New Britain herald., 1928-07-11
BLAIR APPOINTED
 BURKE'S ASSISTANT
Gets Months Trial as Second Fire Department Mechanic

John D. Blair was appointed as- sistant master mechanic in the Ire department or a months trial by the fire commission last night and will enter upon his duties next Mon- day.
 The purpose of the trial period is to determine whether it is pract- cable to have full time assistant to Mechanic Edward G. Burke and if so whether the need can be filled without making an addition 10 the department personnel.
 Blair has been a member Of the department since 1923 connected with headquarters as a hoseman and has assisted Mechanic Burke in the past. Before becoming a fireman he was employed as mechanic.
 Win Alternate on Night shift.
 During the trial period. Flair will be detailed to day duty. In alter mating weeks he and the master me chanic will be expected to answer night alarms, Blair taking the week during which his regular shift is on night duty. He will continue his status as a hoseman and excepting when there is break in the appa- ratus he will assist his company. An alarm bell will be installed in his home and when on call for night alarms he will respond in hN Swn automobile.
 The suggestion that the position of assistant mechanic be created was made by James J. Butler. chair man of the board. and found favor with Commissioners William R.. Lange. Harry A. Beckwith and James H. Passerini. Commissions Lange criticized the present ar- rangement in which Mechanic Burke has no "understudy' who is vested with authority to make repair. He contrasted the methods employed by the city with those of manufacturing plants and declared the municipal plan to be antiquated.
 Chief Noble expressed himself as favorable to a trial and agreed to work out details of the plan. He favors an alternating plan by which one mechanic would be on day duty and one on night duty after the plan followed out by deputy chiefs of the department. Until such time as Blair has had opportunity to familiarize himself with the work, this scheme will not be attempted. however.
 Six Leave Substitute Force
 Chief Noble reported six resigna- tions from the substitute force. These badges were handed in while the chief was recruiting substitutes for summer vacation work, the for mer subs explaining that they are no longer interested in the work.
 Those who resigned are: William H. Sanders of 33S East Main street Walter Thurston of 543 Stanley street. Joseph kogelman of 132 Ju- bilee street, John Taucher of 10s Rhodes street, Bruno Arusiewic o 194 High street and Michael Hivat of 2 Daly avenue.
 Dr. A. l.. Avitable. departmen, physician reported Charlton E. Tor. Ollip NihSCilt IL6du anu LOulS Al bour were found to be under the re. quired height and not eligible for appointment as substitute firemen.
 At the suggestion of Commis. sioner Passerini. it was voted to hold a special meeting at 7:3O o'clock next Tuesday night to examine IL applicants who have been approved by the department physician. The, are: Raymond Blauvelt. Alber 'Fiske, Anthony Gajda. James McIn. erney, Steve kowalski. Hugh E Curran. Edward Skinger, Joseph l. Storey, William Davis, Michael J Patterson. John E. Rutkowski Thomas J. Mccarthy. Arthur Ther rien. Amadeo L. Gregory and Cyri R. Connolly.
 Commissioner Beckwith, who ha been working in cooperation witi Chief Noble in completing repair 0 No. 1 station, was authorized to con tue his work by having electrica fixtures installed.
 Applications Received
 Applications were received as fol lows:
 Stanley F. Demorat e7, Of 26 Grove street: Leo E. Morin. 31, s1 East Main street; Joseph J. Tracy 2s, 133 Smalley street; Charles ( Farmer, 22, PAP North street: Arthu R. Auckland. 25, 101 Belden street William E. Beaudoin. 24. 1s4 Wash ington street: Sebastiano Morale, 31 1o9 Clark street: Allan ]. Brown, 2: 54 South High street: Edward 4 Madden, 32. 226 Farview street John A. Sam morajczyk. 22. 22 Ale street; Everett J. Dyson. 27. 4s Park street: George J. Weir. Jr., 2: B Wallace street: William R. Cor don. 26. 31 Florence street; Alfre R. Fatticoni. %. 259 Lasalle stree, Walter Babula, 26, o3S Broad stree