The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-20
Stratford

The Christmas spirit has hit Strat- ford early this year, many wreaths and some of the trees already being In evidence.
 A good attendance is expected at the meeting in the Town Hall, tonight, at which time those who gain admtI- tance will have an opportunity of having the appraisal plan put into effect by Town Manager Hunter and introduced by the Manufacturers Ap- praisal Co. of Phila-, will be explained. Should it be entirely fair, the $4,0O0 will be considered well spent. Many have no doubt that under the old system some property was underVal- higher than any property in the same neighbour ood ever brought at a sale. This was especially true of property in the north end of the town.
 What some people do not under stand is just this. Why should tax payers have to go to the inconyenience and accomplish the near Impossible at night to a school house to hear a system explained and to make a protest while you have the chance, If you don't think the valuation they are going to place on your property is falir? ?" If the system is all that is claimed for it-is equitable fool proof, and takes all conditions into consideration, why all the protesting? Why is 1t necessary?
 The survey should take into consid- eraton present selling values, loca- ton. conition of thoroughfare, side- walks missing on approaching prop erty, use private or public, cond1- ton of building (both as to exterior and trolley, (bearing in mind that in creased trolley fares recently effec- tive have decreased value in many instances). and many other condi- Ir-<Nyy make a difference. Another matter, that is causing a lot of people thought is the fact that they purchased prop erty when a five cent ride to work was available on a titney. Now it costs them 15 cents on @ trolley, and takes longer.
 After it is all said and done the whole valuation and millage argu- nent revolves to this: It will be the ''nake" or "brealk' of the council gre many people who believe the IAn g. success. There are @ great many others who believe 1t a failure always have, always will, and are aydng awake nights hoping 1t will be q "fizzle'' Then there is the third element, the balance wheel, that Is skeptfcal, from Missouri and wait ing to be shown.
 It matters not to this crowd of tax payers, some of them taxpayers even if they were not born and raised m Stratford, and haven't their names in the early histories of the town. This particular element cares not about whether valuations are raised ana the mill lowered, or visa versa What they do want is this: They heard a lot of prediction arguments pro and con. They expect to see the town improve and taxes kept where they promised by those who fostered the council-ma.nager idea. They expect the promise to be kept-maybe not the coming summer, but certainly py kept, the life of the consciousness plan may not be long, although 1t is doubtful if a halppy-go-lucky system would ever be allowed to prevail again, as the old system was alleged to have been-
 An automobile accessory store in the center displays a sign on the Win dow, meant for cold motors, which reads, Good natured alcohol for sale.'' Oh for the life of 9 Ford!
 In spite of a vote taken some time ago at an American Legion meeting. there are still some ex-servtce men, and some members of the Legion, an adjusted compensation bill will be passed early in the new year; and don't care who knows they would like to have ''bonus," as some are bound to call the plan.
 Should the adjusted compensation ever become a reality, the efforts Of the American Legion weekly can largely be assigned credit for having the ex-servtce men taken care of by the plan-
 H. F. Pape, Sherwood place, pur- chasing agent at the Hancock avenue plant of the American Tube & Stamp ing company, did not think much of nlJ ak STrt He fs willing to see 9 fair trial now before he makes a decision
 The Fire department received Q cali at 11:15 last night from the Fe- dorkis Feed store, Sutton avenue where @ blaze had gotten consider able headway before being noticed by the proprietor, who claims to have tme in the week. When he gave up the chase and returned to the store, he found the place blazing merriiy, that Fedorkis alleges burglars at. tempted a break at his place. Chief Allen Judson estimates tho losa at this morning.
 The week is being celebrated as Anniversary Week. at the Stratford theatre On Wednesday and Thurs day an Ampico concert will be pre- scented in connection with the film program, embracing Bill Hart In ''The @ Whistle'' and Charles Chaplin in 'HTlae Idle Glass;
 At a committee meeting to be held tonight 1t is probable that 6 decis- 6on will be made as to the most ad- vasable method to follow to put Stratford in a class with Milford, having a hospital within the confines of the Town. E. H. Beers heads a Chamber of Commerce committee, ap- pointed some time ago, the others being John Smith, William Hart. George A. Fairchihd, Jr., Walter Ged- dard, MT. Snyder, Dr. RossnkranH, Elliott W. Peck and George Chase. A survey has been taken and a definite step may be taken at the meeting to- night The Arthur WlNeeier residence on Acae1ny Hill, Is considered an ideal location, and 1t Is possible that the property might be obtained at a, fair figure and easy terms, because of the nature of the use to which 1t would