Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-06
Boobies OF LONDON.
They Don't Lead the Easy Life OF
Their American Brothers.
POOR PAY AND RIGID DISCIPLINE
The Trouble Between the Department and
the Tory Government.
LIVING IN THE SECTION HOUSES
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH

LONDON, June Zl.--lf there Is one tninS <
more than another in which John Bull takes
special pride, it is his army of policemen.
Of course the red coats, or "Swaddies," as
the soldiers are called, are greatly admired,
but the Bobby" is with and before the
masses every day, and as rule stands very
high in the estimation of the ordinary
Britisher. This may be the result of doing
considerable work for very little pay, be-
cause, tax ing everything into consideration,
the English policeman has very poor re-
muneration for the services he renders. The
British public depends to a very great ex-
tent on the policemen for the observance OF
the many and curious laws, and the police
men work under the most rigid rules.
Well, at the present time the British
Bobby" is very prominently before the
public, and his rights and wrongs are being
discussed by all classes from Parliament
down to the street orator who holds forth
from a chair or table. In connection with
this police controversy there is much
lhat Is interesting to Americans. The
entire question is OF great inter-
estI because it shows how the police
system here compares with that in the
various cities in America. Complaints in
America as to the wrongs under which the
United States copper" suffer are OF almost
daily occurrence, but a recital of the Eng
llsh policeman's grievances show that the
American peace protector has little cause in
comparison to complain.
AN INSULT FROM AN AMERICAN SOURCE.
was somewhat surprised this morning to
find New York paper, an edition of which
is printed in London, terming the American
policeman a "blue-coated brute" The
American paper, after making that insult,
goes on to paint the London policeman as an
angel of the first class. I scarcely think
that the average Britisher will be 'caught"
by the very unkindly and untruthful refer
ence to Americas finest. Certainly the
London police force is made up of fine body
of men. 1 know many of them and have
had opportunity to visit their section rooms
and hear and see all the details of their sys-
TEN. But I question very much whether
anybody has the license to say that the Lon
don policeman is in any way superior to the
policeman of Pittsburg or any other big
American city.
The question Of the pay of policemen is
before Parliament, and how it will be dealt
with l cannot say. Ihave spoken to several
members Of Parliament on the matter, and
they ere not able to give anything like a
forecast of what will be done. The Govern
ment is in a difficulty over the matter on
account of the resignation of Mr.. Monro,
the Police Commissioner. He is the police
mems friend, and wants more pay tor them
than the Tory Government is disposed to
give; hence his resignation.
THE PENSION SCHEME. ----,
For years the police have been moving for
an improved pension scheme. Every man
in the force, of whatever rank, contributes
2% per cent of his pay toward a pension
fund, in which he does not, under present
rules, participate unless certified as phvsic-
ally unfit for further service. What is
wanted is that after "a years service man
may, as OF right, retire with pension of
two-thirds of his pay. This is stated
as forty-sixtieths. because it is desired to put
back this right OF retirement to Is years
service, at which time man is to receive
twenty-sixtieths, or one-third of his paw;
that for every further years service the pen
sion is to be increased by one-sixtieth ND to
20 years, and by two-sixtieths beyond that.
with absolute right of retirement on due
notice.
II is understood that the Government bill
grants this right on three-ffths pay after %
years service, and does not recognize any
claims to pension at earlier date, unless un-
der medical order. The police force is yery
earnest as to this point of fl tieths and six
tieths, and they have the advantage of Mr..
Monro's self-sacrifcing support. A large
number of men retire after 10 or u years
service. They see little chance of promo
ton, and are tired of their perpetual tramp,
heel and toe, over their drearv beats. Very
few men on continuous outdoor dutv last for
25 years, and the agitation is really on be-
halt OF those who, from weariness or other
opportunities in life, Withdraw before being
legally entitled to a pension.
THE PRIVILEGE OF WITHDRAWING,
1t is also claimed that when from auy
cause, other than bad conduct man leaves
the service before being eligible for a pen
sion he shall be at liberty to draw out such
sums as he has been compelled to pay TO-
ward the pension fund. Financiers we'll
know that as this money is invested at in
terest the suggested withdrawal will infict
a comparatively small loss.
AS to pay, the initial wages, "a shillings.
or Sc per week, is, it is claimed. too low
particularly as there is sixpence deducted
Tor the pension fund. Beside this, a SELF
imposed, but absolutely binding rule. COM
pels every constable to contribute one halt-
penny to every man retiring from the force,
and one penny to the representatives of
every one who dies. With staff of nearly
l5,OOO men In London it is not surprising
that this payment averages five pence to
seven pence per week; so that new hand
can rarely net % shillings per week during
MS hrst three years of service In the CITY
the men begin with 25 shillings net per week,
and alter one years service advance to |
70 shllllngs. The metropolitan men want |
to begin at 27 shillings, and after three |
years jump to 80 shillings per week, while |
tirst-class constable of six years service is
to have 80 shillings per week. Probably |
they are not tied to these figures, and if an |
initial wage OF say % shiIliGgs net, rising |
gradually by increments of one shilling per |
week per year, were instituted, it would |
satisfy all reasonable demands of the men.
The gradual rise would act as constant in |
centive to good behavior, and would ease
the ratepayer's pocket, for it must not be |
forgotten that shilling added to the wages
of 10, 900 men means 939, 900 year added to |
the rates.
PAY FOR OVERTIME.
The police further maintain that they. |
like other worklngmen, are entitled to over |
time. Their beat is calculated at eight |
hours per day, but under the best circum-
stances two hours a day are occupied in |
going and returning from home to the sta
tion for pay and uniforms, in addition to
drill. But, beyond this, in times of popu-
lar tumult if in town, there is no extra
pay, though sometimes gratuity is granted,
and even tine men who are sent to race meet
ings only receive a refreshment allowance
OF IA pence, or 2S cents.
The question may be considered small
one, but much of the trouble over the
Trafalgar square demonstrations in 1888,
would have been avoided if the police had
not been hungry and unpaid. A satisfied
police is of the greatest benefit to law
abiding citizens.
The above is faithful statement of the
case in question, but there are few more
features that must not be overlooked, and
which will, am sure, be OF much interest
to Americans. The police have their uni
form, including shoes, found them, and that
uniform can be utilized for wear when not !