The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-04
3 PLATOON SYSTEM
FOR FIREMEN LOST
Abdomen Flatten Out Plan on
Orders From Mayor
Hylan.

Playing politics" and "sparring for
the sympathetic support Of the firemen"
was the characterization made yester-
day at the meeting Of the Board of Al
dermen Of the attempt to get the Gen.
eral Welfare Committee to report favor
ably on the proposition for the establish
ment of a three platoon system for the
firemen.
As they had done the week before, AL
derman Haubert, Democrat, and Alder
man Beckerman. Socialist, moved that
the committee report favorably next
week on their respective ordinances
After extensive debate the motion was
lost by 81 to 10 through the operation
OF the Democratic steam roller. set in
motion by orders from Mayor Hylan.
who has promised to experiment with
the two platoon system.
Alderman Collins. chairman of the
General Welfare Committee said that
while Fire Commissioner brennan had
not worked out any plan for three
platoon system he knew that 1t would
call for so per cent more men, with an
increase In the budget for the first and
second years of s4452,950. For the
third year the additional cost would be
$4.915.000 and for the fourth year 3d.
$4,000.
The Fire Commissioner can install
any system that he sees fit," declared
Alderman Collins. For the last twenty
years the firemen have been trying to
get a two platoon system and they tell
me now that they will be satisfied with
1t. The Board of Estimate has furnished
the money for test of the two platoon
system"
Alderman Haubert while admitting
all this, declared that 1t was a question
as to whether the flremen should have
a twelve hour day or an eight hour
day as did all the other city employees.
The cost of the three platoon system was
the least important feature so far as he
was concerned. Alderman Haubert de-
clared.
1.-THE trouble is" declared Alderman
Lee, Socialist, that the Democratic ma
jority is trying to stand behind the
statesman who sits at the other end OF
the City Hail.
What was that term" asked Alder
man Quinn.
II said statesman" replied Alderman
Lee with a smile, while a roar of
laughter went up from various parts OF
the chamber.
The important thing, Alderman Quinn
said, was the protection of property in
the city of New York. The Fire Depart
ment might be looked upon as the army
ir time of war. What would happen II
the army demanded an eight-hour day ?
THE older men do not want a change"
he said IT'S the younger men who are
doing all the agitation"
Alderman Calman, Socialist, said he
did not know anything about the army
and he was glad he did not
President Moran said Commissioner
brennan had told him he would not put
q man on the apparatus without three
months training. that there were only
165 men on the eligible list, out of
which ne could not hope to get moro
than $50 good men. 1t would be July
!, 1920, before the Commissioner could
get enough men to put the two Platoon
system In all the houses.
Replying to the statement Of President
Moran that certain Aldermen were play
ing politics In advocating the three
platoon system. he said that II working
| for the people was that he would plead
guilty.
Borough President Bowling said that q
| resolution of Alderman Quinn for an &C.
counting of the money spent by the
Mayors Committee to welcome home
| coming troops was unnecessary. as such
a report would be made to the board be-
| fore 1t adjourned for the summer.