The evening world., 1922-04-19
MAYOR WILL VETO
GAS CUTOFF ORDER
FOLLOWING DOOS
500 Indignant Men and
Women Jeer Kenlon at
City Hall Hearing.
CHIEF URGES DEVICE.
Accuses Property Owners OF
Putting Dollars Above
Lives of Firemen.
|CHIEF URGES DEVICE.

Mayor Hylan this afternoon sent
back to the Board OF Aldermen with
out his approval the gas cutoff ordi-
nance. 81 will veto this ordinance at
once" he said, adding that the prin-
ciplc of tho thing was good, but the
matter should be the subject of fur
ther study. Also, tho question should
receive additional consideration to zee
IL the gas companies, rather than the
householders, should pay the expenses
Of installation, the Mayor said,
More than 500 indignant men and
women in City Hall to protest against
the ordinance, which would cost pro-
erty owners $4,000, 900 TO install,
almost created q riot at public
hearing on the measure before tho
Mayor to-day when Fire Chief Ken
Ion charged the opponents of the
device thought more of dollars than
the lives of firemen and that many
OF them could afford the cost as
they are receiving as high as $50 a
room from tenants.
Instantly there was a wave Of
angry protests. Choruses of boos,
yells of "Put him out!,,' "where do
you pay your taxes. Chief?' "Go
back to Jersey, where you live!"
You're a taxpayer in Coytesville! "
and language OF a stronger character
was hurled at the Chief.
What led up TO the disorderly
climax. which Mayor Hylan was un-
able for time to queli. was an ad
dress by the Fire Chief in favor of
the ordinance. He cited numerous
instances in which firemen had been
| He told of his own experience on
Union Square when he and seven OF
his men were overcome.
I'VE are willing to sacrifice our
lives in order that others may live"
said the Chief. but 1t is not fair for
you to come here and ask us to sacri-
| flee our lives for paltry twenty-f five
dollars"
An omlnous grumble of indignation
swept through the chamber. Many in
the front ranks OF the protestants de-
clared IN undcrtones that the Chiefs
Language was insulting.
Kenlon was unaware Of the rising
anger portrayed In the 500 upturned
faces. His crack Fire Department
band was playing lively air down q.
stairs on the steps Of City Hall at
the drive for milk funds. The music
must have heartened the Chief, for his
words grew stronger.
Docs the flow Of gas In the cellar
OF a large tenement containing thirty
to fifty families endanger those ten
ants?" asked Mayor Hyian, attempt
ing TO divert tho Chief from the trend
Of his language.
"of course" replied the Chief.
that's why you read in the news
papers about tenants and firemen be-
ing carried out unconscious"
Doesn't smoke make people un-
conscious?" demanded o little dark
eyed woman in the front row."
"Never mind eoout smoke" replied
the Chief with an authoritative wavt
of his hand ana guinness that
might be employed toward a fireman
who makes a mistake. 'If you swai-
lowed smoke you wouldn't be hero
you'd be dead"
The Fire Chief then told Of the won
derful physique Of his fire fighters
He said the test for entrance wai
/. so per cent. higher than West Point
, or Annapolis and that as a result OF
carbon monoxide poisoning. due te
escaping illuminating gas. 40 firemer
in this city have died from pulmonary
tuberculosis during the past sever
| years.
II I'VE are told the installation o!
these gas cut offs will cost $4,000.
ooo," said the Chief derisiveiy. "I'
, won't cost half that. Anyway, thu
property owners would get the none,
back from reduced insurance rates II
five or six years"
Il II was at this point the Chief sal,
] that property owners receiving $50
, room from tenants ought not 70 com
plain.
The little dark eyed woman kindle,
the anger OF the crowd when she pu
forth a tightly clenohed fist and yelled
'BoIshevistl BolSheytstl" at Kenion
Then came the avalanche OF anger. I
swept everything before II. Chic
Kenion was silent. Mayor HyIan "a
pale and curious. He did not rap hi
gavei as wave after wave OF anathem
was hurled at the head Of the FIR
: Department. He appeared Fascinated
Suddenly there was a lull a. tn
crowd drew a deep breath for a sec
ond assault. During this Kenion, no,
( fighting mad, yelled back:
Its all money. Life means moth
ling to youl"
"Drag him down." shrilled a VIC
man In the heart OF the seethinE mas
which swayed forward.
b I'VE have 10 charge high rents I
t pay your big ssiaFies!" p,pcd a maj
voice away In the rear.
A deTisive roar followed on the hee
Of this sally. Mayor Hyian hId hsai
the voice OF the people, 80 he ros
- smiling and motoning the people
" cit down.
''I want 70 give both sides q squai
-, deal" said the Mayor. "You have
dRht IN diaa RrAa with Chiel Kenio