New Britain herald., 1922-04-22


 The mayor has come out in favor of higher wages for men who earn their living wrestling with q pick, Good
 stutf. High wages for low jobs Swing-
 ng pick in trench about the lowest
 job there is in city
 Following out some standard ol
 paying wages, grave digeers should
 he rolling around in cadillacs,
 Flag pole painters would be work ing for nothing,
 1 How about the elevator men In
 City hall? Part of the time they're in
 the cellar and part just under the caves,
 Just the same, pick swingors de' serve to be paid well. Punching
 holes in uuyielding globe is no sport, Funny way of trying to get up in tho
 world, too,
 Reminds writer Of story, Gentle
 man from Ireland landed in New l York Saw bs ships anchor lying
 on dock. Hung around couple of
 hours until Natchman asked him what
 he wanted. Nothing, he replied
 Just waiting around 10 see the man l W llb HNlllEN Allbl IlNN' T illlls S''i V
 Writers grandfatcr used to kick the
 slats out of his crib every time he heard it.
 Another point why the pack with the pick should get better wages. Think of what an appetite feller can
 get doing that kind of work. Then
 think of the cost of food. l. wages l are low. appetites can't be satisfied. | Result: All pick swingers in world
 die of starvation. No more ditches dug. Horrible to think about. i Man who wrote poem about little grains of sand" must have had prac- tice swinging pick
 Mayor might go little bit further. Good idea to serve tea to pick gang at II a. m. and 3 p. m. Also put Nictrolas in trenches to keep them happy. When pickcrs are engaged in digging tunnel could have moving picture show Pictures of underworld | barred. Mother idea. (All free). Have an- nual competition for best pickers in city. Declare holiday. Close City hall. Gather municipal family at Wal nut Hill park. Entrants to be classi- fled according to weight Award pink silk ribbon to winner of each class. Winners could wear pink rib bon on pick handles until next an nual contest.
 Much plain and fancy picking dur ing depression. Men used to letting wife sift ashes got jobs chauffeuring picks for city. Some lasted eight minutes. Others fainted when pick was put into hands. Casualties in, ranks something awful. Picks to right of them. No one to swing them
 Lots of nice office workers will have much more respect for gents in the trenches after this. Know one who joined Curtis subterreanean ex- petition short time ago. Now tips hat every time he passes man wear ing pick on his shoulder. Must work with man to know him, must live with woman to know her. Must swing pick to understand it's ugly disposition.
 Next mayoralty election will expec, to see pickers' parade. Big sign in front: We Pick Paonessa" Nothing that has transpired in poll tical circles in many years has caused surprise equal to that when Mayor Paonessa declined to approve seec- ton of Harry Hargreaves as deputy city clerk. The effect has been to cause wide divergence in public opin- icn. Naturally, Mr. Hargreaves' friends-and he is not wanting in this respect--feel that an injustice has been done him. They point to his long and clean record with the city government and 10 his military rec ord during the war and express dis approval of the manner in which he has been deprived of his office.
 If the mayor follows out his policy of reducing the working force in the city clerks office, or of maintaining the same force at less expense, wnat- ever offense he gives to MT. Har- greaves' friends will be overlooked l and forgotten by tax payers by next election. Mayor Paonessa has gone into office pledged to effect economies | wherever possible. If, in order to keep his pledge, it is necessary to | dispense with the services of popular city officials, he should adhere to his course regardless of small storms he l may create.
 It was unfortunate for Mir. liar sreaves that the mayor saw chance to save money in the city clerks eX- pensc account. Mir. Hargreaves, as deputy city clerk, was alert at all | times and served with a record which | he can recall with pleasure. He was a good worker and diplomat in deal | ing with the most disagreeable peo- pie in the world--the public. Moth ing can truthfully be said that would reflect unfavorably on the manner in which he discharged his duties. His retirement is simply the result of the new administration discovery that as much work can be accomplished in the city clerks office at less ex- pense.
 It is said that Miss Jean Coch- rane will be appointed deputy city clerk to succeed Mir. Hargreaves. | Such promotion would meet with general approval Miss Cochane is | probably as familiar with the routine of the office as City Clerk Thompson | himself and is thoroughly capable of handling any situation which might | arise, Her experience has qualified | her to assume such an important of- flee. Her appointment would be de- serving recognition of long service in | this department and a compliment to | the women of the city. If anyone is | 10 be appointed deputy city clerk it should be Miss Cochrane.