The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-22
PENSION FIREMEN
Committee on the De-
partment Gives a
Hearing.
CAPTAINS ATTEND.
Think Injured Men Should
Receive Two-thirds
Pay.

Aldermen Barrett and Kendall and
Councilmen Meagher and Johnson,
representing the committee on fire de-
partment of the city council, gave q
hearing to members Of the fire depart
ment in the chiefs office at fire head
quarters last. night, on the order intro
duced by Councilman Mcagher prov.d-
ing for pensioning fremen who may
become disabled in discharge of their
duty.
The general sentiment expressed by
representatives of the fire department
was that the matter of preparing an
ordinance governing the question at is
sue, bringing it before the city council
and subsequently, before the voters of
Worcester at the next election, be left
in the hands of the. committee on fire
department.
Alderman Barrett called the meeting
to order and read the order introduced
in the common council by Councilman
Meagder some weeks ago, to consider
the advisability of pensioning flremen
in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 267 of the acts of 1898.
Councilman Meagher said it had been
the desire of some members of the IRE
department that the committee take the
initiative in preparing an ordinance
and bringing it before the voters. He
had not considered what compensation
the men directly interested would con
slider sufficient i'll case of a man being
permanently disabled, and this was a
principal reason for a hearing when
the ideas of those directly interested
could be made known. The question OF
pensions would probably apply to call
men as well as permanent men.
Captain Avery said he should like
to see the matter brought before the
voters at the next election. So far as
the amount of compensation is con-
cerned, he would be willing to leave
the matter in the hands of the city
government. Capt Avery stated that
the same question is pending at the
present time in Cambridge, Chicopee
and Springfield.
In answer to question from Alder
man Barrett, Capt. Avery replied that
captains receive $3.50 and lieutenants
5000 a year in Worcester, as compared
with $1,000 and $1400 a year paid the
same officers in Boston.
1t was stated that in New York fire
men are given one-half and in Boston
two-thirds Of their regular salary when
placed on the pension list.
Capt. William A. Adams of Engine l
said he did not think the legislation
broad enough for the city of Worcester.
Since he has been member of the fire
department, six men have lost their
lives and one so badly injured that he
was unable to gain a livelihood for
himself He considered that firemen
take their lives in their hands every
time they answer an alarm, and that
the service is much more dangerous
than the police department as the
amount paid out by the Relief Associ-
alton to men who have been injured or
taken sick while in discharge of their
duty, goes to show.
Councilman Meagher wanted to know
if he thought that members of the de-
Dartment would be satisfied with two
thirds pay Capt. Adams replied that
he would rather not answer that ques-
ton, but was willing to leave the mat
ter in the hands of the committee.
There was a meeting Of captains in
the department yesterday afternoon, at
which time the following were chosen
a committee to represent the depart
ment at the hearing: Capts. Adams
and Avery, Lieuts. Kerns and OGara
and Engineer A. c. Haradon. The
hearing was also attended by the full
board of engineers.
Action was deferred.