New-York tribune., 1919-10-19
Budget Closes Tomorrow
for All Action Except Re.
auctions, and Employees
Are Not All Satisfied
Police Still Protesting
Real Estate Owners Assu-
citation Passes Resolution
Supporting ID e M a n d 8

Tomorrow, October 20, is the last
day on which advances Of salaries Of
city employees may be made in the 1920
budget.
After tomorrow no change can be
made in the budget except in the way
Of reduction. The budget may be cut
either by the Board of Estimate or the
Board of Aldermen, but no additional
items may be entered.
Leaders of the various organizations
Of city employees expressed little hope
yesterday that anv last minute changes
would be made, except possibly in the
case of the street cleaners. 1t is
thought that Mavor Hylan's sugges
tion that the $500 advance granted
them in ire tentative budget be made
to take effect from the first Of
the current month might be accepted
by the men, who will discuss it to-
night. Otherwise, officials who have
been prominent in the salary drive ex
pected little change in the salaries pro-
vided for in the tentative budget.
ITO Him That Hath"
AS it stands, the budget provides for
substantial increases to many of those
already drawing good salaries. 1t does
not, however, provide increases which
will be satisfactory to the firemen and
patrolmen.
AS it now stands, the tentative budget
provides for salaries of 81 450, $1,650
and $1,000 for the three grades of po-
lice and firemen. These men petitloned
for 81 900, 81 800 and $4,000.
The petitions were presented to the
special committee of the Board of
Aldermen which WAS named to inquire
into the matter OF civic salaries. The
committee reported in favor of the petit
tions, and the board recommended that
the rate named be made the 1920 rate.
No further action has been taken by
the Board of Estimate, although the
case again has been urged at public
hearing by representatives of the men.
It was admitted yesterday by leaders
of the salary drive that there remained
small hope that the board would adopt
the schedule asked.
Lower Grade Men Dissatisfied
The dissatisfaction is particularly
keen among the men of the lower
grades, officials claim. They point out
that man who joins either the police
or fire force is faced at once with the
expense of uniforms and equipment,
which involves an initial outlay Of
from $3.50 to $500. The claim of the
men IL that it is not possible for
patrolman or fireman to live decently
on 81 .450 year and shou der the heavy
mandatory expenses which 20 with the
Job.
This Is reflected In the shortage of
candidates, particularly for the Police
Department. which is stated by Joseph
L. Stengel, of the Civil Service Com
mission, to be more mark I'd than ever
before in the history Of the city. 50
for this wear there have been but $50
applicants for jobs as patrolmen.
There are 500 vacancies. The present
applications are expected to fill no.
more than 800 of these. This estimate
Is based upon the percentage passing
the physical and mental tests IN other
years.
"The men have fought fair and
square campaign, which has been sup
ported by the citizens" said Joseph
p. Moran, president of the Patrolmen s
Benevolent Association, yesterday. I'VE
have used no threats and we have care
fully avoided entangling alliances, with
weapon for enforcing salary demands.
We feel we are entitled to better treat
ment than it appears We are going to
receive"
Support From Realty Owners
Last-minute support for the mems
ease Ia provided in a reso ution pa sed
by the United Real Estate Owners
Association, and submitted TO the Board
Of Estimate. 1t reads
-Whereas, The uniformed police and
Are forces of the City of New York
aIr RI ho tho
Anest organizations Of their kind in the
world; and,
"Whereas, In ordinary times they
stand for the protection of the life,
limb and property of every resident of
and visitor to the city; and,
"Whereas, In these days of world
turmoil and social unrest, when like
forces, in many of our cities and in
many European cities, have deserted
their posts Of danger and of protect
"Whereas The New York City Police
and Fire departments ever true to
their oaths of Office. have remained
s'eadfs at their posts as 80 diers of
Law and order in spite Of all efforts
BY 't1oub .kers' to have them do
otherwise; and,
"Whereas, .oe cost of living has 80
Increased as 70 be especially felt by
the members Of the Police and Fire
departments; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the United Real
y Estate Owners Association 20 ON rec
ord as in favor Of increased pay for
the uniformed force Of the Police and
Fire departments, in such individual
amounts as shall be fixed by the Board
Of Estimate, which is responsible not
only for the budge,ary expenditures
but also for raising the neces airy
money for the cost of the city govern
ment.
Whereas. As the cost Of living has
increased for all residents of the Cit,
Of New York. although not to the ex.
tent that agitators alege. be it, there
fore.
"Resolved, That the United Real
Estate Owners AS oc iation go on rec
ord as in favor Of reasonable in.
crease in the salaries of the ciyi