New Britain herald., 1925-12-07
PADDING or ESTIMATES
 SHOULD END

SHOULD END
 The time is soon here when the various departments of the city will be submitting their estimates of ex- penses for the next fiscal year to the Board of Finance and Taxation. The estimates are intended 10 assist the board in preparing city budget and fixing the rate
 Therefore it Is time to call at- tention 10 the fact that one of the prime needs Of the city departments is they should ask appropriations for only those things which are really necessary 10 carry on the city gov ernment in conformity with the re- quirements Of progressive city.
 If city department has been pc titioned during the year by politi- cans or others for things the depart ment knows the city cannot pro- vide, i. should refuse 10 recommend them. Heretofore, as general thing, the practice has been to pass the buck to the Board Of Finance and Taxation, leaving 10 that busy board the duty of trying to see where the money is to come from. Nine times out of ten the city departments af- fected were aware of such conditions before making inc recommendations
 In other words, the practice of padding estimates has been followed too much in the past and il is in the interest Of enlightened city govern ment that such padding cease.
 The Common Council is not with out blame in this respect. It too has attempted 10 indulge in buck pass ing,
 Some time ago the Common Coun- cil received recommendation from the police board for five additional policemen. The Council. for some reason not being willing to take ac- tion itself at that time, passed the request 10 the Board of Finance and Taxation with the request 10 provide funds for the appointments, The sup position was that if the Finance board provided the money the Coun- ciI would accedc to the request Of the Police board.
 The Finance board, taking the Council at its word, held q meeting Of several hours during which the matter was considered. and after rearrancinE various other funds ami pruning appropriations wherever possible, the money for the five ad- dttionaI policemen vas made avail able and the Common Council So in- formed.
 But then, instead of acceding 10 the appointment of five new police men after the funds were provided the Common Council cut the ap- pointmcut 10 one new policeman.
 Naturally the Finance hoard was indignant. IL rightly vas claimed that an effort had been made by inc Council 10 pass the buck" to the Finance board with the expectation that tho board, rather than the Council, might refuse to make inc appointments The Finance board, howe CT, taking coru!zancc of the nrrl for additional patrolmpn. had cleared the way for their ap- pointment which evidently surprtseI the Common Conncil so much that 1t refused 10 go any further in The matter except 10 consent 10 the ap- pointmont Of one lone patrolman.
 The Finance board is made up Of men who have been successful in business and industry. They ail are busy man, and haHa no time to waste in considering playful buck passing by tho Common Council or any oth- CT 1,lr.mout of tho city govern mnn' The members of tho boerl give their finn 'othr oiy gratis, and during tho time when ,he city budg- ot is h.tns prepared they work night after night in meeting inc ci'y'7 .uanca1 and taxation prob lems Why tAry should he imposed upon by thc Common Council or any other department or the civic gov ernment is hard 10 understand and it most assurcdIy is high time that inc Council an@ the departments get down 10 business. avoid PoliJical recommendations, and not play horse with the members Of a board which inc records amply prove is more et- ficieat iH everything having to do with the city's affairs than the Coun- ril.
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