New Britain herald., 1928-02-27

put on exhibition. only two days be- fore meeting night, shows on tho very face of affairs that they did not 1 want to give you a chance to look in to matters too closely. Certainly. it is no more than right that you should have more time than this in which to look and think the thing over! Why weren't these maps and cards on exhibit before this. even since the last meeting. If it was de- sired that you should get perfectly and rightfully familiar with them?
 If the valuation committee has been impressed with the method used. it Is its duty to explain each and every detail of the plan to the taxpayer. If its explanation is un- satisfactory and you are in doubt. better play safe now than be sorry later. especially where your neigh bor may be involved.
 If the committee has investigated the appraisal company's work in other towns, of course 1t could not get the true information from thos. men who. in fact, sponsored and were responsible for the acceptance of this plan. The real source of au- thentic information would be the board of relief records.
 Tn one town where the appraisal company's plan has been tried out deplorable and unsatisfactory condi- tions are now the result and the board of relief records do strongly attest to this fact. Whereas, before revaluation. only 15 to 20 appeals were heard by the board, after reyal- uation and expiration of the speci- fled one year. fully 16o appeals were made. Today. the citizens are very much dissatisfied and a lot of hard feelings have risen where none ex- jsted before.
 "ln talking over revaluation with two citizens, they stated that they were never in favor of the plan. They frankly declared that they did not voice their sentiments in public. fearing and fully realizing If the plan were accepted that their valua- ton and taxes would be lacked up all the more for having dared to ex- press their opinion.
 Think of the condition of a town where man Is afraid to give vent to his personal opinion in a public meeting gathered for this express purpose. We talk of free speech aud our American liberty. May God grant us courage 10 exercise our preroga- tive and give us back bone instead Of wishbone, to stand for principle even If it does cost US a dollar.
 Give heed 10 Attorney Frior's <, wise caution that the people alone should determine who is to do this work of revaluation and not to hand over full power to 8 small group of men concerned solely over their own interests. The proposed plan is ser ious movement for Plain>ille, and in my estimation iustities popular re- lerendum in which taxpayer can secretly express his own private opinion on the matter. without threatening intimidation or fear of reprisals from the political crowd. | Go slowly" advises Attorney Prior. f For well he knows that now we must hang together, or We will hang sep arately.
 "1n our course of action, first let ls stop and think. and then do all things to the glory of Him that judges all things right.
 Experience" 1 The Committees Stand In answer to the charges made by Experience" in his former let ter, when he asked that the work- lnss of revaluation in other towns in the state be thoroughly investi- gated, Chairman Washhurn told the Herald reporter that this is just what his committee has done as a body representing the interests of the town. He said that the mem- bers had investigated the matter | thoroughly and that even those who were strongly opposed to out side appraisers and aerial maps were won over to the proposal when they saw how these worked out.
 Tn almost every town, Mir. Wash burn said. the officials pointed to New Britain ss having the best as- sessng system in the state. New Britain has an expert assessor and a system similar to that proposed for Plalnville. The committee at- tempted to verify the report that West Haven was dissatisfied with re- valuation, the chairman stated. but found upon talking with the authori. ties there that the feeling in that town was just the opposite and that the plan had worked out well. The failure in West Hartford. he says, is due to the fact that revaluation Is being done little at a time and the kicks originate from the use of old and new values on the same grand list.
 He will report these and other 1 Rod;pro oP h{u coo. ,ro1 c