The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-03
VACATION FOR POLICE
CITY COUNCIL WILL HEAR FROM
= CHIEF GERALD.



coed in having the number Of days Of
their summer vacation increased beyond
the present rule Of ten days 1t will be
by and with the consent of Police Chief
Gerald. The City Council discussed the
matter last night for nearly an hour and
finally adopted a resolution directing the
Police Committee to secure written
opinion from Police Chief Gerald on the
subject, on the subject for submission
to the Council at its next meeting.
This action Of the Council 10 significant
because Of the statement made on the
floor of the Council by Alderman Hudson
that Police Chief Gerald had said he did
not care to advise the Council on the sub
Ject.
In shswer to this statement Alderman
Gunter said no better reason could be
given for requiring Police Chief Gerald to
appear before the Council at its next
meeting and advise the Council Of his
opinion in the matter. He added that
1t was the duty Of Police Chief Gerald
to attend each meeting OF the Council
and the rule should be enforced.
The discussion Of vacation days for
policemen was spirited and showed that
the matter Of regulating the police and
fire departments of the city IL one In
which local politics plays no small part.
The Aldermen were almost evenly divided
on the subject and the leaders OF both
forces on the floor of the Council de-
manded aye and nay votes on every
proposition SO as to put the Aldermen
on record.
The matter Of vacation for policemen
was brought to the attention Of the Coun-
ell through Alderman Roeder, Chairman
of the Police Committee, who, represent
ing a majority of the committee. Alder
man johnson and himself reported a
resolution providing that all members of
the police department be allowed fifteen
days leave of absence In each year with
pay. absence on account Of sickness or
injury to be deducted from the fifteen
days allowed.
Alderman Farley, the third member Of
the Police Committee dissented from the
views of the majority. He said that
other employees of the city were not
allowed leaves of absence and he did not
believe discrimination should be permit
ted In favor of policemen.
When the resolution was presented to
the Council for passage Alderman Nc
Intyre opened the discussion. He said
he thouaht the Council ought to hear
from tfe Chief of Police ON a question
that was mainly one Of discipline. He
moved as a substitute that the resolution
be referred back to the Committee with
instructions to get an opinion Of approval
or disapprovai from Police Chief Gerald
for submission to the next meeting of
the Council.
Alderman Roedcr. Chairman Of the
Police Committee, championed the resolu-
ton. He said 1t only re-established an
ordinance adopted In September, 1896 and
repealed In July. 1898. Since 1t had been
repealed the Council had allowed police
men pay for lost time. The resolution
contemplated only fifteen days allowance
to policemen; they might consume all OF
It In lost time by sickness or they might
60 on a vacation trip. Policemen, he
said, were frequently called upon to APP
pear In court and they were pressed into
service without pay during extraordinary
occasions. The resolution was a COM
promise between the old ordinance and
the new and he hoped 1t would be adopt
| ed. u - ---.
Alderman Hudson said his Information
was that Police Chief Gerald had de-
clined to give any opinion whatever Oh
the subject and had said that 1t was a
matter for the Council to regulate. He
said nothing could be gained by postpon-
ing action.
Alderman Ganter said he heartily
seco nded the amendment Of Alderman Nc
Intyre. The statement made by Alder
man Hudson. he said, was very COED
reason why the Chief Of Police should
be required to give the Council his views
upon a subject so closely connected with
his department.
Alderman Mcintyre demanded the ayes
and nays on his substitute and the vote
res ulted as follows:
Ayes-Messrs Anderson, Cheney Farley,
Gunter, Kohn, Mcintyre, Rushton.-I.
Nays-Messrs Fleming, Hartley, Hay
good. Hudson, johnson, May. Roeder,
oole.-S
And the Mcintyre substitute was lost.
Alderman Anderson then called atten-
ton to the duties of firemen. He said
they were paid SIS a month less than
policemen and he thought they should
be allowed the same vacation as the
policemen. He offered an amendment
providing for fifteen days leave of abb
sence with pay for members of the Mont
gomery Fire Department.
Alderman Mcintyre again appealed to
the Council to let the entire matter lie on
the table pending an opinion from the
chiefs of the departments affected.
Alderman -Gunter announced that he
was opposed altogether to holidays. He
said the city should pay its employees well
enough Tor them TO take HoiiudyS WitHout
nav. and said he would vote against all
propositions for time allowances to city
employees.
The Anderson amendment, including
6renen in the leaves of absence. was
about to come to a vote. and Alderman
Anderson had demanded the ayes and
nays when Alderman Hudson moved to
reconsider the vote by which the Mcln-
tyre substitute. referring the matter back
to the Police Committee, was lost.
Alderman May moved to lay the motion
OH the table and a parliamentary wran-
gle ensued. President Fleming ruled that
the motion to lay on the table was In orr
der, and the ayes and nays were de-
manded.
The Council refused to lay the motion
to reconsider on the table by the Follow
ing vote:
Ayes-Messrs Fleming. May. Roeder
and Toole-4.
Nays-Messrs Anderson Cheney, Far
ley. Gunter, Haygood, Hudson. Kohn
MCINTYRE. Rushton--9