New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-03-10
Spirited Debate Over Charges
Against Home Service Bureau

ed against, Mr.. McKenna replied
yes" to this question, but said 4
would take time TO procure the men
Hatch Defends Bureau.
w. l., Hatch stated that every ap.
plication for aid made to the homo
service bureau was investigated and
was approved by three members oil
the executive committee before aid
was given. He admitted that during
the times of depression II was neces.
sary to pay out more than the bureau
wanted to,
Mr.. Hatch stated that he had nc
were ever held without all of the
members being notified. He also stat
cd that no complaints had been made
to him to the effect that money was
being spent that was not warranted.
He thought that IL service men had
charges to make against the bureau
and Mr.. Jackson for spending money
in 1922, charges should have been
made many months ago.
Mr.. Squire explained that the state
aid fund is not divided into quotas for
ally Sitys 41C ouAu liab tnC HiOHSy
was given out whenever the men were
in need and for one period in 1921,
New Britain derived more benefit from
the state aid fund than any other
city in Connecticut.
Earl Kisselbrack stated that he
would like to hear of any cases where
assistance was not received by any
service man. He said that on two &C.
casions meetings of the bureau were
called and the officers waited as long
as three-quarters of an hour for men
to put in an appearance.
Alderman John r. Gill said that he
believed the home service bureau was
useless at the present time and that
something is wrong somewhere.
jackson Speaks in Own Behalf.
Harry c. Jackson, against whom
the charges were being made, was
then called upon and given a chance
to defend himself. Mr.. Jackson said
that he thought it very strange that
the charges should be made now and
that those making the attack were the
men who asked for the establishment
of the bureau.
NJ. Jackson said that it was no
fault of the secretary if the men were
liz. notified He stated that some of
them moved from town and did not
take interest enough in the bureau to
notify the secretary of the change in
address. He said he notified members
of meetings by telephone or mail.
The speaker said that if the men
had complaints to make they should
have made them some time ago. Con-
tinung Mr.. Jackson said: There are
always some who feel that the aid
and bureau was made expressly for
them
William Cowlishaw, superintendent
of the charity department, spoke in
glowing terms of the great work the
home service bureau has done since
it was organized in New Britain.
Miss Conroy was asked by Mr..
Hatch if she thought there was
enough work on hand to warrant
keeping the home service bureau de-
partment open. She replied in the af
frmative, stating that many ex-serv-
ice men call at the office daily seek
ing advice and information and to
receive aid.
After many other people were heard
the ex-servicemen expressed the be-
lief that it was no longer necessary
10 keep the office open and by closing
It the city could save money
At the request of Mr.. Hatch and on
notion of Clifford Hellberg the meet
ng was adjourned The committee !
isteninp TO the complaints will meet |
1T later date to discuss the advisa-
oility of recommending the closing OF
he bureau.