New-York tribune., 1918-06-29
Reorganization of Work
Only Way to Get Money,
Estimate Board Finds
Useless Places to Go
New Appointments From Civil
Service List Practically
Barred for Present

Any increase IN salaries Tor poilce-
men and firemen will depend upon how
much more work employees in city de-
partments can do in order to con-
soldate activities and release some en-
ployes for transfer to fill vacancies in
other departments. Such shifts would
mean saving of salaries for new
employees.
This was the only method of raising
funds to meet the 10 per cent increase
asked by firemen and policemen arrived
at yesterday by the Board of Estimate,
when the question of the salary raises
was again taken up. The board passed
a resolution, calling for careful sur
vey of the various departments by the
commissioners and providing that the
appointment of any more city employees
from the civil lists should not be made
without the consent OF the board.
Resolutions Adopted
The resolutions follow:
"Resolved, That the heads of de-
partments, officers, boards and Gem
missions be requested lmmedla1ely TO
rearrange the work being donc py
the employees under their Jurisdiction
wherever possible, so, as TO conson-
date positions and release employes
for transfer to fill vacancies IN otner
departments and, in rearrenging and
reorganizing the work, to so appor-
tion the same that each employe may
be fully occupied, and that no un-
necessary work be undertaken; the
purpose of such rearrangement ana
reorganization being to make 1unos
available to meet meritorlous ana
necessary increases in salaries OF clty
employees wherever possible ana lur-
ther
salaries and grades of the board Is
hereby instructed not to consent to
the appointment Of any more en-
ployes from the Civil Service lists to
iii vacancies unless directed to DO so
by the board"
This procedure will avoid the ne
cessity of dismissing any present en-
ployes. The resolutions were drawn
by the committee on finance and nuo-
oct. which Is made UP of the entire
Board. 1t was preceded by state,
ment to the effect that practically all
employees are asking for increases;
About $20,OO0,000 would be requ1rea
annually to meet these increases, ana
only the heads of departments can dee
termine whether rearrangemeht. ,ot o.
WORK COuIu 0SCONpAACAA ~
would make the granting OF the IN
creases possible.
Would Require $2,O0o,0o0
The increase asked by the nremen
and policemen would require apout
s2,000,O00 for the next year; Controliei
Craig said that much could be saved
hv the proposed rearrangsment OF
work in the various departments. Jo-
seph J. O'Reilly appeared for the ponce G,
men and pointed out the gravity OF the
situation in their department., tie de-
clared that he did not think the reso-
lutions passed BY the board would ac-
complish what WAS needed.
Mayor Hylan said there were many
men in the Are and police departments
who needed help, but that the question
was, "Where are you, gong 10 ge' Lne
money?" Mr.. OReilly declared that
,nsnv Of the policemen were now work
ino twenty hours day. He said that the
men would resign when they could get
better Jobs. The Mayor said he was not
worried about designations. and that
he believed the men in the departments
would continue to do good service dur
ing war times. He said that there were
employes in all departments who were
in need and that some way was going
to be found to help them, but that it
did not apply to employees receiving
$1,000 or more.
Taking advantage of the agitation for
a raise in salaries for the patrolmen
the 4 aAsuG superior officers Of the Police De-
partment have submitted to Police
Commissioners Enright schedule of
salary increases they desire. Borough
inspectors ask an increase from $4,000
to $500, inspectors from $1,000 to
sh oOO' nolice surgeons from $3,500 to
$1,000, captains from s3,12o to s4,25o
lieutenants from s2,450 to $2,750, and
sergeants from $3.50 to $2,250.
This move was surprise to the patrol
men and they are said TO be indignant
over it. The officers in the department
received material advance in salaries
men feel that the action of their supe-
rors will jeopardize their chances OF
getting the increase they arc looking
for.