New Britain herald., 1923-07-11
His Friends Want Him to Receive $3,5OO But Others Object-Election Is Not Unanimous.

l AIJer LIT hlcnard ". kPullen or tne
 New Britain General hospital staff
 had been elected superintendent Of
 the health department yesterday aft ernoon, securing four out of the six
 ballots cast, Chairman Henry T. Bray
 and other Pullen supporters attempt
 ed to have the ballot made unanimous,
 but were unable to prevail upon Dr,
 Joseph Walsh to so move, while
 Commissioner John J. Erwin also de-
 clined to make such motion.
 Question over Salary
 pr. Walsh and Commissioner Err
 win voted for Dr. Bevins, a New Jer-
 sey practitioner. AS matters now
 stand. Dr. Pullen will assume the
 duties of health superintendent in q
 few days without having the unsn-
 imous vote of the board and also with
 much question as to the salary that
 he will be paid. The board will rec
 onmend to the salary committee of
 tho common council that the amount
 be fixed at $3,500, the same as was
 paid Dr. Fred F. Lee when he left
 the position. Dr. Walsh was of the
 belief that the salary should not be
 so large as the man is, in his opinion.
 inexperienced. When a recommenda-
 ton was made by Dr. M. S. Dunne that pr. Pullen be asked to take up the duties of superintendent for $.,O00 for
 the first six months with the under-
 standing that if his services proved
 satisfactory he would have hts salary | increased to s3,500 for the next six
 months, pr. Bray, chairman of tho
 beard, said he would resign before he would ask Dr. Pullen to start ar this
 salary.
 pr. Lee, who was regarded as one
 of the most successful superinteu Tents
 in the history of the health depart
 n.ent took up the duties of that office at $2,5o0 a year and was increased to
 $S,000. He was given s3,500 year just before he left. Becauss Dr. Leo was more experienced man wnen he came to the New Britain department and because he received only $500 at that time. pr. Walsh felt that 1t was asking too much to recommend that Dr. Pullen be paid s3,59D im- mediately. Vote Salary Increase For Dr. Meeilan
 The board received an application from Dr. Joseph P. Meehan, chief of the dental clinic for an increase of from s1,200 to s1,500 a year in his salary. His years work will begin in August. It was voted to recommend | to the council that the increase be granted. Dr. Dunn, a dentist, spoke | in favor of the increase and will ap- pear with Chairman Henry T. Bray before the salary committee when the patter is taken up,
 Dr. C. w. Witte, meat inspector at the slaughter house had also asked verbally for an increase, but the board felt that written request Should be made. Last year Dr. Witte asked that his salary be boosted to s2,o00. At that time he was receiving $1,66o. He was given an increase of $1o0. Now he wants an increase to $2,500 a year, and unless the pay is raised he cannot continue in the city's en- ploy. pr. Bray told the board. U
 The chairman reported on progress made by the committee on slaughter house Improvements. Plans have been made for doubling the size of the slaughter rooms and installing a chill room and refrigerating plant. Councilman Stanley, who is chairman of the common council commit tee on this project, spoke on the sub feet. He submitted sketches of the proposed changes. The councilman stated that increased revenues are to follow the installation of his proposed Improvements.
 42 Candidates for Position.
 Drs. Bray and Walsh who were committee of the health board to se- ,ure applicants for the position re- ported that advertisements had been . inserted fin medical journals and as , ! result there were AZ replies. At an z informal conference" of members of ', he health board several days ago 1t , vas decided to eliminate all but six { ,f the applicants, this for various V easons, chiefly that of salary ex- 7, ,ected. 6
 pr. Dunn inquired as to the likeli- r lood that the common council might How the salary to be made s5,000 o that Dr. Lewis of New Haven night be secured. Councilman l.. M. u tanley who was present at the meet = ng said he did not feel that this q you'd be possible. pr. Dunn was in z, avor of postponng action until aft s r the common council meeting so I, hat report might be received. He VI Tas advised that the charter requires f, hat all salaries be fixed after jobs ave been filled Sand an increase 'oud not be voted Joe Doe"
 pr. F.. T. Fromen moved the D. ointment of Dr. Pullen and the omination was seconded by Dr. Ger -ude J. Kinsella.
 Dr. Walsh Opposes Dr. Pullen.
 Dr. Walsh voiced objections to the ppointment. repeating his argu- rents of an earlier meeting. namely, nat of alleged inexperience ~on the art Of Dr. Pullen. Dr. Bray dis uted the statement that Dr. Pullen ad not been experienced. pointing ut that he had taken courses in ubic health work andT had been in he New Haven and New Britain hos itals for the past two years.
 A motion of Dr. Walsh to lay the latter on the table for two weeks as lost.
 Commissioner Erwin then nominat- 1 Dr. Bevin and Dr. Dunn was amcd by the chair as teller 4 bal 't was taken with Drs. Fromen. Kin ella, Bray and Dunn voting for Dr. ulleH and pr. Walsh and Commits oner Erwin for Dr. Bevin. Dr.