New Britain herald., 1921-02-16
MAYOR SEEKS COP
 TO EJECT M'MAHON
AIterCatiOn in Curtis Office Re-
 plete With Fireworks

s. McMahon sums up today set -to between himself and the mayor last evening in the latter's office, during the course of which Mayor Curtis threatened to have MT. McMahon taken out of the office by a police man. The argument waXed warmly for more than half an hour until the mayor, greatly enraged, pointed to the door and addressed MT. McMahon with the statements that he should leave the office or be elected forcibly McMa hons reply was that he would not leave the place neither would he be put out
 All right" the mayor said, "I'u call policeman and have you put out
 The heat of the argument at that pont had brought McMahon to his feet, but upon hearing the last re- sat down and dared the mayor to call in the minion of the law to take him out. Mayor Curtis darted for the phone and called for "96," po- lice headquarters. The line was busy. After hanging up the receiver. Curtis turned to McMahon and said:
 Now, if you want to talk to me or give me any advice, I'm here to hear it but you can't bulldoze me. And. furthermore, don't make any more misstatements or you can't stay in this office.''
 Both disputants settled down to a further discussion of the tax rate proposition at this point and the pyrotechnic display ceased. At the close of the conference, according to MT. McMahon an appointment was made for another session this eve af Juh the recommendations of the board of finance and taxation.
 Cops Chase Each Other.
 MT. McMahon has led the New Britain Taxpayers association for the past two years in the fight for a low CT tax rate and in that connection had come to the office of the mayor to discuss the possibility of lowering the proposed 21.7 rate which goes to the common council tonight. Noticing on the printed budgets an item for $17 ,000 for supernumerary policemen McMahon remarked that eight regu- lar patrolmen could be appointed for that sum and that in former years police board was lucky to have s1.oo0 in that item. He favored hav- ing one motorcycle policeman at the station at all times to answer hurry calls. Under the present system, he told the mayor, the motorcycle cops are chasing one another up and down streets since they have nothing else to do. Mayor Curtis replied with:
 Well. suppose two calls came in at the same time. One man could answer only one.''
 Fireworks Are Lighted
 McMahon learned over the table and pounding his fist forcibly started the fireworks with the following dec larations:
 Suppose. suppose! Suppose the sky was to fall and the moon turn into green cheese. That's all we have been doing, is supposing. Suppose we had an epidemic like the flu again and we couldn't get doctors You know two calls wouldn't come for a policeman at the same time once in a lifetime. and if they did you could send out some of those fire men. They have nothing else to do.
 With fire in his eyes, the mayor glared at McMahon who then fairly bellowed:
 "A year ago you were working with us (the Taxpayers association) to Keep expenses down. You were preaching economy and you showed me and the rest of us how to do it and when you were elected mayor I said you'd keep things down and make a record for yourself. You had good judgment then-and you have 1t still but the trouble is that you don't use it. You let someone else tell you what to do and, by God, mayor, you're the one that's going to suffer for it.''
 Can't "BuIldoze" Curtis.
 Greatly enraged. the mayor cut in with a warming to McMahon not to make any misstatements if he cared to stay in the office. MT. McMahon denied having misstated facts and repeated that the mayor had assisted in the preparation of the Taxpayers budget.
 I'm here to take advice, but won't be bulldozed," said the mayor.
 And you can't bluff me-" quickly shot back McMahon.
 It was at this point that the threat of police interference came and the mayor made an effort to get police headquarters on the wire. When the attempt was unsuccessful, the men sat down again and talked in bus inesslike manner.
 MT. McMahon offered suggestion that the Institute appropriation be greatly cut It is no fairer to give