The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-11-03

AZ q lllCtGlIlS VI Illc DullulIlES,
Trades Council, composed Of
the executives of the construc-
ton work unions in the city,,
Nov. 9, action will be taken on
the competition of policemen'
and firemen, paid by the citi-
zens to, protect them from
crime and fire, in competing
with skilled labor.
William G. Steele, president Of the
Building Trades council, declared this
morning that forceful action will be-
taken at the meeting.
"We certainly shall do something
about it," declared Mr. Steele. land
don't think our protest will be kept
secret this time.
About a month ago we sent COM
munication to the mayor, the COM
mon council and the boards of fire
and police commissioners. We pro-
tested the competition of men work.
ing for $2.75 a day with men being
paid union rates, especially when the
cheaper workmen were paid to do
something else.
"We got no satisfaction, although
understand the excuse Of the police
board was that it couldn't hire the la
Dor. That's ridiculous. We can get
them all the men they want, and good
ones, too" s
Martin Kane, business agent OF the
Carpenters union, said this morn
ing: Its like everything else the
administration is doing in Bridgeport.
It's rotten!"
The Central Labor union, too is ex-
pected to take action in this matter.
1t is known that the union sent a
communication to the board of f1ro
commissioners not long ago, protest
ing against the employment of firemen
in jobs sought by persons in the bus
mess Of painting, carpentry, etc. The
fire commissioners didn't make the
communication public and one COM
missioner said that If action were
taken "there might be lot of talk
about it in the newspapers" So, the
public never knew Of it.
Well informed persons discussing
the matter today took it for granted
that the reason why the city employees
were put to worl<on jobs other than
that for WEIGH they were paid, is to
save enough money so that more ward
henchmen may be appointed to the po-
lice force.
Labor men agree that it is good to
economize, but this, they declare, Is
false economy.
'"The citizens Of Bridgeport pay po-
licemen to tparol the streets and pro-
tect them from crime;," said one who
protested today, land they pay the
firemen to keep the fire loss as low as
possible.
Its not so long ago we were beng
told Bridgeport didn't have enough
licemen to patrol the streets and pro-
enough firemen. What was the use OF
appointing them if they weren't need
ed for protection purposes?
"Skilled workers, who are taxpayers
here, have to pay these men. Why
SHOULD they be paying anybody to take
the bread and butter from their
mouths?"
The prevalent opinion today was
that John c. Stanley, who started out
with much gusto when he was ap-
pointed, telling what he was going to
do to improve the department and in
stituting freak ideas, is now jumping
faster than any of the others at the
crack of the boss whip. Promises are
being made in return for votes, ana
one or two of them will have to be
kept after election by the appointment
of as many policemen as can be pro-
vided for by taking money away from
skilled labor.
This new fellow is demora1izing the
police department." said policeman
today