New Britain herald., 1925-01-29
.PAONESSA DEFIES
 COMMON COUNCIL Declares He Will Ignore Charter
 Amendment fl Adopted RUTHERFORD HITS AT COP.

Is Composed or "RuDDer stamps
 and Decision on Legislation Was
 Decided Upon by Strategy Board.
 Mayor A. M. Paonessa delivered an utimatum to the common coun- cil last night during the reading of charter amendments when he at tackled proposal to increase the powers of the common council over the police and fire boards, and de- clared that he would ignore the councils action should the proposed change result in conflict.
 Despite the mayors warning, the council adopted the amendment to the charter revision committees re- port.
 Several months ago the police and fire boards challenged the powers of the common council to dictate in matters of appointments. The com- missions ignored the councils orders and as a result the charter revision committee was asked to pass changes clearly defining the powers of each,
 Slight changes in the wording of clauses pertaining to appointments were made providing that men might be enlisted in both branches subject to rules and regulations made by the council. To avoid conflict, the committee voted to take out of another section of the charter provision that the com mon council may pass all other acts to increase the efficiency of the police and fire departments" It was argued that under guise of an efficiency move, 1t would be possible to remove any officer of either de- partment or pass rules that the commissioners might believe were unwise, resulting in further conflict. The charter revision committee de- clined to include the clause in spite of a strong campaign waged by AL derman w. J. Judd. republican floor leader, and at party conference in c. o. P. headquarters Tuesday even- ing, the republicans voted to sub init 1t as an amendment to the charter revision committees report.
 The amendment was brought in last night by Alderman c. J. Dehm of the first ward.
 l Mayor Defends Commissions.
 Mayor Paonessa turned the gavel over 10 Alderman Judd andtook the floor. He expressed belief that the two commissions were in a better position to determine what acts would promote the efficiency of the department, and declared he would ignore the councils action if con- flict resulted from adoption of the amendment. He threatened to bring the question 10 the superior court for adjudication if necessary.
 Councilman Arthur N. Rutherford, who throughout the evening had been a thorn in the side of republi- can organization movements ,arose and said:
 Tt won't make any difference what we do tonight. We're only the rubber stamps There will be 8 hearing in Hartford before the com mittee on cities and boroughs, and if we make a change 1t will probably be changed back again. All these matters were decided last night ir republican headquarters by the board of strategy. anyway"
 Council in Turmoil.
 At this point Alderman Judd rap ped his gavel vigorously and several members of the council called to a point of order. Rutherford's voice could be heard above the shouting for order as he continued his broad side against alleged republican meth ods of transating business.
 Mayor Paonessa assured the coun- cil he does not question the sincerity ] of New Britain's representative in the general assembly, but he added that it is q fact that amendments were changed two years ago after being approved by the charter rc. vision committee and the common council
 Councilman Stephen 4. Lynch felt the police and fire commissions were in the better position to know what was advisable in each dcpartmcut and make efficiency moves.
 Other amendments to the charter as suggested by the revision commit, tee were adopted without a dissent. ing vote. The zoning enabling act was not discussed, but adopted with. out question.
 Row Over Clothing Allowance Motions. amendments. appeals , from the chair, rulings and overruI 7 ings came in rapid succession durinf , the discussion of a proposal to giy, . members of the police and fire de , partments a clothing allowance ant s after more than an hours discussion I this proposal was rejected A move I. ment later in the evening to gran p an increase of 25 cents a day to ser f geants and members of the polio department and to lieutC Cnants ant 9 men in the fire department was als, lost.
 I Chairman John O'Bricn of th committee on uniform allowance re
 ported total cost of s14,40o |
 make this allowance 10 the prescn police and fire departments, an, ? sS,5oo additional if tho men soush
 by the two departments this yea f are appointed. He called for roI n call vote on his motion 10 adopt th , clothing allowances.
 , Councilman Thurc Rcngston sai n he was on the committee, but didn' n. sign the report because he though f the action was taken too hastily, H e argued that police and firemen mE { buy equipment, but it costs som
 money for any kind of an occupa
 ton. He wanted 10 know why th
 city should pay for underwear an r socks for the fire'and police depart