New Britain herald., 1917-01-17

neither the police department or the safety board compels the payment of tho fifty cents but it is mandatory by city ordinance and allows no option. The money is paid into the city treas ury. The fifty cents is the city's tax for providing the officer, the $2 is his pay and he simply collects the fifty cents as representative of the city.
 As to any increase in pay, it was explained, all the board can do is to recommend and, even with this ac- ton, it can only be done under city ordinance, at the January meeting of the common council. The board has taken action but can do nothing eX- cept to recommend and at the Jan uary council session.
 Out of Town Pay.
 The fourth clause. asks why tho power of the chief of police should be used against them and asks rela- tive to pay for out of town work. It says: We petitioned the board of public safety for S5 per day for out of town work and the board gave the chief power to grant it to us. Men were sent to the Berlin fair with the understanding that they would re- ceive S3 per day from 1 to 8 D. m. and that after this hour 1t would be overtime and would be paid for &C., cordingly. They received $3 a day all right but each and every man had to spend three or four hours more each day there and received no pay whatever for 1t. There were gate men from Hartford there that re- ceived $5 per day. Why shouldn't we?"
 Referring to minutes of past meet ings and correspondence. the com missioners decided that the "why shouldn't we" and why they did not are questions for the supernumerar- ies who went to the Berlin fair to an- swer to their own satisfaction. Ac- cording to the interpretation of the commissioners, supernumeraries going on out of town duty have authority to make their arrangements relative to pay. If they set $5 as the rate, they are to get it. If willing to work for less, the amount decided upon is their pay
 The fifth clause asks why should certain favorites receive all the hall work. theater duty and best work in general. "It can't be efficiency" reads the complaint, "because some men haven't been in the department but a very short time before they have been detailed for this work and some others have been on for years and never had a chance" There was lit- tie discussion relative to this, except ing that men who are willing to take regular assignments are given them. The opinion was that there would be If i,tx eraries were counted on for duty whenever needed. Informally, it was cited that often a request for an of ficer does not come in until but a short time before he is needed. Ac- cording to police records there are times when two men have been need ed and it has been necessary to hunt up thirteen supernumeraries before the two have been secured.
 Tine sixth clause asks why there can not be system of rotation among the supernumeraries and giving every man a chance. It was contended that other cities are using this method. Also that, in theater duty. a different man each week would be enabled to keep better order than the same one all of the time. Ut would be treating us all alike and would be dividing the money earned equally. Also each man would be more efficient after such york; was the claim.
 The seventh clause requests that it be understood by the men detailed to supernumeraries of orders from headuuarters to see the men person. ally and not depend upon second and third parties "There are instances of some of us getting in wrong," the ge reads "by their not doing so."
 The final clause asks why the city should contract for supernumeraries to private individuals at the present rate of twenty-eight cents per hour when thirty-f1ve cents per hour has been asked for private duty, strike duty, etc., when paid for by the city.
 The closing phrase reads: "We hope you will be just and generous with us and grant us these requests. By Dlac- ing yourselves in our positions there is no doubt of your doing so. Let us have harmony above everything else Committee, Kerin, Souney. Richard son, Cosgrove, Pierson, chairman
 Finding the Flaws.
 Clerk A. F. Magne]l said. that there were misleading, or false, statements in the communication and referred to his records showing the action of the board and copies of letters showing that officials of the police department have been informed of the action talk en and that communications from pe- titioners have been answered. Ser geant T. M. Herting at police head quarters was communicated with and said that the amended regulations for supernumeraries are operative.
 According to the records, Clerk Magnell said, no request for $3 per day has been received, as lnsinuated in clause 1. The supernumeraries re- ceive $2.75 per day when filling in for 8 regular policeman but no request for the S' has been received. Rela- tive to clause 2 he said the scale