New Britain herald., 1922-03-23
FIRE BOARD REFUSES REQUEST MADE
 BY HIGGINS THAT HE BE RETAINED
M. P. Leghorn, Main Street Businessman, Opposes Fireman's Application for Reinstatement.
Commissioners Vote Not
 To Recommend Pay Cuts

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 At special session of the board of fire commissioners this morning. the resignation of Lieut.. Thomas Higgins from the department was accepted, and the board adopted resolutions op- posing reductions in the pay of fire men at this time.
 Lcghorn Opposed.
 Lieut.. Higgins was given a hearing on his application for reinstatement. It was opposed by NJ. P. Lcghorn, one of the eX-fireman's debtors who ob- iected to payment by the city of $40 week to a man who, he alleged, did not pay his bills, and who was around "boozing and carousing" all the time.
 Capt. Souncy's Version.
 A communication from Capt. Mich ael Souney of Company No. ,. was presented. Captain Souney explained to the board that Higgins left his post at 2:45 o'clock Monday after noon after receiving his pay and giv- ing verbal notice of quitting. The captain asked that he put the resig- nation in writing, but this was not done. Capt Souney ventured an opin- ion that financial troubles may have caused Higgins action as one of his creditors had called on him earlier in the day. ""
 Higgins Explains.
 Chairman Hjerpe suggested that Higgins, who was present at the meet ing. be given an opportunity to eX- plain his action. There was no ob- jection on the part of the comm S. sioners, and Higgins was given the floor.
 The former lieutenant agreed that he had acted too hastily. He ex- plained that he was ''up against it financially and his creditors were bothering him for money, but would not accept what installment terms he was in position to offer This so distracted him that he resigned not fully aware of what he was doing. He reminded the commissioners that he had given the best part of his life to fire fighting, entering the de- partment's service when he was 22 years of age. He has been fire man IF years.
 Lcghorn Holds Note.
 He told the commissioners that about s1,7oo is involved in his finan- cial difficulties. Of this amount s1,- 100 is on a note held by Mir. Leghorn and others, while the remainder is in notes held by Hartford banking houses. He was willing, it reinstated to have the chief deduct an install- ment on the debt each week
 In 1917, Higgins purchased a milk route, putting another man in charge. The business was failure and the result was a petition of bankruptcy. He lost all the money he had put into the business and all he could get else where, he told the commission Since that time his creditors, he said have been continually pestering him for money.
 Promises to Pay.
 In reply to a question of Commits sioner F. A. Parsons, Higgins admit ted he owes S11S on tickets for the Iiremen's ball. He assured payment of the entire amount as soon as he was paid.
 Michael P. l,eghorn. who described himself as 'one of the unfortunate creditors," said he, Mir. McGrail and Mir. Berg backed Higgins on a note for s1,500. The ex-freman paid nothing, he said. not even an .nstall- ment such as was suggested to him.
 .Assails Higgins Habits.
 ''I don't object to being stuck by an honest man who can't pay" Mir. Leg horn said, but l do object to paying the debts of a man who draws $40 a week from the city and goes around boozing and carousing. Ask him what he was doing last Monday"
 Higgins replied that he was on duty Monday morning, and not drink ing. He offered to pay s5 week in of Leghorn's bill. but Commissioner Parsons asked how this could be done since he is no longer q of the department.
 Hints at "Decpcr Things"
 Commissioner w. C. Eranowit2 questioned the fireman at length, He asked that tho cards be placed on the
 
 been a thorn in the side of the fire for many months. 1lig- gins refused to explain what he meant by statement
 "There's deeper things in this case than any of you men are aware of
 Messrs. Higgins and Leghorn were excused while the board discussed the case.
 Mir. Tomaszewski was in favor of retaining Higgins but reducing his -ank 10 that of hoseman.
 Commissioner kranowitz felt that, or the good of the department, the should he accepted.
 Not A Good Leader.
 Chief w. J. Noble said the lieuten- mt was a good fireman and fearless, put not the man 10 be lieutenant since he has not the respect of the nen under him. He favored dis ,ipline in the department, even if it vas necessary to do the distasteful ,ct of dropping men from their jobs.
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