New Britain herald., 1917-01-17

than New Britain for the same line | of work
 Lieutenant Hinchey and Fireman
 Mycroft also spoke along somewhat
 similar lines Last year when the 1 fremen petitioned for a twenty five
 cent increase and received ten per
 cent, the committee atfi1Aned, they 1 were advised to make a further peti-
 tion for an increase this year. Chair
 man Babcock favored immediate ac- | ton so that the matter may be | brought up before the common coun-
 Gil at its meeting tonight. Mention
 was made of the council rule that all
 petitions for salary or wage increases 1 must be received not later than the January meeting. Commissioner Mo-
 ran expressed the belief that the pe- titioners should have brought the mat
 ter before the board at an earlier ses-
 sion. He was informed that it had
 been received at @ previous meeting
 but action tabled on his motion. Commissioners Steele and Moran ] wanted more time to consider the
 matter and said that 1t was something
 that could not be done off hand. They | also suggested that it would be bet l ter had the petitioners advanced data l and comparisons to boost their peti- tions.
 Chairman Babcock reported that | Charles Rehm has reconsidered his l decision to refuse appointment as a
 regular fireman and made a motion l that he be appointed. It was carried. l Reh1n was one of the sixteen to
 have been appointed at the last meet
 ing. At the last minute he decided that he preferred to remain callman
 and take factory position. The oth-
 CT fifteen were appointed at the last meeting.
 l Aid For Electrician.
 l A communication was read from City Electrician George Cooley in
 which the appointment of Edward J..
 Ryan as his assistant was recom-
 mended. He said that Ryan is effi- l cient, has had much experience as a l lineman, knows the city wiring we'll | and has made good as temporary as-
 sistant, in times when work necessi- 1 tated two men. There are several l other applicants, one of whom was l sent to see Chairman Babcock by | Commissioner Moran. It was voted to have Chairman Babcock secure
 references from all the applicants be- l fore one or more are asked to appear
 before the board. It was voted to bring about an amendment of the or 1 dinance so that the one to be ap- l pointed will not have to be selected
 under civil service rules. Attention l was called to the present ordinance in which 1t is provided that the city l electrician shall be elected by the 1 safety board and be subject to the | rules governing the police and fire de- l partments, relating to appointment
 and removal. The police and fire de- partment members are now subject l to civil service. Under the present 1 ordinance the assistant electrician 1 would. have to be appointed under civil service ruling.
 A communication was received from the regular members of the police de- partment asking that the grades of pay be changed. It was signed by Capt. T. w. Grace, acting chief. In the request, s2.75 Der day is asked for the first year: s3.02 for the sec ond year, and s33O for the third year and thereafter. Under the present scale the men work two years for $2.75 per day. s3.02 for two years, and do not reach the maximum Tor five years.
 Commissioner Steele believed the matter, as well as the fremen's ln- crease should be given more cOnsid eration than was possible at such short notice. He explained that he l was not prepared to commit himself either way. Attention was called that in past years fire department commit tees have come to the sessions armed with statistics showing a comparison with the pay in other cities for sim liar duty. Attention was called to the fact that the committee at last nights session did not vote was taken to send a communication to the com mon council at tonight's meeting to l the effect that communications have been received and outline the grounds l for the petitions and the reasons for desired temporary delay. It is ex- pected that the rule will he suspended 1 demanding that all petitions for in 1 creases in pay be received at the Jan uary meeting. It is probable that e special session will be asked.
 l The session was notable in that ap- parent harmony prevailed and there was little differences of opinion among the commissioners
 Mrs. c. H. Upson and Mrs. E. P. 1 Satnr6ov