New Britain herald., 1929-11-16
Unusual Board Meetings in History of City Hall

Clld lO lut DOOh Ol ulluSudl puD- lie functions, but theirs was not the first, nor will it be the last. oddity in public or political doings in New Britain.
 The fire board disagreed on plans for repair of fire house and re- jected the proposal submitted by one of their number. Next came a special meeting in an effort to determine what might be done with the fire house, this resulting in appointment of a committee, consisting of the en- tire personnel. When the special meeting adjourned, the committee was called in session. After some de- that, after all. the first plan was probably the best, and voted it's adoption. Then the four com mission CTS. meeting as a board, convened in special session and voted to recom- mend award of a contract.
 On Tuesday night there was one meeting for each commissioner board was called to order four times, and could have had a differ ent chairman for each session, but for no more, since there are four fire commissioners. This recalls the onc-man meeting J. B. Alice, self styled president of the Third Ward Republican club. and candidate for mayor" on both tickets in the last city election. conducted one evening at G. o. P. headquarters. The origi- nal date for election of officers Of the club had been changed without publication of the fact, and when Alice arrived to attend on the night first set, he found no others present for that purpose. As a member of the club, he exercised what he claimed to be his right to call meeting. He rapped for order, made an enthusiastic speech in favor of himself as chairman of the meeting, then proceeded to elect himself to all offices and committees, and wound up by declaring annual cleo tions to be superfluous and he nam ed himself 10 these offices perman- ently. After each suggestion, motion or nomination, made by, to and for Alice, he asked if there were any ob- jections. No one else taking a part in the meeting, he naturally heard no objection, and as chairman in structed himself. as secretary to make record of the fact.
 In a recent election. there was candidate for office who had little or no experience as a public speak CT. He realized this shortcoming and dreaded the thoughts of appearing in halls or on street corners to dis cuss public business as he gazed into a sea of strange faces. In the early days of the campaign, he made no speeches. Then. as if he had sudden ly come to a realization that he must speak, the columns of newspapers began to carry daily reports of his dissertations on political issues and on the fitness of the opposing party to rnu the government. This contin- ued for several days until it was noted that all of the talks were be- ing made to party workers at political headquarter. Some inquiry followed, resulting in the discovery that the speeches were being made as soon as written to whoever hap pened to drop into headquarters and were then given to the newspapers to be digested by thousands Of read CTS. The newspapers at once LOOK the expected action. and another un- usual type of meeting lost it's force.
 A city hall meeting that tested the cool-headedness of the present chief of police, took place during the ad- ministration of George A. Quigley as mayor. Joseph R. Andrews was chairman of the public safety board, predecessor of the fire and police commissions. Mayor Quigley had de- manded the badge worn by An drews, but the latter ignored the ukase and called the board to meet in the municipal building. Quigley stormed the meeting room, and when Andrews refused to quit, went out onto West Main street where he hailed Sergeant William c. Hart, now Chief Hart. directing him to go to the meeting room and eject the adamant chairman. With Quigley to the right of him and Andrews to the left of him, Hart meditated.
 GO ahead sergeant" the mayor demanded.
 Remember, I am your superior officer" cautioned the board chair man.
 And remember. that 1 am the mayor" added Quigley.
 Both were right. The sergeant was answerable to each, and he was in a quandary as to how this problem could be solved. The meeting ad- journed before it was necessary for the sergeant to ignore either of his superiors.
 Alderman David l.. Nair was prin- cipal in a recent meeting which probably has had no precedent. As a member of the finance committee he came to city hall. expecting to find his five brother aldermen there to work with him on the eXamina- ton of departmental bills. None of the other aldermen came to the meeting, however, and it was neces- sary for him to transact the business of the meeting alone. The city gov ernment paid several hundred thousands Of dollars that month on a lone members certification.
 Returning to last Tuesday nights meeting, it will be remembered that one of the most serious objections to the building plan was based on the fact that the chairman of the board had taken steps without con- sulting other members. One member insisted there should have been a special meeting called at which all commissioners could delve into the problem. He replied affirmatively to question as to whether he desired to make that a general policy.
 A somewhat similar objection was made at a meeting of the board which was succeeded by the present