New Britain herald., 1917-01-17
SAFETY BOARD IN
 BOUT WITH DOLLAR
Firemen and Regular and Reserve
 Policemen Want More Pay

ing last night as sponsor for mem-
 bers of the regular police and fire l departments who want increased pay ] lie was frequently referred to by the
 petitioners and in the petitioners and
 lne commissioners agreed that he is
 stalking through the land with dire
 effects to those who have families
 and are not blessed with an over | supply of this worlds goodsA No
 definite action was taken relative to 1 disposition of the petitions, Commis- 1 sloners Frank J. Moran and Howard l M. Steele expressing a wish to probe | more thoroughly conditions before l making any recommendations to the l council. They defined their stand as not being either for or against, sim 1 ply desire to know more details.
 It was suggested that the petitioners 1 secure data to support their con- 1 tentions, especially comparisons with
 men in similar lines of work in other
 cities Chairman Edward G. Bab- cock said that he was convinced that the men are justified in their demands 1 and went on record as approving the proposed increase and the boards l recommendations affixed to the peti- tions and immediate transfer to the A 1 city regulations provide that all mat | ters relative to wage and salary changes for officials and employees ] must be taken up at the January l meeting and at no other time, Con- ! missioner Steele believed that special provisions would be made to allow a slight delay in regard to the police and fire department members, if notice was given at tonight's com mon council session. This was de- cided upon.
 1t was voted to table the petitions for increases temporarily for discus- sion at future meeting and follow ing investigation. The suggestion that it may be well to take up the question at a special meeting of the board so that report with recom- mendations may be brought before the next regular, or special, meeting of the council met with approval
 ''Supcrs" Given Chilly Hand.
 Grievances of the supernum erary policemen, IF contained in a leng- thy communication with numerous clauses met with little sympathy. Disapproval was expressed over the manner in which the communication was brought instead of coming through the office of Police Chief William J. Rawlings or Capt. T. w. Grace, acting chief. The difference was pointed out between this and the other petitions The one from the regular policemen was signed by Capt. T. w. Grace, acting chief, and referred to the board. The delega- ton of firemen had brought the mat ter to the attention of Chief Robert M. Dame and received his permis- sion to have the petition presented and a delegation to appear before the board to support it. Either the supernumeraries are woefully misinformed relative to the procedure of the board or some of them are deliberately falsifying, was the general opinion expressed. The board believes. it is not only an act of courtesy to the department head but in compliance with the depart ment rules to have petitions brought to the attention of the acting head of the department before coming to the board.
 From minutes of past meetings and copies of correspondence. the. com missioners decided that they have al- ready favorably passed on all points covered in the petition of the super
 
 was explained. can be cleared up only by an appeal to the common council to change ordinances govern ing the conduct of the supernumer- ary department.
 Chairman Babcocl< objected to the accusation that he had carried their petition about in his pocket for a considerable time after it's receipt He ] contcnded, and called upon past minutes for proof that it was brought up at the next meeting of the board l and was considered at three different 1 meetings. He also denied that he had refused a committee of supernumer- l aries a hearing. What he did tell 1 them he said was in the line of ad- l vice and that. out of courtesy to their chief. who is i'll. they should l first ask him, or his substitute, for
 the privilege of appearing, the same 1 as did the firemen in sending a com
 mittee and the regular policemen in getting the sanction of Captain Grace
 to send in their petition.
 l Commissioners Moran and Steele l favored giving the men hearing but 1 also thought that it was procedure 1 that should be first passed on by the l head of the department. If he con-
 siders it proper for the men to ap-
 pear before the board, they should l be given a hearing.
 l Eight Complaints.
 l The communication of the super
 numeraries comprised eight clauses.
 The first inquired as to why $3 day
 is not paid when shop work has to
 be neglected to do duty. MT. High Cost of Living was referred to as an
 authority and mention was made of
 the cost of furnishing police equip ment The second clause asked why
 s250 is not received for hall duty from [ to 12 D. m. and the contention | made that there is not one cent un-