New Britain herald., 1924-02-02
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY

The Herald has advocated con- sistently giving more weight to the recommendation of the various com mittees and departments by the com mon council. It has been emphasized repeatedly that this method of con- ducting q municipality's affairs has been recognized as the wisest way Of bringing efficient, just management of the city affairs. The attitude of the common council has been too often that of an employer who practically disregards the recommendations of the head of a department whom he has employed to investigate and manage that department and to get results. No city department, no committee has any incentive 10 give time and thought to its investigations, and to it's report the the council based upon these in- vestigations and this thought, if the members Of the committee or depart ment know that what is recommended will have little weight with the council which makes the final decision. The manner in which the council treated the recommendation of the salary committee recently is glaring in- stance of this attitude.
 Now a decision is awaited in ease where certain claims were made against the city for alleged damages claimed to have been caused by the citys negligence. IL is quite possible that this particular case could not have been settled out Of court for much less that will be granted by the court which has already stated that the city was negligent. and the plain tiIs, the damaged persons were free from contributory negligence. This leaves the only question to be decided the amount of damages that will be granted.
 But the fact that so little weight IS BiNth tO EtCOilitAthAaAiVho oL tb' committees. including ihe claims com mittee, has a tendency to bring those committees into disrepute. The coun- ell has looked with disfavor upon granting any claims caused by alleged damages arising from poor condition of highways. Ii is said by some people who have knowledge Of the attitude Of drivers of cars. that no more claims will be presented to the claim com mittee for damages arising from de- |, fleets in the highways because Of this | attitude Of the council. Claims against ! the city. in order 10 have a standing | in court must be made within a cer- | tain specified time. The claimant will I not bother. it is said. to wait upon the council for action. knowing the feeling against such claims. He will merely take court action, thus inyolv- ing the city in litigation.
 Certain claims should not be settled I by the city out or court. The city ern. ploys a corporation counsel and law yers are usually on the committee also. The corporation counscl advises and the members Of the committee decide whether or not claim should be paid. with a view to saving tho city from defending a hopeless suit, oT whether tho case is Of such doubtful character as 10 make it advisable to allow it to be tried in court. The atti- tude Of the council should change in this matter Of damages resulting from \ condition of the highways. Those should be paid when the claims committee, advised by the corporation counsel. recommend tbefr payment. The feeling that no such claims wili !, be paid by the city without legal &C., ion. should not be allowed to remain