New Britain herald., 1924-10-16

passed over lightly spoke up MT. filling. He told the meeting that unless a resolution was presented to the effect that the salary be increas- ed and this resolution was presented at a town meeting and there ap- proved, the method of increase was not legal.
 . May ask if such action was talk en?" questioned Miss Adele Murray.
 Arthur L. Woodruff, clerk, said that MT. Deming was right One year ago such a measure was pre- sented and the report of the finance committee accepted.
 Here Frank L. Wilcox interposed. He said that the public meeting Of the finance board is held for the dis cussion of the budget. At the town meeting the budget is offered for discussion. The budget was approved in town meeting, he said. |' It was claimed by Mir. filling that a separate motion was required to grant a salary increase, but Ma for Wilcox asked if an approved and accepted budget, in which the increase is incorporated, has not me same binding force as a separate motion. It was contended that the budget fixes the salary. | However, MT. Alling hurried right back to the fore and remarked that the budget is not specific. It is merely an estimate. He again ex- pressed the fervid opinion that the matter should be settled at once. Carter Defends Salary
 First Selectman Carter. blazing with indignation, started to his feet and inquired why the salary of the first selectman was picked upon. He said the town meeting passed on the increase. A separate resolution was we'll and good in the days when there was no finance board, but times have changed, he said. Miss Murray said that she was not arguing for or against the pro- position. but wanted to see fair play. If the matter was irregular it should be made regular, she said, and the town meeting was the place to do it. Here Mir. filling, not to be squelched. said that state law re- quires a separate resolution for an increase in the salary of the first selectman.
 Frank Pinches moved that the se- lectmen's report be laid on the | table. Charles F. Lewis said that there was nothing wrong with the report itself. The question was one of legality. Why should the report be laid on the table. he asked,
 we can't pick separate items out of the report" said the chairman.
 Does the chair decide that tRe action of the finance board and the acceptance of the budget by the town meeting Is not enough to make such a matter a legality?' asked Major Wilcox.
 I'm not here for that purpose, said the chairman, "The motion has been made and seconded"
 Selectnlan Is Questioned
 From then on the questions aimed at the head of the first selectman came thick and fast.
 Are there any outstanding bills?' There are"
 Do they appear on the report ?' They do not. They were not asked for"
 "Is there anything to show the assets and liabitties?" NO"
 "Is the amount Of indebtedness oi bonds or borrowed money shown 2
 'The bonds appear in the treas urer's report"
 1 "I thought" said Miss Murray that according to action of the leg islature. no past due bills are al lowed"
 "I thought that assets and liabili' ties should be shown" said th' chairman.
 Following this questioning th' matter of accepting the selectment report was put to vote. Ther' was a doubt as to the vote and [ count was taken. The report wal accepted.
 The first seiectmsn said tha there were a few past due bill which upuld be included in thI 1 k,,A-ns