The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-28
ALDERMEN RUBBER
STAMPS ONE SAYS
Wolf Pleads With Tammany
Men to Show Independence
Of Mayor.
3 PLATOON PLAN LOSES
Great Bitterness Shown in De-
bate Over Firemen's
Measure.
8 PLATOON PLAN LOSES

Mayor Hylan's rubber stamp. That
In effect was what the Board of Alder
men was called by Alderman Wolf yes-
terday. He pleaded with the Tammany
men to show their independence. to
realize that the legislative power reyted
with them and that they did not have to
take orders from his Honor
This declaration came in the debate
over an attempt to instruct the Com
mittee on General Welfare to report
out next week the ordinance providing
three platoon system for the Fire De-
partment Mayor Hylan has persist
emily opposed this and in an attempt to
satisfy the men has fixed I'D n plan TO
experiment with a two platoon system.
The argument OF the Democratic leaders
yesterday was that It would not be
right for the Board Of Aldermen to i'm
pose q three platoon system on the de-
partment when the responsible officials
were engaged In experiments.
Party lines were split on the vote and
the motion was lost by ~ to 10. This
means that the three platoon ordinances
VIII continue to slumber in committee.
During the debate Borough President
Bowling said the Board of Estimates
committee on finance and budget at their
Monday meeting had authorized the Fire
commissioner to appoint $50 additional
men and would provide the money for
this purpose At the regular board meet
yryh fNh "a. e., ~ III M
two platoon experiment will be put In
operation in 100 houses next week, It
was said.
Socialists support Haubert.
Both Alderman Beckerman, Socialist.
and Alderman Haubert, Democrat, asked
that their two platoon ordinance, which
are similar, be reported out The vote
was taken on the latter. but the Social
lists. who say they are for shorter hours
Tor the hremen az a matter OF prin-
ciple, supported the Haubert motion.
Alderman CollinA chairman of the
welfare committee, said 1t would be un-
wise to put through a three platoon
ordinance at this time because the Fire
Commissioner was going thoroughly into
the whole subject in an attempt to dis
cover what was the best system.
Why do we have to take orders from
the Mayor1" said Alderman Wolf. He
has his responsibilities, but the duty Of
passing legislation rests upon us. First
we were told we had no power to do
this. Then II was suggested that the fre-
men 30 to Albany. A bill was passed
there. but Gov. Smith vetoed It on the
ground that he did not want to take
away any Of the rights OF the city gov
ernment. We introduced this measure
and now we are told we have got to wait
for q report that IL to he made to his
Honor the Mayor.
I'VE should pass this three platoon
ordinance and pass It again over the
Mayors veto. IL necessary"
Alderman Quinn. Republican. said his
father had been a member Of the Fire
Department for forty years and that he
did not want a three platoon system or
even a two platoon system. We should
be careful not TO demoralize the depart
ment as the Police Department had been
demorAiised. he said. Changes should
be made slowly and with the greatest
care.
IF your father had had more time
he might have been able TO educate
his children" declared Alderman VIA
deck, one Of the Socialist members,
MY father had time to educate me
and ten other children to shun the Shiny.
reptilian class In the community which
refused to buy Liberty bonds in order
that our army might be supported"
Alderman Quinn shot back.