New Britain herald., 1927-02-08
CURTIN OUT AFTER DEADLOCK ON VOTE
LeaVitt Breaks Tie When Build
 ing Board Casts Ballots
FINAL VOTE IS 8 TO 2
Chairman of Commission Arraigns Press and Electrical Contractors and Acts After ReblIke in Letter From Mayor Weld.

Cyril J. Curtin, electrical inspec- tor since 1923, was dropped from the building department staff last night when his resignation was ac- cepted following arraignment by Chairman A. r. Leavitt of the press, the electrical contractors of the city, a portion of the general public and some of his fellow commissioners.
 The vote to accept Curtin's re- quested resignation stood two to two. Chairman Leavitt broke the tie by casting his ballot to retire the in spector. Leavitt is the member of the board who appeared before the salary committee last month and asked for an increase for Curtin. stressing his claims of Curtin's qual- ifcations for the job, and at last weeks meeting, he declared: "Mr. Curtin is an efficient inspector and a fine man for the job.'
 Mayor Weld Takes Hand.
 A letter from Mayor Weld to Chairman Leavitt was read prior to the taking of a vote. The mayor de- clared last week he had no interest in the matter, but did regard the boards action in asking Curtin to re- sign and then not accepting the res isnation, as weak" The mayors statement was q lengthy one in which the board was urged to dlsre- gard outside influences.
 At the outset of discussion on the Curtin case, Commissioner William R. Fenn asked Curtin if he knows why his resignation was sought.
 T have heard quite number of things, but I really don't know and have never been told just what the reason is,' the inspector answered.
 "Is it because you're democrat?' Tenn next asked.
 Curtin's reply was; Not that l know of"
 Tenn Stands By Curtin
 Commissioner Fenn next ad- dressed the board complimenting Curtin on his work as an inspector. He expressed dislike for newspaper claims that the board is dominated by, political ring and condemned r-'maehine politics." Fenn then moved that Curtin be given q three months probationary test to determine whether he is willing to maintain of flee hours as required by the board.
 Commissioner NJ. l.. Kennedy sec onded the motion. Kennedy declared in favor of holding Building Inspec- tor A. N. Rutherford responsible for the office and making him account able for infractions.
 Lcavitt Criticizcs Own Board
 Chairman Leavitt recitcd the his- tory of the Curtin case. He remind cd the board of a special meeting held last week. at which every con- missioner voted to ask Curtin's res igration and Leavitt was detailed to write the letter. He told his fellow commissioners in heated tones that they had reasons for doing so at that time and he could not see why the same reasons do not hold true at this time.
 "The fact that the press took up the case doesn't matter" Leavitt de- clarcd. "The press doesn't always express the opinion of the public. Often it is only the opinion of one man. The petition from the cleo trical contractors is untimely. They are not of the class of people to pc tition for the inspector. I believe as the mayor wrote we should not be guided by outside influences in our decision."
 M2yor Weld's letter to the board was then read, after which a vote was taken. Chairman Leavitt failed to hear Commissioner Hinchiiffc's vote and he turned to him and de- handed to know if there was any good reason why he would not go on record Hinchliffe informed the chairman he voted with those op- posed to further tabling of the resig- nation.
 Commissioners A. P. Leavitt, Romeo J. Guise, republicans, and Thomas Hinchliffe, democrat, voted against retaining Curtin, and Con- missioner w. R. Fenn, republican, and M. l.. Kennedy, democrat. voted for the three months probationary period. On a motion of Commis- sioner Grise to accept the resigna- tion the ballot was the same.
 Curtin will serve one more week as inspector and will then be allowed a weeks vacation. He will proh- ably reenterthe contracting business from which he retired to become in spector.
 Peterson Acting Inspector
 o. A. Peterson was appointed act ing plumbing inspector, and an ap- plication of William B. Quinlivan for the post of inspector was tabled.
 The application of Antonio Squil- laciote for permission to move a four family building from 46S Myrtle street to 19S Burritt street, was re- jected after owners of adjoining properties went on record as opposed.
 J. B. Alice, a real estate man who attended the meeting as a specta- tor, rose immediately after decision had been made in the Curtin case and declared; "City hall has the
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