The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-05

Citizens of Providence realize fully the value
OF an efficient fire department to the community,
and the Importance of the service rendered by the
members of it. For that reason they are disposed
TO be not merely just, but generous in the matter
of providing pensions for those honorably retired
from the service.
1t was no doubt with the idea of dealing Justly
and fairly with the officers of the department that
the bill increasing to so per cent of their salaries
the amount of the pensions to be paid officers of
the department on retirement, was framed and
passed by the common council on Monday evening.
Some members of the council opposed the
measure on the ground that it would not be Just to
the rank and file of the department, but the only
statement made in support of this contention was
that if privaes in the department are off duty de-
duction is made from their wages, while no such
deduction is made in the case of officers when they
are absent from duty
If this charge is we'll founded it would appear
TO indicate discrimination in favor of the officers
that is seemingly unfair to the rank and file In
such matters equity demands that there should be
but one rule and that officers and men should be
treated alike.
However, that is matter to be considered and
settled entirely apart from the question of in
creased pensions for the officers as provided in the
bill passed last Monday evening.
An examination of the new bill fails to dis
any provision at all unfair or inimcal to the
interests of the rank and file of the fire department
Indeed it would seem that such injustice as there
may have been has operated against the officers,
and not against the privates
For the maintenance of the pension fund all
members of the department assessed per
cent of the amount of the salaries received 1t is
seen, therefore, that the officers who receive the
larger salaries pay into this fund proportionaely
greater amount but under the present system they
would receive only the 5000 allowed to all mem
bers of the department as pensions.
Under this system the chief for example
would on retirement receive pension of but go
per cent of his salary while the private would
receive s. per cent on much smaller annual pay
ment into the pension fund.
Obviously this fat rate of 5000, irrespective
OF the paid in, operated to the disadvantage of
the officers and it is to remove this inequality and
place all members of the department on as nearly
the same footing possible that the new pension
bill is designed.
No change is made in the amount of pension
TO be paid privates That remains at 5000 or &
per cent OF the wages they receive Pensions OF
officers are fixed at 20 per cent 80 their sa'a-ce
and on such basis il is iinpo.s sble to conceive
how any sensible member Of ttc oity council can
claim any injustice will be done tho rank and file
As a matter OF fact there will still be differ
ence OF per cent. in favor OF the privatcs. mas
much as they will receive $ per cent. while the
officers will be given but 20 per cent of their
salaries on retirement.
Instead of operating unfairly toward the rank
and Gle OF the FIRE department the nrw pension sys-
tenn will remove an injustice against the officers,