New Britain herald., 1922-03-07
BUDGETS UP FOR
 ACTION TONIGHT Hot Debate on Amendment of
 Councilman Hart Expected WILL QUESTION LEGALITY
This Issue Is One of several Which Opposition Party Will Raise Board Will Decide on Either 2l or 20 Mill Tax Rate.

The first session Of the City Meet ing board to consider q budget will be held tonight at s o'clock at the school auditorium at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets. Mayor Orson F. Curtis presiding.
 The board will choose between the estimated expenditures ratified by the board of finance and taxation and the common council, calling for Fl mill tax, and the amendment prepared by Councilman Howard $. Hart. which make possible q one mill reduction.
 Reduction Advocated. Under the councils plan. the sum of S2,o5l,245 will be expended and the tax levied with 1Sia mills in the first taxing districtNnd 21a mills in the second taxing district; Council- man Hart's budget calls for s1,955, 1865 with the tax apportioned 17& mills in the first and 2l4 mills in the sec- ond taxing district.
 The cuts proposed in the Hart amendment are made possible by d reduction of 10 per cent. in the gen. eral and special salary lists, and by accepting the councils action in re- ducing the payment on notes issued for a deficit from s127,0o0 to $56,- 900.
 Stiff Fight Expected.
 It is not likely that the Hart amendment will be adopted without stiff fight, if it is adopted at all The board of finance and taxation advo- cated such q plan, so it is likely that members of that commission, who are also on the City Meeting board, will fall in line with the amendment. The common council, representing 50 members of the board, has turned down the proposition with only two dissenting votes, so it is expected that this will give strength to the faction opposing the amendment.
 The question of the legality of cut ting salaries, and the advisability of such action, will be raised by the op- position party, which during tke past week has been strongly organized The common council, alone. has the right to fix the salary of an official : for an employe, pernsal of the charter shows. Mir Hart's contention, how ever. is that the board may apportion q certain amount of money in the salary items and order the commis- sions to readiust their scale of wages to keep within that amount
 school Board To Balk.
 The sentiment of the school board has been sounded on several occasions land there is known to be strong op- position to any movement in the dir- ection of cutting teachers salaries. In addition, practically every teacher in the school system is working under contract and the board is required to nav the amount stipulated, it is arr gued
 One prominent lawyer, member of the city meeting board, stated to- day that, should the board see fit to limit the amount of money to be ap- nropriated for the salary account. 1t would have no effect on salaries. lhe citv would be liable to suit tor the recovery of the unpaid amount, he stated, ,.
 Hart Has support. Councilman Hart will not be wlth- out supporters. In some circles there is a strong sentiment for the reduc- tion of city employees pay and con- certed effort will be made for step ', in that direction at tonights meeting. s In addition to action on the budget. f the board will ratify the transfer or , funds from the general and pavement finds to some of the commissions , whose funds are running low Ac'loii will also be taken on request or the water board for permission to sell , land in Bristol.