The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-02
THE UNPAID FIREMEN.

IAEh IAO0bLEb AND DlbAffOHiAmhNIH~-
CREDIT wTTH aRocERs AND BUToHEEs ory-
ING OUT LANDLORDS TH1sEATENINe EJRcT-
AmNT.
With the view OF more fully learning the opln-
ions that prevail among the nremen in reference
TO the delay IN the payment OF their salaries Tor
the months OF Nay and June. reporter Of the
HERALD visited number oil engine and hook ana
ladder houses yesterday and held conversations
with the foremen and others on this topic, which
is OF the greatest interest 10 them. All elt dsin-
cined to have anything to say as TO the merits of
the quarrel between Mayor WIckham and Comp
treller Green beyond remarklng that II legal
question is involved In the matter II should have
been submitted to the Corporation COun-
sci for mis- opinion and that II APP
peared strange that this course hao not been
taken at the beginning II the difference was
merely one OF feeling IL was hardly just to make
the nremen suner until one the other should
give way. In the months OF February, March ana
April last Mr. Green's paymaser went 10 the
headquarters OF each division anc paid the men
in greenbacKs. IL did appear clear why he
mas changed his mind since, or why he insists
UPON the Mayor doing what was not thought nee
essary three months ago. The iremen have not
been able to obtain any satisfactory Information
on tins point. As to the inconvenience occasioned
by the failure TO get the money due, 1t appears
that generally the men have been greatly troubled
by their creditors, who are beginning TO lose
patience. Landlords IN one or two instances
have threatened 10 EJECT in consequence or non
payment OF rents correct idea may be gath
cred OF the condition OF things at present IN his
highly impor tant department by perusal OF What
CHIEF ENGINEER Bates BELIEF
The Chief Engineer oil the department., who was
found at headquarters, Mercer street, said there
was, no doubt, good deal OF trouble caused by the
non-paymenL OF the men for the past two months.
The pay rolls for June mad just been sent to the
Comptroler's ONCE, ana there was NO reason to
expect but that The same difficulty VIII as
In the case OF the May pay rolls. Mr. Bates had
heard OF any individual instances OF suffering
among the officers ana rank ana file; but there
is a natural aud general feeling OF dssatsfa ctlon
and disappointment existing, not alone among
the bremen themselves, but also among the nun
dreds OF others with whom they have had deal
ings, who were expecting money due them
which they cannot get. This is intensified by the
fact tnat settlement appears to be as far OF as
ever. 1t was about time some competent authority
should take hold OF the matter. The parties who
understand the law. but it would seem that
statutes are enacted so as 10 admit OF various
interpretations. The Commissioners represent she
interests OF the fremeD ana the latter trust them.
Therefore they have no idea OF resorhng tolsgal
upon the once Of comptroller the department
had a treasurer OF It's own, and there was DIM
Guilty with the men nor dld cent go astray.
doubt acted according 10 law was mis- refusal TO
recognize the treasurer, ana then he assumed the
duties OF that office himself IL Is entirely Tn
reasonable to suppose that there are no
HONEST AND RELIABLE MEN
IN the department.. Five men, without additional
expense 10 the city, could pay all the members in
one day. Few nremen have saved money, and
there must be some suffering at present. Beside,
when purchasing on credit there is a marked dis
advantage. When money Is as command the
hest ana most suitable articles can DC Obtained
for then a choice can be made and they be o0-
tanned at more reasonable rates IN buying on
eTsd anyhag tHAt oa ans n 20 cane ne
not be Kept for months out OF their money ana
they Will after wGe 81 g1ow 5eG w hn 0a
lived Tor years IN the neighborhood where they
are locared are very PROBABLY accommodated, but
il Is different with those who moved on the LIST OF
May ana VINO are consequently nttle known. The
only remedy, in Chief Bates opinion, to prevent
iuture dncultles, such as at present exist Ia TO
authorize tie appointment OF a treasurer for toe
Fire Department. the same as IN the Police, Char
tiles 3nd Correction and DOCK Departments.
Chief OF Battalion Gcqual, wac has under his
command engines NOS 3, Ia, Is and "a and Hook
and Ladder companies Nos. aud r. stated that
ne found that there was general feeling OF dissp-
po1ntment among the men IN consequence OF their
not having received their pay. Nothing very
serious had occurred yet Fremen have to live
from month to month, and, 30 some extent, on
on the first OF each month; they want their blls
settled right up. No man yet, 10 his knowledge,
TROUBLED BY ms LANDLORD.
pad q Who pays tasn provided Trey
miSsloners, VINO are responsible men, have
done all Ia their power TO procure relef
ter nave ul confidence in them. 1t wou d be an
easy matter to make an arrangements by which
tue foreman OF each company could draw, either
in checks or currency, the salaries due his mon;
and as to the matter Of security, II such we're
needed, that could be easily and satisfactorily
ranged This system IN operation for some
time and everything went on smoothly II mat
tiers continue as they now stand the department.
must to some extent suffer. But the men are az
spirited as ever IN the discharge OF their duties,
and there Is no fear that they VIII be found want
ing pay or no pay, In the fearless performance Of
their work.
FRIEND N MED.
Foreman Mcdonnell, engine No IS West Tenth
street stated that were 1t not Tor the generosity
OF Chief OF Division Gicqual, who had advanced
money 10 meet the pressing wants OF some OF his
men, they would certainly have ielt heavily the
delay IN the payment Of their salaries. They
would very probably, were II not lor this accom-
mediation. be as badly on as othefs VINO were
unable TO pay for the necessaries they required.
There were no complaints, however, and the men
we're willing 10 wait. Stlll 1t hatdly right 10
Keep them so long out OF their moneT. They mad
nothing TO do with the differences between the
Mayor and the Comptroller, and hrsmen consid.
cred IL none Of their business except so TAR IL
touched their interests. The matter, they hoped,
would be soon settled.
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SHIDDTNG NEVTTG