New Britain herald., 1917-01-25
RECREATION FOR
 FIRE FIGHTERS
Chairman BabC0Ck Has Plan for
 Room at Headquarters

Convinced that adequate proNi- sions for recreations are highly es- sential in maintaining the high eff cency and furthe: developing .he fire and police departments, Chair man Edward G. Babcock of the safe ty board is working out plans tow ards this end, which, when compiet- cd. are expected to place New BrlI- ain in an unique niche and q n;ooei for other municipalities. His plans not only call for recreation fac1lltleS for the men but are. men who nave become acquainted with them Say, along the lines of, municipal economy. AS soon as they are prepared 1hto proper form, they will be presented to Mayor George A. Quigley and other officials of the city for approval. Ine 1ublic will also be fully acquainted with the plans.
 With more recreation facilities and tho proposed increase i'll the ~ase scale. Chairman Rabcock pelleves that the present problem ol securing sufficient suitable candidates 'cr the ire apartment will be done away xith At present, there are seEeral permanent positions in the hie ue- Dartment eoing almost begging be-
  must be something radically wrong, Chairman Babcock believes, when this is true in New Britain While in other cities there is always a wealth Cf material for every vacancy ana long waiting list.
 I-ntil recently, when the depart ment's only pair of horses was re- turned to headquarters through or Gers of Commissioners Frank J. Mor- an and Howard Nj. Steele, the men az teaduuarters On Commerclal street had a make-shift recreation loDln. Since the transfer of the horses and the coming of additional men to head quarters, both recreation rooms nave ieen given up but still. according TO Chairman Babcock and Chief Robert M. Dame, the quarters are crowded. There are no recreation facilities HOW. Some idea of the provisions may be gained by the statement that one shower bath is available for seV- erteen men. So closely are the beds grouped that it is feared the men may meet with an accident upon be- ing suddenly awakened from sleep to respond to an alarm at night.
 Changes at Headquarters.
 The tentative plans of Chairman l3abock call for utilizing the 30x60 loft in the rear of fire headquarters, raising the roof from six to eight feet and putting in from ten to a 6oZen windows. Also for the removal of tho partitions so that there vii DC thorough ventilation from Conner cial street through. While the pro- posed changes could have been ac- complished by an expenditure of 1>O lieved that now, because of the in c~dase in the price of materials and labor, the changes will cost in the neighborhOod of $1,2OO.
 Chairman Babcock's plans are to ,Ise this for a joint recreation room f. r the police and fire deparuHe1'* euuip it with several tables for cards and one or more pool tables By so doing, it is intended there would be sufficient extra room for the install2- ron. of needed police lockers in the present guard room at headquarters.
 AS rapidly as possible, recreation rooms are being fixed up at the var ious fire houses at no cost to the city as the men are themselves makiig the Chairman Babcock believes that, if the public only real ized conditions and what it means to 13?e men and department to haVc proper recreation facilities. there arc enough pool tables, rugs, etc., in stor- oge that would be donated in suttl- oient quantity to equip these rooms.
 The people generally little realize he said what the cit is getting TOT rhat it pays in firemen's salaries ana 1!.e saving that the mems work i5 1ringing to the city. For insta Ice at the house of Engine Go. Mo- re- Lair room has been equipped in which all of the city's motor apparatus is kept in repair There is seldom lime when outside aid has to be caled in or it is necessary to sendout of the Cty for parts. At present the auto mobile of City Electrician George Cooley is undergoing a thOrO'.@il oEerhauling. Bremen are doing ;ll Of the work between times.