Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-21
POLICE MAY GET
FREE CAR RIDES
Public Utilities Commission Is
Expected to Restore
Privilege.
HAROSHIPS WORKED
BY PRESENT SYSTEM
Firemen Also Have Felt Cost of
Observation-Disclosures for
Change.

That the public utilities commission will
restore to members of the police and fire
departments of the District the privilege
of accepting free transportation on local
street lines. following an opinion by Cor
poration Counsel Syme TO the effect that
the practice would not be in violation of
the public utilities law, was the belief
of District officials generally yesterday.
Commissioner Siddons to whom the
opinion was submitted, did not have an
opportunity to examine il yesterday. but
ne stated that it was his intention to
take the matter up early this week and.
in the event he agreed with the legal
points advanced by the. CORPORATION coun-
sci. to urge immediate modification of the
commission $ former action taking away
from policemen and firemen the right to
ride free on street cars.
Complaint of Hardships.
There has been much complaint OF the
hardships worked by the order, which
was adopted only because of the conclu-
sion. reached b. the utilities board nat
the acceptance by policemen or firemen
of free rides on street cars would amount
To a discrimination in violation of the
utilities law. Corporation Counsel Syme
advances the 'ontention tIat the pres
ence Of uniformed members of the police
and fire departments exeTts a moral eff
feet which is compensation for the trans
portaton afforded and that no discrimi
nation exists by reason of their riding
free
Maj. Sylvester. superintendent of
police and Fire Chief Wagner have both
been insistent in pointing out the heavy
financial burden which the ruling has
imposed on the members of the two de-
parfments The former official, in his
annual report. recently submitted to the
commissioners, discusses the matter at
length
Cost OF Transportation.
The deprivation OF street railway
privileges to members of the police force
Is working a hardship. he says. in that
distances TO and from the courts. be-
tween points to which they may be de-
tailed and back and forth to their homes,
are for the most part extended in this
jurisdiction. and the decision entails
upon the members a new expenditure
varying from 81 to So per month. the
average expense being So or 81 per
month.
The officer" continues Maj. Sylvester.
who may alight from a street railway
car to make an arrest for a violation or
law must of necessity pay an additional
carfare after he has restrained the
prisoner. The members of the force as
signed 10 the various events requiring
police attention incur a railway expense
which at the end of the month makes
inroad on their salaries The situation
works real Hardship. not only with the
members of the force. but it falls heavily
upon their families.
Advantage of Privilege.
4 ruling is recommended looking TO
the renewal of this privilege 10 men,
oers of the police and fire departments.
and IN this connection ii might he added
that in its movements to and fro the
travelling public receives an assurance
and protection which is not afforded
otherwise. Many members Of the force
going TO and coming from their homes.
since the abrogation of the privilege.
wear their civilian clothing. instead OF
the uniform which formerly afforded
transportation. which to a large extent
takes away the moral effect which pre-
vailed where there was presence of au-
thority as indicated by the uniform and
badge.
The officer of class one, who receives
S14 a month in payment of his services,
found it extremely difficult to maintain
himself and family as matters were
after paying monthly rebate to the
pension fund. an instaliment on clothing
o. discipline penalty and other expenses.