New Britain herald., 1923-11-17
Member Audit Bureau Of Circulation.
< SAD SPECTACLE

Politics reaches its most depraved condition when it stoops to use as a football to be kicked about, the con- tract for new building to properly house the unfortunate old women of a city. That this is the state of affairs regarding the contract for the addi- ton to the town home was shown conclusivoly last night at the special meeting of the common council, For the second time the majori- ty Of the common council, with scarcely a word of explanation voted in a body to again reject the rccom- mendation Of tho charity board as to awarding the contract to New Brit ain concern. It is absolutely impossi- ble that this unanimity of opinion could have come unless it had been called for by political command. Among so many men there was bound to be difference Of opinion, But ex- prcssion Of opinion was stifed by the hand of "expediency."
 Leave aside all question of policy for a moment. Consider the facts without reference to whether it is bet ter to "buy at home" or to save the city money by getting job done where if will be done at the least cost. The fact remains that the charity board had investigated this situation, It had deemed it best to award the contract to a specific concern in New Britain, IL had reason to believe that the work would be done in more satisfactory way by this concern. Twice fl decided to give the contract to this organization, such decision be- ing based upon knowledge gained from the investigations 1t was tho boards duty to make. IL may be stated without fear Of wcll-informed denial that if any member Of the common council planned to erect a building 10 cost approximately s50,0O0 he would pay an extra s700 gladly 10 be assured that the building would be put up under the supervision Of the man who heads the New Britain con- eern to which the board wished to give the contract. And s70g was sp- proximately the difference between the bids Of the New Britain and the out-of-town concern. The s700 was a pretext. The majority of the council used this difference as hook on which to hang it's opposition to tho charity board.
 If question Of policy" regarding purchasing at home comes into the matter at all. the charity board was following the precedent demanded Of it years ago by the then common council The Herald refrains from discussing at this time this ''buy at home" policy. It would merely cloud the issue. It was not the reason for tIF dEADu bl lltE GDuliEll lhsl NlEuls But. assuming that it was the reason for its action. Then the common council has directly reversed itself This newspaper has called attention to the fact that when the superintendent Of charities reported a large saving Of money for the city, some s10.o00 if memory serves, the board was criticiz- cd because that saving vas effected by purchasing groceries out of town. psst night the council. without d blush. told the charity board in effect to do the very thing for which # had been criticized so severely. The mayor made brief reference to these facts last night stating that the council had ob5ected to a Is per cent saving be- cause Of out-of-town purchases. but now seeks a one per cent saving by letting a contract 10 an out-of-town concern.
 The frtitiessuess Of objtetiug tg such action is apparent as long as the pressnt political influence. originating far away. sweeps into New Britain and carries the majority before it