New Britain herald., 1927-12-02
CHAIRMAN LARSON
 ENGAGES IN TILT
Lawyer Resents Type of Quss-
 tionS by Claims Committee Head

Attorney s. Polk Waskowitz be- came so nettled while under cross examination by Councilman John A. Larson, chairman Of the common council claims committee, relative 10 his claim for damage to his car by reason of its having become mlred on Carlton street the night ot No vember 5, that he refused to reply to questions put 10 him by the chairman at the committee hearing last night at City Hall.
 Ask reasonable questions and you will be given reasonable answers the attorney said.
 T am to be given credit for some 8riying sense. you know he added and in the Iargument that ensued Councilman w. c. Gibney moved that the hearing be closed at once. Councilman Albert Anderson sec onded the motion and Attorney Waskowitz left the hearing without finishing the presentation of his claim. Action will be taken later by the committee.
 The hearing was progressing smoothly until Attorney Waskowitz was asked by Councilman Larson why he had driven into the weak place in the road after he saw that there Were two other cars sunk 10 their running boards in the mud. The attorney replied that the lights on the other cars were not burning and he would have thought they were parked had he been able to sec them. Tho lights on his car were burning. he said. but he could not See q great distance ahead on ac- count Of the rain that was falling.
 He Could Have Seen
 ''Wcll. I think l could see 100 feet ahead" Councilman Larson said. and the attorney did not take kindly 10 the observation and replied with some heat. After he had made his remark about reasonable queS- asked Corporation Counsel J. II. Hirkham if it was not true that there was absolutely no question as to the city's liability under the facts as he had stated them
 Larson Again Quizzcs
 Judge kirkham was attempting 10 learn the extent Of the damage 10 the attorneys car. the attorney hav- ing said he had not received the garage bills hut would mail them shortly. and when mention was made Of the need Of dressing the top which had been damaged by the rain, Councilman Larson asked the attorney what the connection was between having a car stuck in the mud and needing the top dressed. The attorney tried 10 ignore the chairman, but the latter told him he would be obliged to address the com- ,nittee through the chair.
 Chairman Wants Courtesy
 You are up here asking the city to pay your claim and you must be courteous 10 the committee as long as you are in this room." Council man Larson declared. q want you to understand that. and I don't care who you are, either.'
 A moment or two later. Council man Gibnoy made the motion to conclude the hearing as Attorney Waskowitz appeared determined to discuss his case with the corporation counsel rather than with the chair man.
 Other Claims Heard
 The committee heard the claims Of Miss Lillian Rice of 276 Carlton street and W. II. Bailey of 55 City avenue. whose cars were mired the same evening on Carlton street. Zach claimed s1o for towing. and Miss Rice also claimed S1 for work on the motor of her car. The com mittee will meet Thursday. Dec. s, 10 consider the claims further. and Superintendent NJ. P. OBrien Of the sewer department will be in attend ance to furnish information con- cerning the condition of'Carlton street the night in question.
 George A. Duncan of 53 Sefton Drive was heard on his claim for S1S.05 for a tire and tube which were ruined when his car struck a depression in the road on Stanley street. opposite Roxbury Road, the night of November 3. Action was de- farred In this case also for further Investigation.
 Edward J. Pagan of c56 High street was heard on his claim for So which he expended to have his truck lowed out of depression on Cont