New Britain herald., 1920-01-24
THE OBSERVER
 MAKES RANDOM OBSERVATIONS THE CITY AND ITS PEOPLE.
MAKES

New Britain has absorbed enough political excitement during the past week to endure for many weeks. The battle between Mayor Quigley and councilman Curtis at the meeting of the common council Wednesday even suspects His Honor of political mo- tives in fostering a spirit of opposi- tion to the new service rates of the lighting company, as was to be ex- pected. Frankly, We positively fear We would all die of ennui if Mayor Qulgley and Alderman Curtis should suddenly and simultaneously resign from the city government. Imagine such a state. The community would go into a state of innocuous desuetude or Somethin'.
 Councilman A. Gorbach and Pres- ident k. x. Humphrey of the Board of Public Works also contributed to the saicty of nations Tuesday evening by mduleing in arguments at the board meeting. Seems like old times have come back again.
 George M. Landers, eX-mayor ex- senator and present councilman, has come out publicly with q statement endorsing the movement of Robert Scoville for the nomination of Her bert Hoover for president. X peculiar condition is created as Mir. I.anders is q democrat and MT. Scoville is a republican. Even more peculiar than that, however, no one seems to know just what Mr. Hoover's political ten dencies are.
 Another chapter in political actiN'i-
 
 sociation, which is in opposition to the introduction of the tvo-platoon system in the fire depa ltment. It is problematicaI what would follow if the question were placed before the people. The Taxpayers association has shown that it is well-organized and a power to be reckoned with, no matter what one may think of it's policies.
 The city has lost two good servants through the resignation of City Fin Gineer William IT. Hall and Plum hing Inspector Thomas J. Quinlivan and gain the question is brought mp, what can be done to prevent the fur ther defection of capable city em- ployes: Economy is the cry. but whether it is a genuine or false econ omy to permit the city to lose it's best men because of low salaries is some thing deserving of serious consider ation. Efficiency is demanded of men today and the man who is efficient at making mouse traps or building suspension bridges. need not finger at the door of an employment bureau waiting to hear his name called. It is understood that Mr. Hall will enter private business as the direct ing head of d large construction coln- pany and his friends expect that his talents will be much more generously rewarded. Air. Quinlivan also plans 10 go into business and as he is known ;ts a first class man at his trade he should not want for patronage. A serious situation confrontS the public as the result of the heavy snows. It is necessary that snow be cleared away from certain places, notably fire hydrants and gutteTs. We have had some tremendously inspiring examples of patriotism during the past few weeks. Cannot we carry the l lesson farther and ask property own ! CTS to shovel snow away from hy- { drants near their homes and to clear ! the cutters? The present prohioitiEe l price of labor will return a heavy l burden on the city in the way of eN | nense unless some such action is done 1 We can't all go over the top with 1 gun in our hands but we can prove