New Britain herald., 1925-02-11
DEADLOCKED AFTER
 TAKING 22 BALLOTS
Fire Board Fails to Elect Capt.
 WattS' Successor

missioners last night failed to elect successor 10 the late Captain Wh- liam Watts of the fire department.
 A deadlock, with two lteutenants mentioned for the position, was the situation and, in spite of the efforts of Commissioner George Cans to secure the election of one of the men, or an adjournment, the pro- ccodiugs dragged along, until, upon motion of Commissioner John Mika- lauskas, the meeting was declared at an end,
 The two lieutcnants for whom .the commissioners balloted were William Hartnett of Engine Com pany No. and John Connolly of Engine Company No. 6 Chairman John E. R. 1teoyers and Commits Sioncr Blair favored Lieutenant Con nelly, while Commissioners Walter Blair and Mikaauskas cast their votes for Lieutenant Hartnctt.
 Both Have Good Records
 At the end of the seventh ballot Commissioner Cans moved that a halt he called and the records of i the mon looked up. These dis closed that both men have per formed equally efficient service, l Lieutenant Connolly is 42 years of age and was appointed a ca)lman on May 2, 1907, being appointed to the 1 regular force on May l, 1914, be- coming a lieutenant in 1919. Lieu tenant Hartneit was appointed to the substitute force on April q, 1914, becoming a permanent fireman on January 15. 1917. He is 32 years of age. He became q lieutenant In 1919.
 Commissioner Cans was of the opinion that Connolly is the man for the position due 10 length Of service and age, Otherwise, both men are equal both in conduct and ability.
 Blair Raps Cans
 Here Commissioner Flair put in. a word for Lieutenant Hartnett. He said that period of service has never counted with the fire board, es- ! pecially among the recent appoint mcnrs matn. He said that Com missioner Cans should be the last one to point to period of service as a qualification because he has not 1 followed this rule in any appoint ments. Until the board adopts the rule that period of service shall be considered, he will not stand for if, he said
 "Bccause I'm inconsistent, should you be- demanded Commissioner Cans. I'm eight months older now and willing to acknowledge my errors" he said, referring to a pre- yious appointment, in which period of service was not considered.
 Well, I haven't made any errors yet, and I don't propose to-" re- torted Commissioner Blair.
 Mir. Cans reply was; You're not the one to judge that"
 Commissioner Mikalauskas was of the opinion that Lieutenant Hart nett is a good fireman, pointing to his work during the fire at the Slo- per house in 1915. Commissioner Cans had d comeback, saying that @5 per cent of the fircmen are good ones and any of them would have done what Lieutenant Hartnctt did at that fire, not wishing 10 take any credit from the man for his work. If any fireman should refuse 10 go into 4 burning building, his place would not be on the department, he continued.
 I've must weigh all the argu- mcnjs-" began Commissioner Cans. 10 be interrupted by Commissioner Blair, with Now don't bring in period of service"
 Here Mir. Cans tried another sug- goestion. He said that lie had been willing 10 give in when the ques- ton of clecting a chief came up last year. He said he compromised against his better judgment, so that tn" matter might be settled.
 "Nery poor policy" commented Commissioner Blair.
 Suggests Adjournment
 Again the commissioners proceed cd 10 ballot. When the 12th poll had been announced and the same result was shown, Commissioner Cans moved the adjournment Of the meeting, Again, at the end of the 19th ballot. Mir. Cans moved that the meeting be called 10 an end and again his motion was lost
 At the conclusion of the 22nd ballot, Commissioner Cans pushed hack his chair, saving that it was foolishness to continue with the bal loting, He was called to order and motion was made by Commission CT Mikalauskas that the meeting adjourn. This time it was carried. Applications Received Six applications for appointment