New Britain herald., 1929-06-20
COUNCILMEN CLASH
 OVER BLEAU CASE
Strict lV Interpretation and Sentiment Poltalt Discussion

Two members of the common council were charged by . third with partial negligence" after they had admitted 1t last nights meet ing that they had voted for . report in which they did not have com plete confidence.
 Councilman William D. Boyle of the sixth ward hurled the accusa- ton at Councilman H. Stuart Hanes or the drst and Councilman John E. Holmberg of the second wards.
 The discussion, which consumed more than half an hour of the two hours in which the councilmen swei- tered in shirt-sleeves, had to ,lo with Mayor Paonessa's plea in be- half of Mrs. Eugene Bleau of Mon- roe street. who was made ill by es- caping gas and whose claims against the city had twice been re- jected. The mayor urged that fur ther consideration be given the case, opening the discussion.
 Councilman Hanes agreed with the mayor that something should be done for the petitioner. He said he would not have voted, as q claims committeeman. to make recoiu- mendation that the claim be reject ed but that he was not at the meet ing. Councilman Holmberg made similar observations on the case. favoring some compensation.
 TbaS> rnvo a rka vnvaj Conpciln m . n Boyle to ask that the matter be re- ferred back to the claims committee. "One of the things I can't under stand" Boyle commented. lis how any man can sit here and vote for . report such as this when he rec ognizes there is moral responsibil- ity. I charge Councilmen Hanes and Holmberg with partial negligence in this case! Council members should mt bs afraid to get up and express their convictions. We're here to do business. Let's vote with some shade of intellisence!"
 Mayor Disappointed
 In his introductory remarks the mayor said he was surprised and disappointed that the claims com mittee did not see fit to make some allowance to Mrs. Bleau, even though it be but one half the amount requested. He related the history of the claim. which was the result of a broken gas line on Monroe street. the damage being done while a con- tractor, bonded to the city. was exc cutting some work. Admitting the likelihood that there was no legal liability, the mayor urged that the moral responsibility of the city be recognized.
 Councilman Gleason w. Parker, chairman of the claims committee, defended his committees action. He said the recommendation was made after several hours consideration and wax based on the advice of the corporation counsel that there is no liability on the city's part.
 Councilman. Frank L. Conlon, also . member of the claims committee, did not favor referring the question back unless a definite recommends tion be made by the common coun- cil. He said that the committee is limited to consideration of legal claims and cannot give away the taxpayers money without proof of liability. Sentiment cannot govern the action of this group Of council members and if it could the father of family of IS children, claimant for damages resulting from injury to his son by . police motorcycle. should also be considered, the coun- cilman pointed out.
 Mayor Hints Ut Negligence
 Again taking the floor, the mayor hinted there was negligence on the part of a former city employe. Ha said Mrs. Bleau reported her illness to him in its early stages and that he forwarded the complaint to q city department. The mayor left office shortly thereafter and when he nekt saw Mrs. Bleau he learned she had received nothing and that the time leaving her without remedy. Be cause we have the upper hand and can say. You cannot collect. there- fore we will not pay are we justi- fled in doing so?" the mayor de- manded to know
 After Councilman Boyle had asked Corporation Counsel kirkham t1 give "yes or no' answer on wheth- CT there was actual liability on the city's part in the Commonwealth avenue flood cases, settled last night with cash payments, and the legal adviser admitted there was a ques- tion. Councilman Boyle remarked: "Well, if there's a question in that case, there might be in this: it should be studied"
 Councilman William W. Greene ended the discussion with a motion to table the case one month, tho council then to receive . report from