New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-09-28
VETERAN F|REMEN
ON PENSION LIST
Fire Commissioners Also Discuss
New Apparatus

Six veteran flremen, each Of whom
| twenty-five years or more, were re-
| tired by the board of fire commits
sioners at last nights monthly meet
| ing. Chairman A. E. Magnell pre-
| sided at the meeting and in addition
| to the other commissioners those pres
ent were Mayor G. A. Quigley and
| Fireman Edward Parker, the latter
| representing the Fi1emen's Pension
| Association.
Mayor Quigley explained to the fire
board that the city is now beginning
to launch forth into a new system of
| pensioning both f1remen and police
| men, and the latter, he said, are
showing an excellent spirit by giving
per cent. of their salaries into the
fund. The firemen should be willing
| to do likewise he thought. Commits
sioner Frank Moran echoed tho
thought and said they would be get
ting very cheap insurance, too"
Three call engineers and three call
men were reported as having sought
retirement. They are James Topnay,
George Caswell, Frank w. Humphrey,
Thomas Clerkin, William Forsythe,
and Patrick Egan. Mr.. Parker ad-
vised the board that Firemen Fred
Schneider and Harry Wetmore are eli
gible for retirement and he understood
| that the former wanted it, Chairman
| Magnell replied that he knew nothing
| of Mr.. Schneider's desires, but Mr..
| Wetmore has expressed desire to
remain active as long as possible.
Firemen Are Pensioned.
After some further discussion, Com
missioner Camp moved to pension all
six of the applicants at 500 per year.
Commissioner Moran objected because,
he said, engineers receive $500 per
year, and half-pay, as permitted by
| the charter, would entitle them to
| $3.50. Commissioner Camp insisted
| that 500 was enough since it is what
the callmen were getting and the en-
gineers have had but little to do other
than callmen's work for many years.
! Chairman Magnell upheld Commits
| sioner Moran's plea for full half-pay,
and Mr.. Parker also urged this. When
it was explained that hereafter all
callmen, substitute callmen and
stokers are to be paid 5000 per year
were mentioned would be the last to
ever receive pension of $3.50, Mr..
Camp withdrew his motion.
Chairman Magnen Immediately
moved to retire Engineers Tormay,
Humphrey and Caswell at $3.50 per
year, subject to the approval of the
corporation counsel, the retirements to
! date from October /, but subsequently
changed it to provide for these men
receiving a pension of not more than
$3.50 or less than 500. Callmen Cler-
kin, Forsythe and Egan were then
pensioned at 500 per year. Mr.. Par
lzer was instructed to advise the fire
men pension and relief association
/ that the fire commissioners feel the
hremen should do their part toward
helping swell the pension fund JUS,
the same as the policemen are doing
Want New Fire Pump.
There was considerable discussion
| relative to the purchase of a new
pump for the fire department. A
/ present there is a fund of $500 avail
able but at least $4,000 is needed ant
! the question arose as to whether i
l would be better to ask for transfer
| Of funds or secure a promise from tn,
/ board of finance and taxation to max,
| up the difference in next years ap
/ preparation. Chairman Magnell sug
| gested a Maxim pump but the commits
| sioners were strong in their objec
tons to spending $500 for a flying
/ squadron car. Commissioner Moran
said he favors the American LIZ
France cars and would like to stand
ardize the city's apparatus. 1t wa!
j finally voted, on suggestion of Chair.
man Magnell, to take a two days trir
about October 20 to Westerly, r. L.
Norwich, New Haven and other cities
l to inspect their apparatus
III 1t was voted to have City Electri.
clan George Cooley attend the next
meeting and tell what he wants fol
the subway service. It was also vot-
ed to sell the ash can at No. 4 Engine
/ House and install an ash bin. The su-
perintendent of schools is also to be
urged to observe fire prevention day
and repairs at No. Engine House
were likewise authorized.