The Montgomery tribune., 1910-10-07
POLICE PENSION
FAVORED BY BOARD
ST. LOUIS COMMISSIONERS DRAFT
RESOLUTIONS URGING SUP
PORT.
HADLEY AND FOLK APPROVE
Amendment VIII Build Up Depart
ment In Three Large Missouri
Cities.

of the Board Of Police Commissioners
in st. Louis indorse the proposed
amendment to the Constitution OF
Missouri to be submitted to the peo-
pie in November, granting the cities
the right to establish pension sys-
tenn for old and disabled policemen.
And just as emphatic as the indorse-
ment Of the police board is the ap-
proval given the amendment by Gov.
Hadley and former Gov. Folk. This
shows there is no political question
whatever involved-that 1t Is a hui
manitarian question, and not one OF
politics. I
Neither the members of the board,
nor the present or former governor
can have more of an interest in the
question than a desire to see the de-
partment brought up to it's highest
efficiency. So eager are the members
of the amendment that they have
drafted an address to the public on
the question. In it they say:
ITO the Public of Missouri:
THE undersigned, Board Of Police
Commissioners Of the City of st.
Louis, respectfully suggests to the vot-
ers of this state that an amendment
to section Al, Of article 4 Of the con-
stitution of this state, will be submit
ted as amendment No. l, for their ap-
proval or disapproval at the next No
vember election.
1.-THE purpose of this amendment is
to authorize the legislature of this
state to provide, in such manner as
the legislature may deem proper,
pension fund for the benefit and re-
lief of members of the police depart
ment in cities having 100000 inhabi-
tants or more, who have become dis
abled in the public service by casual
ty, disease or age, from rendering full
service in their respective depart
ments.
"We ask each OF the voters of the
state, without regard to political affil-
iations, to read the amendment, and
! we ask that the policemen who come
within It's purview, or may hereafter
come within it's purview, may be pro-
tected by you by this amendment. 1t
is most WORTH and just object, and
the legislature of this state should be
permitted to provide by legislation for
carrying out just the purposes set
| forth in the amendment, and we ap-
peal, on behalf of the policemen of
this city, without regard to political
or religious belief, to the public for
its support.
| "Matt G. Reynolds, President,
John A. Laird, Vice-President,
"F. H. Kreismann, Mayor and ex-
Officio Member,
lotto L. Teichmann,
Hobart Brinsmade"
The approval by the police board
merely expresses the judgment of the
entire city. 1t is further expressed by
former governor of the state, who is
entirely familiar with conditions in all
of the cities, and especially in st.
Louis.
Former Gov. Folk says Of the
amendments:
Men who serve the public faithful
ly for years on the small salary po-
lice officers get should not be left in
the evening of life as the subjects OF
charity. The certainty of support as
long as they live and do their duty
will make the officers do better work.
and have tendency to remove them
from those influences that tend to i'm
proper practice in order to insure a
competency against old age or acci-
dent. This pension Is to be paid by
the cities affected, and not by the
state, as understand the amendment,
and the officers who will be entitled
to the pension will be SO few that the
burden Of it will be lightly felt. The
officers SO pensioned are to be mem
bers of reserve force for emergency
service as far as their disabilities will
permit. and thus give value received.
such pensions are now allowed
firemen. These and police officers by
reason of the dangers incident to
, their duties are in class different
from other branches of the public SER
vice, and are entitled to insurance
against the disabilities of casualty and
. the infirmities of age"
Governor Hadley expresses himself
briefly and to the point, as follows:
II favor the proposed amendment to
the constitution, giving the legislature
authority to provide for pension sys-
tenn for those police officers who may
be injured In the performance of their
, duties.
Very truly yours,
Herbert s. Hadley, Governor"
: Approval of the proposed amend.
ment is by no means confined to
the police board and newspapers. The
citizens generally are in favor Of q
(. plan whereby the police may be as
sisted when they are disabled as 9