New Britain herald., 1923-12-05
Several Dates Arranged And Finally New Britain Is Asked To Combine With Meriden For 0c- casion
Priest Dissatisfied With Original Reception Com mittee, Which Resigns Bills Incurred on Pre- liminary Plans.

Dissatisfied with the treatment the Polish residents of this city have re- ceiNed at the hands of the committee handling the itinerary of General Jozef Haller, head of the Polish armies now visiting in the United States. and believing that the city of New Britain has been sighted and its sacrifices of men and money during the war forgotten, the committee ap- pointed to arrange reception for the general yesterday telegraphed national headquarters that there would be no official reception in New Britain and that all plans had been dropped and the committee is disbanded.
 Lack of Harmony Here
 This action was decided upon at well attended meeting of the recep- tion committee at which much ad- verse comment was heard on the treatment accorded this city and facts were disclosed which indicated that, even If the general were to come to New Britain, there would not be CO., ordination locally to effect a reception suitalfe to General Haller's high sta tion.
 nev. $. A. lciek, editor of the Catholic Leader" who was chairman of tho reception committee said this morning that there had been many changes in the dates on which General Haller was scheduled to be here, and that the last announcement from headquarters was that New Britain could not be honored by the generals presence, but might arrange a joint reception with the city Of Meriden. The Meridon committee would not consider holding the reception in New Britain, and because this city is larg- CT than the Silver City. the New Brit ain committee does not wish Co go out Of town to receive the Polish notable. Since it was apparent that no agree mcnt could De reached that would be entirely satisfactory to both cities the local committee has withdrawn.
 Committee Incurs Expense
 The committee has incurred heavy expense as q result of the decision not to take part in the official recep- ton. This expense includes payments Of guarantee for the expenses of the
 
 borne by the individual committee members. It was not possible to ss- certain what the pro rata share will be, but t is said that the incidentaas connected with the reception will run into several hundreds of dollars
 Yesterdays action was reported to be unanimous. the committee mem- bers deciding that in view of the turn of events no avenue was open but to withdraw.
 Frequent Switch In Dates
 If appears that this city was one of the first in the country to ask that the general make an official visit be- cause of the large Polish population and the fact that orphanages, news papers, schools and a church are owned by the large Polish congrega- ton in this city. The Haller commit tee. with headquarters at Cleveland. Ohio, notified this city that General Haller could be here on December 1s. Shortly thereafter, a change was made to make the date Of his visit Decem- Der II. The committees proceeded to have buttons made with the general'sl picture thereon, tickets were printed. plans made for a banquet and re- ceptiof and other expenses incurred. | When this was done another telegram was received from Cleveland stating that the dates had been changed and | that on December 13, General Haller | would visit New Britain. Following | closely on the heels of that message 1 was another stating that December 14 was the definite date. A later mes sage said December 1 would be set | for the generals afternoon visit 10 | Meriden and evening visit in New Britain. few days ago the message 1 was received which stated that Meri- ! den and New Britain must combine. ! In inc meantime the common council | had authorized, the mayor to name q i committee to receive the general into Inc city, but this group has not and because Of the turn Of events will not now be appointed. Al yesterdays session the city's activities during the war were re- called. It was stated that New Brit ain gave more men and money to the Polish forces than did any other community in New England. and more than any place 0 equal size in the country. Because Of this fact the committeeman felt that New Britain should receive at least as much consideration as some Of the smaller cities where the generals program was carried out without changes. Y
 Priest Objected to Committee.
 From the outset. the General Hall Ter reception has gone over a rocky road. When it was first learned that the Polish leader could be brought to New Britain. a meeting Of the citi- gems of Polish birth and extraction vas called and the appointment Of q committee was brought up. The committee was named. When the personnel of the group failed tc meet
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