The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-30
TO START A BENEFIT FUND.
COMMISSIONER GRAYSON TO AR
RANGE 1T FOR THE FIREMEN.

ii Would Ultimately Become Per-
manent Feature, He BeIieVes-No
Further Reductions in Department
This MOnth-NO Fire Escapes Put
Up Under Chief Maguire's orders.
Chairman William L. Grayson of the fire
commissioners is figuring on organizing
benefit association among the members OF
the fire department. If successful in car
rying QUE his preliminary plans, it will
certainly be a move thai will enlist the
combined interest of all the firemen and
probably bring about the permanent or
ganlzation of an association which will be-
come part of the department itself.
The idea is to organize and charter the
association on the same basis as all bene-
fit societies. There are enough men in the
department to soon place such an organ
ization on firm, substantial basis. Ow-
ing to the fact there is no way by which
the men would receive anything in case
OF death, as the firemen of other cities do,
II is very probable the efforts of Chair
man Grayson to organize the association
among the men here, win meet with their
approval. In fact many have expressed
themselves in favor of the association and
think the idea of paying a small monthly
fee and receiving a benefit insurance in
return for it, would be an exceptionally
good one and just such an arrangement as
the department needs.
Chairman Grayson's plan is to make the
death benefit $1,000, and the monthly dues
as low as such a benefit would JUSTIFY.
lie considers this ample to place family
III 1air circumstances in case of the nus
bands death, and believes the monthly
dues can be made very reasonable in view
OF the number of men now in the depart
ment. The association, he said, is great
~ needed, for the reason a fireman's life
Is IN more than ordinary danger at all
unes and he has less assurance of living
than men not apt to be called into peril
Gus service at all hours, day and night.
He same kind of organization as that
proposed by Chairman Grayson was re-
Gently formed in the police department,
ana Is now on substantial basis with
pdnk account. In case of death an in
Surahce of $500 Is left the widow and the
lee is % cents per month
steps will be taken soon toward bring
ing the matter before the firemen. There
= niue question, however about the men
Ioyoring it and giving their, hearty sup
port TO such a scheme.
"hen asked If any further cuts would
We made in the force now in the depart
uent on account of the reduced appro-
p!auoh for this year, Chairman Grayson
,aiu ne could not say, but he did NOT
mink there would be, at least for the
present. Seven men have already been
ulopped in order to keep within the
%,nount allowed by Council, and the COM
- "r'Ft' intends, Mr.. Grayson said, TO
~"alt the outcome of the present month
ana ana see how the pay RON stands. Not
Outstanding the fact there is possi-
Vslly Of the departments running short.
s ,lere are score OF men ready to serve
@ qro FISK the chances of getting their pay
rom the city.
IRE Chief Mcguire is congratulating
n"seH that the lads who gave the Depart
,o1 nt SO much trouble during the past few
o %se KS by firing buildings. have been taxi
gu rom the city II was the Recorders
settenee that they be whipped and then