New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-05-05
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETS
TODAY TO SPEED UP WORK;
SESSION ENDS TOMORROW
Low Figure of State Final!-
ces Will Prevent Soldiers
and Sailors From Receiv-
ing Bonus.

Hartford, May 5-To bring about
final adjournment tomorrow the
General Assembly met today and the
leaders in both branches were ready
to hold the members for an evening.
session if necessary. The number Of
measures to be disposed Of was not
large, but controversies were early
seen on several bills. Senator Hemin-
way objected to rushing legislation
through and preparing to close Up
late in the week. He made no motion
however and he WIS alone in criticism
of the plan to expedite business.
Americanization Bill.
The bill to create department OF
Americanization under the state
board of education, with $4,000
year for it's work, which bill created
fiery debate Friday, was the senate
order of the day on the question of
reconsideration of the adoption of
the bill. Senator Mead offered all
amendment which totally changed its
character by proposing the creation
Of a board to conduct Americaniza-
ton work, to consist Of the Lieut.
governor; the chief justice of the
supreme court of errors and the
secretary of the state board of educa-
ton. Wis would mean at the outset
Lieut.. Governor Wilson, Chief Jus
tice Wheeler and Secretary Hine.
Senator HaZen Of the educa-
ton committee opposed the new draft
because of his committees contention
that the state board of education will
committee opposed the new draft be-
cause of his committees contention
that the state board of education will
have all it can do to re-organize it.
self. This committee has favored a
separate department of Americaniza-
ton with an appropriation of $780,
600, but the appropriations COM
mittee side-tracked this for the bill
which was under discussion in both
branches last week, and which again
was amended today. A vigorous de-
bate was opened on the amendment.
No Bonus for Soldiers
When the house opened. Mr.
Rogers, of Manchester, asked Mr..
Eaton of the appropriations commit
tee where the promised bill to provide
for a bonus of two months paw for
Connecticut soldiers and sailors who
served in the war, had gone to. Mr.
Eaton explained that the resources
of the state are s19,OOO,OOO that the
appropriations recomm ended are
$27. 900 leaving deficit of S.
600, 900. This he believed explained
why the bonus was not to be given
much to his regret. The bonus would
amount to about $5,0O0,0O0
Mr.. Rogers later offered a bill to
appropriate $4,SOo,oOO in order that
each man who was in service may re-
ceive $50, the money to be raised by
a bond issue. Mr.. Rogers said that
approximately $4,000 had been in
service and the total loss in wages
was at least $19,O0O,OOO. Such a
bond issue would mean only the ad-
dition of one mill to the state tax
Mr.. Shirk, of Washington, said the
men were in the federal service and
the federal government ought to care
for them Mr.. Rogers asked for a
roll call on the bill but this was
denied him by vote Of the house.
Several members spoke against the
bill and it was defeated 124 to 81.
State Police Get Raise.
When a bill to increase the pay of
officers of the state police was taken
up, Mr.. Rogers tried to amend it,
or Do E1ore,,