New Britain herald., 1920-06-19

in eering. While it must be admitted that it is desirous to have harmony in the official family even to the ex- tent of the mayor discharging those who oppose him it must be said that
 he is exercising poor judgment in hItIing at the head of every comn1is- s,oner who happens to disagree with lin: :n opinion.
 Like many other men who attain high public office. His Honor is showing evidence of an attack oi ex- ! aggerated ego and no doubt he IS common to little men in big places, that he is the government, head and feet.
 MT. Dyson is being widely com mended for his attitude in refusing to resign and insisting on being dis charged, which unhappy result was drought about yesterday by Mayor Curtis. As chairman of the Board of Health, MT. Dyson was we'll with in his rights in demanding that he be allowed executive authority and that Mayor Curtis refrain from med ding. The chairman of any com mission should have authority to di- rect the affairs of his department without interference by those who have political axes to grind. Upon this principle stable government" is founded. A chairman should be su- preme until it is clearly evident that he is not competent to discharge the duties of his office when he should be removed.
 It was believed when Mr. Curtis was elected mayor that he would use diplomacy when dealing with mem- bers of city commissions but he has run true to form, as a few who knew him intimately feared he would.
 Such incidents as the Dyson affair are an indication to other commits s;oners that they must not speak above a whisper unless they wish to be thrown overheard ruthlessly. In the meantime the city pays dearly for its mayors temper because men of independent minds will not care to serve under a domineering mas ter.
 In another instance Mayor Curtis has shown lack of vision by announce ing belligerently that he will veto a recommendation from the fire com mission that deputy fire chief be appointed. Such a proposition docs not meet with favor on the part of Mayor Curtis and regardless Of i;-; merits it is doomed to die in the mayoralty waste basket.
 Eugene Barnes, who would be ap- pointed to the position, would serve with credit to himself and the de- partment. He is a man of broad experience and sound judgment and enjoys the respect of all who know him. He has never taken an active .,rf in, hcino fo fn1 low the calling of fireman. Now that the city has an opportunity to re- ward faithful servant and at the same time strengthen it's defenses against fire, Mayor Curtis disapproves and writes finis to the proposition. The mayor should look about him and learn that New Britain has out grown it's swaddling clothes and is a real city with a population of a bout 60,000. It is time that we had a deputy fire chief recognized by the ordinances. But the mayor doesn't want one-so there.
 The rapid increase in the price of potatoes is causing no little concern among men with large families. Po- tatoes are the principal article on many tables and placing them be- yond reach of the family purse bears hard of many workingmen.
 Some stores are charging as high as $20O peck for the new crop. l There is no explanation given, but 1 people are so accustomed to hear irg reasons advanced for the rise in the price of this and that, that they | no longer inquire for the cause i when they learn that something else | has taken jump.
 Unless the prices come down ma l terially before next winter many fam ! flies will have to forego their chief l dish. It is probable that the excess 1 sive cost will have the effect of send | ing people back to the war, gardens | next spring and such a movement l