New Britain herald., 1929-01-11
COP DAMAGES CAR,
/. CITY Will NOT PAY
Rsplir Bills Rejected -Kirtbam
Offers SIS for Boys Injuries

John Radxevicus of % Woodland
street appeared before the common
council claims committee last night
with bills totalling 1856 which he
wanted the city to pay because hts
automobile and a gate at Landers,
Frary & Clark's factory were dam
aged while Officer John O'Brien was
at the wheel on the night Of July
%. 1928. Cooperation Counsel J. H.
kirkham told him he had no claim
against the city because the city was
agents. but Radzevicus could not I'M
derstand why he should be held for
payment of the bills and it required
several minutes explaining before
he left the city court room. where
the hearing was held.
On the night in question, Radze-
vicus explained, he was driving his
car when it struck a building at Elm
and Fra nklin streets and he was ar
rested. The impact damaged his car,
but Officer O'Brien later started II
and was driving it towards the police
station on Commercial street when
the second collision occurred, the
car striking the factory gate at Elm
and Commercial streets. 1t was I'M
derstood at the time that the steer
ing apparatus had been damaged by
the first crash to such an extent
that it did not function properly
when the officer turned the corner.
Radzevicus had a bill from Lam
ders. Frary & Clark for $27.40 for
damage to the gate and $59.15 from
a garage for parts and labor in re-
pairing the car. He was advised to
consult his attorney. who filed the
claim in his behalf, but he insisted
on knowing whether policeman
had the right to take another per-
sons car and damage it without be-
ing liable.
kirkham Offers to Pay Boy
Corporation Counsel kirkham Of
fered to pay the claim Of Edward
Labienic out Of his personal funds,
but refused to sanction payment
through the regular channels b.
cause he was certain, he said. the
city was not liable for an accident
in the Washington school yard on
Sept. 81. 1928, causing injuries to
the boy. The claims committee pre-
scented recommendation that the
petitioner be given leave to with
draw at the last meeting of the
council but it was referred back to
the committee and Alderman Frank
Zapatka appeared in the interests OF
the petitioner.
The boy was playing on a pile OF
pipe in the school yard when he fell
and injured his leg. His doctors bill
was about SO and it was estimated
that approximately IS damage was
done to his clothing. His father
having seven children and no in.
come except his wages In factory
is finding it difficult to pay the bills
Alderman Zapatka explained. where.
upon Judge Kirkham extract
ed a $50 bill from his pocket
and asked for - change t.
settle the matter. The alderman said
he did not favor settlement in this
manner, much as he appreciated
Judge Kirkham's generosity, and
Councilman John A. Larson, chair.
man of tho committee, also said he
felt the corporation counsel should
not 60 into his personal funds in
that manner. Alderman Zapatks
said there was bad condition
where the boy was injured and he
had been appealed to not only in this
case but at least one other. The COM
mittee took the case under advise
ment and action will be taken with
in month. it IL expected.
Sprains Ankle on Walk
Mrs. Clara Contois of High street
was heard relative to her claim fol-
compensation for injuries sustained
when she stepped into a hole be.
tween the sidewalk and the Bartlett
school fence on Broad street on No.
vember %. but no action was taken
pending inquiry by the committee
Mrs. Contois said she was obliged to
step off the nag walk because fac.
tory employees were coming towards
her in large numbers about $40 p
m. on the day in question. The hole
was about 10 inches deep and might
have been made by school children
she said. She sprained her ankle and
arch and had expenses of 1854 for a
woman to do her housework. $50 for
physicians services and IS for an
N-ray at the hospital.
Taxi Cab Drops Into Hole
Attorney Israel Nair was presen,
In the interests of the claim Of the
Auburn Transportation Co fol-
$1SS.75. the committee having rec
commended that leave to withdraw
be given at the last council meeting
only to have the matter referred
back for further consideration. Man.
ager Fanion of the company told OF
one of the company's taxicabs being
damaged by dropping into hole ir
the roadway on McClintock Road or
July "A. 1928. He saw the hole sew,
era1 hours after the accident and il
was fully four feet long. six feet
wide and four feet deep. he said. He
stood in it and his neck was ever
with the surace of the roadway. the
hole having the appearance Of {
cave-in of a sewer trench.
Councilman Larson remarked tha'
it was the most peculiar claim in The
four years of his mem bership on the
committee, there being nobody Il
explain how the hole was filed il!
after the accident. The public works
department reported no knowledge
of such a hole, yet Fanion and 9th.
ers saw il.
After conference with Fanion
Attorney Nanr told the committee
that payment of s6S75 would be ac.
ceptable. this being the amount O.
the towing and digging out of the
ia yipa n nd airS n 10 do n OF