Evening star., 1900-03-31
RELIEF FUND DEFICIENCY
SUGGESTION OF MAI. SYLVESTER
FORWARDED TO CONGRESS.
Objections In Behalf Of Fire Depart
ment OmciaIs-Alleged Inequality
in Proposed Lcgislation.

The District Commissioners have trans
mtted to Senator Allison, chairman of the
Senate committee on appropriations,
communication from Major Sylvester, the
chief of police, proposing that a sufficient
amount Of the revenues of the District be
made available for any deficiency that may
occur in the police and firemen's relief
fund, and that ex-members of the police
force not totally incapacitated for service
by reason of physical disabilities be made
subject to duty in cases of riot other
emergency. The Commissioners. in trans
mtting Major Sylvesters communication.
recommended that the suggested legislation
be embodied in the District appropriation
act pending before the Senate.
The legislation suggested by Major Syl-
VeSter authorizes and directs the CommiS-
sioners to deposit with the treasurer of the
United States, wholly from the revenues of
the District, sufficient amount to meet
any deficiency in the police fund or the
firemen's relief fund. 1t also provides that
the chief of police, the captain, lieutenant
inspectors and lieutenants may, after fifteen
years of service, or having been injured or
contracted disease in the line of duty, be
removed from the force and receive an al
lowance not exceeding 80 per cent Of the
salary received at the time of removal. or.
In case of death, the widow children un-
der sixteen years of age shall be granted
sum not exceeding the allowance mentioned.
Scope of the Enactment.
Should the legislation proposed by Major
Sylvester and approved by the Commits
sioners be enacted the captain, lieutenant
inspectors and lieutenants of the police
force would be entitled to be retired. should
their present salaries continue. on allow
ances, respectively, of $75, $3.50 and $50
per month. The friends of the leading Off
GERS in the fire department believe that If
the proposed legislation is to be enacted it
should be amended as to authorize the
retirement of the chief engineer of the fire
dane ~, tho .ct- -Is sHF
gineers and the foreman under as favorable
conditions.
The chief engineer of the fire department
receives a salary of 5000, his two assist
ants 81, 200 each and the foremen but 81 600
As the law now stands these officials could
not be retired on a greater allowance than
$50 per month. The work of members Of
the fire department is, their friends con-
than that of the members Of the police de-
partment while 1t is well-known fact that
their salaries are, as rule, much less
than those paid the policemen. The assist
ant chief engineers occupy, relatively, as
important and responsible positions as the
captain of the police force. while the fore
men, on duty practically every hour during
the DAY and night six days out of every
seven, and with but ten days annual leave,
occupy fully as important and responsible
positions as the lieutenants the police
force.
Therefore, their friends cannot under
stand why it should be proposed to discrimi-
nate against them in favor of the officials
of the police department.
Commissioners Should Have Acted.
1t is not expected by them they say, that
the chief of police should propose legisla-
tion governing the retirement of others than
members of his department, but the friends
of the fire department officials feel that
the Commissioners. in approving Major
Sylvesters recommendation, should have
advised such an amendment as would have
made possible the retirement Of officials of
both departments upon such a scale
would make their retired pay equal.
Another objection to the legislation pro-
posed by Major Sylvester. or, rather TO it's
effect. is that, if enacted. any deficiency
would have to be paid wholly out of the
revenues of the District. 1t is pointed out
by those who believe that the United States
should bear its equal share of such ex-
pense that the United States receives just
as much protection. both from the police
and the trS departments, does the Dis
trict, and that. therefore, the half-and-half
principle should not be violated in this case