New Britain herald., 1923-08-22
Says He Knows Of No
Parallel Case Where
Mayor Was Not Allowed
to Name Members Of
Committee.
Democrats May Introduce
Resolution and Ask That
Investigators Be Named
by Executive, as Has
Been Customary.

Mayor A. NJ. Paonessa will veto the
resolution passed by the common
council last Wednesday night appoint-
| ing Alderman c. j Dehm, w. III.
Judd and +, l.. Conlon and Conncil-
men D. L. Nair and George Molander
to, investigate the police departments
The mayor explained this after
noon that he knows of no parallel to
the action of republican members who
last Wednesday submitted a. resolution
calling for the appointment of a COM
mittee and at the same time selected
the members to act. With the excep-
ton of standing committees of the
council. all such groups are named
by the mayor. The mayors veto
will be based on this action of the
council, he explained
May Receive New Resolution
1t was reported about the city this
| morning that the mayor would re-
turn to the council without his ap-
proval the resolution, and also that
a new resolution would be introduced
| by the democratic members of the
council asking for an investigation of
the department, with the proviso that
the mayor shall be permitted to name
the new committee.
Since the resolution was acted apon
( BY the cauncil, Alderman ~ III Con-
hon one vf the members selected, has
/ declined to act. He asserts that the
| investigation is prompted by political
motives and he refuses to be a party
| to what he declares is direct affront
to the mayor. His refusal to act would
necessitate the bringing of the COM
mittee before the council at the next
meeting since that body must fill the
vacancy.
Checks Organization of Committee
Alderman Dehm, the first member
named, and the one reported to have
been the selection of the committee
for it's craftsmanship, had planned to
call a meeting for the latter part of
this week at which time organization.
was to be effected. The mayors an
nouncement of veto will require the
organization to be held up until after
the next council meeting at least.
Will Insist on Investigation.
David l.. Dunn, chairman of the
board of police commissioners, was
asked this morning by a representa-
tive of the Herald" what the board
of police commissioners would do If
Mayor Paonessa vetoed the resolution
of the committee appointed by the
common council to probe the actions
of the police board He replied that
If the veto is sustained it is probable.
at the next meeting of the commits
sioners it will be voted to demand
that the common council carry out
the investigation which that body
wants made.
Chairman Dunn said that he can
not understand the action of the coun-
Gil in wanting an investigation of the
board. He said further that there is
nothing the board or department has
done to be ashamed of and expressed
the belief that when the investigation
is made the committee members viii
find nothing wrong with either organ
ization.
We're going through with this in
vestigation," he said, "and If there is
partment I think we should know it."
Says Name of Board IS Clouded.
The action of the common council
has put the board and police depart
ment in a bad light in the public's
eye and has thrown a dark cloud over
the work of the members of the board
who work without compensation and
have worked hard within the past
year for the good of the city and its
people,"
Chairman Dunn was also asked
about supernumerary officers who. 1t
is alleged, have complained to the in
vestigating committee that partiality
is being shown and only a few favor
ed policemen get work. He denied the
rumor that the board would seek
the names of these men and then ask
for their designations. He said. how
ever, if the names are learned the
men certainly would not be In the
good graces of the board.
Place TO File Complaints.
"Supernumerary officers and other
officers should know that il they have
any complaints to make in regard TO
they should report to the
board of police commissioners, As I
understand it, however. very good
system is in effect at police headquaf-
tiers for giving work to the supernu-
meraries and each one receives an
equal share" Chairman Dunn said.
To date the board has received but
one anonymous communication rela-,
tive to dissatisfaction among the SUI
officers. and no. atten-
ton was paid to this. Mr.. Dunn said.
because the name of the writer was