Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-07-27
WAGES cut. FIRE
FIGHTERS STRIKE
DISCHARGE or VETERAN CHIEF
KESSLER LAST STRAW-OO
MEN WALK OUT.
OKLAHOMA CITY IN DANGER


OKLAHOMA CITY okla. July %.
Tho city fire department, consist
ing of ninety men went ON strike at
3 o'clock this afternoon The men
began moving their belongings out of
the various stations shortly after
noon. They object TO proposed cut
in their wages and dismissal Of the
chief, Mark Eessler.
A volunteer brigade is being or
ganizrd
The walllout was quiet and with
out demonstration ON the part of the
firemen. They formed a parade and
marched through the business dis
trict. ......-.
Crowds Cheer Strikers.
Except for occasional cheers from
crowds and encouraging words from
friends along the line of march, the
strike was uncvcutful. No attempt
was made TO do any damage and the
fircmcn continued their regular work
until the general signal was given
for the walkout.
Thirty inexperienced men. engag-
ed by Temporary CHIEF Jno. Won Elm.
were detailed nj the various stations.
Telegrams have been sent to Nor
man, il Reno, Guthrie and Shawnee
for extra tircmcn, and il is expected
that enough new men win be em-
ployed TO fiji the department by to-
morrow morning. An alarm was
turned In shortly after the strikers
walked ont and the amateur firomen
responded to the call and extinguish-
vd a small blaze with little difficulty
Tried la Cut Wages.
The strike is the climax to an at
tempt Of the city commissioners to
cut city expenses. when a cut IA the
wages Of fircmen was announced,
the fircmcn issued an utimatum that
their salary be unchanged and that
Fire chief Mark kcsslcr be given alb
solute control Of the department.
The commission Immediately dis
charged Kessler and the strike fol-
lowed A high wind tonight caused
"a general feeling Of anxiety
Firemen issued an ultimatum TO
tn city commissioners yesterday
afternoon declaring that If a proposed
wag" cut were not recalled, they
would walk out in body within %
hours
Immediately upon the receipt Of
the communication the commission
ars met and removed Fire chief
Mark Kcsslcr. whose term had cx-
pir.d and appointed Jno Won Elm
fire warden. temporary chief Won
Elm issued notice to AN firemen tnat
II they execute their threat he will
call for volunteers for the depart
mcnt until trained men can bc i'm
ported.
Cutting vi Expenses.
The fight is the climax of an M
tempt 90 cut the expenses Of the city
90 lower the taxation levy Salaries
iu every city department We're knitted
and the fircmou are the first 10 OBJ
jDot 70 was also planned " reduce
the department ana the Iltimatum
~ The urrmcn says this shah not be
done and the companies now short
Of officers shall be recruited 20 full
strength.
Tho flremcu issued their ultimatum
tO the city commissioners while the
commissioners were discussing res-
Olutluu proposing reduction In sal
aries and In the department force.
Adjournment was taken without def
mite action. The fir'mon state they
will strike at o'clock tomorrow n
ACTION Is taken al a commissioner,
meeting
Wages Considered High
The firemeu ar" now receiving ySj
a month and the proposed cut would
reduce their wages 20 $50. The tax
payers committee assert that $40 Is
the average wage of firemen boz cities
of population approximately the same
as oklahoma CITY The salary OF the
fire chief is cut from $3.50 TO $50
"a month.