The evening times., 1899-03-29
POLICE and FIREAEN
TO SUE FOR BACK Pay
Former Department. Members
Effect an Organization.
To Establish their Rights Under the
Eight-Hour Law.
Contributions Asked to Matc n Test
case-An Enormous Sum of
Money Involved.

Former members of the Police and Fire
departments of the District of Columbia,
have effected an organization which is ex-
them under the law of 1892 declaring that
Government employees shall work but
eight hours. Through this the members Of
the organization expect to secure the back
pay which would be due them and the
present members of the department, should
II be legally determined that they are en-
titled to the benefits of the eight-hour law
AS 1t is at present, the members of the
Police and Fire departments work about
eighteen hours per day and have been do
ing so for long time. They would,
therefore, have about seven years pay due
them, should it be decided that the law
In question is applicable to their service
If it should be decided that the police
men and firemen are entitled to the same
protection that is given the other employees
of the Government under the law, il will
place at their disposal a sum of several
thousand dollars each, and would cost the
Government an enormous sum to pay
them.
A committee has been appointed by the
organization mentioned and a suit will be
brought against the Government for the
amount of back pay. The committee was
authorized 60 employ counsel and to
prosecute suits
In connection with the matter the fol-
lowing appeal has been sent TO the men,
bers Of the Police and Fire departments,
by Chairman ]. Banks Nicholson:
The committee is authorized TO make a special
aPreai TO every member of the Police and Fire
departments Of the District and TO solicit their
contributions To the said expense fund The con-
tribution was fixed at not less than 81 per mcm-
Der; and the committee was authorized 10 urge
that the amount be paid by each at once that the
case may he prepared and filed without delay.
] he chairman and secretary OF tie meeting,
boih being former members, were authorized and
empowered la collect from the polite and fire.
men Their contributions To the tDDd and to re-
celpt for the same, and also IN act, AS a com
mlttee to represent those 10 be benefited by the
tcst suit
Those not joining in the expenses would have
t" bring separate suit To collect the individual
amounts due them II is believed bv counsel
that the law is the side of the eight prop-
oSition, and they believe that extra pay for all
time served in excess OF eight hours can be re-
covered, not only for the extra time served since
the passage Of the act OF 1892, but for the future
service hereafter required of them.
The committee authorized 10 print the in
Structions necessary, and also to notify every
member III person. If possible and inform them
that the interest OF Is the concern of all and
that this long mOoted Iuestion wip be taken in
hand and settled, provided these to be benefited
come forward promptly with their contributions
The whole matter Is voluntary one; but unless
a sufficient 9m is placed in the hands of the
committee TO pay the necessary expenses and cost
OF the sIit the test will not be made But If
the desired sum is forthcoming the committee
can assure every member that il will be made
with efficiency, promntncss and ability.
Ii sufficient amount is not collected and the
test suit is not brought. then the money paid in
viii be refunded 10 each contributor. 1t remains
with those who are 10 he benefited TO decide what
shall be done. whether their Shall be pre-
senied in court OF not.
The plan of the members of the commit
tee has been heartily endorsed by many
of the prominent merchants of the city
and it is expected that rapid progress will
be made in the work in the course OF the
next few weeks.