New-York tribune., 1919-05-28

his committee when or how to report
on anything. After delivering himself
of this challenge Mr.. Collins said the
committee was waiting to obtain some
statistics from the Mayor and the Fire
Commissioner.
~ wish TO inform this board" said
Frank l.. Bowling, President of the
Borough of Manhattan, "that the Com
mittee on Budget of the Board of Esti-
mate at it's executive meeting yester-
day authorized the addition of $50 new
men to the Fire Department, and the
money for this purpose is available
This will be voted on favorably at the
next meeting of the board, and by June
! the two-platoon system will be put in
operation"
Staten Island Left Out
'In all the boroughs, or just Man
haitian and Brooklyn" inquired Alder
man John J. O'Rourke (Democrat), of
Richmond.
''At once only in the crowded sec
will eventually be applied to the entire
city," said President Bowling.
THAT means Staten Island is left
OUT, SAID Mr.. " kOurke.
owe can only try it in one hundred
fire houses at the present" explained
President Bowling.
"Ths two platoon system is all
wrong" said Alderman Barnet Wolff,
Socialist. "The firemen should not be
worked twelve hours Give them the
three platoon, so that they need work
only eight hours. Applying the two
platoon system or any other system to
one part of the department and letting
the rest of it go in the same old way
is wrong ir principle. We ought to
pass the three platoon bill and let the
Mayor veto it, and then let us make it
law by passing it over his veto"
Alderman Haubert challenged the
sincerity of the Mayor, saying:
This two platoon system that the
Mayor promises is only a sop or a
subterfuge. If the Mayor and the Fire
Commissioner are sincere let them give
the fireman the three platoon system.
Gag" Rule Reported
81 understand the Fire Commissioner
has just issued an order to the fremen
forbidding them from participating in
to make any efforts to have this BODY
or the Legislature at Albany pass
remedial legislation in their behalf.
Now the Mayor did not issue any such
orders when he was running for office
He was then glad, not only to have the
support of the firemen, but to solicit
their votes. If this order is a reprisal
on the part Of the Mayor it is bad
business"
At the last meeting OF the Board of
Estimate Mayor Hylan told Fire Com
missioner brennan to keep the agita-
tors busy" He referred to the fire
men who had the Legislature pass the
three platoon bill at the last session,
which the Governor vetoed, and who,
while in Albany accused the Mayor
before the legislative committees of
having promised to support three
platoon bill when he was running for
Mayor
Algcrnon Lee, leader of the Social
lists, said the two-platoon was an insult
to the tire-fghting force of this city.
He likened the "politicians at the City
Hail." who are "double- -crossing' the
tiremen, to running with the hare and
hunting with the hounds.
N'f the fremen are not treated
square" said Mr.. Lee, "their demori-
lization is certain.'
Gag" Rule Denounced
Alderman McGarry, in explaining
that he was not only for dischareinr
the committee, but for passing the
measure at once, said:
i. along with every other member
OF this board, when the three platoon
olll was pending in Albany voted in
favor OF the State Legislature passing
the bill What has changed the stu