New Britain herald., 1924-12-13
Underwater Outlines Improvements If New Britain Is To Gain Better Fire Insurance Rating.
Conference of Mayor and Department Heads Held But Reporters Are Per. sona Non Grata.

Employment of at least 20 addi- tonal fremen and the purchase of . new aerial truck are among num- erous requirements that must be ful- filled by the city of New Britain if this city is to be advanced to a bet ter insurance rating. Engineer J. H. Rowland of the National Board of Fire Underwriters told a gathering of department heads at conference in Mayor A. M. Paonessa's office this morning.
 The conference was the first ses- sion held during Mayor Paonessas 8 two and one-half years In office to which newspapers reporters not only were not invited. but were sum- marily dismissed upon attempting to report the proceedings of the meet ing. The mayor stated in his first message to the common council that he believed in giving the fullest pub licity to city affairs and he reiter- eted this policy in statements that followed. Up to today there has never been meeting from which reporters were barred.
 In requesting a Herald reporter to absent himself from the meeting Engineer Rowland explained the conference was little family gathering of departmental heads with nothing for publication
 Mayor Paonessa afterwards ad- mitted that as the meeting pro- gressed he found no good reason for requesting secrecy.
 Paonessa Opposed Conference
 It became known afterwards that Mayor Paonessa was not disposed 10 grant Engineer Rowland the priv ilege Of conference with depart mental heads and officials, and 1t was only after much argument that he sanctioned the move. Last year engineers of the underwriters board came into this city and spent several week in going over the fire pro- tection facilities, water supply and building construction. and in that period the service of scores of city employees was diverted from their regular duties. The only result that came of the long and costly investi- gatton by the underwriters was a general statement of their findings, with a few general recommendations and no betterment in the fire insur- ance rating.
 Rowland came 10 New Britain yesterday to supplement the report by a personal conference with the city departmental heads.
 Department Heads Present.
 Those who were present today in- cluded Mayor Paonessa, Chairman Edward F. Hall of the board of finance and taxation, Chairman Thomas Hinder Of the zonlng con- mission. Chairman Frank NJ. zim' merman of the board of assessors Chairman William L, Hatch Of the water board, Chairman John F. R Keevers of the fire board, Water Superintendent James Towers, Chiel ". J. Noble of the fire department Clerk Frank J. O'Brien of the water board and City Engineer Jo' seph D. Williams.
 Howland's statement that Ne" Britain is deficient in many point; necessary before it can be admitted into the group of third class cities was followed by an explanation o some of the more outstanding fca lures Of the city's deficiencies Most important of all were those pertaining to the fire department At least 10 men should be added tt each fire platoon, he claimed, th'' number being very nearly as man! as were added when the city adopt ed the double platoon system.
 When Rowland claimed ther' was need for new aerial ladde
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