New Britain herald., 1922-03-08
THE 20 MILL RATE.

THE 20 MILL RATE.
 The city meeting board, for better or for worse, last night adopted the proposals of Councilman Hart and so amended the budget as adopted by the council that 20 mill tax rate will prevail. Inasmuch as Mr. Hart seems to be more or less "in cohoots' with the Mayor and with the powers that be political in the city there will probably be no sustained objections raised to the action of the board and the 20 mill rate will become real one in the city until, at least some one finds that we need money for something and a special meeting is held to levy an extra tax Even that will be collected upon next years bill, will not be paid this year.
 Economy in city government is the wish of the people, there is no doubt of that. They wish 1t, many of them for purely selfish reasons. The land lord wishes it so that he may receive a greater income from his property the tenant wishes it so that he may gain a cheaper rent. We doubt very much if a reduction in four mills or so over last years rate is going to af- feet the price of rents very much, al- though an increase of couple of mills called for vastly increased rental at a time when rents were in demand. The property owner is not yet overwhelmed by great reduction in the demand for rents, he is prob ably still getting war time prices for his tenements. It is doubtful if the great number of people will benefit greatly from the lowered rates.
 However, the running expenses of the city were reaching the breaking point. They were taxing the patience of the public, they were threatening q political upheaval that would be re- gretted' by the organization. The rate came down, it should have for other reasons than those enumerated above, but it came down this year with an entirely different faction behind the move, a faction that counts, a faction that, last year, practically forced the higher rate advocated.
 The expense of the city has piled up partially through the efforts of the politically wise to feather their nests. Jobs were found by the city's chief executive for every petty politician who might control few votes. He was placed in a certain position com- mensurate with his political power. This scheme originated before the time of the present incumbent, but 1t has been carried on. Time went on, it became necessary to add new poll ticians to those already having jobs, and it was thought politically impru- dent to fire the ones already holding places. Thus the city administration became overwhelmingly expensive 1t became unwieldy, with no one to stop the flow of money out of the coffers into the pockets of more or less worthy workers.
 elf t,a fnd1V why the ten per cent salary cut, ire spective of where the aX falls, IS un- fair. The proper way to effect the desired end is to undertake thor ough revision of the salaries Of all city employees, individually. The non- producer should be cut one hundred per cent, and told to look for job. Others might have certain amount of value realized by the granting Of | wage fifty per cent of what they are getting now. Possibly others should be raised. Tn a factory organ ization where a man is worth nothing he IS tlTpU, w ItIf llt Ia Ntil ili'i' '" IVY of money through his capability' for the firm, he is kept, the firm cannot afford to fire him. We are distinctly in favor of economy at city hall, pro- viding that economy is exercised without fear or favor,
 Who is to accomplish this revision Of salaries? That is where the rub comes Will it be q politician who is afraid of votes? Scarcely possible. Will anyone but q politician take the reins of government in the city and run it properlyP That is a question for the people 10 answer.