New Britain herald., 1922-03-08
TAX RATE OF 70
 MILLS ADOPTED
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  them, we can take up that question whenever the necessity arrives, I hope it will never arise.
 Adjustment For Teachers.
 Tt Is said that the teachers can not De cut; that they are working under contract. All right, the teach CTS up to recent years were not prop erly paid, so 1t will be possible for tne city to continue them along for two months at the present scale and then adjust. l am certain that the school board will be agreeable to an adjustment.
 "In the interests of both the city and the employees, l earnestly hope that this body will go on record as tavoring 20 mill tax"
 Chamberlain In Favor.
 President r, $. Chamberlain of the board of finance and taxation, spoke few words in support of the Hart amendment He assured that there was not grave danger of losing the services of teachers through cutting, since similar reductions will be made throughout the country. The State of Connecticut will find it necessary to do so, he asserted, and cities and towns must pare expenditures close ly or break their backs with taxes. The next speaker was George A. Quigley, three times mayor of the city and now a candidate for the re- publican nomination. In part, ne said;
 Quigley Takes Issue.
 II am not here tonight for the purpose of championing high taxes, or increasing city expenses. Yet, do not feel that we should act on the salary question; this is not the proper place to consider it. Teach CTS salaries are entirely in the hands Of the school board; general salaries police and fire, are up to the com mon council and this is not the place for settlement of wages.
 Scores Manufacturers "Mr. Hart has taken up the ques- ton of wages. He says it has taken too much time, that big corpora tion would have disposed of it in half an hour. Perhaps so, but thank God, all big femployers of labor are not manufacturers! If the manufactur- CTS hadn't issued so much watered stock and cut so many fat melons, we would have prosperity today!
 Police Not Overpaid.
 Surely the police are not over paid The policeman must be both efficient and honest. Pay him enough and he will be honest; give him the proper working hours and conditions and he'll be efficient. It's easy enough for the manufacturers to talk of pay cuts. They can reduce the wages of their employees and turn them into the street, then we pay for them through our charity depart ment.
 Praises Bremen.
 Take the police and firemen. They are out under all kinds of conditions A fireman very often earns his entire weeks pay at one fire. You find him working under conditions that the av- craze man. having regard for life and limb. would not enter into for $1.000.
 Teachers Also.
 "Regar rding the teachers: New Brit ain has a fine system and an excellent staff of efficient instructors. If we reduce salaries of teachers, other cit ies and town will be bidding against us and the efficiency of the school system will be endangered.
 Sees No Need For Cut. "There is no immediate need for 9 cut. There has not been proper study of the wage situation. l do not question that some of the em- ployes could be cut 40 per cent, some should be increased, and some should be dropped entirely. However, rec that this amendment cannot properly come before the City Meeting board ' Councilman Hart then introduced an opinion from former corporation counsel, Judge James F.. Cooper, stat ing that the action of the City Meet ing board may override the counci on such matters.