New Britain herald., 1928-01-04
nvwel Eectana


 ence addressed the nesting tn favee of . special election. Henry B. Will COX. who sponsored the petition for special election which was submitted at the meeting of the city council on December 9th. stated that in favor- ing such method of selecting Mayor Wade's successor. he was actuated solely by what he felt was public opinion. He still felt that the majority of citizens favored . special election and hoped that the council would decide on such an arrange ment
 John Donnelly. unsuccessful candi- date for mayor two years ago. Q for mer member of the city council. and a member of the committee which framed the city charter in 1910. stated that he strongly advocated a special election. He disagreed with Corporation Counsel William N. De- Rosters opinion. which gave the city council tho power to elect mayor. He pointed out the fact that the charter was formulated by ordinary citizens to be interpreted by them without the use of any lawyer" He also added that when the present two year term expires. another va cancy in the office will exist and what Is to prevent the council from , electing another mayor of its own choosing and entirely usurping the right from the voters ad inflnitum." He insisted that as a member of the committee framing the charter. he could assure the council that it was never the intent to give the council the power to elect a mayor for full term.
 Francis Green also addressed the council in favor of a special election. stating that he spoke the minds of the younger men of the city.
 Favor Appointment
 John T. Chidsey. president Of the C. J. Root Co.,, and Charles T. Treadway. chairman of the board of directors of the Bristol National bank and the American Trust Co. both spoke in favor of the council electing its own mayor. Each called AttCAltAOA lO eo1 pSA aN4o0 SSui1SSA 4|N~ Rosters opinion extending to them this right and that by following out such 8 course. the city would not only save money but time. Lester G. Sigourney. republican town chair man. was present. but did not ad- dress the meeting. Vote Unanimous
 Following Mir. Treadway's address. Councilman Charles R. Anderson presented a motion to elect Mayor w. Raymond Crumb for the new | two year term. The motion was sec onded by Councilman Homer H. Judd. A roll call vote by City Clerk Thomas B. Steele showed all mem- bers of the council in favor. City Clerk Steele then administered the oath of office to the new mayor.
 Result Expected
 The result bears out the prediction made in the Herald several times re- cently. The council had apparently decided upon Mayor Crumb for the position several days ago. although each member of the board continu- ally insisted that the matter had never been talked over secretly. 1 Merrill Appointed to Council Ernest E. Merrill. a member of the last council. who was defeated at the polls last October. was im- mediately appointed by Mayor Crumb to fill the vacancy created in the council by his own elevation to the mayors chair. Crumb was re- elected councilman at the last city election.
 Youngest Mayor
 The new mayor is but 30 years of age and one of the youngest, If not the youngest mayor in the state. He is a native of Forestville, the son of Mir. and Mrs. Wallace B. Crumb. is married and has two children. Until about two years ago he was a mem- ber of the Jeffersonian party. at which time he switched his al- lcsiance to the republican ranks. His entry into politics was made in 1925 when he ran for the office of councilman and was elected by a large vote. He is . graduate of Dartmouth.
 New Business Connection
 An unofficial announcement was made this morning that Mayor Crumb, who together with his party recently disposed of the business of the Trinity Dye Works of this city to the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation of New Britain. will be an official of the recently organized North Side Bank and Trust Com- pany, which is soon to erect . new building at the corner of North Main and North streets. Mr. Crumb has had some experience in brokerage business, having been connected with a Providence firm for several years after graduating from college.
 Claims Committee Report
 Upon recommendation of the claims committee the city council last night voted to pay claim for S20s, presented by Mrs. Ella Cottle, wife of the principal of the high school, as a result of injuries receiv- ed from a fall on Main street several months ago. Mrs. Cottle ripped over a plank which had been laid over the sidewalk in front of the Ives building and suffered 8 fractured arm. Upon the recommendation of Councilman Homer H. Judd, Cor poration Counsel William N. De- Roster was instructed to endeavor to collect the amount in question from the Ives estate.
 The following claims were disal- lowed: Mrs. Mary J. Rossiter for fall received on defective sidewalk: Mrs. Frank Marshall for fall on icy sidewalk; Mrs. Esther Fearing for damage to her automobile caused by