New-York tribune., 1920-08-06
Craigg's Oratory
Wins Point i'm
Salary Fight
Mayor and the Board of
Estimate Are Forced to
Grant Public Hearing
on the New Schedules
Calls the Roll Himself
Comptroller Declares Mo-
ton Carried When No
One Responds to Name

right on talking through two sessions
of the Board of Estimate yesterday
until by his very persistence he f.rced
Mayor Hylan and his other opponents
on the board to grant his point and
adjourn over until Monday for pub
lie hearing before taking final action
on the proposed new plan for increases
in the salaries of the city EMPLOYEES.
Representatives. OF the Police and
Fire departments, where the largest
number OF city employees receiving
more than $500 year are affected by
the cut IN the increase under the new
rlan. were heard IN opposition to it,
but most of the time was spent in
wrangling between the COMPTROLLER
and the Mayor Aldermanic President
la Guardia and Borough President
Riegelmann of Brooklyn supported
the Mayor in the controversy until the
Comptroller literally talked them all
down. The Mayor tried hard to ignore
the Comptroller's Interruptions, but
the latter simply wouldn't be ignored
4. one time the Comptroller called the
roil himself on motion the Mavor de-
clined 70 put TO 2 vote and declared
the motion carried vixen none of the
members responded to his name
Oralg rights Tor lime
The board met as the committee of
the whole at the forenoon session and.
against the protests of the Comp
,roller. adopted the new schedule of
increases as reported 20 the committee
by examiners and decided TO report it
favorably TO the Board of Estimate at
the regular meeting IN the afternoon.
The new schedules were presented for
the first time to the committee of the
whole when it met yesterday, and the
Comptroller contended that each mem
Der should have more sine to study
hem. He declared that they were be-
ing railroaded through the board He
moved that the matter be put over for
twerty-four hours, or until Monday,
but -he motion was defeated
The Comptroller promptly renewed
his motion for more time and an ad-
journment until Monday for public
hearing, a. the opening Of the after
noon session. The Mayor tried to shut
of the Comptroller by recognizing
Borough President Riegelmann for an
amendment to the motion, but the
Comptroller only put on more steam
y think that matter that has re-
ceived so much discussion as this mat
ter has" said the Comptroller, should
had change OF heart without a public
hearing. The purpose of the Legis
lature in granting the city power to
increase lis special revenue bond issue
was to provide g fair and equitable
treatment to all city employees. On
the original plan great many persons
were heard by the Committee on Fl
nance and Budget, and it was disposed
OF IN committee and before this board
and the Board of Aldermen passed it
with only two votes in' the negative
Disturbing elements have made their
efforts felt, and at this eleventh hour
1t Is proposed to revamp the action
and take from responsible city and
county officials the increase IN salary
provided under the 20 per cent plan
and give it to the lower paid employees.
II there is going to be a revision OF
the plan all should be heard. as they
were before.
The Comptroller insisted upon q roll
call on his motion for adjournment
ffer public hearing Monday. but the
Mayor recognized the Brooklyn Bor-
ough Pre ~dent, who offered an amend
ment that those present should be
heard The Mayor ordered a roll call
on the amendment. He entirely ignored
the Comptroller's pleedings The lat
Ter charged that the Mayor was con-
Quoting the meeting with q high hand
and contrary TO any orderly rules of
procedure
Mr.. Mayer said the Comptroller.
you can't use the power Of your chair
10 cast reflections on other members
o. the board, however much you may
olsAke the way they conduct them
selves. It is an absolute denial Of
justice to deprive the persons most in
crested OF hearing on these new
schedules"
The Mayor finally succeeded in get
Nng vote on the Riegelmann amend
ment, and 1t was carried. The Mayor
declared he would hear any one who
vas present and wished to pc heard
me Comptroller appealed from the
rullng Of the chair and served notice
uat ne would insist upon further
paOllc hearing Monday Aldermanic
resident La Guardia interposed at
C"s point with q motion to lay the
oomptroller's motion on the table. This
vas done.
The arbitrary action of the chair in
Ulgulag with the President of the
Board Of Aldermen" said the Comp
uoAer. rs directly intended to deprive
me public and the employees affected
:. proper hearing In this matter and
- Ill FiolatiNn ot any proper rules OF
procedure. | appeal again from the
iuilns OF the chair and ask for a roll
al on the original motion"
Is there any one here from the Po-
IKE Department?' - inquired the Mayor.
ask for a roll call and want to
NV NV 1t am going to get it," persisted
Inc Comptroller.
ANY one here from the Police De-
parment ," again asked the Mayor.
Ignoring the Comptroller
want to make public protest
SSga'nst such action" continued the
comptroller. apparently a protest is
t', t"e only thing left unless you want to
..liow .: 1t up with a mandatory injunc-
Any one here from the Police De-
pa''ment?' the Mayor repeated.
The Mayor Yields
~, police sergeant appeared in be
@sli or the sergeants. lieutenants and
SPANS and objected to the new
seaeaules. declaring that the men who
aes.eiYed a.. more than $1,000 preferred the
20, 80. ~ per cent increase A lieu
pg;naht and battalion chief from the
,nr ,e department made a similar plea
p.i .s me higher paid officials Frank J.
49, deputy Comptroller and head of
NC NC olVll Service Forum, attacked the
Nv W." plan He INDUCED in sarcastic
IIassfks MA about the Mayor and the new
ff,au' and the Mayor told him to go as
~ as ne liked. The Comptroller fred
~ .e% more not shots at the Mayor dur
'"s Mr. Prials address.
Wnen everybody bod baoc Loorl ,,,L -