New Britain herald., 1929-03-21
COUNCIL HOLDS UP
 FIRE BOARDS BILL
Coat Purchase Violates 0rdi. Bancs, Ald. Johnson Says

After requesting and receiving from Acting Corporation Counsel Mortimer H. Camp. an opinion that the board of fire commissioners had right to purchase Globe coats from the Farrell Clothing Co.. the common council. on motion of AL derman J. Gustave Johnson. last night voted to hold up the bill for legal advice.
 Johnson's motion vas based on a claim that the purchase was vio- lation of the city ordinance which prohibits commissioners to sell to the boards of which they are mem bers or to vote on any contract in which they have an interest. Harry A. Beckvith. a fire commissioner. is . stockholder in the Farrel Clothing Co.
 Council May Violate Charter
 Since the acting corporation coun- sel has already established the legality of the boards action. there seemed to be no question in the minds of leaders in the council that eHo Oiik pV Pai" itSNt iioheh. However, the fiscal year ends before the next council meeting and the sl50 set aside for this purchase au- tomatically goes into the general fund. If the common council orders the bill paid in April, it will order the fire board to violate the char ter. which proivdes that no eX- penditure shall be made out of the budget for any article not contem- plated in the estimates approved by the common council. members Of the board pointed out after the meeting.
 When Alderman Johnson moved for payment of the fire department bills as printed, Councilman Harry T. Wilson Of the fifth ward amended to include the sl50 bill Of the Far reli Clothing Co. which Alderman Johnson had stricken from the list
 Alderman Johnson voiced objec- ton. pointing 10 the city ordinance which reads. in part: No member Of such board. commission or other officer having charge of any public improvements. shall have an inter- est. direct of indirect. in any con- tract relating thereto" He remarked that this ordinance was drafted to prevent commissioners from selling to their boards
 Councilman Wilson informed the alderman that the chairman Of the fire board was in the council cham hor and could explain the bill but Johnson said he was not interest, d in such explanation and that the bill should be tabled for study. Jul,nson's Interpretation Questioned
 At the request of Councilman Wilson. Attorney Camp took the floor He read the ordinance aloud and ten expla ined that it concerns labor and materials used for public provements such as highways, sewers or buildings. but that it does not, in his opinion. include such mat ters as rubber coats.
 Mayor Paonessa told the council he was one of those responsible for adoption of the ordinance and that the council did not intend that the fact a commissioner holds stock ir . corporation should debar him from selling to the city.
 Councilman Sablotsky argued that such an interpretation as Johnson would put on the ordinance would prevent and holder of stock in . local manufacturing concern from voting for the purchase Of local hardware.
 Alderman Johnson insisted that tht matter be regarded as test case and the law determined for all time. His motion to require a months study prevailed on a stand. ing vote. l7 to II.
 Balance From Dedication Fund
 A report was received from the committee on the World War me- morial dedication. listing expenses Of the day and showing a balance of s9l5.66 out of the $lo.0o0 appro- priated. On motion of Alderman D. l.. Nair. the report was accepted and the committee discharged with a vote of thanks.
 Alderman Frank Zapatka pre- sentcd a resolution asking that the park commissioners be authorized 10 name two small triangular plots in the locality of Burritt and Clin- ton streets. after Generals Pulaski and kosciuszko, Polish national heroes
 His resolution was adopted and forwarded to the park commission for consideration.