Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-05-22
HOT PROTEST IS
ENTEREDBY THE
TRADES COUNCIL
Mayor Raymond's Plan to Have
Firemen Do Repair Work
Denounced.
EMPLOYED TO PROTECT
LIFE AND PROPERTY
Lots of Outside Mechanics to
Do Such Jobs, Declares
Labor Body.

Mayor Raymond's plan of having
firemen do repair work at fire houses
was roundly censured last night bv
labor men at a meeting of the Essex
Trades Council in zimmerman's Hall.
66 South Orange avenue. The union
delegates were indignant that the
mayor should even suggest taking
these jobs away from union car
penters, painters and other me-
chanics.
Henry f. Hilfers. secretary of the
council, took the first opportunity TO
bring the matter to the attention of
the members. He repeated the news
paper reports of Mayor Raymonds
plan to improve the appearance of
fire houses by having carpenters and
painters among the firemen do the
repair work necessary.
m surprised that Mayor Ray
mond should make a suggestion like
this" said Hilfers Some years ago
the same thing was tried by another
mayor JULIUS A. Lebkuecher. We
took the Gling up, entered a strong
protest and had the thing stopped.
IF the fire houses need repairing
there are plenty of union mechanics
paying taxes who are eager to do the
repair work. We all know that today
there are great many men out of
work. The mayor knows this as well
as we do and he ought to know these
unemployed mechanics are entitled to
the work"
Delegate Henry J. Lohse said he be-
heved he was expressing the opinion
OF every labor man in condemning
the mayors plan. The delegate said:
The attitude of the mayor should
be condemned by this counil and by
every mechanic i'm the city. Firemen
are appointed to that department for
the specific purpose of safeguarding
lives and property from fire.
Firemen and Nothing Else.
when the Civil Service Commits
sion declares men eligible for the fire
department, the former occupations
of the firemen were not taken into
consideration. That is because the
men are supposed to be firemen. not
painters and carpenters or horse>
shoers.
''I can't see for the life of me where
the nsyor is justified in making such
a proposition. Some years ago the
late Mayor julius A. Lebkuecher not
only tried the same thing but actually
put 1t into effect for time. He had
the firemen doing horseshoeing.
"It is up to us to nip this little plan
of Mayor Raymond's in the bud. |
suggest that this council send
strong committee to the mayor and
let him know our feelings in the
matter.
1.-THE whole thing is absurd" con-
tinued Lohse, with warmth, "and Pm
surprised at the mayor proposing it,
r6 of 10
succeeding in any first-class city. We
should not only discourage the plan,
but appear before the Board of Fire
Commissioners and persuade them
not to make carpenters and painters
out of our firemen."
That -Lohse expressed the senti-
mentS of the labor men was shown
by the applause with which his re-
marks were greeted. Frank Fetridge.
president of the council, made a
courtly attempt to quell the rising
storm of indignation.
I'VE all know that Mayor Raymond
is a crank on keeping down the tax
rate and administration expenses"
said the president.
President Fetridge smiled broadly
as he continued:
Delegate Lohse satiricaI.
I'VE also know that the mayor is
an exceedingly good friend of union
labor"
"Oh. yes, he is: very" chimed in
Lohse. chorus of similar exclama-
tions followed
II was then decided to appoint
committee of three to draw up reso-
luton for presentation to the mayor.
The committee will wait until after
the meeting of the Building Trades
Council next Wednesday. 1t was said
the latter council would be sure to
take the matter up.
Delegate Willard l.. Small advised
the postponement in presenting the
resolution until next week.
when the Building Trades Coun-
Gil meets" said Small, "its members
are sure to express themselves on the
mayors plan because they are vitality
interested. They will take action
without doubt. Instead of this coun-
ell drawing up a resolution tonight,
let's wait until we see what action
the other council takes. Then we
can back up the building trades and
present our resolution here next Fri
day for action by this council"
The original motion calling for
resolution of protest last night was
rescinded. The committee was then
instructed to report next week. On
the special committee are Henry J.
Lohse, Willard L. Small and Gregory
G.. Adlon.
Delegate Lohse told of the plans
being made by the council commit
tee Of twenty-five. appointed to help