New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-22
City's Workers
Cheer a.llrran
AsHoa,orCuest
Borough President Attends
Drivers aud Sweepers'
Picnic; Referees Police
and Firemcn' 1'ug-of-War
Addresses War Veterans
Favors Drive Or Red Tape
Instead of Working Now
for Costly Monuments

Borough President Henry II. Curran.
Republican Coalition candidate f,e
Mayor, was the guest Of honor yesterday
at the annual picnic of the drivers and
sweepers of the Street Cleaning De-
psrtment. In that capacity he preside
over the us-ofwar between teams rev.
resenting the Police and Fire depart
ments and presented the silver CUP
trophy. provided by the street clean
ers, to the winning fremen.
The celebration was held in Dexter
Park, once a popular beer garden in
Queens. but now merely grove Of reg
ulxrly spaced trees with whitewashcd
trunks that shade q merry -go-round. a
dancing pavilion and few hot dog
stands.
Greeted With Cheers
Mr.. Curran's arrival was just after
the running of the fat mems race. at
the moment when the gold badged conf
mlttee on games was seeking among
the eligibles present contestants IN the
stout ladies'" race. Lacking entries,
This event was scratched from the pro-
gram, and James Carter, chairman Of
the drivers and sweepers' organization.
announced that Mr.. Curran would sta:t
the tug f-war. There was a delighted
cneer from the gathering, which pre-
Tiously had not discovered the pres
ence Of the Mayoralty candidate.
Mr.. Curran took off his stiff straw
hat and signaled to the tug of-war
men with an appraised palm. Fireman
Abe Rosenberg, who is also secretary
Of the Uniformed Firemen's Associa-
r,-lt Y. l.
took fresh hold Of the rope. The
lat street cleaner who was substituting
rs anchor man on the firemen's team
tied the end of the heavy line about
his distended middle
Ready" shouted Mr.. Curran The
teams dug their heels a little deeper
into the long grass.
Get sell" They leaned back on the
rope.
Then the Borough President blew
police whistle that some one had placed
N his hand and the struggle was on
for three minutes, the final second of
we'll over the center line and the ma
iority of both teams in a tangled mud
die on the grass.
Everybody adjourned to the dancing
pavilion then. interrupting the eighth
rendition Of "Ain't We Got Fun" and
when the dancers were on the side
lines Chairman Carter introduced Mr..
Curran and announced that he would
present the engraved, solid silver cup
TO the winning team
Praises Departments Loyalty
Before l part with this cup" said
President Curran, Il want to congratu-
ate the three departments, police, fire
and street cleaning, for their loyalty
and good fellowship. 1t is fine to see
these thrsa organizations working to-
fether and now | want to congratulate
the fireman on their pull" He handed
the cup to Fireman Rosenberg. Who
clutched it firmly and then expressed
his thanks and the thanks of the Fire
Department.
After that Mr.. Curran was engulfed
b. Q swarm Of men of all three depart
ments who wished to shake hands with
him and tell him something that is
Pretty generally known, that the rank
and file OF these three city depart
nents are all eager to see their friend,
Henry II. Curran, in City Hall.
The committee on arrangements for
through the crowd to Mr.. Curran's side
They escorted a tnick-set, brown-eyed
man who smiled widely.
This, Mr.. President" they said, ais
Antonio Marine. He drives the street
cleaning cart that carries away the
litter in your block in Eleventh Street"
Mr. Marno and Mr.. Curran clasped
hands
"On, know you" said Mr.. Curran,
but | didn't recognize you in these
clothes"
Sure, Boss, thought you'd remem-
Der me-" said Antonio, and returned to
MS family. municipal hero.
Mr. Curran spoke last night at the
Park Theater, at Bay Twenty-hrst
Street and Cropsey Avenue, in Brook
lyn, addressing a meeting held under
the auspices Of the Veterans of For
eign Wars, who are conducting a drive
70 eliminate red tape from the govern
ments dealings with disabled and sick
ea-service men.
The government is undoing some of
The work that has hampered the fair
treatment OF the disabled veteran"
said Mr. Curran at this meeting, which
received him Enthusiastically, "but the
sooner all red tape is dispensed with
the better.
more disabled soldiers than there are
nov. Not all the victims of gas at
'&cEs are on the disabled list yet The
government should prepare in advance
u give these men the very best treat
nent-w which IS their right"
Opposes Memorial Drives Now
Mr. Curran also spoke of the efforts
mat have been made to erect expen-
eve war memorials to the men who
died fighting.
i think VIC should wait some time
oe.ors busying Ourselves with per-
maaen: memorial" ne said. "The reo-
pc arc putting up neighborhood me-
Morals, and those are genuine. They
eFo sufficient, if any reminder was
nfcessary, 70 keep fresh in the minos
q the people the sacrifce made by
these soldiers. But instead Of huge
marble monument, lot Of people who
axe husying themselves with such
projects might better aid in the drive
20 eliminate red tape from government.
al dealings with distressed serans."
truarI &c Dol:co thief