New Britain herald., 1922-05-13


 order to circumyent their arrogance 1t is necessary for reporters to use all the talents at their disposal to learn what Is going on from other sources. It is said that women cannot keep secrets. Perhaps that Is true. It Is certain that men cannot, and for that reason many officials confide news of their acts to others. the others pass 1t along. and eventually it trickles into reporters ear In distorted form.
 The Observer hopes that the police commission and the reporters will be able to get along together. Some times a difference of opinion arises between the press and commission over what constitutes news. The mere ukase by a commissioner that We don't care to have this appear in print" should not be sufficient cause always for keeping it out of print. Reporters and city editors usually use their own judgment in matters affecting their papers.
 It is a pleasure to learn that the new police commission has thrown
 
 Fourth Estate. This only goes to prove that the world is rapidly ap- preaching normalcy.
 Announcement by the police board that it had selected William Hart for director of the detective bureau and William P. McCue for sergeant was eff arti Both men have seen much police ser vice and it is an incentive to younger members of the force to know that promotion can be expected if they perform their duties loyalty and efficiently.
 Both Hart and McCue have been active as members of the strong arm squad, the former being head of all activities and in charge of the cam paign to stamp out violations of the eighteenth amendment. That they have done what they set out to do. re- gardless of whether public sympathy is with them, is shown by the long list of offenders they have hailed be- fore the bar of justice.
 The question of whether the strong arm squad shall be continued will probably be discussed by the police commission in the near future. It is hinted that the squad may be discon- tinued, with Hart and McCue occu- pied with routine work of their re- spective positions. Chief Rawlings appears to be in favor of maintaining a squad and suspects that any oppo- sition to it's existence comes from those who have felt the hand of the law heavily on their shoulders.
 It is to be hoped that the recom- of City Engineer Will iams for the adoption of a paving policy will be given serious consid eration by the new board of public works. Because of financial short age, it has been necessary to spend sparngly in the construction of new streets and the repair of old ones. Consequently, pavements have been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that it will be necessary now to spend many thousands of dol lars to put them into proper condi- tion.
 It might be well for the board of public works, if it has not already decided to do so, to study permanent policies in effect in other cities. In some communities it is customary to adopt five-year road building programs with plan of we'll mapped out. It would seem to a layman that such a pro- gram in this city would not be out of place. New pavements are necessary to keep pace with the expansion of the city. Also enough money should be set aside to repair what roads we have.
 New Britain's streets are far from being in good condition. They close ly resemble a patchwork quilt which has been years in the making. This is not the fault of anyone in particu- lar but the result of the retrench- ment that was necessary during the war and the years following. Former boards have done well with the funds at their command. From now on a uniform policy of rehabilitation should be adopted and followed out.
 An interesting story which lacks but which persists in bobbing up now and then is being told concerning relations existing be- tween Mayor Paonessa and ex-Mayor Curtis and which might throw some light on the defeat of George A.