greedy spcculator and hard listed 1 farmer. That was before the farmers in the mayors office, after which potatoes went up soc per }uShel. Then we must buy more po- atoes to hold down the price of those | We raised and still the price must ] protect the poor farmer who had his ,rop hOarded for another grab this spring. Where are we at anyway? 'an anybody tell? From the best in- formation Obtainablc and what I ! hink will he fouud to be inside tho mark. the situation today is aDproxi- n4t,ly- oc follows: