New Britain herald., 1928-02-17
MAYOR WELD MAY VETO TAX ACTION

VETO TAX ACTION
 (C6ntinued From First Page) man Frank Zapatka, Alderman Wal ter L. Falk and Councilman Samuel Sablotsky.
 After the estimates were read to the finance board. Commissioner Francis c. Kelley asked If depart ment heads had been heard on the practicability of the reductions. Bartlett replied negatively.
 "How did you arrive at the 10 per cent figure: was 1t made irrespective of efficiency" Commissioner George P. Spear asked.
 Councilman Bartlett replied that such was the case, and he admitted the absence of any argument to justify the action excepting . desire for lower taxes.
  leakage" in many departments which have been discovered by the finance committee was the basis for many of the slashes.
 Before the finance board went tn- to executive session. J. B. Alice ask ed and was given the privilege Of the floor. He criticized the system Of assessment. declaring that cen- trally located properties arc not taxed high enough, and if brought to their proper place would 90 in- crease the grand list as to make up the slash in income.
 Spear Crtticizes Political Flavor"
 Commissioner Spear declared against accepting the 10 per cent cuts, and he criticized the political flavor" in the action of the common council.
 Councilman Bartlett presented the list of reductions when the council was called to order, at S:15 o'clock. Noticing seven of the 10 democratic desks vacant. Bartlett commented on the fact that many democrats had failed to attend meeting for so important an object
 Asked for an expression of opin- ion, Chairman E. F. Hall of the board of finance and taxation warn- ed that special tax next year h d. most certain to follow attempts to cut appropriations. He told the council that 1t will not be possible for departments to operate effi- ciently with the reductions pro- posed.
 Declaring against slashing budgets without though of efficiency. Alder man David L. Nair moved adoptieR of the original estimates. Alderman Falk called attention to the often heard complaint of tax oppression and favored attempting to run the city on the lower tax, while Alderman Johnson placed himself in readiness to accept re- sponsibility for the budget.
 Explaining afterwards that he was of the opinion that the cuts were only recommendation to the finance board and that board could make reductions elsewhere if Il wished. Alderman Zapatka of the fifth ward first declared himself as in favor of the higher budget, and then came out for the 76-mill tax. 1 Councilman w. c. Gibney pre-. dicted that the board of public works with an effi1 mt system would accomplish more on the curtailed budget than 1t would with the higi , tax and no system.
 | We only assume the low tax will create hardship next year. but VI know that a high tax will be a hard ship now" Councilman John 6. Dix on declared as he placed himself ol record for the 2s mill budget.
 Weld speaks for Higher Budget.
 Turning the gavei over to Alder man Judd. Mayor Weld took tn, floor to remark:
 T am as anxious to have taxe kept down as any one in this room I realize the burden when peopl have to pay more. But improve ments are constantly needed, an, we want 10 give the public improve mentA for which, of course, the, must pay.
 T am surprised to hear member Of committees say tonight there ar many matters going through eacl month on which money could b saved. Why haven't they stoppe, the leakage? If they couldn't in tn past can they now?
 The board of finance and taxa ton went over these matters yer carefully. and I had hoped a reduc ton of one-quartcr mill might b possible. But now comes the com mittee and without rhyme or reasol with no information. arbitrarily cut the estimates. hit or miss. If this sensible economy. vote for 1t!
 The alderman from the lift brings in more petitions for i'm provements in his district than an other member of the council, yet is willing to vote to deprive his COT stituents of the mpro~ements."
 Aldermen Johnson. FaIk and Zs patl1a arose to question statement of the mayor, reminding him that special tax can be laid and no intel ruption of the cityis progress wi l result.
 | On the roll call vote. those fayol | ing the low tax were: Alderme Falk, Johnson and Zaratka, Counci men Gibney. Dixon. Olson, Macl l Larson, Macora and Samora jczyk J Those favoring the original budg