New Britain herald., 1919-04-04

Britain at the meeting last night re- fused to pass an appropriation of $1,00O to pay expenses to greet the New Britain boys of the 26th Division fas they steam into Boston harbor next Tuesday or Wednesday. Not only did the council refuse to pass that ap- propriation but also it did not pass g. motion concerning the homecoming of the boys and the meeting ended in disorder. Mayor Quigley, repudiated In many of his latest attempts. re- ceived a direct slap last night when the council took such action Regard less Of what political feeling might have existed the mayor asked the money for the reception to Companies l and E of this city as mem bers or the 102d Regiment. Mayor Quigley left the council chamber in disgust telling the council members that he would wire Boston that New Britain did not want to welcome it's boys or it's companies. Alderman Paonessa yelled after the mayor to have him return, and when he did not he told him if he was mayor of the city and took such @ move he (Paonessa) would move from the city.
 Wouldn't Spend City's Money.
 Another freak condition was the ex- cuses which each member Of the council, voting against the appropri- ation, gave as he voted. Each one stood up on the floor and said prac- tically the same thing. which really amounted to the fact that they would not spend s1,000 of the city's money to make the boys of the local com panies happy to see flying from boat coming down the harbor to welcome them banner reading New Britain Welcomes the 1O2d. and especially Companies I and F of Our Own City,"
 In the eyes of many, the meeting last night would probably be con- sidered right but anyone having sol dier relatives returning from over- seas knows the amount of happiness which the boys have experienced if they had anyone from their home town or city to welcome them. Com pantes I and F of the 102d are real New Britain companies recruited here and bearing the honored reputation of coming from the city. They did ex- tra, good service in Franco and, be- cause of the fact that other boys are returning to the city from various other units without a royal welcome, fl does not follow that this city should neglect to welcome the boys of the division when 1t has a chance. The fact that two companies from this city were in the 1O2d was known by the Boston officials making arrange enents for their homecoming and, as Mayor Quigley told the council, tho committee even considered it settled that this city would send 8 welcom- ing party and for that reason had re- served 75 seats on a boat going down the harbor for the welcome,
 Mayor Explains Matter.
 The fireworks started when tue matter was brought before the coun- ell. Mayor Quigley explained to the council that J. IT. Ware IT, secretary to the mayor of Boston, had tele- gTaphed him that the reception con- mittee had reserved 75 seats on a small boat going down the harhor 4o greet the incoming steamer with the 102d. He asked the mayor what ho- tel accommodations were wanted. The mayor then said he thought the boys of New Britain, members of the two companies I and F, who have already returned home discharged. and some disabled, should be permitted to go to
 
 greet their former comrades in arms. He thought the city also should have Q representative delegation there to greet the boys. He then moved that the city Of New Britain should appro~ pTiate the sum of 5000 for the pur- pose Of welcoming the local men In Boston on Tuesday morning, April &.
 Curtis Raps Measure.
 Alderman Curtis imm ediately jump cd to his feet. He said that all tho boys whose names were on the honor roll in the City building should bo honored and not just 30 or 40 return ing on that one boat There should be 8 general day observed for the boys of the city, the alderman went on, when they have all arrived back, which time may be within the next the trip to Boston when you don't know whether you will see the boys Or just go down the harbor in q boat and shout 'nurrah.' Very few Of the boys Of the two local companies arc oi1 the boat ns the companies were filled with reDlncernents and many have already returned home with a11 arm gone Or otherwise disabled, while still others remain over there and will never come back. A few weeks ago # was shown that this city must prac- tee economy when 2t mills were vot- cd, The paop1o evidently think the expsfa ass should be kept down. favor having Fl eotnn1itte Of the may