The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-30

man up. could be attributed In no small
degree 70 the support of these same fire.
men, finally upon reaching the top. used
the executive pen twice to crush the
hopes Of firemen In all the cities of the
State.
In vain did organized labor pass a
score of resolutions in support of the
platoon bills. In vain did the organiza-
tions OF policemen. diremen. street clean
ers, teachers. letter carriers and other
city. State and Federal employees send
their appeals in behalf of the firemcn's
bills TO Albany. In vain did the Board
OF Aldermen OF the City OF New York
and the councils OF other cities adopt
resolutions favoring platoon legislation.
In vain did civic bodies, church associa-
lions. &C., urge the enactment OF a pla-
teon law.
Apparently the executive mind was
set against platoon legislation just as 1t
was when that other false friend Of the
firemen, William Sulzer. stopped the
platoon act from reaching the statute
books. II not then why did Alfred Il.
Smith, in 1919, send Mayor Hylan's
official representative to a prominent
member OF the Assembly Cities Commit
tee with request that the firemens bill
be not reported because its passage
Why did Alfred f. Smith, in 1920. In
form group OF hremen and policemen
that he had been working to get the
firemen's bill passed but had been un-
able to do so7
Explanation Demanded.
'Why did Alfred e. Smith In 1920 In
his veto memorandum declare that there
were assurances that the firemen's bill
would not be passed?
why did Alfred e. Smith in 1919 at
Albany tell delegation of officers and
fremen that the people wouldn't stand
for three platoon law and twenty
year pension. and that Republican
Legislature would not pass the refer
endum bin for platoons7
why did Alfred f. Smith from the
beginning of his term to the date OF his
second veto fail TO advise the firemen
as to the extent of his moral obligation
to aid them in platoon legislation?
why did Alfred r. Smith as an AS
semblyman and Speaker OF the Assem-
bly, for many years fail to aid the fire.
men in their efforts to obtain platoon
egisiation?
Were the votes OF 1919 and 1920 only
a revelation that Alfred T.. Smith never
was the friend he pretented to be and
that his signed approval of the platoon
System was given solely as n bait with
which TO win the votes of men who had
become suspicious OF his friendship?
Have not the platoon vetoes furnished
a fitting climax to the long continued
policy OF Insult and oppression OF Mayor
iylan toward the city employees. par
icularly the hremen, patrolmen. street
cleaners and teachers?
Rave not the employees awakened
10 tlnd themselves double crossed he
tween the State and city administers
TONS. between hypocrisy and oppres-
sion?
have not the representatives of the
employees been threatened and pun
ished for daring to appear for decent
treatment?
The election OF Alfred r. Smith ms
Governor will mean a victory for an
administration that every city employees
knows Is regarded with suspicion n
not with contempt. A victory for AL
fred L. Smith will mean an indorse
ment OF the spirit of enmity at the
City Hall which has amazed the tens
OF thousands Of loyal employees who
three years ago voted to put the adj
ministratlon in power.
do you, your relatives and your
friends want another two years of the
Smith 'alibl' administration? Do you
want the Hylan administration OF in
suit and intimidation to get any en-
enlargement through the election of
Alfred f. Smith for another term?
Give the answer at the polls on
election day.
Tho Hylan administration has given
tho fremen their two platoons, but
that does not seem to remove their
grudge against AL Smith.