New Britain herald., 1922-02-03
POLICE AND FIRE
 BOARDS ARE HEARD
Finance and Taxation Commission
 Discusses Appropriations

Hearings on the police boards budget of s14s,2i7 and the fire com missions estimate of sl5s b6bo, were given last night by the board or | finance and taxation. Chairman r, F. | King, Secretary Joseph McGrail and l Commissioners stephen Robb and $, NJ, Dawson appeared in the interests | of the police items, and Chairman Emil Hjerpe, Secretary John J Keough and Commissioner William Kranowitz for the fire board Police Want ;s1iS,2i7.
 The police board was allowed sl375G7 for this year Already sos,- l Ohl.A2 has been spent and s3S,sS6.l6 will be required to carry through the remaining months, is estimated,
 An increase of $500 is asked In the item of gasoline and oils. The commission was allowed $500 this year. This has already been over drawn to the amount of $lS6, and ! $500 more will be needed to com plete the year. request is made to increase the incidental account from ] 1900 to $l 800 to take care of the many drains on this account The 1 board was allowed s200 for repairs last year. This year it feels that l s75o will be needed and that item is included in the budget. New stairs and new floor at police headquar- ters must be placed Chairman King explained.
 One Cop to Each 1000.
 The chairman called attention to | the fact that there are 46 patrolmen, five sergeants, lieutenant, a captain and chief. this being less than one policeman to every thousand inhab- itants. He asked that sl0,950 be all lowed for six more policemen.
 In reply to a question, MT. King stated that the pension fund is in good shape at present, although there is a possibility that the pensioners list may be added to this year.
 Explaining the item on new patrol men, Chairman King said it is pro- | posed to create three new beats and assign three more men to traffic duty
 l Want $2,5OO for Car. The sum of s2,500 is asked for 1 new automobile for use as a service | on the present service car. Board members do not feel that the present car should be kept running since it has proved d big expense to the de- paftment.
 Commissioner Robb spoke in the interests of the various items includ cd in the estimates.
 Mayor Curtis questioned the com missioners as to why the federal au- thorities were the first to raid Mary Wisk's establishment and confscate a still" The commission explained that a warrant cannot be secured here unless a sale is proved within a cer tain time. This is not always pos sible. When warrant cannot be se- cured the information is given over to federal authorities.
 Fire Boafd $159. 9.156.5O. In the fire boards estimates $2, 900 is asked for automobile equipment. This is s3oa more than allowed this year. Already S1,035.74 has been | spent. new set of tires is needed | for one truck, three need repainting, | one d tire and several demountable | rims.
 An increase from s4o0 to $500 is asked in the incidental account, An | item of s3,o0O is contained for fuel, | this being s1.0o0 more than the pres ent years appropriation. For the | fire alarm system S2,500, s1,20o be- ing represented in the Park street subway and s750 of the remainder to | be expended for fire boxes. A, $2,- irp ayof nefi inn toc is asked, bringing the account to S3.000.
 Chairman Hjerpe urged favorable action on a s4.5 item for repairs this amount being necessary to make repairs at No. house. repair shop adjoining No. ? station is want ed for a repair shop for the master mechanic and an item of $6,5oo to put it into shape is in the hands of the finance board. One of the big gest items is that of $13,oo0 for a new fire truck The department has no extra equipment in that line now. it is explained. and is trusting to luck that none will be out of order when needed.
 Speak of Fircmen's Pay.
 An informal discussion was held on | the scale of pay. 1t is 27 cents an hour at present. Chairman Hjerpe | said. He asserted that such a job | had no attraction for him.
 Commissioner Abbe felt that there were many others who would like to take the job, and Commissioner Be lon interpolated that he would | rather have that position than work in the streets or sewers