New Britain herald., 1923-09-20
THE COUNCIL SESSION

THE tOi NttL HtssSspN
 several matters were discussed last evening at.ihe session of the common council which mieht inspire consider able comment. Possibly the one mest important, looking to the future, was the petition opposing the building oi n service station for automobiles at tho northwest corner Of Pearl street and Franklin square. This matter IS of the greatest importance because II emphasizes the need of zonlng sys- tenn in this city. Some of the residents of that nefghborhood object to the service station planned to be placed tbere. The matter was referred to the board of public works, building ih- spector, fire chief and corporation counsel to give the petitioners hear ing. Of course 1t would have been proper to refer the whole matter to the city plan commission if those to whom this thought occurred-and ap- parently it did not come to the minds of members of the councl--believed anything could be accomplished. AS il matter of fact neither the city plan commission nor the board of public works nor anyone else can prevent the building of service station on private property, if there are no re- strictiona upon that property. Much as we might object to such building there, or much as we might approve of if. nothing can be done about it un- less it is shown to be nuisance or unless public health or safety de- mands it's removal.a
 Once again the lack of foresight of not providing against any such con tingency by adopting zoning system is emphasized. No such questions would arise in this way, were that sys- tenn to obtain here.
 As predicted the mayors veto of the resolution calling for general inves- tigation of the police department, was sustained. It having been shown that the form of the resolution covered all the police activities, and the point be- ing emphasized that the mayor ob- iected to the naming of the investl- gating committed in the resolution, the council stood by the mayor Then a resolution was adopted specifying exact matter to be inquired into, namely the status of policemen ap- pointed when they were over age. The adoption of this specific resolution by the council took away the fault that has been found here with the first resolution. It would have been we'll had the matter been left there. The last resolution cast no reflection upon the efficiency of the department. 1T there is any question as to the ages of appointees it may well be looked into. That and that only. according to the official records of the council after this specific resolution had been passed, was the only matter under consideration and our department would not appear before the city as one which needed full investigation of all it's activities.
 The subsequent action of the mayor off milf ice and leaving from the list of that com mittee none of the names of the mem bers mentioned in the resolution vetoed, gives that committee the right to investigate matters occurring be- fore Mayor Paoncssa became official head of the city. II also gives him the chance to show that nothing il- legal has been done in the matter of appointments by the commission which he appointed if such is the case. IT this committee acts and con- ducts a thorough Investigation it will give opportunity for much politi- cal discussion. The same thing would have resulted from an investigation as indicated by the resolution which was vetoed and the veto to which was sustained.
 Looking into the future again it was unwise to decide to move the street line forward on Broad street Not only are those who have built with refer ence 10 the old street line injured Theoretically at least. but there is Jeff out of consideration the fact thai eventually all our streets will have tC be widened in order to accommodate the increasing traffic caused by th' more universal use of the automobile Broad may not be residential street, and it is. of course. a widt thoroughfore. but even that highwa! should not be cut down for the sol' purpose of allowing an individual tt erect a block nearer the street lin than others whose buildings conform to the old line.
 In the matter of the resignation o inc chief Of the dental clinic. If hi
 diary increase eaf not given, th'