New-York tribune., 1919-10-16
Hylan Clashes
With Employees
On Wage Raise
Hearing Before Board of
Estimate Is Enlivened
by Snappy Exchanges
OH Merits of Demands
All Bureaus Represented
Conference Is CamOuflase,
Says One Official; Real
Work Is Done in Secret

Verbal clashes between Mayor Hy-
Ian and various representatives of
city employees marked the public hear
ing on salary increases yesterday be-
fore the Board of Estimate. The
Mayo" snubbed Inspector Domnick
Henry. who represented the police in
spectors and captains, and later was
told by Thomas Fitzgerald. of the
street cleaners and drivers, that
there was small chance of the street
cleaners owning their own homes on
their present salaries.
The meeting was held in the
Municipal Building. After it had
ended several expressed the opinion
that the employees had not been able
to advance their cause, as the Board
of Estimate already had made up its
mind to stand by the increases pro-
vided in the tentative budget.
The real work is done in secret
committee" one official stated This
public hearing is only camouflage."
Mayor Active in Discussion
City employees were represented by
Frank J. Prial, president of the Civil
Service Forum as we'll as by the
heads of their respective departmental
organizations. The Mayor took
leading part in the discussion through
out.
The Patrolmen's Benevolent Asso-
citation was represented by its presi-
dent, Patroman Joseph P. Moran,
who was granted special permission
by the Mayors order to attend the
Huty a the
Bush Terminals when the hearing be-
gan. The Mayor sent out special
request for his attendance, and he
appeared some time later.
Fireman Albert L. Guinness, prcsi-
dent OF the Uniformed Firemcn's AS
sociation, appeared for the iiremen.
Both Moran and Guinness presented
pleas for the increases named in the
petitions submitted by the patrolmen
and tiremen to the board, which are
larger than those suggested in the
tentative budget. 1t was urged that
the men were under such heavy cx
penses for renfatSa uniforms and
equipment that anything less than
the increases asked would be insult
Scient to meet the pressing need. Both
men made strong point of the cam
paign which has been conducted on
their behalf by The Tribune.
Public Support Claimed
"The fact that the press of the city
is supporting us, and that there so far
has been absolutely no opposition on
the part of the taxpayers to the move
ment. but very warm support lnsteac,
is evidence that the citizens are will
ing and anxious that should get
this increase" Moran said.
Mayor Hylan asked for an express
sion of opinion from Joseph J. OReilly,
social secretary of the patromen's or
ganization, who has conducted the
campaign for salary increases tor
both patromen and firemen. Mr..
O'Reilly said city employees were
crease as had been granted to en-
ployes of industrial corporations.
THE city must expect its budget to
show the same increase as is SHOWN
IN the budget of every other organlza-
tion in the country, including my own"
he remarked.
The Mayor and Inspector Dominick
Henry clashed on the question of the
salaries which are to be paid to in
spectors and captains. Inspector
Henry asked for $4,000 a year for in
spectors, and $4,000 a year for captains
in the Police Department.
Previous Assurance Admitted
Didn't you tell me some time ago
that the inspectors and captains were
satisfied with the rate of increase pro
vided In the tentative budget" asked
the Mayor.
Inspector Henry said the salaries of
inspectors and captains had not been
increased in fifty-three years, but ad-
mitted he previously had stated that
the rate of increase provided in the
tentative budget would be satisfactory
This had reference to a conference of
the representatives Of the different
nOifca nj q coilaA NV ho
Mayor some weeks back. On that oc-
caslon the patrolmen were the only
ones who expressed dissatisfaction at
the suggested increase.
The exchange Of compliments be
tween Thomas Fitzgerald representing
the street cleaners and drivers, and
the Mayor further enlivcned the pro
ceed'ngs. The street cleaners requested
an advance of $500 d year. The tenta-
tive budget grants them a $500 IN
crease. The present rates Of pay are
$1,000 and Sl.l00 year.
Mayor Hylan stated he was anx-
fous to give the street cleaners as
large an increase as could be granted
he said at present they undoubtedly
were underpaid.
II want TO see these men placed on
better footing" his honor concluded
Il want to see them with an opporru-
nity TO get away from the rent profiteers
woud like TO secthem all owing their
own homes
Chance TO Own Homes Slim
Fitzgerald thanked tho Mayor for
his consideration.
"But We VIII not be able TO buy on,
own homes he said; mot on the sat.
aries we get now, nor on the salaries
the Board Of Estimate ~ prepared te
grant us. AS 1t Is We are in hook up ,c
our necks."
Standardization Of the wages Of ma
rlne and asphalt workers and other ne,
diem employees was discussed at length
Controller Craig stated the city was
forced 80 pay the prevailing rate o
wages for these employees, but tn,