The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-05-01
SALT LAKES FIRE FORCE RESIGNS;
REFUSAL Of HIGHER PAY THE CAUSE
What City Heads and
Citizens Say of Crisis
FOLLOWING uews expressed BY the city commissioners
prominent citizens h reference the action of the Salt Lake
6remen in resignng because refused higher pay.

MAYOR SAMUEL G. PARK, commits
sioner Of public safety have done
all I could to bring about the increase
in the pay of the firemen. Members
Of the department have been resign
ing IN groups Of twos and threes for
some time because they did not be-
lieye they were getting all the pay
they were entitled to, and i have re-
peatedly warned the commissioners of
the danger that the department would
be crippled and its efficiency dissipat-
ed if the increase were not granted 1
do not believe anything can be done
in the matter but to accept the resig.
nations in view of the stand taken by
majority of the commissioners. 1t
is an unprecedented situation. l do
not know whether it would be pos
sible TO recruit full fire lighting
crew in time to avert possible disaster
in case the fremen resign in body.
There is not single application for
employment in the department on
hand now that ] know of. Men are
not anxious to work for the salary
now allowed the firemen in view of
the long hours and the hazards Of the
life they lead.
GEORGE D. KEYSER, commissioner Of
parks and public property voted
for the increase in pay for the firemen
and / shall do so again if the oppor~
tunity arises. They are certainly en-
titled to it if any Of the city en-
ployees are. 1 am sorry, indeed. to
learn that they intend to leave the
service.
works-You can bet your life the res
ignations of the firemeu will be ac-
cepted SO far as my vote goes. Their
threatened walkout certainly presents
no additional reason why I should
change my stand in the matter The
majority of the commission has decid-
ed that the city cannot afford to in
crease the pay of the fremen at this
time and that ought to settle the mat
ter. II the 6remen want to quit that
is their own matter, and I for one do
not wish to retain in the city employ
any person not satisfied with their
jobs. Furthermore. it would be dan
gerous for the city to retain body Of
denly at any time and leave the city
in the lurch. When the budget was
being considered made a motion for
a Slight increase for the firemen, but
the commissioner Of public safety
took the stand Of all or nothing.
RICHARD P. MORRIS, commissioner Of
streets and public improvements
am sorry to hear the firemen are GO
ing to quit the service in body, but
that fact can have no effect on the
stand I have taken in the matter of
increasing their salaries. I would like
to see them get the increase, but it
cannot be done ludiciously at present
The city's financial condition will not
warrant it and L am not in favor OF
increasing salaries in one department
in preference to another, If the res
ignations are presented l shall be
compelled to vote to accept them.
HENRY w, LAWRENCE. commissioner
of finance and public affairs-When
the budget for the year was consid-
cred the commission allowed all it be.
lieved advisable for the department
Of public safety. Since then there
has been an attempt to force upon the
city n thing to which the majority Of