The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-10
$72O,0OO Is Needed For Unemployed
Director Coughlin May May Take Over Work Of Two Other Depart ments To Give Thorne Necessary Funds.

Urgent need of $720,0O0 for the next years demands of the Charities Department may be met by the creation of a contingent fund of the combined acquisitions for pavements, sewers, streets and sidewalks for the com ing year. Superintendent Angus P. Thorne would have, the handling of the fund, while Director of Pub, lie Works George M. Cough lin. would supervise all phy- sical improvement work that Is done in the city. The plan has been suggested by Director Coughlin, and will be taken under considera- tion of city officials at a special conference Monday afternoon.
 Acquisitions have been filed with the Board of Apportionment for ap- proximately s1,0oO,000 by the De- partment of Public Works, the Paw ing and Sewer Commission, and the Streets and Sidewalks committee. An average of $60,00O a month. or $72o,- 900 for the year. have been asked for the relief of unemployment. To grant all the requisition would create a positive necessity for a tax rate around 32 mills.
 Director me
 Under Director Coughlin's plan,5 the appropriations that normally would have been granted to his de- partnnent, the Paving Commission and the Streets and Sidewalks com nlittee will be combined and given to Superintendent Thorne for disburse- al projects As under the working arrangements now in force. Supt- Thorne would hire the men neces- sary, who would be put to work by Director Coug'hlin on the paving, sewer ,or sidewalks projects that are ordered by the separate commissions
 Not only would a special cohtfn- gent fund appropriation of $72O,00O for charity work be saved but the years program of the paving com mission and streets and sidewalks committee carried out, the necessary physical improvement made, and the thousands of unemployed men and women adequately cared for.
 Special Conference Monday
 DHNClOT COuS1lln VIII outline hi8 plan in detail at a special conference Monday afternoon to Mayor Fred At water, Superintendent Thorne, Pres ideDt William E. Burnham of the Board of Apportionment, City Auditor Bernard Heating, and the sub-coun- m1ttees of the apportionment board on the charities and public works de- partn ent
 Requests are now before the board for a total of s1,062,355 for work on streets. The paving and sewer com mission has asked for $150,00O, Direc- and the streets and sidewalks commit requisition of more than S1,00OOOo the Board of Apportionment will cut at least $30O,oO0 allowing about $700,000 for the work next year.
 Requires $6O 900 Monthly
 The imperative need for S6O,0O0 month for the coming year for the charities department care of unem- p1oyed is unanimously recognized and without doubt a contingent fund for s72o,oo will be set aside for the purpose. The two appropriations would total approxim ate1y S1,420,0 900 which in itself would mean several additional mills to the tax rate.
 A single appropriation of S720,000 and encouragement of schedules and departmental duties, in accord ance with the Cough1in plan would provide for every need eliminate every unnecessary exp endfture, and tide the city over the gravest finan- cial crisis that has arisen in years.