New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-01-24
Judge Gaffney Made Threat
10 Lobby Against II and
Quit Board of Education.


After Judge II, y, Gaffney, chair,
man, and several members OF the
school committee had strenueusly
Objected 10 the employment OF a puF-
chasing agent who would buy for the
school department as well as other
boards, and Judge Gaffney had
threatened 10 lobby against passage OF
the measure in the general assembly
n II was approved here, and in the
event of its ultimate passage 20 leave
the school committee, the charter re-
vision committee last night unani-
mously rejected the proposed amend
ment,
An amendment drafted by Chair
man T.. +. Hall 10 require the school
board 10 limit its expenditures 20
$500, unless approved by the council.
was also lost despite an effort by
Mayor A, NJ. Paonessa 20 have il
made a part OF the charter, The
mayor then opposed a resolution 10
require the school board 20 submit its
hills 10 the council for purposes OF
review.
Senator Richard Covert, Represen-
tatire r. w. Christ and eN.Ropresen-
tatlye A. n. Rutherford led the oppo-
sition to the two former measures,
contending that nothing should be
done that would embarrass the school
board in its work OF educating chill
dren.
Mayor Charges Politics.
Toward the end OF tho meeting.
which came well after midnight,
mild sensation was sprung when Rep
resentative Christ brought In n reso-
luton TO allow the city clerk and tax
collector TO name their deputies with
out the mayors approval. Tho mayor /
charged his republican appointees on
the committee with playing politics
and told them he resented their re-
Election on his action in causing the /
release OF former Deputy City Clerk
III. A. Hargreaves.
The first proposal before the meet
ing was an article to have court open
at $3.50 o'clock every morning on day.
light or standard time. eliminating
confusion resulting from daylight
saving time. It was adopted on mo-
ton OF Lawyer -. J.. Nalr.
A special act" giving the asses
sors the privilege of using the abstract
book for rate book was approved.
On motion of Lawyer Nair. the To-
cal court was empowered to exact
fines up to $500. The present limit is
5000
Judge Gaffney Speaks.
Relative to the proposed amend
ments to curb the power of the school
board, Judge Gaffney spoke at length.
He explained that the proposal to
place in the hands of the city hall
commission all lands not specifically
used by another board, would cause
the school board to lose many valu-
able pieces of property not "spe-
cifically'' or actually in use. He felt
they should remain with the board of
finance and taxation and should not
specifically" in use.
Judge Gaffney and Judge j. H.
corporation counsel, argued
at length on alleged inconsistency in
the amendments. Judge Gaffney
pointed out that purchasing COM
mission has been appointed and no
board is allowed to buy excepting
through that commission, yet the fire
board can buy up to $500, privilege
that is not extended to the school
board, he said.
Would Leave School Board.
He felt that the purchasing COM
mission would "hamstring' the COM
rittee so much that he would decline
% serve on the committee.
T,,Jrra Caff,,ax, toIJ tho iftoo
hat when present building programs
ire carried out there would be no
reed for an extensive school building
program for years to come.
The school board chairman threat
ned to go to the legislature and lob
" against passage of the measure If
met approval locally. Such move
will hamper and restrict" the educa-
ion of children, he said.
The proposal to require the board
o send its bills to the council for
pproval, in its present form, would
lace the committeeman in position
here they are personally liable if the u,
ills were not approved. A.
Invites Council Investigation. ~.
Judge Gaffney told the committee =.
rat the State of Connecticut has APP g
roved the voucher and requisitioning =
,stem used here as the beet in the -.
ate. He felt that il money was saved n
Y purchasing agent going out of
he city, an injustice to local mer-
rants would result. He suggested F.
lat committee of the council be
amed to investigate the school sys-
m. He felt the committee should
i've consulted the school board for
cts.
The school department is the base
the American government; you
mt have a free man without edu-
tion. / don't think it's the duty of
" members of this board to hamper
ucation," Judge Gaffney said in
osing.
G. w. Traut, chairman of the fin
zee committee of the school board,
It that placing the purchasing pow
5 in another commission would be
to the school board.
Chairman Hall said that there was
desire to hamper the school board,
I the committee felt there might be
vantage in consolidated buying.
Christ told the COM
ttee that his idea was now and has
en- that purchasing agent would
t be helpful to the city unless all
v supplies were purchased through
! agent.
Mr.. Christ said the continual cry of
to cooperate on the part