New Britain herald., 1920-01-03
SALARY COMMITTEE
 IN GENEROUS MOOD
Awards Substantial Increases to
 City Employes

The cOmuittee on salaries of city employees held a meeting last eve ming in City hall and decided to in crease a number of salaries. A. +. Eichstaedt chairman of the commit tee. presided. He first asked the committee to consider the question of firemen's salaries and the two platoon system.
 No Action On F'iremen.
 He said. If we have the two platoon system l am not in favor of d raise in pay for the firemen.' He added that it is the policy of the municipal government to keep the pay of the fire and police depart ments on the same basis. The police work nine hours day and the fire men are on duty 24 hours day. They receive however, the same pay. O. F. Curtis said, Let the people who foot the bills act directly on this question and decide for them selves. The two platoon system will, according to the recommendation of the fire board, require 43 men while according to the firemen. it will re- quire 35 men. The board computes it's figures from the maximum strength. of the department and the firemen act on the minimum strength. The board believes that if the two platoon system is inaugurated, the department can dispense with call men. The recommendation of the board calls for an appropriation of $51,o0O and includes 43 men. The question is whether or not 43 men can be secured for the depart ment. Commissioner A. F. Magnell stated that as far as can be learned, there are only one or two callmen who will accept permanent jobs. In answer to MT. Curtis question as to the strength of the department at the present time, MT. Magnell stated that the ranks of the department are filled and that there are a number of applications on file.
 It was voted to postpone further action on the question until next week and in the meantime to secure further information as to salaries paid to firemen in other cities in the state.
 Police Voted Increase.
 The question of salaries for the police department was then con- sidered. It was stated that the local police have demanded a larger amount than is received by police in any other city in the state. It was then pointed out that the local police are on duty nine hours each day. o. F. Curtis made a motion for the tentative adoption of resolutions pro- Viding for an increase of one dollar per day, requested by the police de- partment and for the adoption of the three grade system as recommended by the board.
 Gn1Nho onI1 1n+ in crease of 20 per cent. for every mem- Der from chief to janitor be provid- ed. This amendment was defeated and the original motion for a one dollar increase was voted.
 Other Salaries Boosted.
 The following increases were voted for other members of the police department: A raise of $1O0 for the clerk of the board; making his salary $500; an increase of 20' per cent. for the matron, night driver and substitute driver. George E. 4. Baker made a motion that the chair mans salary be increased from $200 to $500. MT. Curtis called attention to the fact that it was a bad example as Mr. MagneH, chairman of the fire board was present. The motion raised a storm of protest as the mem berS considered 90 per cent. in crease too large, no matter what the position or the salary attached. The motion was withdrawn.
 Bremen Get Dollar Extra.
 It was voted to allow an increase of one dollar per day for each per manent member of the fire depart ment. It was also voted to raise the salary of the assistant chief to $1,2OO. It stated that the assistant cIhjaf is on duty at least one day week every week and that he responds to all alarms. He also uses his own autom obile.
 Water Dept. Goes Up Too.
 The water department salaries