New Britain herald., 1922-02-20
THE TAX RATE.

Ii is possible that history will re- peat itself and that a budget will be presented to the City Meeting Board calling for lower tax rate than adopted by the common council Such move is always possible hence the necessity of considering the facts.
 Probably there is no one in this city, thoroughly familiar with the city's financial condition and the city's needs, who desired lower tax rate more intensely than did F. s. Chamberlain, president of the board of finance and taxation. He has exterted every effort to bring about a lower rate at a sacrifice of valuable time, devotion to the thankless work which should not be overlooked.
 Mr. Cham berlain was shocked when he compiled comprehensive figures showing how the city's expenses had IAAlCI CdSCA anu uO" lLCy olC otlii III
 heasing.
 At MT. Chamberlain's instigation. fully sympathized with by other members of the board, the budget was cut to the quick and, to illus trate his remarks before the con- mon council, it was cut in some cases so deep that blood was drawn. The appropriations were reduced ''as much as it was safe to do' and he was frank to admit, they were cut in some cases possibly more than was safe. And MT. Chamberlain knows. practical sense and bringing all his influence to bear to bring as low tax rate to the city as possible and allow the city to live decently-to little more than breathe.
 So impressed was the common council that it adopted, practically without question, that portion of the budget presented by Mr. Chamber lain and the board regarding appro- priations other than those for sal aries.
 That salary matter has been fought out and the salaries left as they are against the advice of the board.
 The rest of the budget must be left as it is and not cut if New Britain is to retain q semblance of the char acter she now possesses. If other ap- populations are cut there will be blood from the city indeed. Those who heard MT. Chamberlain speak be- fore the common council realize this fact.
 There are certain items in the budget, such as s3o,000 for the New Britain Institute which appeal to the habitual objectors because of the amount and for no other reason except, possibly, that the New Britain Institute is a place such objectors do not patronize and which such ob jectors would not encourage their children to patronize.
 It is submitted that to take from this city the library would be but \l step less harmful than taking from it the schools. Those unfamiliar with the library-and they are compara- lively few-do not realize the educa tional advantages it affords-do not realize that the worth while people of the city, workers and students, men and women who would take higher positions in the world, ana men and women who would aid oth- | CTS to take such higher positions, de- pend absolutely upon the library. And l such people do not realize the great boon the library is to the children, the school schildren-to everyone who i has the energy to find out all it may mean to anyone and to use the knowledge thus gained. To hamper the work of the library would be to take from New Britain one Of it's chief sources of information and, in q less degree, of pleasure, that makes this city a real place to live and of which to be proud-a city of oppor- tunity
 And to cut this appropriation would be 10 deal blow to the Institute from which it would recover only after 4 long struggle,
 If a budget calling for lower tax rate is presented to the City Meeting Board it is to be doubted if it will be lt done in good faith, to save the city It taxpayers needless expense. It may be done for the purpose of gaining i publicity for the proponents. f But if it is done there should be Ii no support for it among intelligent lf peouIe. There will be none, fl is pre- tt licted, among members of that board f selected by the people because they It are intelligent and representative and Il