New Britain herald., 1925-02-26
Mayor Resents Civic Leaguer's R eport Charging Him With Religious Prejudice.
Points Out That Worst Crime in City Was Con- mitted by K. K. K. Mem ber--Ref0rmer Passes Buck.

You and your gang are a dis grace to the city of New Britain. going around smiling in peoples faces and sticking knife in their backs" Mayor A. NJ. Paonessa told Attorney Arthur W. Upson, presi- dent of the Civic Safety league, at a conference this morning in the formers office.
 The mayor had heard accounts Of a report submitted by President Up- son at the annual banquet of the league last night and, although the report did not mention the mayors name In connection with the state ments that city officials had been ordered to countenance violations Of the law, the mayor was informed that Upson had supplemented his statement with another in which he named the mayor. This morning, Mayor Paonessa telephoned Upson and arranged conference.
 When Upson entered the office, Mayor Paonessa opened the dia- logue with query:
 Upson Passes the Buck
 Are you responsible for what ap- peared in the papers in which you claim I stopped the police from making raids?"
 Mir. Upson denied such a state ment had been made in just those words, and he advised the mayor he would be willing to discuss the report in detail in the presence of members of the league executive committee. He disclaimed personal responsibility for the report, al- though he admitted having penned it, claiming it was the statement of the executive committee and that committee was answerable.
 The mayor insisted it was the presidents statement and he called upon Upson either to reaffirm and prove his allegations or deny them. Upson declined to do either, adher- ing to his original proposal. to dis cuss the matter in the presence Of the executive committee members, which stand brought from the may or, the statement:
 T wouldn't lend the honor that goes with. the office of mayor to your committee: I wouldn't be seen in their presence.
 Haven't you mind of your own? Can't you speak for your self? Aren't you old enough to be able to stand without webbing, like children? Haven't you any loyalty to your city," Such was the barri- cade of caustic interrogations hurled at upson by the mayor. "Kluckcr" Principal In Worst Crime
 Picking from a printed statements of upson's report of last night & line in which the president pointed out the need for educating the Italians and Polish in the wisdom of drink ing beverages other than liquors, the mayor said:
 The worst crime committed in the annals of the city took place this week, and the man who committed it was not an Italian or a Pole, but he was a 'klucker."
 Upson denied knowledge of the of ''klucker," the only def- hilton he could make out was set ting hen"
 Further on in their discussion, Upson reminded the mayor that he has been engaged in reform work for more than 20 years, and he told the executive that many years ago he was elected a constable in Berlin.
 "ls that the time you had the gin min down there?" the mayor in terrupted.
 The attorney said there were sev- eral Of them in the town and he re- cited tales Of men drinking them selves to death and being found in cellars beside whiskey barrels.
 Taking up the matter Of lotteries, one of the subjects discussed in the , report. Mayor Paohessa said: Accusee Upson of Religious Preiu-
 dice.
 About a year and a half ago you called at my office and complained Of lotteries and at that time the lot tcries were for building Catholic churches. You said th, Catholic church would eventually demoralizr the Protestant church, and l told you then I had heard you wer, against the Catholics ana you certainly proved it."
 Upson retaliated with a statement that he believed the Catholic church had proved a factor for good and h. believes in it, but with respect to lotteries, Its members deserve con demna,ion .more so than do tho members oS Protestant eongrega tions."
 At one time the argument became so warm that Mayor Paonessa in loud tones said: You are an educat- ed man, an attorney, while I had no such oppc crtunity. But, be careful. ] may lose my temper with you"
 Upson's only reply was: "He who controls his spirit is greater than he who taketh a city"
 Upson said he would welcome a islander suit, but would appreciate ii if the suit was brought against the executive committee since his utter tt,es rnra inc snnfinients nf fhc