New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-13
FIREMEN'S FAMILIES
HISS AT JOHNSON
Uniformed Men Angry as
Commissioner Orders
Them Back to Duty.
NEAR-RIOT AT TWO
PLATOON HEARING
LAWYER Volunteers, Amid Ap.
plause. to Prosecute Head
of Department.

Something approximating riot &C.
Cured In the Aldermanic Chamber OF the
| City Hall yesterday afternoon, when 100
uniformed fremen, backed by their fam
flies and friends. Kissed and hooted Com
missioner Johnson after he had ordered
them 10 leave the public hearing on the
| two-platoon ordinance for the Fire De-
partment. The Commissioner, white with
anger. declared that the demonstration
bordered on rebellion, and that he would
bring charges against any man who failed
to obey his order.
Charles Pope Caldwell, attorney for the
Uniformed Firemen's Mutual Benevolent
Association, shouted that he would defend
free Of charge any OF the men aga'nSt
| whom the Commissioner brought charges.
And II any one will prefer charges
against this man." continued the lawyer.
| waving an arm In the direction OF tire
| Commissioner, II Will prosecute him"
When Alderman Courtlandt Nicoll, who
presided. finally brought the meeting ~
| order the hearing proceeded without the
presence OF the fremen. They reported
| TO Chief Kenlon in the corridor outside
as directed by Commissioner Johnson and
were ordered to return TO their fire
houses. After an Indignation meeting In
the park behind the City Hall they dts
persed.
The ordinance divides the Fire Depart
ment into two platoons, similar In organi-
cation TO the three platoons Of the police
| A bill introducing the same system was
! passed by tho Legislature last May. but
II was vetoed by Governor Sulzer.
A crowd filled the gallery OF the Alder
manic Chamber when the hearing opened
yesterday afternoon, many women being
| included. remnants bearing the legend
Two Platoons'' we're hung over the rail-
| ing. It was evident that the women,
mostly wives and relatives OF the fire
men present largely favored the new
measure
The demonstration against the Commits
sioner came shortly after the hearing
| opened. In the course of his talk later
the Commissioner accused James d. Cliff
| ford, a former fire captain, now president
| OF the Firemen's Benevolent Association.
OF being responsible for It and offered TO
show him up"
| In addition to Commissioners Johnson
and Chief Kenlon. the following organl
cations appeared In opposition to the ord!-
| nance:
The Board Of Trade and Transportation
the Retail Drygoods Dealers Association.
the City Club. the Chamber of Commerce.
the Merchants Association. the Central
Mercantile Association, the Harlem Board
Of Commerce, the Bureau OF Municipal
Research and the Fifth Avenue Associa-
| ton.
Speaking in favor Of II. Mr.. Caldwell
declared that II had been tried in nine
cities and never abandoned. 1t had been
| tried in Yonkers. he remarked.
"Do you think Yonkers good model
for New York;" inquired Commissioner
! Johnson.
| Whenever the Yonkers chief shows a
greater degree OF gray matter. say ycs!"
| Numbered the impassioned Mr.. Caldwell.
It developed that Yonkers had 11S men in
the entire department and that its bust
ness and factory section covered some two
SQUARE miles Mr.. Caldwell continued
cat the Equitable fire the men were on
duty for twenty-four hours at stretch
and were called out the next night for
other fires. Under the two-platoon sys-
TEN a fresh force OF men would come IN
at the end of twelve hours, and. taking
up the same hose. the same equipment,
would fight the fire with renewed vlgor,
instead OF weakened by exhaustion and
lack of food"
Among others who spoke for the meas
ure were ex-Captain Clifford; Charles l..
sankey. president OF the Yonkers Fire
mems Association; the Rev. DR.. Walter
Laidlaw, executive secretary Of the New
York Federation of Church Churches;
the Rev. w. l.. Bobby. general secretary
of the Lords Day Alliance. and three
representatives Of the Central Federated
| Union.