The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-17
GOV. SMITH SHOCKS
FTREMEN WITH VETO
Had Expected He Would Sign
Act Providing for Three
Platoon System.
HYLAN HAS SUBSTITUTE
Democratic Election Pledges
Unkept-Appeal to Be Made
to Aldermanic Board.

Gov. Smith vetoed yesterday the
Blately bill intended to compel cities
Of the FIRST class to establish the three
platoon. eight hour day system in their
fire departments If sanctioned by a
popular referendum. Thomas @. Spellacy,
president OF the International Associa-
ton Of Fire Fighters, which the New
York f1remen Joined when they entered
the American Federation Of Labor last
summer. termed this "the bitterest dis
appointment the hremen have ever
known"
Mr.. Spellacy said there was no
danger of the men striking or resigning
''as their night has Just begun" but he
and the men he represents were I'M
sparing in their criticism OF the Gov
ernor. They said they supposed until a
few days ago that the bill had been
amended exactly to his liking and that
he would sign It. They will now try
to get what they want by having the
Aldermen provide the three platoon sys-
TEN by city ordinance.
Meanwhile. Commissioner brennan
and Chief Kenlon, at the request Of
the Mayor. are working out n partial
two platoon system, to be applied in
districts where the work is hardest The
firemen predict failure for this. In
their struggle for the eight hour in
stead OF the twenty hour day. which
Is now their lot, they are supported
by the Patrolmen's Benevolent Asso-
citation. which on Tuesday night adopted
a resolution saying that the patro! men
regard the enemies OF the french as
the enemies Of the police" and by the
Civil Service Forum, which includes rep
resentatives OF all other city employees
under the civil service.
Governors Veto Memorandum.
In his veto memorandum the Governor
said:
II woust withhold my signature from
this bill for the reason that II creates a
policy OF local government with which
am not In accord. In other words, the
bill provides machinery for overruling
the decision of the duly elected public
officers on a purely administrative mat
ter by popular vote.
THE power to give relief lies with the
elected officials, and so far as the city
OF New York is concerned am informed
by the city representative at Albany that
the Board of Estimate and Apportion-
ment is now considering and working out
two platoon system"
An embarrassing situation for Mayor
Hylan and for the Aldermen as well Is
created by the determination of the fire.
men to seek relief from the Aldermanic
board. In his campaign speeches Judge
Hylan often promised a fair trial of a
two platoon system. although he did not,
as some of the flremen seem to think,
favor three platoons. Until recently,
however. he has done nothing toward
experimenting with two platoons, but has
assured the fremen that when the war
time strain was ended he would "in his
own way" redeem his pledges. As the
Blakely bill did not come before him
he escaped the necessity OF vetoing It,
but was known to be against It.
For their part the Aldermen are
unanimously on record as having
favored the three platoon bill and ask
ing Gov. Smith to sign it II they now
further attest their faith by passing a
three platoon ordinance they will UNI
doubtedly incur the wrath of the Mayor
and his veto as we'll. They could pass
the ordinance over his veto, and would
be urged to do 30 by the firemen and
police, And II they refuse-well the
firemen and policemen have been known
TO sway QUITE a vote on election day
When the Aldermen jauntly o. KID The
three platoon bill they had no idea
they would ever have to vote on 1,
themselves. Now the chickens which
they gayly released are on their way
homo TO roost