New Britain herald., 1927-12-17

1 Disposition of the annual question of salary adjustments in city hall will be watched with extraordinary interest this year, principally be- cause there is an unusual amount of ! speculation as to the practicability of the system adopted by the salary committee of the common council at the instigation of the chairman, Councilman Clarence H. Maxon of the first ward, with the purpose in mind of coming into possession of first hand information bearing on the duties, responsibilities and capa- bilities of the various city officials and employees.
 The public eye is never as keen as when it is focused upon the salary question, according to those members of the official family who have been on either the giving or receiving end for many years, and whereas the common council can authorize the expenditure of several hundreds of thousands of dollars without arousing the slightest ap- pearance of public interest, few sal ary increases, however small. can ! pass without close scrutiny, and, of course, tremendous criticism. Many council members have purposely avoided membership on the salary committee because they realized their duty would compel them to re- ject petitions in cases where their personal feelings towards the appli- cants were of the friendliest nature. Men who have had the reputation Of loving an argument on municipal matters have been known to shrink at the approach of the parade of salary adjustment recommendations, choosing to act on problems having | the appearance of being much more 1 important and complicated than to run the risk of offending a single wage earner or his other friends.
 Councilman Maxon, early this year decided to have the salary commit tee prepared in advance for the "raiscs" that were certain to be re- quested, and for the past several weeks the members of the salary committee have busicd themselves with inquiries tending to show whether or not the officials and em- ployes whose salaries are to be scrutinized this month actually are deserving of consideration in the way of increased compensation. Every city department has been con- sdered in an intimate way, hy mem bers who have examined the records, i observed the working of the munich pal system, and interviewed the heads of departments. The result will make itself apparent when the committee takes action and prepares q report to the council for action at the January meeting.
 Naturally, opinion is divided in city hall as to the practicability of the committees investigation. The members themselves are said to be of the opinion that it was wise step to take, because great amount of valuable data came to light, and at least there can be no hue and cry this year as 'n the past, that the committee exercised snap judgment by giving up a few minutes to the various hearings and then taking action without knowing anything of the merits of the several cases ex- cepting such claims as had been put forth by the petitioners or their sponsors.
 Veterans in municipal affairs have heard argument after argument put forth in support of petitions for sal ary increases, over q period of years, and in some instances, they state, there has been little variation. On the other hand, the opposition to the granting of the petitions has also been of decidedly stereotyped na- ture in a great many cases. Natural ly. the salary question has been the cause of creating ill feeling, both in the common council and among the departments concerned. which is a condition that no individual or con- mittee can hope to remedy. Council man MaXon and his co-Workers un- doubtedly realize that their plan will not be unanimously approved, but IH'N dlt ol tIS btlI'l tllctS It isn OH improvement over the former way of handling the salary question and they are confident that the advance data obtained in their investigation will prove to be useful equipment in their campaign to make an equitable decision in every case.
 Agitation for the removal of bus stations from the center of the city which was renewed this week by the board of police commissioners is evidence of the growth of New Brit ain, if further evidence is needed As 9. city expands traffic congestion increases. The traffic situation is q true index to community growth and to the prosperity of it's inhabitants More people, more automobiles moro automobiles. greater material wealth.
 Opposition is certain to arise to any program which will designate bus stations at points other than ir the heart of the city. At present tho stops are convenient to that part of the public which depends on buses for transportation It is un- fortunate that public convenience and public welfare conflict under present conditions but it is certain that eventually the city will find it necessary to establish bus stations at other points and a beginning might as well be made now as at some future dates.
 New Britains main street is toe narrow to permit of further use of it for bus stops. Buses add to the increasing congestion not only while they are stopped at the curb but while they are making their way around the park. Before long pub lie safety will demand that stopping points be established on side streets