New-York tribune., 1903-04-24
FIREMEN HISS STURGlS.
RULES VIOLATED BY 800.
They Make Disorderly Demonstra-
tion ct I'zCo Platoon Hearing.

About three hundred members Of the Fire De-
partment, IN full uniform, went to the City Han
yesterday to make demonstration at the nearing
before the Mayor on the two platoon bill, which
secret organization had helped to get through
the legislature. They apparently intended TO make
a demonstration in favor of the bill, which, IL re-
ports are true, has cost n large sum In lobbying
expenses. They broke out in misses When fHe
Commissioner Sturgis opposed the bill making a
demonstration which surprised the Mayor ana
furnished of the strongest possible arguments
against the two-platoon plan.
Commissioner Sturgis read a petition from some
member of the uniformed force which SAID tlal
95 per cent of the officers. 20 per cent OF the
uniformed force and the Board OF Fire Under
writer's opposed the two platoon bill on the srouo
that II would impair the efficiency OF the Io'oe
and increase the rates of fire insurance "Ieii
Mr. Sturgis read that portion of the petition Which
said that 70 per cent of the fremen and engineers
oonosed the bill! Kisses broke from the hremen.
The petition further said that the present system
is the best that be devised, and that uhuer 1t
the men are enjoying as good hours as discipAho
and the welfare of the city will permit Ihe pe'i-
ton was signed by Patrick ], Graham, as president
of the New-York Fire Department Benevolent AS
ISOLATION known among fremen as the Doxers'
or the opposition to the two platoon When Mr'
Sturgis mentioned Graham's name. 1t was rounoiy
Kissed.
Mayor Low rose with evident dlspleAsu1o 7'"
said:
.T would like to know if all the fremen are at
this hearing with the consent of the Fire Commits
sioner.''
Its their day off," said Captain Lyon.
But have these obtained the consent Oh the
Fire Commissioner persisted the Mayor
'I don't know" replied Captain Lyon TINS
Fire Commissioner can answer for himself
II not only gave them permission to appear
but they here in violation of the written rules
of the department. said Commissioner Sturg1s
''Then l will announce at this time" said the
Mayor, that none of the iremen present VIII be
permitted to speak favor of this bill, but they
may send to in writing any arguments they
desire to submit, and while they remain mere lf'ey
The Mayors rebuke kept the fremen quiet dur
ing the remainder of the hearing. Commissioner
Sturgis went on to attack the bill as PIECE OF
class legislation; He said he opposed the Din I ne5
discipline of the department He said that hres
could not be fought properly and effectively with
"a force that is limited to hours OF duty. lie Salu
the bill would have tendency to hinder In another
direction the aspirations Of all fremen VINO seer
ness and herosm The bill as drawn was full Of
Objectionable provisions and he held that It would
leave the city day and night with only half of its
present fire lighting force, and make it impossible
In case OF big fire to collect the absent half of
the force. Under the two platoon bin the men
would have SO much time to themselves tnaL on IL
The Chief Speaker in favor Of the bill was ex-
Captain Clifford, who was dismissed from & the ERE Ere
ported as an agtator in the Office of president OF
the remens secret organization ae pr aa ra
men, in favor Of the two platoon bill He hinted ted
again if he signed the bill and would vote against
him if he killed it He declared that the bill wouid
free the fremen from tyranny and fayoritisTn. eId
when the Mayor asked him how, he unblushlngly
admitted that the bill would rob the Gor
At the present time he said officers have discre-
Under the two-platoon bill, Clifford said. these
powers would be practically destroyed.
The Mayor finally announced that If the fremen
had any documents or communicating they desired ed
send them In the mean time he reserved decision