The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-16
FIREMEN ARE AFTER
INSURANCE MONEY
But the New Association Hasn't Hill
Upon a Plan.
THERE is A LEGAL DIFFICULTY
City Treasurer Cannot Surrender the
Fund OF s2,26I to an Unchartered
or Unauthorized Body.-Firemen's
Relief Association Has Two Meth
ods in View, One is by Ordinance
and the Other is by State Charter.
Both Plans Under Way.

There is in the hands Of the city
treasurer over $1,000 waiting to be dis
trihuted in sick benefits and indemnl-
ties among the city's volunteer fremen
but no part of the money can be sur
rendered by the city treasurer until
some approved medium is organized
for its distribution. On Aug. i3 the
Firemen's Relief association, Scranton,
perfected a temporary organization and
has since been engaged in finding ways
and means of acquiring the money.
The association is composed of two
delegates from each of the sixteen
Scranton fire companies. The associ-
alton met yesterday afternoon in the
common council chamber in the city
hall.
According to an act of the Legislature
of which Mr. Clarency. known to fire.
men as Father" Clarency, is the au-
thor. a 2 per cent. tax for disabled and
sick volunteer firentcn is imposed an
nually on foreign fire insurance COM
panies. The tax is upon the premiums
paid in towns and cities as shown in
the report of the state insurance com
missioner. The act would have been
unconstitutional if it had provided for
the distribution of this tax by city
treasurers or unchartered organizations
of firemon and in consequence the
funds are tiled up" in nearly all the
cities of the commonwealth
1t is the purpose Of Firemcn's Relief
association of Scranton to adopt by
laws and q constitution to be filed with
it's application for a charter. The
charter secured, the association can
obtain the money from the city treas
urer and distribute it.
TIE OFFICERS.
At the August meeting Chief Hickey,
Of the fire department, was elected
president; Harvey Long, of the Crys-
tails, vice president; a, b. Holmes, Of
the Columbias, treasurer; Emil Bonn,
of the Centurys recording secretary;
p. F. Gordon, of the EXcelsiors, finan-
cial secretary. Five trustees were
elected.
Seventeen delegates attended yester-
days meeting over which Chief Hickey
presided The members were not clear
as to what course to pursue and the
action taken indicated that two cours-
es will be followed to get possession of
the fund which amounts to $2,26l.2I ac-
Cording to a communication from City
Treasurer Boland.
The following were appointed a COM
mittee to draft an ordinance, in con-
junction with the city solicitor and
Chief Hickey, providing for the sur
render of the fund to the associations
Simon Thomas, of the Frankllns; j.
j. Grier, of the EXCelsiors Charles
Wagner. of the Reliefs; c. II. Schadt,
of the Phoenix, and Emil Bonn, Of the
Centurys.
1t was reported that the Allentown
and Harrisburg firemen had secured
the fund allotted those cities and Chief
Hickey was directed to correspond with
them and with fireInen's associations
in other cities and ascertain what
method they had adopted or had in
prospect He was requested to ask for
copies of their bylaws and deliver
them to the bylaws committee ap-
pointed at the August meeting, the
committee to confer with the city So
licitor in reference to recommending
their adoption.
500 IN SIGHT.
There was, il was stated, nearly $10O
| acquired by the Firemen's union and
in the hands of its treasurer, Fred
DUR, who was anxious to deliver the
money to the new association under
proper authority. Treasurer Holiness
Mr.. Robinson and Mr.. Long were ap-
pointed a committee to receive proper
| credentials from the secretary and re-
quest Mr.. Durr 10 deliver the money
to the new association through them.
The delegates present were assessed
% cents each and nearly $4 obtained to
purchase a minute book and other sup
Plies for the recording secretary.
Mr.. Grier suggested that the dele
gates express their opinions TO the
bylaws committee as to the proper
| amount of sick and accident benefits
to be incorporated in the bylaws. This
caused quit a lengthy discussion in
which Mr.. Schadt, Mr.. Thomas, Mr.
Holmes and Mr.. Bonn argued that the
question of benefits, etc, should be
| considered later when it was ascertain
ed what plan had been adopted in 9TH
er cities. No definite action was taken
on the matter.
The bylaws committee decided Ia
| meet next Wednesday afternoon at the
city hall The meeting adjourned Ia
| meet at the same place Wednesday