New Britain herald., 1924-12-16
VOTES DOWN PLAN
 ID BUY LYCEUN
Finance Board Opposes Taking
 Over Theater Building

The board of finance and taxation decided aealnst tho purchase Of the controlling shares in tho Russwin Lyceum corporation at a meeting last night, it being the almost unan- imous opinion of the board that the city does not need the building ai tte present time, although the prop erty wlll always he valuable.
 The New Britain National bank h,l asked the common council if The city wished to acquire the shares, as by an agreement New Britain WAS To have frs: option on the prop erty,
 The question had hardly been nut 10 members of the board by Chairman L, F. Hall, when Thomas kehoc said, 'I move we don't want r." Here John (. Loomls said that he matter was one far too serious 10 let slide so lightly, He said that careful consideration should be ven. The price for the acquisition of the shares would be, according 10 the chairman. S67 .oo0 on cash basis, or s75,oQ0 with mortgage ar- ugoment,
 Chairman Hall said the building inspector had looked over the build Ing and had found that 1t needs a new roof, the bricks need pointing and the heating system Is made Quata.
 George Levitt, who at one time owned the Lyceum theater, objected to taking over the building. He said l hat a large outlay of money would i be necessary in order to make a city auditorium out of it, He called at- ] tsntion to needed changes in the plumbing and wiring, approximately l &IQ0,QQQ being needed before the deal and repairs were completed. Even then, he said, the city would have an old building on ite handA 1 MT. Levitt said the design Is su- 1 perceded by many more modern In construction. If the city purchased inc building and property 1t would ! be entering on a real estate propo- Sition which would better prosper in private hands. He questioned the wisdom Of taking over the building at the present time, saying that in 20 or 60 years, when need is felt the city can take 1t over and will have been saved the trouble of car ryins the property on it's hands until that time, He was in favor of letting someone else buy the property and then letting the city buy it at a later period, if 1t is wanted,
 He concluded, T don't think # Is to the best interests of the city 10 exercise the option"
 This seemed to he the opinion Of a'l members of the board except Mr Loomis. 4 vote was then taken fol- owing a discussion, and 1t was de- cidcd to report to the common council that the board does not fa- vor the project at this time, the only opposing vote to this motion be- ing that of Mir. Looms
 Oppose Park Board Request.
 A discussion followed the request of the board Of park commissioners for a charter change setting aside q certain amount of the income from taxation each year for the use of the park department. Qla-half of one mlll was set as minimum by tho park commissioners. Chairman Hall of the board of finance and tax ation asked for an opinion. He said that other departments have 10 take the portion it is seen fit to give them and the park board should be willing 10 do the same thing.
 Frederick X. Sear1a said the coat must be cut according to the cloth in running the city, In some years more money is spent than in other, he said, and he expressed the opinion that he would not like 10 set fig. ure for the minimum or maximum expenditure Of the park board. He expressed himself as opposed to tac matter at hand.
 4 further opinion was expressed that the park board will, at times have more money to spend than i needs, if governed ny the iucom' from taxation, Chairman Hall askeG for opinions, as he said an expree
 sion of sentiment should be mad nefore the matter goes before tn charter revision committee.
 It vas felt hy the board that all de
 nartments would wish to do th' e5mo thing, if the request Of th'
 rark board were granted, IL wen
 on record as not favoring tn