Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-29

Commissioner Rudolph told the subcom-
mittee just why the District Of Columbia
needs a pension fund for its fire and police
departments that will not be dependent on
the number of raids made by the police
on high-class 'speakeasies'' whose pro-
prietors can put up several hundred dol
lars in the Police >ourt. The deplorable
condition of a month and half ago,
when a cut-rate pension of about 60 cents
on the dollar was paid, was explained in
full.
The Commissioners argued for the gen.
eral condition that would be created
should the Smith bill. to establish q new
basis for the fund, be made into law
That bill makes 1t possible that the fund
shall really be a stable fund. not fuctu-
fairness of the pocket books of the crooks
and offenders whom the police are able
to convict.
Commissioner Rudolph said:
THE main objects of the proposed legis-
latiOn are to harmonic the rates of pen
sions of the police and fire departments
so that the pensions Of the corresponding
classes of the members of each depart
ment shall be alike: and to increase the
sources of revenue by providing that all
receipts from licenses. except liquor
licenses, shall be available so far as
necessary for that purpose.
No More Expense to Nation.
ANY increase of the pension fund
which this bill might involve would not
entail an additional charge upon the
Treasury of the United States, but, on
the contrary, would diminish the amount
contributed by the United States for ex-
penses OF the government OF the District
of Columbia. as it would to that extent
lessen the amount of District of Columbia
revenues applicable to those expenses Of
the District which are payable in equal
parts by the United States and the Dis
trict of Columbia.
THE first proposed modification of the
bill is that, instead of the payment of
one dollar a month by each member of
the police and fire departments to the
pension fund. as at present, 11a per cent
of the monthly salary of each member
be applied to the purpose of making
! pension fund.
1.-The equity of this proposed change Is
apparent. The beneficiarieS of the fund
should contribute to it in proportion to
their salaries and to the rate OF pension
which they are entitled to receive.
1.-THE bill also proposes to make the
action of the retiring board subject to
the approval. disapproval or modification
by the Commissioners of the District Of
columbia, which will enable the Com
missioners to regulate the amount Of
pension by the requirements OF edcn
case a. they may appear. 1t also Is pro-
posed to invest IT, Commissioners with
power to discontinue any relief or pen
sion where the beneficiary IL found to
be guilty OF improper practices or con-
duct"
Wants Retired Men on Duty.
The Commissioner also explained that
the bill has in 1t clause which the Com
missioners would like to see enacted,
namely, the provision which keeps retired
firemen and policemen on duty TO linn
tied extent all the time. The Commits
sioners believe that in time Of great emer-
gency it would be a good thing to have
even the limited services Of the veterans.
As to the rate Of pensions proposed,
Commissioner Rudolph said:
THE maximum rate proposed is not
greater than the rates established In other
cities corresponding to and exceeding
Washington in population. and Is ma
terially less for the class of police and
fire department ofacers receiving the larg-
er salaries II the maximum should be al
lowed in each case. the increase in the
expenditure over the present outlay on
that account would be very slight; but
the Commissioners believe that, In view
OF the discretion vested In them to reduce
and otherwise regulate the pension allow
ance the annual increase In expenditure
would be immaterial, IL such expediture
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