New Britain herald., 1925-02-07
THE OBSER YER. Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People


 1t is believed that war clouds are beginning to hover over q regime which. in recent months, has been marked with the tranquility of la- dies aid society quilting party.
 The mayors rumpus with the building commission, as a result Of which three members resigned, is followed by rumors that his rela- ton with the police commission are becoming strained. When Mayor Paonessa was running for office, one of his slogans was hands off the commissions" but it is obvious that he has seen fit to modify his atti- tude in this respect.
 It was because of his personal in- terest in cases brought before the building commission that an erup- tion was caused in that body result ing In the aforementioned resigna- tions. Again his personal interest comes to the fore in the case of a policeman against whom a woman Is said to have filed q complaint of overofficiousness. Instead of taking the usual course and having inquiry made through the police commission he has gone over the heads of the commission and Is dealing directly with police department officials. It is not known whether members of the commission resent his interfer- .ence because nothing has been said by them on this point. But it is na- tural to suppose that they are not pleased.
 Only a week ago, Mayor Paonessa had stenographer present to take down the testimony at a hearing given a policeman who was charged with brutality in arresting several young men, one of whom is related Ito the mayor. No comment was made by the commissioners but the public considered 1t bad ethics or, in plain language, slap in the face" for the commissioners, who are entrusted with the responsibility of making the department function properly.
 The latest incident, the question: ling of police officials directly by the mayor, is liable to leave a disagree able taste in, the mouths of the commissioners. Until recently the mayor handled all matters pertain ing to the police department through the board and the wonder increases that he has changed his tactics. The policeman against whom the woman made complaint is the same who was involved in the ar rest of another relative of the mayor and the belief grows among the rank and file of the department that His Honor is determined to have him stripped of his uniform and his badge.
 l Within the next few weeks it is possible that the mayor and his po- lice commissioners will reach an un- derstanding or part company. There 1 is only one member of the board who is said to approve of the may ors policy and he is said to be work ing hand in glove with the executive in running down rumors about the police department. If a change sin the commission is brought about it is likely that he will be named chairman as a reward for his har- mony with the mayors ideas.
 New Britain was treated to q farce de luxe this week when the charge brought against Prosecuting Attorney Joseph G. Woods and As sistant Prosecutor Greenstein that they had failed to prosecute viola tors of the building laws, fell down with such Q crash that it broke into 1 a million and one atoms.
 It was claimed by former Chair man Wexlcr of the building com mission that the prosecutor and his assistant did not cooperate with the lccmmission when violations to the law were brought to their attention. The common council appointed a lcommittee to conduct an investiga- | tion. The meeting was held last night. One member of the council committee appeared. MT. Wexler was absent. Mr. Woods and MT. Greenstein were in attendance ready for a bombardment. The noise was more like the inaudible concussion on the atmosphere when a green pea leaves a "hean shooter" in hands of a naughty boy.
 The Investigation" lasted two minutes. Such little interest was shown in it by those who should have been intensely interested that it couldn't have lasted longer. The prosecutor and his assistant were exonerated when the building in- spector said that he knew of no evidence by which they could be held guilty of failure to cooperate.
 It is believed that this was the shortest investigation in the history of the New Britain government and the silliest.
 The effect which a uniform has Eupon the fair sex has often been re- marked, but it's effect on others than impressionable fiappers is also no-' IticeabIe. Or, rather, the lack of uni form is noticeable. A police officer out of uniform still retains some what of his majestic dignity, for he can never forget that he is the Ringding Galong Lama of the west fern word 10 whom all must kowtow lin abject obedience. But fireman, fearless and alert as he appears in his navy blue uniform, sbecomes an ordinary citizen once again when ton scar. Mentally he was so healthy that his education wouldn't take"