New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-03-10
Investigation Committee
Hears Both Sides and
Will Consider Closing
Office in City Hall.

The hearing held in the common
council chamber last evening, wher
various members OF military organi-
cations In New Britain were given an
opportunity to air their grievances
against Harry c. jackson. secretary
of the Home Service bureau, was fea-
tured with lively repartee.
George p. Spear acted as chairman
of the meeting and the room was well
filed with men and women interested
| in the discussion. Among the many
| interested spectators was Orson +.
Curtis, former mayor. who during the
course of discussion enlightened the
committee on many points inasmuch
as the service bureau was organized
during his administration.
Raymond Frost, commander of the
Private Walter l.. Smith post. Vet
Grams OF Foreign Wars, asked that the
letter which was first printed in the
New Britain Herald" be read so that
those present might become better ac-
quainted and more familiar with the
charge brought against Mr.. Jackson.
Mr.. Spear did not think this neces-
sary, but on request of Mr.. Frost he
read the letter.
James McKenna, who was the
spokesman for the dissatisfied ex-
service men, was the next to take the
floor. Mr.. Spear asked him what the
charges were against Mr.. Jackson.
Mr.. McKenna replied that Mr.. Jack
son failed to operate as secretary OF
the home service bureau and spent
money of the bureau unnecessarily.
w. l.. Hatch, chairman of the home
service bureau, stated that there have
not been any written charges pre-
ferred against Mr.. Jackson with the
possible exception that he had failed
to satisfactorily act as secretary of the
society.
Mr.. McKenna, continuing his talk,
said that for the first three months of
1922 the bureau had spent s4,077.95
of the city's money when it could have
secured a great portion of this from
the state aid fund.
Mr.. McKenna took from his pocket
a slip of paper upon which he had
written a number of figures showing
how much money Hartford received
from the state aid fund for the first
three months in 1922, and how much
New Britain received. According to
his figures Hartford received s19,-
1876 and New Britain s4,643.20.
The speaker admitted that Hartford
was a much larger city than New
Britain but nevertheless he thought
that this city was entitled to more
money from the state aid fund.
New Britain has been the goat
and the home service bureau has not
drawn enough money from the state
aid fund.-, Mckenna said in bringing
to close his first of many speeches.
Needed Clothes Didn't Get Them.
John Coffey then took the floor
upon request Of Mr.. McKenna and
told those present that he had been
examined and was to enter a hospital.
He did not have enough clothing,
however, and was told to go to the
home service bureau for aid.
He stated, however, that Miss Ger
at City Hall, told him 20 go to the Sal
walton Army. This he did, he assert
ed, and from the Salvation Army he
received a coat. Mr.. Coffey then sal
that he went to w. w. #. Squire for
aid and was told by him that if the
home service bureau could do moth
ing he wouldn't be able to assist him.
Edward johnson Of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars in expressing his
thoughts, said that the bureau should |
be closed as it was merely waste of
to keep it open at the present |
time.
Clifford Hellberg then rose to his
feet and stated that it was UP to the |
common council to close the bureau
and not the eX-service men. To this
Mr.. McKenna replied:
Thank God there are no more like
you in the council"
Wants Charges in Writing.
Mayor O. +. Curtis was the next |
speaker He expressed the belief that
all charges against Mr. Jackson
should be made in writing and sent
to the board so that they might make |
an investigation before making a re-
port. He believed that the city should !
be neutral in the matter.
McKenna again took the floor and |
this time stated that certain ex-serv- |
ice men in the city were being dis
eliminated against. Attorney David |
L. Nair asked him if any soldier other
that Mr.. Coffey had been discriminate