New Britain herald., 1924-01-31
THE COMMON COUNCIL

There are just three aspects of the
 common council session last night that
 inspire comment. It was brief no un-
 necessary or uhcalled-for dieussion
 being indulged in for the sake "of the
 record;' it gave the mayor the op-
 portunity to make at least two signifi- can remarks.
 AS 10 the brevity: il was proper
 The situation was one that could not have been changed by any amount of arguing, accusation, or 'eloquence." When conditions are like that, discus
 sion and badniage only makes the body look ridiculous and aeeomplishes no good. The common council. last night, knew it opinion and voted ad- vlsedly on the matters presented
 In vetoing the former action of the council on salaries the mayor gave as his reason his belief that such ac- ton did not express the best judgment of the common council and was un- fair to some of the eity's faithful em- ploycs. Thus it is seen, as previously pointed out in these columns. that the salary increases formerly granted did not inspire the veto. Giving city em- ploye an increase is not an unfair action to some or the city's faithful cmployes." The mayors objection was to the discrimination shown in grant ing some increases and refusing others to less influential or 10 more de- serving city employees. Everyone knew thc reason for the mayors attitude
 And. it Is boleyed .a majority Of the body felt that the previous action had been improper. The council indicated that belief by the vote.
 ln his message regarding the fare increases there was just on especially noteworthy passage emphasized by Mayor Paonossa "The public utilities commission should not hesitate 10 in- vcstigate" the Connecticut company "and give the people Of the state the facts" This is quite in line with the suggestion here made that the com missions duty is 10 see that the peo- pie are served well and ineXpensively. l While one need not give thorough approval 10 the ramiiications Of this idea, as expressed by the mayor. there is no questioning the soundness of his theory that, being in office to see to it that the people get proper service, l the commission should at least tell the 1 people why their demands arc im- possible li indeed. the commission ! finds the granting of such demands to be out Of the question.
 There is no intention here 10 de- 1 mand an investigation of the Connecti- ! cut company other than that which the commission may have already l made. But there is the feeling that tho | reasons for allowing this increase should be presented fully by the rnp- resent atives Of the people. namely the | commission. and not entirely by the representatives of thc company. Just ? little closer contact with the people of the state would undoubtedly make fhe people uudersiau better the req cons why thc commission is insistent upon favoring the company when there seems, 10 the people. 10 be no reason for granting the company's request whenever tho company makes one. We have the highest respect for tna men Of tb" commission. They are ro'. however. such high 5ignitarios that they are moi called upon t0 pre- sent facts in which people are Yitaily interested. tg tHe people uhom they are supposed 10 care for in the matter Of transport alton. When and f fhr commission makes such q report 10 fhe people en tho reason Tor allowing this fare increase. showing Inc state Of the r0mpauy's finances and it's pr1its and expenses. there should be sofne matter in which a saving might { be effected without making Inc people pay more for their transportation. fl 1 s quite possible that from the people [ night come some suggestion that gould be worth considering by the [ .ornnission and tho company itself.
 IT only there could be letter un- erstsndihg. free from suspicion. be- | ween the people, and the commission. | there seems 10 be between the l commission and tH. CoHnecticnt com any. the transportation situation , sigft cease tb b. constant source Of .erpIexity. And. incidentally. the life | Ii the eornpany. iu which many poo- ? .le hold stock uho could iIl afford to 2 oss money. might be prolonged. U