Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-02-08
F|REMEN FIGHT
THE PASSAGE OF
HOUSE BILL 80
Lively Interest Shown in Meas
ure to Pension Former
Chief Benedict.
TRUSTEES OF NEWARK
FUND LEAD BATTLE
They Hold That the Act Is Spe-
ciaI, Therefore Unconstitu-
tionaI-Benedict Busy.

Special to the Evening Star.
TRENTON, Feb. s.-Not the least
interesting fight now in progress In
the Legislature is that over Assem-
bly, bill No. so, introduced by As
semblyman George NJ. Titus, of
Essex county. It is attracting State
wide attention, particularly among
firemen, who are unit in opposition
to the measure.
The bill provides pension Of 81. 500
per annum for any chief engineer of
any city fire department who has
been injured in the service, who has
been a member of the department for
at least twenty-four years and held
the Office for seven years, and who
shall have attained the age of sew
enty-five years.
FIremen declare that this meas
ure exactly fits the case of David e.
Benedict, a former chief of the New
ark fire department. They are VI
against the bill, not because it is in
tended to benefit Benedict. but for
the reason that they consider the
proposition wrong in principle.
Similar Bill Failed Last Year.
Last year, it is said. a similar bill
failed to even get a foothold in the
Legislature, having been dlsapproved
by the Newark legislative conference,
and the same body has placed the
stamp of disapproval on No so this
year. The measure affects, in a de-
gree. municipal finances.
But Benedict is working hard for
the measure, and, 1t is understood,
has interested the Essex Republican
Assem- blymen, through the instru-
mentality of County Counsel Alfred
N. Dalrymple in his behalf. That is
the story carried here from Newark.
and it goes further into details. One
or two Essex members, who were hot
in their opposition to a like bill one
year ago when 1t was q certainty
that 1t was hopelessly beaten, are re-
ported to have experienced q change
Of heart. by request"
Benedict Makes Plea.
On Monday night last Chief Bene-
dict appeared before the COMMITTEES
on municipal corporations and was
granted hearing. He explained that
he had been member of the Newark
fire department for twenty-four years,
was its chief for seven years. up to
1888, when change in the political
complexion of the Newark Board of
Aldermen led to his removal. He
pointed to scars on his chin and his
hands, which he said were the result
of injuries received in the fire service.
1t was not until about two and one
half years ago, he added, that the
effects of these injuries began to tell
on him. The former chief spoke for
fifteen minutes, during which time
Chairman Peacock asked him several
pointed questions and manifested his
disfavor of the bill. Assemblynlan
Barbour, of Passaic county, who Is
himse t an exempt fireman, took sharp
exception to Benedict's representa-
tions whereat there was spirited tilt
between Benedict and Barbour.
There were present from Newark,
in apparent hostility to the bill. Fire
Commissioner George Ashley and City
Counsel Spaulding Frazer, besides a
delegation of firemen.
The next morning the measure was
reported out of the committee with
out Recommendation, but its friends
in the Legislature promptly had 1t
placed on second reading. which may
mean that it will be brought up to-
night for third reading and final pas
sage.
Firemen Tell Their story.
While Benedict has not been allow
ing the grass to grow under his feet
the firemen have not been asleep by
any means. They have presented
their reasons for fighting Assembly
No. so in this form of argument:
Special legislation is unconstitu-
tional,
Assembly bill so is special legisla-
tion if there ever was anything like
special legislation in the wide world.
'It Is worse than special legisla-
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