The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-17
COMMISSIONERS
 FAIL TO ACT
 ON PROMOTIONS

Impelled by the vigorous protest of SaXpayers' and, according to state nent issued by President Philo C.. Calhoun, by a desire on their part to keep down city expenses, the Board of Police Commissioners last night took no action on the long-deferred Police Department. The regular meeting was preceded by an executive 3Gession to which neither the clerk nor the stenographer of the department were admitted, and it was during this star chamber session that the fol- lowing statement. signed by President Ealhoun, was drawn up:
 Various taxpayers have protested 4o the Board against filling the va rancies existing in the Department at $his time, on account of the financial scondition of the city.
 ttOn the invitation of the Board, Fore it, Monday morning. The dis cussion was entirely amicable.
 'FThe Board appreciates that EBridgeport is facing an economic sit we are fully in sympathy with the aefforts of the Administration to re- xauce operating expenses of the vari. ous City Departments to the lowest potnt consistent with safety.
 ''Even before receiving the recent ton from the Voters League. the Board had considered fways and means of reducing the ex-
 
 'Tf upon further investigation the E3oard feels that it can avoid com kpleting it's organization and at the eane time fulfill it's sworn duty to ER1l taxpayers of Bridgeport, it will not heSitate to act accordingly.
 eve may add that the statements Aof comparative cost of operating Po- 9ice Departments as recently published kour information, far from accurate, Send we shall not accept without the dul1est investigation the claim that ethe operating cost of this Depart ewith other cities of similar size, To- kcation and problems rendering sim Aiiar service
 'PHILO C. CALHOUN,
 "President." Tn postponing the appointments sand prom notions, which have long kDeen agitating the department, the kpolice board has satisfied, at least Temporarily, the demands Of the fVoters' League as set forth in the sHormal protest submitted to Mayor fEred Atwater last Saturday, kept in sslne with the administrations gen sera1 policy of economy and settled Afor a time a dispute among its own Emernbers as to what men should be 
 A number of months ago it was sG1inted that trouble would develop swten the time for promotions and tapp ointments- approached. because of the fact that many taxpayers were supposed to the cYeation of more ex- penses with the department doing ef- dcient work under it's present organi- l 2atiou. This view was shared by | some members of the board. and in | with the squabble over | various candidates. resulted in many | sp spostponements.
 With the appointment of new mem | <bers and the reorganization of the l board. the promotions and appoint l and this time met with open opposi- | fion. The protest voiced by the | Voters League was taken up at a | series of conferences over the week | end, and these culminatd in yester- l days meeting in the City Hall. It | was evidently decided at this time, to | again defer action.
 According to the president of the Board, an attempt will be made to carry out the work of the department without making any further promo done in compliance with the wishes of potesting taxpayers, and will prob ably be given thorough tryout.
 During the executive session, the commissioners decided that the police will continue to make arrests for yio Nations of the jitney oVer-crowding law. desipte the fact that one of these cases is now on its way to the Supreme court for settlement Jitn ey- men claim that the original law was framed to cover touring cars, and not 1he larger type of buses
 Sunday night dancing also came in for disucssion. and it was decided to i allow no Sunday night dances of any kind in Bridgeport.