New Britain herald., 1924-12-11
CHANCE DESIRABLE
 IN PENSION FUNDS New Method of Financing Need-
 ed, Chairman Hall Says TO AVOID TAXATION BURDEN
Fire and Police Boards Should Work Out System for Increasing Income Before Charter Is Re- vised, Senator-elect Believes.

vised, Senator-elect Believes.
 Police and fire department pen sion funds In this city are rapidly approaching condition where a radical change in the method of replenishing the accounts must be devised or the funds discontinued entirely. in the opinion of Edward F. Hall chairman of the board of finance and taxation.
 Chairman Hall has suggested that the fire and police boards work jointly on new system of pensions. details of which he believes can be worked out in conjunction with state departments who have like funds. While member of the general assembly as chairman of the committee on appropriations. Mir. Hall has much experience with pensions and he followed with inter- est the investigations Of the Rocke- feller Foundation on this subject, which governed In great measure the preparation of state pensions. Should Not Become Tax Burden. Discussion the need for re- vamped system. MT. Hall says:
 Tt has been the experience in l pension funds in many cities that once they begin to become a tax burden the taxpayers resent the increased costs and overthrow them. If pension funds Is to be success full 1t must be so conducted that it cannot become great tax burden" The question Of taxation must be the pivotal point about which the various considerations that will en- ter into the joint conference must resolve, Mir. Hall believes, He is hopeful that joint report of the boards will be In readiness for adop- ton at the charter revision commit tee meetings two years hence, but he believes the question Is one Of such magnitude that work should be started without delay.
 City Contributes S2yS50.
 At present the city pays out of taxation total of $2,S60 to these funds, sl,650 being paid to the po- lice and s1,20o to the fire depart ment accounts. "
 The main source Of revenue for the fire account is. the annual Fire mems ball which Is held New Years eve, while the police department derives It's chief revenues from the annual police baseball game with the Meriden department. In addi- tion, members of both departments pay a percentage of their wages into the account. Contributions are made by citizens usually follow ing good work in fighting fires or in effective police work, witness fees also being turned over to the pension fund of the police depart ment in many instances.
 There Is now a proposal before the charter revision committee which, if adopted, will increase the police fund by about s1,0oO a year At present supernumerary police man receives s3.5o for service at stores, halls and athletic games, s5 Of which he retains, 50 cents being turned into the office for the general fund. The officers are desirous of having this 50 cents turned into the pension fund. By & recent charter enactment. money received from the sale of old fire apparatus is turned into the fire pension fund affording a small revenue.
 Several Nearing Pension Age.
 At present there are few pay. ments out Of the pension funds. Ir very few years there will be sev. eral policemen and fremen on the retired list, 1t Is expected, particu. larlv if the city adopts q charter amendment making retirement from the police department at the age ot SO years compulsory, in cases where the officer has served o5 years With the payment of half pay, the ptfScllL luilu NUull IpL ldbL iOlt and under the present scheme ot replenishment would probably gc out of existence in comparatively few years. those interested in city finances believe.
 Members of the finance boart look with displeasure on any move 3 ment 10 increase the payments ou Of taxation and if pension funds ar, 10 be continued, Chairman Hall feel a complete revisal of the prcsen schepe will be necessitated.
 : Chairman David L. Dunn of tn 3 police board and Chairman John F
 R, Keevers of the fire board hav 3 already informally discussed Chair } man Halls recommendation and f joint meeting Of the boards will b, l called shortly 10 give further con l sideration to It.