New-York tribune., 1921-02-11
KenlOn Warns
Two Platoon
System May Go
Threatens Drastic Action
Unless >Firemen Cease
Demands ON Service
Commission for More Paw
Says They Get Enough
Ridicules Idea of Higher
Salaries for Those, Who
Fill Jobs Temporarily

The two-platoon system will be
abolished if members of the Fire De-
partment, who have complained to
the Civil Service Commission that
they are not receiving the pay to which
they are entitled, do not pull in their
horns, Fire Chief John Kenlon threat
ened yesterday.
none too 1atterng opinion cf fremen
IN general.
"Firemen spend most of their time
sitting around" he said "They have
an easy time of it, yet they're always
crying for more money. Their appe-
tite for money is Unsuitable. It's
hottomless pit. Somebody has got to
PUT stop to this everlasting demand
for money, money, money, and I'm
willing to try my hand at the job"
Complaint of the Men
Representatives of the firemen who
have appealed to the Civil Service
Commission accuse Chief Kenlon of
ignoring the civil service regulations
by holding up promotions and assign
ing men to act in higher ranks with
out granting them the corresponding
pay.
The trouble had its inception when
the two-platoon system was initiated
October 1 last. This necessitated in
creasing the personnel of the depart
ment from 1878 to 4670 officers and
men, and the creation of fifty or sixty
new officers. Instead of permanent
promotions from the civil service list
to fill these vacancies temporary as
slgnments were made. AS time went
on and no disposition on the part of
Fire missioner brennan or Chief
kenlon to make permanent promotions
was discernible, the men drawing less
pay than they thought they should get
sent committee to the Civil Service
Commission. That body has not yet
acted
There is no doubt" an official of
the Civil Service Commission said yes
terday, chat it is illegal to pay an
employee less than the regular salary
that goes with the duties he is dis
charging. The commission has hesi-
tated to do anything that would re-
suit in disorganizing the department
by forcing the reductions in rank Of
officers that are needed to run it, but
if the matter is pushed there will be
no alternative"
Chief Kenlon was apprised of the
view of the situation expressed at the ,
headquarters of the Civil Service Com
mission.
as that so?" he asked belligerently.
well, let me tell you something: A
fireman is fireman, and he'll perform
whatever duties he is ordered to per-
form or he'll get out of the department..
Does Deputy Chief Joe Martin demand
he is acting chief? He does not.
There'd be just as much sense in his
doing that as there is in this PROPOSE
ton. They're all temporary assign
ments.
May Abolish System
ITS costing the city enough money
as it is. If we acceded to this it
wouldn't end there. They'd find some
other excuse to ask for more money.
That's all they think about-money."
Suppose the Civil Service Commits
sion should order that the men be paid
more or that they be relieved of their
temporary rank, what them ?" the chief
was asked. "You wouldn't have enough
superior officers to run things under
the tWo-platoon system, would you?"
Who wanted the two-platoon sys-
temp" he retorted. at was the fire
men, wasn't it? Well, they rot it.
Now if they don't watch their step
we'll abolish it. It's only a depart
mental regulation and can be done awav
with at any time.
"The iremen don't need any more
money They are we'll paid I don't
want any more money. / can only eat
three meals day, and not very heavy
meals, either. If 1 had $1,00O,O00 l
Wouldn't know what to do with it. I'm
about the onl y man in the department
who hasn't asked for more money"
On October Is, 1915, when the Bu-
xeau OF Standards recommended to the
Board of Estimate that in the interest
OF economy Chief Kenlon's salary be
cut from $4,000 to $1,000 a year, the
chief jumped to his feet and exclaimed:
Are you gentlemen looking for
new chief Of the department ?"
HIS salary wasn't reduced.
Ihe two-platoon system was quoted
Dy Commissi oner brennan, when it was
pu' lnIo eheet, as the redemption of
one of Mayor Hylan's campaign PLEDGES,
Weather Rapom+