New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-16

actual value of the property and
very light tax upon others whose as
sessment is approximately only SO to
so per cent Of the actual value of the
property.
Il would suggest that re-as-
sessment of the taxable property in
the city be made and that COM
mittee of three be appointed to work
with the assessors in carrying out
this important and necessary reform
Fire Department
The annual report of this depart
ment contains matters of importance
which should be carefully read by
your honorable body.
For the first time in the history Of
this department comprehensive
system of building inspection for
purposes Of fire prevention has been
esta blished.
With an increased appropriation
and the placing Of the fire and po-
lice departments under separate COM
missions, the efficiency of this de-
partment has materially increased.
THE work of the department dur
ing the past year has been of high
standard and 1 feel that the city can
we'll be proud of its fire department.
Police Department.
THE work of this departm has
improved greatly during the past
year.
The placing of this departme nt
under a separate police commission
has in many respects been of advan-
tago to the city.
The war has to some extent in
creased the work of the department
and such war work as the depart
ment has been called upon to do.
has been done to tho entire salts
/ faction of the state and national GOV
crnments.
The inadequate quarters Of this
department are not a credit to a city
of the size and Importance Of New
Britain and I hope before my present
term of office expires. to sec this de-
partment and the police and city
courts established in q building more
suited to their needs and Importance
Board of Public Works,
THE work of this department will
be necessarily curtained this year
| owing to the scarcity of labor, and
| the high cost of materials and labor.
1T is to be regretted that this
| condition exists as there are many
, streets that should be paved or ma
! cadamized but it was felt that the
| wisest course to pursue was to de-
| lay such work until conditions had
| improved and only do such work as
/ was necessary to keep our present
paved and macadamized streets in
i proper repair.
working always with limited
appropriation, the board and city en-
| gineer have done creditable work and
| it is to be hoped that a sufficient ap
| preparation will soon be available for
| this department to properly carry on
| it's work.
| The War Bureau.
| SHORTY after our entrance into
| the war it was soon apparent that in
! order for our city to effectively carry
| on war work in an effective, efficient
| manner and secure the co-ordina-
| ton of all war committees, that the
/ establishment Of bureau under the
! city government where war work
! could be centralized. had become a
necessity.
after much thought and consul
! tation with many Of our leading citi-
| zens, l appointed q committed to in
vestigate the matter and carry into
! effect the Establishment of a War
| Bureau.
THE establish ent of a War Blu
reau, 1 felt was a governmental work
| and not q matter for civic organiZa-
! tons to handle.
THE importance of Capitalization
! of war activities in a War Bureau
| was soon recognized by the State
Council Of Defense. who recommend
ed that War Bureaus of similar ma
| ture be established in cities and
towns throughout the state having a
| population of over eight thousand in
habitants and that these War Blu
reaus be a part Of the organization
of the State Council of Defense sue
ceeding the so-called Town Commit
tees of the State Council of Defense
THE promptness and patriotic
spirit displayed by your honorable
body in making an appropriation fo1
War Bureau work, was a recogniza
ton Of the new duties imposed upor
you by our entrance into the war
was very pleasing and attested YOU
| patriotism and good Judgment
! The historical importance ant
| value of the records of the Wa
! Bureau are incalculable. The infor
nation department Of the War Blu
reau has been Of great assistance il
locating men in the service and fur
nishing other information to anxiou
| parents and relatives and also in as
sisting the national, state and cit,
government in obtaining valuable in
formation upon many subjects o
! vital Importance.
'AH financial assistance rcndere
dependents of mon in the servic
from New Britain by the home serv
ice department Of the Red Cross an
the state government, is handle
| through the War Bureau.