New Britain herald., 1922-01-26
Sixth Warder Accuses
 Manufacturers Of De- string Reductions So They May Follow Suit
Canvass of Common Council Indicates That Sentiment Is Not Friendly to Any Radical Slashing of Pay.

Attacking the plan of certain mem bers of the salary committee to put q 10 per cent. reduction in the wages of city officials and employees into ef- feet Alderman Angelo M. Paonessa, of the sixth ward, today branded the move as manufacturers propaganda 10 make possible further reductions in the pay of factory workers.
 Resolution Is Doomed
 The alderman stated that he would not vote in favor of such a reduction. That there is q sufficient number of council members of like mind to de- feat such resolution, if one is intro- duced, is indicated in a canvass made today by the Herald.
 Straight Cut Unfair
 The sixth ward alderman feels that there are some instances where re- ductions might be made, but that a straight cut would be unfair. He ar gues that city employees have only re- gently begun to draw the wages they earn. Alderman Paonessa asserted that the factory officials have always
  since they have used those salaries as a standard for their plants. When ever city wages took a jump, it was necessary to increase the pay in fac tories; if there was cut in municipal salary lists, the manufacturers would take advantage of an opportunity to further reduce their held, he said
 Cuts Would Reach All
 In this way, he points out, a cut in the pay of city officials and employees would not only affect those cut, but a majority of workmen throughout the city
 As far as he has been able to as certain, Mir. Paonessa says, Council man Howard Hart is the only man who adheres to the 10 per cent. idea. And the councilman is a factory of- . ficial," Alderman Paonessa added.
 The sixth warder asserted that on many occasions he has been ap- preached by the heads of local in dustries with a request that he use his influence to keep down the pay of city help. The reasons advanced were that it would seriously affect the payrolls of local factories.
 Gilpatric Is Curious
 Alderman r. Raymond Gilpatric, president pro tenn. of the common council feels that the salary commit tee will have to subject itself to some searching questions before such q measure can be put over.
 In a statement to the press this morning, accompanying his objections to a flat cut of 10 per cent. the third ward alderman wondered if the com mittee had thoroughly investigated before acting. The average salary has been boosted one-third in the last five years, he estimated, while the costs of living have increased two thirds in that time.
 This condition, he stated, does not hold true in every instance, but since there are instances where it is true he does not feel that a fiat reduction is fair.
 May Be Minority Report
 Councilman Michael Kerwin, Mich ael King and Burton c. Mercy have expressed themselves at sessions of the salary committee as opposed tc the proposed recommendations. l, was directly through their objections that the salary committee did not formulate a recommendation for 10 per cent cut at the last meeting Councilman Hart, asked, however, if be might submit a minority report to the council.
 Councilman Gardner c. Weld of the third ward, also opposes the genera cut. He feels that careful considera- tion should be given each and every salary and where it is apparent that the incumbent is deserving of more pay, he should be increased; if the opposite condition is found to be true the councilman favors reductions.
 a5 Per Cent. In Some Cases
 Alderman George H. Wells of the first ward feels that there are in stances where 25 per cent. cut could be put into effect without losing the services of some city officials and em- ployes. He does not feel, however that a straight cut is justified.
 ''Passing Buck" Wells Says.
 The first warden strenuously objects to what he terms passing the buck from the commissions to the salary COI1IHllItc dllu luCll AllS oeblhi J committee to the council. He feels that the commissioners are in posi- tion to know whether the men under them are entitled to more money or should be reduced and they should make such recommendations to the council, he states. The salary commit tee, being a smaller group than the council should be in a position to thoroughly investigate and present recommendation to the main body, he feels.
 Battey Also Opposetl.
 Councilman H. r. Battey was of the belief that the proper place to ex- press his ideas was in the council nevertheless he does not approve a straight cut in pay, he said.
 Councilman Maxwell Porter of the third ward q member of the council . committee on salaries will not fall in line with any movement tending to bring about a straight reduction all aiorg Inc line, he asserts. He has