New Britain herald., 1921-08-20

Conceding the legal right of Mayor
 Curtis to dismiss commissioners when
 hc so choose, isn't Hizzoner going a step too far when he publicly declares
 'ilat all in executive positions to
 which he has appointive power must dccapitated?
 New Britain has been fortunate in
 the past because it has had mayors
 Who We're not only willing to listen to advice but who openly sought it from
 mem bers of their official family. It
 remained for the present incumbent
 to assume the power of omniscience
 and to rage and froth at the mouth
 any time one of his commissioners
 dared to exercise his mental facul-
 ties.
 When commissioners take office,
 they swear to conduct public affairs
 n accordance With the dictates of
 their conscience. This is not supposed
 to be an empty oath but one which
 shall remain in mind at all times. If
 d commissioner believes that a cer- tain course is best for the city and .or all individuals concerned. he must, if he is true to himself, follow tnat course to the end unless the logic Cf his confreres dissuades him. When
 l man takes a subordinate office he
 IS equally as responsible for the dis charge of his duties is the head
 of the adminitration His views need
 not necessarily coincide with those of the man who appointed him and if he
 has the courage of his convictions he will follow his own judgment even
 though such action brings him into
 conflict with his superior.
 MT. Macomber, deposed chairman of the Board of Fire Com mmissionerS, must have followed such coure, con- sc ,ously or uncOnsciouSly, when he
 decided to make articulate the vote
 of the people at the city m<eting to
 ,.Stall a two-platoon system in the
 fire department. As the chairman of he board the responsibility of car rying out the will of the voters fell
 on him and he proceeded fearlessly
 aith full knowledge that he was in V1ting removal from office. He is to he commended for his manly refusalto become subservient to political master. MT. Donahue, who remained
 
 signed rather than serve in such a listasteful berth, is also to be com mended. They stand before the peo- ple fully vindicatcd for doing what | they did
 On the other hand, what a sorry sight the Mayor presents! His first statement following the dismissal of MT. Macomber was that the two-pla- toon system should not become effec- tive because of the 'hard times" Hardly had his words become cold than he reversed his position and stat eG that a modified two-platoon sys- tenn would be installed, this, in spite of the fact that he had forced MT. Macomber out for attempting to do the, very same thing.
 Such inconsistency has frequently | marked the administration of MT. Cur | tio and no one is really surprised. But i It will be pleasant relief when his l term is at an end, and it is to be de- 1outly hoped that he has grace l enough not to go through the motions ] of seeking a renomination. It wouldn't 1 oe at all nice for the republican party 1 to play another practical joke like | that on New Britain.
 l In view of later developments | Mayor Curtis must feel that he erred
 iii summarily dismissing Chairman l Macomber. The fact that the under. l writers had approved the program o1 MT. Macomber and the old board l forces the conclusion that it mus l have been good program.
 It is said that August Bergstrom, {
 former building inspector, is in re 1 captive mood for MT. Donahue l place. MT. Bergstrom, it will be re | called, was a Staunch friend of ex Mayor George A. Quigley but be
 came dissatisfied and went over t. l he Curtis faction.
 ,I A representative of "Hardwar,
 Age" claims to have paid a visit l.
 It'SOme of the plants manufa ct 1lrin;