New-York tribune., 1920-01-06
Democrats Rob
La Cuardia of
Vital Privilege
Deprive New Aldermanic
President of Power to
Name Boards and Then
Promise ''Co.operation''


The Democratic majority of the
Board Of Aldermen, at its organization
meeting yesterday, first deprived
Fiorello II. La Guardia, the boards
new president, Of the power Of NAM
ing committees, then promised him
"entire cooperation" in carrying out
a constructive program, including
salarS increases for flremen. police
men, street cleaners and other under
paid city workers.
The president Of the board was d.
vested of his customary prerogative
or appointing committees by the pass
age of a resolution naming the Com
name the various working groups. Over
the protest of two Republican alder
men, Falconer and Quinn, Rules Com
mittee was railroaded through consist
ing OF eight Democrats, two Republic
cans and one Socialist.
Many Floral Gifts
Alderman Falconer called attention
to the fact that the proportion of
Democrats to Republicans on this i'm
pirtant committee was four to one.
although the whole board has only
thirty-seven Democrats to twenty-six
Republicans and four Socialists.
ut was planned at first to give the
Republicans only one member, and the
committee had to be increased to make
1t two,' replied William P. Kenneally,
vice chairman of the Democratic dele
cation. Falconer was not soothed by
this admission, and did not vote. Quinn
voted in the negative.
Mr.. La Guardia began his initial ad-
dress to room crowded with Alder
men, their wives and families, gallery
packed with visitors, and desks covered
with flowers and floral horseshoes for
the new members.
La Guardia mapped out his program
for seeing that the city employees
were given their rights, for helping
each child obtain a school seat, for
lessenlng poverty ands for improving
harbor development.
board will give prompt and serious con-
slderation to-" he said. l do hope that
before long this board will be able to
carry out the wishes of the people of
New York to increase the pay Of fire.
men and policemen, as we'll as Che
Street Cleaning Department and other
city employees, who are now not re-
celving wages commensurate with the
services which they render and which
is paid for like employment by private
enterprises.
Aid for Schools
THE matter Of our schools REQUIRES
attention. Wherever else we NAV
economize, we must not do 80 in the
education Of our children. We must see
to 1t that every child in the city has
a seat in the school and full davis
instruction.
"There should not be a hungry child
or hungry person on the streets of
New York. We appropriate enough for
our Department of Charities to render
aid wherever it is needed, which should
be rendered without embarrassment or
humiliation.
~ hope the board will soon give at
tention to harbor developments. con
istruction of docks, piers and ware
houses. Unless we do, other ports
along the Atlantic will Every inch of
utilized"
Mr.: La Guardia ended with a call
for the cooperation Of all the members
OF the board, Democrats, Republicans.
and Socialists. He was greeted with
continued applause.
August Ferrand, Republican floor
leader, after pledgng support, declared
appropriate $4,000 for the establish
ment of new buses in Manhattan