The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-22
Especial to The DemOcrat)

Naugatuck, Dec 22.-Burgess John Sheridan scored a smashing victory last night at the meeting of the board of warden and burgesses when his motion that discussion be dropped as to the appointment of a supernumerary policeman as a regular policeman was passed with Burgess Leo Brophy and Bur gess Sheridan voting for it and Burgess Milton Calvin, the other democrat burgess and the three republican burgesses not voting. The result was a complete surprise as all indications had pointed to the fact that not only one but two policemen might be appointed. As it. was. none was chosen.
 The power of taking 1t off the table at a future meeting now lies in the hands of Burgesses Sheridan and Brophy, it is claimed, for 1t is said that if they are not present at the meeting, according to parlia- mentary rule, the measure cannot >be removed from the table.
 May Cause Split
 The action was significant in an- other sense as it may result in a split in the democratic ranks. Be- fore the. meeting a session of the republican burgesses and Burgess Calvin was held in the borough clerks office and Burgesses Sher- idan and Brophy did not take part in this.
 The fact that Burgess, Calvin did not vote with his colleagues on the matter is significant and Bur- gesses Sheridan and Brophy after ward were reported to feel Burgess Calvin was siding with the repub- licans. There was no open break by any means, but the rift was ap- parent.
 Republicans Dismal
 Even Burgess Sheridan was sur prised when no vote was received from any of the republican bur gesses and after the meeting there was a discussion of what had oc- cured in rather dismal terms by the republicans.
 Apparently the republican bur- gesses decided the taxpayers had had enough of appointments for the town time being. A new paid fireman was appointed recently to the fire force and Burgess Sheridan objected to this strenuously as an added burden to the taxpayers. When the question was brought up Burgess William Noble Tipped this wisecrack: we might give them 0 ride over the same road they've been taking us over" referring to burgesses to the fireman appoint ment. The democrats were solidly opposed to this at Ithe previous meeting and Warden Whittemore broke the tie then.
 Chief AdamsOn
 Tue action was taken despite a reit6ration by Chief John Adam son of the local police force that he certainly did need a supernu- merNry man, a regular for the good of the force. Chief Adamson when requested by Burgess Tracy Noble to give the board his views on the matter said that only three men on hte force had their regular two days off during last month and two men had only one day vaca- ton insead of the usual two days to which they are entitled.
 The action had been suggested because it was claimed that the chiOf was unable to secure super numeraries when he wanted them because they were working in the factories or other places. It was pointed out by Burgess Henry Zwick that if a policeman were ap- pointed a regular he would have to work 28 days week for IA offi- cers filling in for their two-day vacations each, and he would re- ceive credit for 30 days as he would be entitled to two days off himself each month. Chief Adam son verified those facts and stated that 1t would not be necessary to have another fill in when the sug- gested appointee had his own two days off.
 "Can't Get Men"
 The police chief said one man on the force has eight days in va- cation coming to him. He stated he could not get men when he needed them. However, question: ing revealed that George Smith, su- pernumerary, is now available for work. Chief Adams indicated in response to a question by Burgess Sheridan that he probably would favor the appointment of an ad- ditional regular even if supernu- maries were available.
 He said all his regulars wanted the weekend off and he did not want the force to be manned by supernumeraries entirely over Sat- urday, and Sundays. Officers James Fenton, Joseph Kenney and Wolf Evon are working steadily eight hours a day at the local rubber factory now, the chief said. He soid nfhor r1nu's time conf1iCtad.