New Britain herald., 1916-07-01
BABCOCK AND STEELE
 SWAP HOT WORDS
Meeting of Safety Board Not Al- together PeaCeful-Ch00Se Hart

Chairman E. G. Babcock and Com missioner Howard M. Steele had a bit ter tilt at the meeting of the board last night which for a few minutes threat ened to disrupt the equanimity of the commission and end in unpleasant per- sonalities. Both men, however, seemed to realize their position and after a few hot words were passed, which seemed to indicate that the future may have more excitement in store, the meeting adjourned with all mem bers once more on friendly terms The principal action of the board was it's unanimous election of Officer William c. Hart as the new police department street sergeant. He begins his work today.
 Hart Unanimously Chosen.
 The election of a sergeant was the first business of the evening and on motion of Commissioner Steele the board proceeded to vote by ballot. On the first ballot Officer Hart was the unanimous choice. Commissioner Steele remarked that he did not think the board will ever have occasion to regret it's action as he regards Officer Hart as a capable man. Commits sioner Moran agreed with him, say- ing that he had been looking up Off, cer Hart's record for the past four or five months and finds him most eff cient officer. Chairman Babcock also praised the newly appointed sergeant for his thoroughness and efficiency while on duty.
 New Summer Uniform.
 On the suggestion of Chairman Babcock the commission voted to change the rule regarding the fire mems wearing apparel in the summer. In the afternoon instead of having to dress in their heavy blue uniform, they will now dress in khaki trousers, Palm Beach shirt and dart tie. The men will all wear the same coIored khaki and they will don their summer uni forms and take them off in place of the winter garments at the voice of their chief
 Babcock and Steele Tilt.
 Commissioner Steele then told the chairman there was one matter he wished to take up and that was about giving Chief Dame the right to place his men in the fire department where- ever he chose.
 "He has it ncw," snapped up Chair man Babcock
 Excuse me, but he hasn't" snapped back Commissioner Steele. He tells me he has not got the power without the consent of the board," continued Commissioner Steele, who added that if the chief finds a man is not getting along well in one company he should have the power to place him else- where at his own pleasure and with out recourse to the board"
 Chairman Babcock suddenly turned to the new commissioner and said :: "Now look here Commissioners Mo- ran Carlson and myself have been working on these things for months and we have got perfect harmony here and in the departm ents and I am not going to listen to any talk to the contrary"
 Well now, you will listen to what ever I may have to say and I am trying to find out things I don't know"
 You are trying to tell us things you do not know" hot back the chairman.
 "No I am not. And furth ermore, I am not going to serve on this board unless I have something to say and as long as I don't make any trouble and talk as gentleman should I propose to say it. I have a right to speak as a commissioner and I'm going to say what I want. If the chief has the power to place his men he ought to be big enough to do it."
 "He is big enough" said the chair man.
 Well, he says he hasn't got the right and you say he has. The only way to find out was by putting the question. If you don't like my sug- gestions it is your privilege to vote against them as a commissioner but if l want to make a motion I will"
 After this spontaneous outburst the two men subsided and the meeting continued along tranquil lines.
 Other Matters Discussed
 Arthur Pilz was made a special mo- liceman with auth Ority at St. Mary's playgrounds only, and Frank Law renee was made a special policeman with authority at Shuttle Meadow Lake.
 Final action in regard to giving a pension to Fireman James McCOnkey was laid over for two weeks for fur ther investigation.
 Commissioner Steele suggested that,