Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-07-16
F|REMEN BROKE
RULES, MAY FACE
The COMMISSION
Board Members Say Criticism of
City Officials Will Be Thor
Onghly investigated.

The action of a committee from the
blue Shirts" as the mutual benefit
organization of the fire department Is
called, in visiting the offices of the
city auditor n treasurer and criti-
cising the action of those officials and
the operation Of the -semi-monthly pay
ment ordinance, Is found to be a vio-
lation of the department rules and will
be investigated by the board.
When spoken to about the visit Of
the firemen to the offices of the auditor
and the treasurer and the outcome of
the visit, President 7. E. Burke, of the
Board of Fire Commissioners, said he
regretted exceedingly that the men a
pursued such a course, as 1t was con-
trary to the rules and regulations of
the department, as set forth In the
manual n in general and verbal
orders. Under the rules the men may
appear before the commissioners IN re-
gard to any subject affecting their well
fare, explain the situation clearly and
the commissioners will and have always
presented the case to the authorities
or given consent to the men to proceed
on their W account.
THE firemen are always welcome"
went on Mr.. Burke, and l can safely
say that not, ones in twelve years at
least has a reasonable request by the
firemen been sidetracked. / am in
terested, deeply interested, in the boys,
and SO are my colleagues, and while
we feel that the arrangements for pay
ing off the iremen were not advantage
..eous there is no good reason to think
that the financial authorities of the-city
won't do their best in the premises to
please all hands. The acting auditor,
Mr.. Brady, and Treasurer Guenther
have been kind to our men, as I per-
sonally know, I having conversed with
both on the subject, and obtained nice
concessions. Nothing gained by such
actions as those of yesterday. They
tend to hurt"
But didn't a committee Of f1remeri
first wait upon the commissioners"
asked the STAR reporter.
NO" was the reply, and / repeat
that | am very, very sorry h boys
took the step they did. Looks BAD for
the commissioners. The public cannot
be blamed IL they form the impression
that we cannot control our own forces,
that our rules count for naught and
that discipline is of the mediocre brand.
An attempt of the inc In question was
averted recently and all hands were
satisfied and pleased"
who instigated yesterdays doings?"
persisted the reporter.
Cant say, but can easily guess by
reading the names of the COMMITTEES.
Two of that body are prone to agita-
ton and assumption of power. knowi-
edge and superiority over others. They
probably convinced Others that the
Board of Fire Commissioners was a
nonentity and that they were the
s4Tailors, of Tooley street There IL
considerable satisfaction, however, In
knowing that a vast majority of the
boys in blue deprecate the committees
action. In fact, the safe and sane
element in the department means near
ly every man. There are a few. how
ever, who can be found lobbying in the
legislative halls at Trenton every WIN
ter. and without sanction of the board.
These are over-induIged and not by
the commissioners. Their efforts are
often ill-advised and as barren of good
as yesterdays exhibition. At least
fifty firemen have told me within the
last twenty hours that they regret
yesterdays episode"
INV dDOul DCputy ShlCl 0Ao6A q
ton in ordering the men to return to
quarters?"
Deputy Chief Sloan was right. His
course was eminently proper and well
taken and he could have rome further
If so disposed, as he was in command"
was the presidents reply, emphatically
given.
ut is said that a battalion chief and
"a captain called at the auditors office
yesterday morning and were somewhat
self-assertive," suggested the reporter.
$50 1 understand. but our men have
no business in the auditors office.
Checks are distributed from fire head
quarters or through our secretary or
clerk. M. Brady will not hand over a
check without word from our office.
You may depend upon that We are
doing our level best to help the firemen
along and are meeting with encourage
ment. / do not want the mass of our
firemen blamed for the doings of a
few who ignore our rules. The people,
tho taxpayers, have been kind to our
boys, and they appreciate 1t and desire
to retain the good will Of the people.
Criticism of Common Council and other
city departments is prohibited by our
rules n must cease"
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