New Britain herald., 1922-05-20
Loomis Declines to Take on
 Added Duties Without Compensation
ASKS $500 AND RIGHT
 TO ENGAGE MORE HELP
Mayor Paonessa Says That Several Weeks Ago Regular Tax Collector Agreed to Do Work Without Extra Letter Explaining His Stand on Matter

Following closeup on the announce ment that Personal Tax Collector J. Willie Mills will relinquish his city job on Monday, comes the personal statement from Tax Collector Berna- dotte Loomis will not take over this department of city tax collecting un- less there is more pay forthcoming
 Hints at Politics.
 While he did not make it as a di- rect statement, Mayor A. M. Paon- essa said this morning that he had heard that efforts of a political char acter have been employed by friends of Mr. Mills to persuade MT. Loomis to decline the work. Mayor Paonessa said that whether or not Mr. Loomis would accept the place, Mir. Mills duties as tax collector would cease on Monday
 Loomis Agreed, Mayor Says.
 According to Mayor Paonessa, a conference was held with Mir. Loomis three weeks ago. and it was agreed by the latter that he would accept the personal tax job, without added com- pensation to the $3,O00 salary he now receives. The mayor added that should the tax collector now feel that the duties were such as to require more money, he could have action taken or a proposed increase through the common council.
 During his campaign Mayor Paones- sa urged the consolidation of the two tax offices in many of his speeches and it was one of the main blanks in his platform. In discussing the sit uation this morning. the executive said that other cities in the state collect the taxes through one office, and, as he views it, there is no reason why it cannot be done here.
 Loomis Wants More Money.
 On the other hand Tax Collector Loomis this morning said that he had not accepted the office, and that he did not feel disposed to do so unless there is added compensation allowed for with the added duties Vr. Loomis claims that at the time he discussed the amalgamation of the two offices, he had received an as- surance that he would get at least one-half what the present incumbent receives in salary for his work.
 This afternoon Tax Collector Loomis stated to the Herald representative that he would not accept the duties of personal tax collector unles he re- ceived at least $500 and the right to extra help during the year when the occasion demands. Ac- cording to MT. Loomis, he discussed the matter of taking over the personal tax collections with Mayor Paonessa three weeks ago. He said that at the time, he believed that before any ac- tion was taken, another conference would be held in regard to the pro posed change. Mir. Loomis said he the following letter which would explain his stand in the mat ter though he did not tender it to the mayor: "To His Honor, Angelo M. Paonessa-
 Mayor of the City of New Britain:
 My Dear Mayor-In reply to your | request that I take over the collec- ton of the personal tax, would s.y that personally I would prefer not to itdnuie IL III IlS OllCe. It IS very | clear that when the legislature did away with the poll and military taxes, in 1911, and substituted the personal tax, with special provision for the appointment of collectors, that they lid not intend that the tax should be by the property tax collec- or. However, as you have made an ssue of the matter in your recent l would certainly like to 1elp you to fill your promise to the people, and at the same time, do my share for the city in the matter of economy. You must realize, however, hat it will greatly increase the work md responsibilities in my office. would expect only a nominal fee for myself, $500. with authority to ex- pend not more than s1 ,000 for extra oelp per year. This would cut the expense of collecting the tax more .han 50 per cent.
 Hoping this arrangement will re- ,eive your hearty approval,
 T remain very truly yours.
 "BERNADOTTE LOOMS"
 Practically all of this years tax 1as been collected by the present in ,umbent, and all that remains for he new collector to do between now md next November, is get the delin- Iuents in line.
 Paoncssa's stand.
 Mayor Paonessa said this afternoon hat he would probably hold a con erence with Tax Collector Loomis elative to his assuming the duties as personal tax collector. The mayor insists that MT. Loomis at the con- erence three weeks ago, agreed to ake over the duties of the office without any personal remuneration. Ie would not, however, make any in imation as to what he intends 10 do houId fbe tay co1lecfoy decIipa fo oo