The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-07

Mayor Frank Hayes proposed amended charter, which was dis cussed before the legislative commit tee in Hartford this afternoon was approved last night by the aldermen. Efforts on the part of Alderman Charles schmidt, republican leader. to have the city manager charter endorsed, subject to a referendum by the people, failed. Party lines were drawn on the question and with seven of each party voting tie re- suited and the motion was lost.
 Alderman George E. Guilfoile, democratic leader. brought the sub- ject before the board in connection with other bills concerning Water bury now pending before the. legis- lature. He moved that the mayors charter be approved but before a vote could be taken Alderman Schmidt interrupted.
 The republican leader paid tribute to the manner in which Mayor Hayes has conducted the city government during the past year and quarter and said that he had no objections to any of the mayors suggestions in connection with the charter. How ever, he explained, in his opinion the whole charter, even as amended, SuOulu Uc CIlduScu dHu stIic CAty IIIdH- ager form of government put in it's place. Therefore, he added, he would propose that the aldermen endorse the city manager charter, subject to tn vote of the people, and inform the legislative committee on cities and borough of the: action taken.
 Alderman Guilfoile stated that if Alderman Schmidt desired to make such motion he could but. he ex- plained, his motion before the board was to have the changes suggested by the mayor approved. This motion was carried.
 Then Alderman Schmidt made his motion to have the board endorse the vote of the people. Alderman Schmidt maintained that there could be no harm in endorsing the plan. Alderman c. Arthur Dubois, repub- lican, stated that the aldermen should endorse the city manager form of government, subject to the vote of the people. He maintained that if the aldermen did not do this the legislative committee might pos sibly pass the new charter without giving the people here a vote in the matter at all.
 Alderman Guilfoile said that it is immaterial whether or not the board approved the new plan of govern ment. He intimated that the legisla- ture would do as it sees fit, any, way. As for the present charter, he stated that Mayor Hayes has been ablo to get along with it. However. he explained, a few amendments are advisable. Even with the preseTft charter, he said, Mayor Hayes could get along even if he stayed in seven or eight terms more.
 Alderman Schmidt called attention to the ''if' side of the matter and Alderman Guilfoile replied that even if Mayor Hayes does not stay in that long republican mayor, if he was a good one. could get along with the present charter.
 On the vote party lines were drawn. There were seven democrats and seven republicans present. Al derman Charles Schnitman, demo- crat, was absent. A tie vote resulted therefore and Alderman Schmidt's motion was lost. Therefore, at this afternoons meeting of the commit tee on cities and boroughs only the vote of the aldermen endorsing the amended charter was presented. The board also endorsed substitute bill for the original police pension meas ure introduced early in the session This bill provides for pensions foi widows and children of policemen The board felt that the city should not have to pay such pensions out of it's treasury unless a woman was widowed or children were orphaned by the death of policeman as the the result of the performance of his duty. The substitute bill relieves the city of financial respons ibility.
 Assessments were lG.l for side walks on Lounsbury street, Pleasant street. Draher avenue. Clinton street Mcdonald avenue, Shelton street East Main street, Alma street and Watertown avenue. The name of Irv. ington place was changed to Lowel street. Installation of sewer ir Amaryllis avenue, at a cost of $908 was authorized.
 Layout and grade assessments were laid on property on Nathan street. The report of the bureau o1 assessment on a building line fol Wells street was adopted. The lay. out assessments for Mcdonald ave. nue were approved and then abated due to an agreement entered into by the city a couple of years ago where. by the property owner gave the city the right of way for a sewer in re. turn for exemption from layout and