New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-02-11

at this time mighN8
aiding the labor sitnA&1
many men who would
outside work. Mr. Broo
carefully explained all t43
park development in the cifS
ing for money for the po1ic1M1
South End park property he e38
that there are many making A
Of taking Christmas trees froHa
property. Mr.. Brooks also expl4
the proposed elimination of the p
at the top of Walnut Hill and the a
stitution of italian sunken gardens &3
the erection of a pergOla on the sp1A.
To complete that work $40, 900 IA
wanted.
There was opposition to the Change
there and the erection of the pergolaM
Mr. G. F. Smith explained that In his
opinion there would be no better place
for the erection of a monument to the
soldiers and sailors Of the city if the
people decided that a monument was
the form of q memorial to the men.
Mr.. Brooks wanted the top of the park
for recreation and a general feeling
of good spirit and the erection of a
soldiers monument would interfere
with that idea. Also he thought that
in that case Il designer would have to
make his monument fit the surround
ings instead of making the surround
lngs fit the monument. He favored
the gardens and the pergola.
Pool Near Hart Street.
The board of health demonstrated
because of the conditions existing
around the Wading pool last summer
and the pool was closed. The commits
sloners now wish to have q pool and
a regular children's playground built
off Hart street on the south side, and
for this work they have asked for
$41, 900. Mr.. Brooks explained what
the proposed playground would be.
He said that water seems to be neceS-
sary where the children play and they
want to have a good pool in that part.
IN the playground there would DE
provisions for the little tots as we'll
as the bigger children. Swings and
other equipment would be provided
and then the playground commission
could take over the care of that work.
Fl. G. NJ. Thomson of the American
Hardware corporation spoke for the
development of the parks. He said it
was vital in order to compete with
nearby cities for labor. The other
cities provide good parks and entice
the laborers into those cities. He
thought New Britain should develop
it's park land and keep it's men in this
city. Later he spoke along the same
line saying that the better class Of
labor would remain here with the
added attraction.
Mr.. Brooks explained the $500
asked for the new clerk saying that
his services are needed either as a
l. ~I1
etc, or an assistant to the super
intendent and be part time in the
office and part time out doors.
George P. Hart spoke in favor of
developing parks. He said this city
has been backward for 40 years in this
work and that the city would now
have to pay up for the backwardness.
He was of the opinion that the people
were just waking up to the necessity
Of developing the land. He did not
think that the objections would come
from the large taxpayers. He also
backed up the opinion of the two
speakers before him that the work
was necessary for to keep labor in
the city. He thought that a better
class of workingmen would remain in
the city il there were good parks here
Fl or % Mill Tax.
There ensued a general discussion
of the park question. It was remark
ed that the city might not be able to
get away with much less than q 27 or
Is mill tax for the coming year. The
matter of q re-valuation of city pro-
perty was also brought up. Mr.. Cham
berlain remarked that every city Is
entitled to re-survey by Feb. /. 1920.
AS far as Is known there has been no
step taken in the matter In this city
and whether it will or not Is unknown.
It was the opinion that the work
should be started and done systematic
cally.