Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-20
PLEA FOR THE FIREMAN
IN CAR FARE EXPENSE
Writer Thinks Him Equally De-
serving With Police for Com
missions Consideration.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
1t was with interest that L read the
article you published in The Sunday
Star July Is, relative to the hardships
produced by the action of the utilities
commission upon the policemen of this
city. The several facts as stated in
your paper were only too true and
many of these men will suffer material
ly through the payment OF several dol
iars each month for car fale.
There is another class of public
servants. however. which, 1 believe. is
affected more seriously than the police
man. Little is known of the firemen
of our city except when we are noti-
fed by the rush of the plunging steeds
pulling the apparatus through the
streets and the ringing of the we'll
known bells when these men are re-
spending to some fire. Then our ad-
miration for them is aroused to the
highest pitcn of enthusiasm. May
state n few facts regarding the ordi-
nary routine life of this class of men,
hoping that it will reach the public
through your paper.
First, permit me to say that the
policeman works eight hours and is
paid on a. graded scale until the pri-
waite receives a recompense of 500 per
month. He has time home with his
family, which allows him to become
acquainted with the children in that
home.
The fireman is situated differently
Twenty-four hours is the length of his
working day, with three hours off for
meals. Every fifth day he may be
home. though subject to call if a fire
occurs. His family knows little about
Ii a. t..
and boys. who are in school during
most OF the months OF the year. His
duties husband and father are sadly
interrupted by these infrequent periods
of horne life.
Referring again To the hours per
raitted for meals, the majority of men
divide the three into two periods of
one ana one-half hours each. Many
;ivc outside of walking distance from
the engine house. The result is that
+ they must ride the cars and max G
i the closest connections possible that
| they may eat. Under this arrangement
some men have twenty to thirty min
utes at home twice day, making In
all forty TO sixty minutes with their
| families.
| The new regulation, as instituted by
| the utilities commission. has changed
| even this short space of time at home
| for many men Those men who live al
such a distance where two lines OF
cars must be utilized to effect the proper
connections for meals have been forced
| to cut down to one meal a day, with
! two box lunches at the engine house
| Those who continue to. go home twice a
day pay $i.S0 TO 500 per month car fare
| When he has a day off and an alarm
is sounded ne must needs pay car fare
to the place Of the fire for the purpose
Of protecting the property. This is an
added expense and comes from not a
graded stipend, but fixed rate OF $50
or $50 per month.
Case Duplicated With Firemen.
The article in last Sundays Star stat
ing that the captain of the police de-
partment musc sell his home because OF
the added expense upon him is dupHcat-
ed In many instances among the fire.
men. Many Of these men are purchasing
their homes. and with added expenses
something must be done The question
is not the mere fact OF their being able
to use the cars for their meals, but
that Of efficiency.
We want men in public relations to
be able TO perform their duties with high.
est degree OF efficiency. In fact, We de.
mand this of them or ask them to give
way TO some one else who can better Al
the place. How can we, as citizens, ex-
pect man 10 do his duty with such
irregularities n his life rs l have men.
toned? No business man would thini
of negiecting his physical needs MOI
would he think of sacrificing home life
to accomplish a lesser purpose In life.
Is 1t not fair. then. that We as citizens
OF this District should consider the hard
ships placed not only upon policemen, bu
upon the hremen as well. and interes
ourselves in their welfare to the extent
that we try to solve some way whereof,
they can receive at a proper time theil
meals and also have more time in tn,
home, where the responsibilities are Il
| the men and women of tomorrow?
| WALTER GILLIAN.