New Britain herald., 1917-01-11
STEELE AND MORAN
 ROLL GUT BABCOCk
Ride Rough Shod Over Chief Dame and Mayor Quigley, Too

Like Horatius at the bridge. Ed
 ward G. Babcock stood alone at last nights session of his class ir the theo- ry and practice of metropolitan fire department efficiency, saw his ideas of progress steam rollered' and his pu- pills promote themselves into the ele- mentary grade. He was not alone in moral support for on his right was Chief Robert M. Dame, who did not wax enthusiastic over the plans of Commissioners Frank J. Moran and Howard M. Steele to transfer the one pair of horses owned by the depart nfent to the Commercial street head quarters, while on his left was let ter from Mayor George A. Quigley op- posing the contemplated change on the ground that headquarters is now overcrowded. Despite the opposition, Commissioners Moran and Steel in sisted that the change be made and passed the formers motion over Chairman Babcock's recorded objec- ton and vote in the negative.
 As a result Chief Dame will have q pair of horses thrust upon him un- tremendously today, provided written orders for the transfer are received from Clerk A. E. Magnet. It will be Up to him as how to make two bodies occupy the same space at the same time. He received no advice from the commissioners in response to his in- auiry last night except Commissioner Moran's tart that is up to you chief.'
 Chief Damc Rcticcnt.
 As soon as the motion for the. transfer was passed Commissioner Moran showed anxiety as to how soon his pet scheme to advance efficiency could become operative. Chief Dame, who was present throughout the ses- sion, was asked relative to it. Mind full of past discussions reported at the board sessions, he said that he would obey the orders as soon as they were communicated to him in writing. Commissioner Moran. who in past meetings has often called attention to the need of giving important direc- tions in writing. applying to the gov ernment of Chiefs Dame and Rawlings thought a moment and then asked Clerk Magnell as to how soon the communication would be sent to fire headquarters. The response was that it would be sometime today.
 Chief Dame then asked as to where the hose wagon, now at No. house with the horses, would be placed and called attention to the crowded con- ditions at headquarters. Commits sioner Moran then informed him that this detail was up to him for solution. No suggestions were advanced to ald in solving the problem. Commission CT Moran commented upon what the transfer of the horses might mean to IL, oF mo toned at headquarters and said that provisions for the recrcatir|' "' the flremen was of secondary importance and can well be solved at some future meeting of the board. It was suggest cd that the pool table can be set up down cellar He was informed that this would not be wise as that loca- ton Is dark and not practically san- itary for recreation purposes.
 Quigley Endorses Babcock.
 At the opening of the sesso.. Chair man Babcock read the following communication from Mayer 1uigley relative to the matter.
 Your proposition to place the aerial ladder truck and horses from Mo- at No. engine house, is, think, a very happy solution of the problem of keeping the aerial ladder truck and horses together which would not be convenient at No. l due to the overcrowded condition there.
 1T am very pleased that you have solved this problem"
 Following the reading of this com | munication the commissioners turned to the transaction of other welghtN l business and did not take up the | question for discussion and action until the end of the session. Until that question came up, there was an armed neutrality although Bill Bryan's dove of peace could have hardly been noted by critical eyes. No difference in opinion could be outwardly noted, l excepting from those acquainted With the progress made by the class.
 When the question of transferring the horses was taken up, Chairman Babcock explained tentative regula- tions that would, in his opinion, glNe the desired results. more equally d. vide the apparatus and be much more satisfactory from all viewpoints. lie asked the opinion of Chief Dame, who said that stationing the horses ana aerial truck at No. house would De entirely satisfa ctory to him, would give as great protection to the city and euualizc the space better than to station both at neadCluafteIS. I1e ee''. there is sufficient space at NO. house for the truck and horses and called at- tention to the already overcrowded conditions at headquarters. Chair man Babcock said that he has given the matter much study and is con- vinced that a quick time could be made to the center of the city from No. 3 house. with down grade for a start and straight-away course, as from headquarters with the two sharp turns. one into heavily travelled Main street and up grade. Attention was called to the difference, should there be snow He explained that, with the Main street course, there would be