Norwich bulletin., 1919-08-16
Especial to The BuI1etfn).

1 New London, August 15.-When | there were. thousands of sailors sta
 war and more transients than ever before. there was no increase in the
 number of policemen. When the l transient population commenced grad ually to decease there was quite an ] increase made in the membership Of i the police department and finally the number desired by the present man. agement Then came a substantial in
 crease in the payroll so as to make the job of policeman worth while and the duties confined in the main to quiet patrol and traffic regulation. This was very nice but still the de- pa rtm ent was not up to the standard maintained in the largest cities in re- gard to tour of duty. and until this is done the management will not be fully satisfied. and perhaps not then.
 Now there is advocacy of the three platoon system and that is likely to go through. Now that the department has about reached the mem bership limit the members receiving advanced pay to meet the high cost of living and all achieved without difficulty, there is request for an eight hour work day The men have not demanded the do not threaten to strike if the re- quest is not granted, This request is made by the captain. and all the members of the force. except one who
 
 Perhaps that one solitary cop may be disciplined later on for not falling into line and aff1xing his John Hancock to the request made to the police com mittee.
 Mayor Frank Morgan voicing the sentiment of that one policeman and the taxpayers generally has declared his opposition to an eight hour day for the not overworked police officers, as there is liability at any time need for Sl. J is no provision for paying time and a. half coin for over-work He claims it would be an imposition on the peo- pie to place the police any such basis, as there is no telling just when real protection by the police may be required. Good policemen, that is eff ficient policemen, should know no working hours. but be ready for extra duty whenever required and without stipulation. This could not prevail on the eight hour plan.
 The officers are not over>~orked and will not be. as the management will see to it that the hours of regulate service will not be any longer than is to receive any more consideration in that line than do the cheap news gatheres, who know no hours, and who, if interested in their work, and the interest of, their employer. welcome the opportunity to put Tn all kinds of extra time. without extra pay, if they can only produce results The news department of a newspaper cannot be operated as can a machine shop in re- gard to hours of work, as news must 1 be collected while it is collectable, night or day. or it will not be news unless the gatherers get, it while it is news. Actual police work must be done whenever the occasion requires. and so must newspaper work. Perhaps that's a reason why policemen and newspaper reporters are so closely al- lied in cities outside of New London. They can in many instances work to- | gether for their mutual benefit
 Alderman Harry c. chappeI, who has done so much toward deposing of i hcers that have been tried and true ! and to have men of his choice head l the department and make up the per sonnel, is in favor of the three-pla- | toon plan and the eighth day. The | alderman and the mayor have been | in harmony in all that has gone be- | fore in police departmental matters. | but it looks as if they had reached 1 lar. Whether the senior alderman can | bring the mayor over his way in this | police matter, as has been the case | in all that preceded, is an open ques- ! ton. It is probable that the eight | hour day move will get into the court | of common council a the next regular | meeting. Tn the words of the immortal | Robert, then. and not till then" will | the public know whether the mayor has i changed front.
 James O'NeiII, the celebrated actor, he who made Monte Cristo famous is | buying up considerab ble real estate in New London and unless he lets up is | liable to become the largest real estate | owner in the city. He owns property | in all sections of the city and of all | grades of value. His latest. purchase is what ie known as the John Denison