New Britain herald., 1924-01-11
Paonessa Explains Why He Opposes Arrest, for Frequenting, of Men Found Where Liquor Is Sold
Denies He Tried to Instruct
 Chairman Dunn of Police
 Board But Simply Ex-, pressed Personal Opinion.

1 pressed PerSOnal OplnlOns Informed today through q letter received from Secretary Buel B. Bassette of the Civic Safety league. that the league had voted it's "com- mendation" on what they termed the breaking of his rule whereby hs never instructed the police commis. sioners. Mayor A. M, Paonessa at once wrote a reply to the Safety League, outlining at length hs policies. and his stand on the arrest of frequenters of establishments hsv. ing reputation for liquor sales.
 The duel with ink is a result of q conference held several days ago be- tween the mayor and Chairman David L. Dunn of the police commis- sion in the formers office. The mayor told the police board head at that time that he did not approve of arresting frequenters unless they were l buying or drinking liquor. He had previously, in conference with members of the Safety League, said that he has never instructed his police commissioners and that he has not met with them in more than l4 months.
 The letter received by the mayor today follows.
 Hon. Angelo Paonessa. Mayor, City Hall. New Britain, Conn. Dear Mir. Mayor:
 "At meeting of the executive com. mittee of the New Britain Civic 1 League just held, it was voted that the secretary send you a letter of commendation Tor breaking your rule ] announced 10 the committee in our interview with you on November Soth wherein you stated that yon never gave orders to the police com. missioners and, in fact had moi met with them in fourteen months. our contention then as now is that. as chiet executive, all commissioners shouid carry out his orders; especially where law enforcement is involved.
 Tn this connection, we are writing letter to Chairman Dunn. com mending him for his stand in allow ing the law to take it's course in the case of both propretors and fre- quenters, when both are engaged in law breaking activities.
 Respectfully yours,
 NEW BRITAIN CIVIC
 SAFETY LEAGUE.
 "B. B. Bassette. Secretary"
 The mayors letter to Mir. Bassette follows:
 MT B. B. Bassette. Secy. "Ci,ic Safety League.
 Dear Sir:
 '1 received in this mornings mail a communication signed by you as secretary Of the Civic Safety League. In which some statements are made which lead me 10 believe that your committee did not thoroughly grasp my views on matters Of city adminis- tration and the enforcement of the liquor law.
 "An excerpt from your letter reads, you stated that you never gave or ders to the police commissioners and. Tn fact, had not met with them in fourteen months
 Your communication then calls at- tention to an incident in which Chairman Dunn Of the police commits 'ion and myself discussed the matter of arresting frequenters found in places reputed 10 be resorts where iquor is sold or kept for sale There s likelihood that the report you re- scired on that matter was inaccurate. and it behoovos me to straishten out the matter.
 True, it was my statement 10 your committee that I never gave orders b the police commissioners. nn this tern. Mir Dunn and myself hold an discussion in my office. old NIT Dunn that my person opiu- lon Is that the man Who sells liogor md the man who is caught in the sct 'f buying or drinking it should be sr- -ested and punished in accordance Fith the provisions of the law. but. lie man who is found in s njsra where liquor is sold should not. in tbs bsencs Of positive proof of his guilty noUledEe. be subject to punishment.
 Suppose. for an example. you or I Fere arcustomea 10 eat our lunch fn certain fftsuraHf which 10 all out rard app&tancss was an ordinary thing room. but Hhich. unknown to IS. was conducting ar illicit liquor radc. At aii times phiie in the es- [ we would he subject to
 
 Or violating the liquor law stiII we rould he rutireit Innocent cf any fish Co transFress upon the lar hink you Will readily admit The anne condition holds true of inc little tore where you stop 10 purchase our daily nswsps per-how do you or know there isn't liquor to be had in he place Suppose man Is spend lg the night in hotel where a bell oy CT some other emplove is carrv- lr on 2 trade in liquor which vs now nothing about Do you think fl -ould be a fair application Of the law , arrest that man as a freouenter7
 not. then where is the distinction hich would sanction the arrest Of a Ian who happens to he in store here there IS liquor 10 be purchased7 [ cours1. as ! have previouslv eaid. he has purchased or drinks the fls