New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-08-25
THE OBSER YER
Makes Random Observations
On the City and Its People

Sailors shoot the sun" to$ietermin'
the position of Ship at sea, 'Shoot
ling the sun" is also popular pas
time in the political field. A SCUM
Through the sextant of public opinion
Indicates that Mayor Paonessa has MOI
strengthened his position by MS re-
moval of Commissioners Grove ano
DiNonno of the board OF public works
The impression gains ground that the
difference of opinion existing between
the mayor and two members OF MS
official family did not call Tor an eN-
treme step, such as their removal and
gossip along the street leads the Cd
server to believe that His Honor did
not cause ~ favorable reaction when
he dismissed Messrs. Grove and d.
Nonno.
| Legally, and in every other respect,
the mayor is head of the city govern
ment. The commissioners act in an
advisory capacity and also have some
executive authority. They are ap-
pointed by the mayor to conduct the
several departments and unless the
members prove by their records that
they are wholly incapable of discharg-
ing their duties, they should not be
dealt with harshly.%
The proposal to pave Grove Hill
was the rock upon which the mayor
and his family split. Whether the
street should have been repaired was
matter of opinion which caused
caustic debate. The mayor opposed
the paving on the ground that the
board of public works was in danger
of exceeding its appropriation. The
board members replied that the money
could be secured without going be-
yond the amount of money allotted to
the department. When the board de-
cided to proceed with the work, hav-
ing secured the authorization of the
common council, the mayor dismissed
the leaders of the movement, or the
men he supposed were the leaders.
Even some of his warmest admirers
believe that his judgment was poor.
By using his prerogative, Mayor
Paonessa probably estranged many
voters. Mr.. DiNonno is one of the
leading republicans and is thought to
have influence among Italians of that
political faith. There was a strong
movement against the mayor among
italian republicans when he was
candidate for secretary of state on the
democratic ticket and, no doubt, this
movement has been intensified by the
dismissal from office of Mr.. DiNonno
Mr.. Grove probably does not claim to
have any political strength and has
but many citizens like him because of
the whole-hearted attention he gave
his office.
Among the surprises of the past
week, the one which stood out most
prominently was the announcement
by the board of police commissioners
that 1t would insist on an investiga- 1
tion of the police department, as pro-
posed by majority in the common
council. 1t is so unusual for a COM
mission to ask special board of re-
viewers to examine its conduct thatI
it must have taken away the breath |
of police department critics.
The public has gained the impress
sion that commissions wish to be let |
alone. Investigation is their last de-
sire because it is usually based on |
hostile curiosity. Whenever a police |
is probed the inauisitors |
try to paint it as black as possible |
and as no department is perfect they !
succeed in creating the i'm
preston that it was a good thing |
they started the inquiry before the
city went to the bow-wows. Chair
man Dunn's announcement is a chal-
lenge to those who believe the depart
ment is not being conducted properly.
Now that Mayor Paonessa has We
toed the resolution for an investiga-
,oin Tha ;,st;aators of tho ,,,o,,o-
mont have heop tor, nor.r;Iy halted
NV tbe veto but n is Thought that thew
will continue their efforts
Political statisticians saw that the
,ritics of the nolice denartment cam
not muster enough votes to pass the
resolution over the veto. The coun-
ell is composed of 80 members. In
order to pass a resolution over veto
t is necessary to recruit 20 votes, or
.wo-thirds of the entire council. 1t
S said that the fifth and sixth wards
will vote solidly in favor of sustain
ng the resolution. This would not be
sufficient to uphold it, but Alderman
John Gill of the second ward is re-