New Britain herald., 1924-07-30
Tells Alderman He Will Instruct Police Com mission To Subpoena Carnival Inquiry Witt nesses.
Inferred Proof Was Al.
 ready in Your Hands" Paonessa Writes in Reply to Accuser's Letter.

Following receipt of letter fror Alderman William H. Judd askin under what authority the mayor ha appointed committee to investigat earniyals and what powers he ca vest in the committee. Mayor A. N Paonesss replied today. delegatini numerous powers now held by tn mayor and the police board to the in vestigating committee.
 Alderman Judd has not state, whether he will act on the commit tee. explaining that he wished first tt gain information as to appointment and the powers of the group on whici he is asked to serve.
 Alderman Judd's Letter
 Alderman Judds letter to the may. or follows:
 July 2ath. 1924. Honorable A. NJ. Paonessa, Mayor. "City.
 Dear Sir:
 T have your letter of July 26th advising me that have been ap- pointed a member of a committee to investigate the activities of public of- flcials of the City of New Britain in connection with the presence of car nivals in the city.
 Before accepting this appointment will you oblige me by advising under what authority you are appointing this committee and what powers you can vest in this committee.
 Yours truly
 w. H. JUDD"
 Mayors Reply
 The mayors reply follows:
 Alderman W. H. Judd
 "2s Murray street, City.
 Dear Sir:
 Your letter of July 2sth presents two questions which seem to be very easy to answer.
 The first question concerns the authority under which the committee in question was appointed. Your statement in the Common Council was to the effect that either the chief of police permitted or was forced by some one higher up to permit money wheels to operate at carnival in New Britain. Your charge of men higher up could raean only the board of po- lice commissioners or the mayor, as they are the only ones whose orders the chief of police would have to follow.
 "The charter of the City of New Britain, Section of Chapter 6, sets forth that The Mayor of the City of New Britain shall be the chief execu- tive magistrate thereof, and 1t shall be his duty to be vigiant fin causing the laws thereof to be enforced: and 1t also sets forth that the Mayor is au- thorized to remove for cause any member of any board or commission appointed by the mayor or any other officer, appointed by the mayor. and the mayor shall be sole judge of such cause of removal It seems clear to me that the mayor has the Tight to investigate conduct of any of- f1cials which he appoints and 1t also follows that he may seek such assist ance as he may think best to help him in this work. It does not follow that such request for assistance must be complied with, except that every citi- zen's oath, in my opinion. places him under an obligation to do all in his power to keep the fair name of this city unsmearched and to assist in the weeding out of unfaithfuI employees if such there be. If your charges had been against | any city officials not appointed by the | mayor. or, if you, or any other citi- | zen. at any time, desired to make | such charges. ! would immediately | bring the matter before the common | council. Tn regard to the power of the | committee I will, and do hereby dele | gate to this committee all of the pow CTS which I as mayor hold and which | are capable of being so delegated. also confer upon this committee any powers which the corporation coun- gel will assure me can be conferred upon #. It vas suggested to me. since the public press carried an item that you desired power for your com. nittee. that the board of police com. n1issioners have the power to sub poena witnesses. If. in the opinion of he corporation counsel. 1t can be ar- ranged for the board of police com nissioners to subpoena witnesses and allow your committee to examine hem. after their appearance will formally request the board of police to assist in the working ut of any feasible plan.
 The natural inference which lrew from your statements in the council was that the proof was al- 'eady in your hands or at least easily | ,vaiiab1e or you would not have pub icly made so serious < charge. still ielieve that this Is true and hope that his statement rega -ding authority md powers of your committee will convince you of my sincerity in the natter, and will induce you to bring orth whatever facts you may have or nay be able to discover. "Tery truly yours,
 "A. NJ. PAoNEssA,
 "Navnr~