New Britain herald., 1917-03-10
SAFETY BOARD TELLS OF FINANCIAL NEED

Police and Fire Department Mat
 terS to Be Discussed Further
 Supplied with maps and much data as to what. in their opinion. is needed to place the police and fire depart ments on an even higher plane of efficiency, members of the safety board appeared before tho board of finance and taxation last night at a lengthy session to explain their reaui- sitions for the coming nscal year. Their auditors wero inquisitive rel ative to numerous items. advapced 9 number of pertinent suggestions and continued the hearing until Monday night when a number of the items will be taken up again and the safety board members heard as to their definite plans for the future along certain lines. Mayor George A. Quig-l Icy, Judge B. F. Gaffney, City Treas urer Frank 8. Chamberlain, Ernest N. Humphrey and A. N. AbbA were especially active in the questioning. Clerk A. E.. Magnell, Chairman Ed ward c. Babcock and Commissioner Howard M. Steele of the safety board led in explaining the needs of the po- lice and fire departments.
 There was no mistake in the desire of the board of finance and taxation. not only maintain but to advance the efficiency of tho departments under consideration. Neither was there any doubt as to the opinion held as to what constitutes a metropolitan Ire department. Tho safety commission err were advised that 1t will be a pol icy of efficiency to place the depart ment on permanent basis as soon as possible with a training class, or call department, of perhaps. ten or dozen members to i'll out during vacation periods and in case of sick ness on the part of the regular men. Mayor ;Quigley. said that there should be no one on the call department of the fire department or the supernu- merary list of tho police department. who is not anxious for appointment as regular, in case opportunity of fers the place to him. He said that men, refusing to do regular fire or po- lice duty if on the call or supernu- merary list and given the opportu- nifty, should be summarily dismissed as the city has no use for their serv- ices. In this, he was supported by several of his colleagues on the board.
 Permanent Department Favored.
 The requisition for the payroll of the fro department came under fire of questions from the start While there was no apparent disposition to criticize 1t as . whole if the depart mont is to be made as nearly permAn- ent as possible. there was if 1t is to be maintained on . part permanent and part cell basis. 1t was recom- mended that the change to perman- ency be made as soon as possible. Members of tie board said that they preferred greatly to see the call list decrsased materially and the money saved in this way used to put on more permanent men. Commissioner Steele of the safety board came to the rescue of the call members of the department. saying that they, in the main. had done excellent work and cited the frequent loss of time in staop getting up at night to respond to ar, alarm etc, for comparatively small re- muneratfon.
 If there has to be . decision be- tween q new aerial truck or the pro- posed Ire station in the southwestern part of the station, which would be preferred and which would be the most valuable to the city. This aues. tion was asked of the safety board and the response was that. if there is' need of making a selection, tho proposed ire station is more to be preferred and Is urgently needed. Sev- eral of the taxation board members expressed the opinion that beth are needed.
 Police Department 4
 In discussing the police depart. ment requisition, Judge Gaftney ex- pressed the opinion that the system is all wrong whereby individuals and organizations pay supernumerary. po- icemen, even if there is certain percentage paid to the city. He be- heved that the supernumerary po- Mcemen, whether assigned for regu- Jar duty. at halls or other special york be strictly under the super vision of the regular police heads and that they should look for their pay to the city. He said that this system is successful in other cities. If neceS- ary to change tho oydihance. he said. 1t should be changed. His opinions met with the expressed approval of his colleagues.