The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-10
Question Will Be
Considered Tomor-
row Night.
OTHER CITIES USE THE SYSTEM.
Its Adoption Here Would
Provide for Many
Young Men.

AT the meeting of the city govern
ment tomorrow night some action will
be taken on the recommendation Of
the police committee in favor of estab-
fishing a pension system' for local po-
lice officers who have grown old in
the service. In many of the larger cit
les Of the country at the present time
there is in vogue a system for retir-
ing officers on a reduced scale of wages
and it looks very much at the present
time as if the officers of the Worcester
police department might be favored
with a similar system
In places where the system has been
tried il is found that by retiring old
officers at a reduced wage, room can
be made for young blood who will be
able to do the work as it was once
done by the old timers.
In the Worcester police department at
the present time there are at least
half dozen officers who are physical
ly incapacitated for the hard life of
police officer, and there is little doubt
but what these men would take advan-
tage of a retirement clause if it eX-
listed. In their places could be Sc
cured younger men who would be able
to train for the work, and there is not
an officer in the department but favors
pension system.
Just how the city government will
settle ii is a matter of considerable
speculation at present Some of the
officers think that men eligible to re-
tirement under the pension clause,
should get at least 81 a day for life
This Is the amount of pensions in other
cities o., an average This would give
an officer salary of 1865 year, which
he would be sure of until death.
When man is appointed to a posi-
ton on the local force, he gets a salary
of $2.25 a day. BY laying an old man
off on 81 a day and appointing a new
man at 1925 day, the city would
practically be paying $S.25 for the SER
vices of the new man. After a man
has been in the service two years he
is paid at the rate Of $275 day, and
for a time the new man would cost
the city but so cents a day more than
the man retired.
AT the present time the police de-
partment earns a large amount of
money every year in doing outside
work, such as attending entertainments
and dances. The department is always
paid for this work a full days wages.
urer and goes towards the police ap-
preparation every year.
The officers receive no direct benefit
from the money they earn outside, and
feel that it should be used as The nu-
cleus of a pension fund. The earn
ings of the department have for some
time past reached into the thousands
every year By using this money for
q pension fund, the city would be able
to retire at least three officers with
out taking a penny from the police APP
preparation.
In many cities there is a fine system
in vogue among the officers for various
breaches Of minor duties and the
money gained from the fines goes to-
wards strengthening the pension fund.
1t is improbable that a fine system
would meet with the approval of the
local officers as it has never been tried
here. However, the pension scheme is
one of special import to every man
In the local department, and the Off
GERS feel that every time they leave
the station for their posts of duty, they
are in a way sacrificing their lives. In
Worcester there has not been for years
a single instance where an officer has
sustained life injury in the discharge
of his duties, but it is apt to come at
any tire and when it comes the Off
Ger is left to public sympathy for his
welfare. The argument is advanced by
many that an officer gets paid for do
ing his duty and if he is injured, it is
his own lookout. On the other hand
it is also argued that soldier in the
discharge of his duty is injured and
is pensioned, and an officer in many
respects is in the same position as a
soldier If there is a fight i'll progress
he must, if he is faithful officer en-
ter into it for the sake of preserving
peace, and if he is injured he may be
incapacltated for further duty.
Chief of Police James M. brennan be-
lieVes that officers should be pensioned,
providing they have given good ser
vice to the city while they have been
members of the department. In many
instances at the present time there are
officers in the department doing work
that could not be better performed by
younger men. They are hardly fitted
sor the trials of outside life but in
performing inside duties they are of
service to the department.
In some cases it may be found that
officers, who are really untitled for the
work they are called on to do, will be
unwilling to resign, and if such cases
should exist, it is thought by some
that a physical examination should be
conducted. Councilman John H. Mea-
cher introduced the order for pension
system DdSGu Oll lIiG lOllONlIlS SSCllOllS
Of chapter 378 of the acts of 1892
Section one-The board of mayor and
aldermen of any city, except the city
of Boston, containing no less than 49,
600 inhabitants by the last state or
national census, may retire from act
i've service and place upon pension
ROLL
First-Any member of the police de-
nartment of such city who has arrived
at the age of 65 years and who has
nerformed faithful service in said de-
partment for a period not less than Is
years.
Secondary member of said depart
ment who shall be certified to said
hoard in writing by the city physician
of such city as being permanently in
capacitated either mentally or physi-
cailv by injuries sustained through no
fauit of his in the actual performance
of duty. from further performing duty,
as such member.
Third-Any member of said depart
ment who has performed faithful ser
vice therein for a period nor less than
90 years if, in the Judgment of said
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