Norwich bulletin., 1919-06-21
NEW LONDON'S MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

assured by the police committee that their request will be granted, on the ground that if good men are wanted on the police force they must receive good pay. They only ask for an in- crease of s25 a month. every one of them, from captain down to the station house keepers.
 The policemen now get more pay than the majority of so-called salaried men, men who are supposed to have almost as much intelligence as the or dinary policeman. and who are re- quired to work a great many more hours than the New London policemen. That is no reason. however. why the policemen ought not to recive a big increase in pay.
 Those who are supposed to know declare that the New London police men receive less pay than the mem bers of any other department in the state. If that be so, the sooner the advance is given the better, as the good name of the Seaside City is at stake. The local department has been in the public eye for long time, and not to the advantage of the depart ment. If more nay will result in a change for the better, it can come none too soon. The rate of pay at present is: Captain. s130 a month; lieutenant, $125; sergeants. s120; patrolmen, SIS.
 Lest it be forgotten. The pay of the l drivers of the local motor fire appa-
 ratus is about half what is handed
 over to policemen. and not for an eight hour day. The firefnen's day is i twelve hours, seven days a week. no 1 day off a month and no vacation. Now l that salaries are on the rise, don't for 1 get the fremen who run the motor ap- l paratus, the only paid men in the de- 1 partment, barring the chief and assist 1 ants. Take these firemen in while the
 taking is good.
 After a reconsideration on the part of the board of school visitors and the views of Alderman Harry C. Chappell, the conclusion has been reached to include the principals and special teachers in the salary raise. It is ex- peeted that an appropriation to that
 end will be included in the annual budget as there is no intention to raise year. The proposed raise was put
 forth as fee1er by the board of school visitors to ascertain whether the project would be received with favor by the court of common council
 that prepares the budget and recom- mends the appropriations.
 1 When the request of the policemen for more pay reached the council nc opposition developed to a general in-
 crease but there was question as to the amount. Alderman Chappell chairman of the police committee, said he believed an increase in pay ought to be made. yet he did not favor the
 sum of $25 month at single jump just the proper thing at this time. He
 was in favor of a monthly increase of 1915 a month. It is therefore quite probable that Alderman Chappell's plan will prevail It is understood that 1 such matters in the police department are retroactive and will carry com Iparative increase in pension to the of l; ficers on the retired list, including the
 officer who was penalized for being caught drinking in a saloon while. or duty by being placed on the retired, ol honor roll. of the department and te
 receive half pay for the rest of his life.
 That particular officer profted by l that sort of punishment, for in addi- tion to the coin he receives from the city he is regularly engaged in active employment elsewhere. It sure was . , blunder of the police department te put that officer on the retired list Ht . ought to have been bounced forth , with. His name is not Cavanaugh :. for Cavanaugh is a strict total ab stainer. For trivial charge Cava- naugh was suspended from eservic, without pay for period of thirt! l fdaYS.