New Britain herald., 1922-01-04
MINCLE POLITICS WlTHL0W BUDGET
Commissioners Will Assist in
 Move to Reduce Tax Rate
ECONOMY IS WA 7cco',H,nnpn coHk,Np''n,
Departments Will Pcr TI-K. Estimated Expenses To Be Submn- ted To Board of Finance and TaNa- tiOn For Pruning" Process.

That d concerted effort is being made to bring down the tax rate this year possibly for what effect 1t will have upon the political questions to be raised next spring, is indicated Tn the economical manner in which the drafting of budgets Is being taken up by local commissions and boards.
 Is Weighty Argument.
 During the last few mayoralty con tests the tax-rate argument has been in the fore constantly. Mayor Curtis, who is expected to be q candidate to succeed himself, has been endeavoring for several months to avoid the levy of a special tax this year. If this is possible the rate will be reduced ap- preciably.
 If the commissions can be prevail ed upon to pare down estimates to the core, further reductions will be possible and excellent campaign pro- paganda provided, it is pointed out.
 "Conscrvative" Lists. Very conservative budgets are to be the rule in the water board and pub lie works department officials of those two commissions intimated this morn- ing.
 The water board will meet Monday night to discuss estimated expenses and the public works board will be called together within the next two weeks.
 The principal items in the water commissions plans are expenditures for labor. It is not felt wise policy to cut down on this item since work is being provided for the unemployed, it is explained. With a large surplus on hand, there will be need for llt- tie income through taxation, Few New Public Works. There are no new works of cost ly nature being considered by the board of public works, City Engineer J. D. Williams states.
 With the exception of an estimate for the conduct of dental clinic, the budget of the health board will not l include any unusual items this year, Dr. Frank Zwck, chairman of the commission, feels.
 The clinic has been. operating for several weeks. Funds to make this possible were raised by popular sub scription with the understanding that the item would be included in the health budget .... A committee to draft a budget has been named, consisting of Drs. Zwick and Joseph Walsh and Thomas Me- Kee. They will meet Friday afternoon to prepare report for next Tues days meeting.
 School Board Plan. The school committee will receive the report of it's finance committee Friday afternoon. In addition to reg ular expenses, an item for sanitary repairs will be included this year. An inspection of the school has disclosed to the satisfaction of board members the need for such repairs, they say. A similar attitude is reported to have been taken by other boards, mainly at the solicitation of taxpayers, expressed through department heads and others.
 "Pr,ming" Committee Ready. The finance and taxation board, in whose hands lies the right to "prunc' estimates, will meet shortly to draft | its schedule of hearings. In view of the especially interesting political campaign in the spring in which 1i- nances are expected to play an inn portant part, the work of the com mission in pairing budgets will be 1 watched with more than usual inter- | est