New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-02-19

DNe7i4eDConNl,i ssioners, which reported
to the special salary revision COM
naitteo and RECOMMENDED an increase
of ten per cen& When this report
was received by Ahe Common Council
the mem crs decided that ten per
cent was not sufficient and voted IN
favor of a fiat increase of fifty cents
per day. This was for all grades
under the captancy. the chief and
captain not receiving any increase.
Whether that has any connection with
the movement to make another
change at the meeting of the Common
Council tomorrow night has not been
determined. Suffice it to say that
the movement is reported well under
way.
Members of the Council who are
blind to conditions in the labor market
probably take little interest in
genuine menace that threatens tho
police department. Previous to don
ming uniforms, most of the police
men were good tradesmen and If
united to take their natural course
and increase apace with the cost of
living there is no doubt that some or
them will return to their former oc-
cupations where their services are in
demand and where they will receive
wages in keeping with present stand
ards of pay In this manner, the
police department will lose many
valuable members, men who have
been educated in police work
and whose Judgment is re-
spected by their superior officers.
This should not be allowed to occur
as New Britain wishes to maintain it's
ideal 1t wants to keep good men in
what is now recognized to be good
department.
kiplngs verses on Tommy Atkins
are quite as applicable to policemen.
When their services are required and
when they perform these services
we'll they are patted on the back and
| otherwise welcomed into the human
| family. Thinking citizens appreciate
| them at all times and realize the
hazards they run in the course Of
their daily tasks. New Britain has
| been fortunate in having few police
! men shot or otherwise injured while
| in performance of their duty: but the
possibility is there and no man going
| out on his beat can safely say he will
| return to headquarters with a whole
| skin, or that violent death will not
come upon him.
| Again. the policeman faces less alb
stract propositions, burdens which he
must assume. In the first place, the
majority of the policemen are married
| and have families That staten ent
an honest hearing and favorable judg-
nnent. Like all other men, they are
| forced to contend with the cost of
4 rent and bills Of the butcher baker and
efforts contribute to the sustenance Of
the human race. They also have
! other financial problems, which the
average citizen has not. That is the
/ purchase of their uniforms. The city
does not supply these. Uniform cloth,
being of unusually fine texture has
advanced in price and this ts a. large
Item In the annual expenses of the
men who protect our lives AMI pro-
perty, an item not to be passed over
hurrcdfy.
1t has always been New Rritain's
pride that the police department., ir
intelligence and morale, compares
favorably with any department in The
state. This cannot continue if the
pav is to be kept at a. small figure
Men of judgment and intelligence viii
not be attracted to the work. There
will be a gradual letting down in eff
fciency. This defect may not make it
self felt at once, but the gradua
wearing away Of standard will be IL
, process. Thanks to the unthankef
men who patrol the streets day ane