The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-02
ENRTGHT ENDORSES
SALARY INCREASE
Will Formally Ask Board Of
Estimate to Pay Patrol
men Higher Wages.
BRENNAN NOT COMMITTED
Taxpayers Urge Action Be
Taken to Protect City and
Reward Men.

Police Commissioner Enright said yes
| terday that ne would send to the Board
I of Estimate n formal request for an
Immediate increase in the pay OF patrol
men. HIS decision is distinctly encour-
aging to those who have been making
the fight to relieve the intolerable con-
dition in which tho pr.vates OF the
Police and Fire Departments have been
placed by the failure OF the city 10 in
crease their wages while 1t increases
their burden Of mandatory expense.
The Board Of Estimate at last Fri
days meeting. on the ground that ac-
ton could not be taken without a re-
port from the two Commissioners SIS 10
whether the raise was needed, ,refo1:ed
the petition of the patrolmen and fire.
men to Mess;s. Enright and brennan.
The course OF the Commissioners has
beer a matter OF conjecture. Both had
told THE SuN that saiarlc5 must be
advanced and Commissioner brennan
had told che Board or Estimate the
sIme thing at an earlier meeting. But
since both Commissioners are appointees
OF the Mayor and naturally would hate
to do anything TO offend him, and as
all deserving city employees now get
ting $1,sss sr less year, has not taken
kindly - any suggestion that might add
to ner9 years tax budget tho two Com
meSoners have been in q rather awk-
ward position.
The fact that Commissioner Enright
has now declared for the increase and
the probl bility that Commissioner Dren-
nan will follow suit would indicate that
the city officials are working toward
solution Of the problem and that the
raises NAV be granted before the end
of this month.
IncreaSes Needed I'm m d lately.
When a StS reporter asked Commits
sioner Enrizht yesterday what he would
tell the Estimate Board in answer to its
request for his opinion of the appliCa-
ton of the patrolmen for a 0 per cent.
advance he at first replied that the re-
quest had not officially reached him.
But what will you do when 1t does
reach you?" he was asked.
IN do anything ] can for the men.
no answered.
And that means----'
That I will make application for the
increases"
For this year or next
"I will say that they are needed i'm
mediately"
The Commissioner was also asked
what he would do about the salary APP
plication made TO him last week by po-
lice officers OF all grades from sergeant
to inspector. He said that he thought
he would approve them along with the
application OF the patrolmen. When it
was suggested to him that as all the
officers were substantially raised last
wear their plea for more at this time
might lessen the poorly paid patrolmen s
chances OF recognition he replied that
he might separate the more deserving
from the others"
Commissioner brennan has said tna'
no could not tell what recommendation
he would make to the Board OF Est'fna,e
in regard TO the flremen until the board 5
official request reached him. II VIII
probably reach him to-day
Nav Re Adopted Before Recess.
The Board OF Estimate expects to
meet twice before the summer recess
on July IL and July 10 II TIC Ponce
and Fire Commissioners make the salary
,ncreose request they will probably be
referred OF July > to the committee on
/ salaries and grades, which could report
rayorably in time for vote or Inc
board on July Il?
Meanwhile letters from tax paying
citizens who see clearly that the patrol
men and fremen ought to get an ad-
vance this summer for the sake of de-
Matrimonial efficiency as well as matter
Of Justice are continuing 10 pour into
the office Of the Board of Estimate.
Jacob II Schiff wrote:
MIR. Hiram Boomisgdale has brought
10 NY attention that the salaries of the
fremen and policemen Of this city are,
in the lower grades, considerably made
quate TO satisfy the most simple needs
OF these men. who In most instances
have families dependent upon them
! Under the prevailing conditions l can
! well understand it must he getting more
and more difficult not only to secure men
hut to retain the men already on The
! force. which ia so very imEor,an' for
maintaining its efficiency and morale
Because of this there is little doubt
| in my mind that a proper salary IN 'r"a ("
! FOR both the policemen AID Nr"men
should he made. and this YOU'D readil"
| be sustained by the people % our city,
! who will he unwilling that the risks be
! taken witch it il obvious Insufficient
payment Of the policemen and hremen
will bring forth"
kvbert II GAR. chairman of rsCtorS
| Of the United states Steel Corporation,
! wrote
! II understand that the patroimeu and
| hremer OF the city OF New York have
| presented "A petition for 10 per cent.
| increase in salaries The ohjeCt Of this
! letter Is to say that I would heartily
! apprnvr an increase
scribnrr Urges Increases He Made.
Arthur II SCTihuer OF Charles Serb
ucr's Sons sent this letter.
! II take the liberty of sending this pote
! 10 urge that the requeS, OF the police
! men and bremen for an advance in THEN
wages be given favorable consideration
| 10y those who have the matter within
their control. The wages they now re-
! ceivc seem to me very low for men In
, such responsible positions, and under
stand It is quite time since there has
! been any advance. Al living expenses
! have. of course, meanwhile greatly in
| creased. and this would seem to call for
! some recognition. az has been the case in
almost all other instances with which ]
! am familiar"
! r. NJ. Ham, proprietor of the St
| Regis wrote as follows
las citizen and taxpayer | am
taking the liberty Of expressing my
warm approval of any action favorins
the granting of their request
! That splendid body of men, the fire.
men and police of New York CITY, "a
whom we look for protection and OF
I