Evening star., 1915-03-24
Need of Legislation in Interest
of Police and Firemen Shown
by Recent Collision.
PENSIONERS MUST BEAR
EXPENSE OF MEN HURT
Deficit This Year Is Estimated at
$40, ,00O-1njured Are All
Doing Well.


police and firemen's pension roll on Il sus-
tanning basis again has been einpha asized
as a result of the recent collision between
No motor truck and a taNicab, at
Pennsylvania avenue and 9Th street
northwest, Monday afternoon, which seri-
ousiy injured eight fireren.
Not only is there a possibility of some
of the firemen hurt in the accident be
coming permanent pensioners. but those
whose names are now carried on the roll
will be required to meet the expenses
incurred for medical attention to the in
jured men outside of the attention
rendered them by the board of police
and fire surgeons
This expense probably will amount to
$500. and must come out Of the money
available for pension payments. which
already shows deficit of 20 per cent
for the current month. Last month the
deficit was 40 per cent.
District Should Bear Expense.
Pensioners, among them many
widows, whose sole means of support
are the small amounts paid them by
the District. do not complain over be-
ing required to make this contribution,
but 1t is urged by those who have
given the question any thought that
the District and not the pensioners
should bear the entire cost of medical
attention rendered policemen or fire
men who are injured while In the per
formance of their duties.
The Commissioners are certain to
make a most fervid appeal to Congress
at it's next session to place the pension
system on a stable basis. Pension de-
f1cits this year. 1t is estimated, will to-
tai $4,000. The total deficit, including
the estimated amount for the current
year, is about $4,000. Many citizens
associations have become interested in
the matter and will, 1t is expected, join
with the Commissioners in appealing to
Congress for remedial legislation.
Six Still at Hospital.
Six OF the injured f1remen were still in
Emergency Hospital today. Private
William T. Coulter was the only one who
had gone home. He went to his home at
S07i. 10th street southwest Monday, and
returned yesterday for an x-ray picture.
DR.. Thomas A. Groover, x-ray expert
at the hospital, finished his pictures of
ported the result to DR.. Harry Lewis, su-
In Capt. w. A Dixon's leg were broken,
but the attending surgeons think they
will be able to save the leg.
Private John B. LeaveIIe sustained a
fracture of the elbow and possible
internal injuries, well as minor
bruises. His condition was critical
when he reached the hospital, but he
was much better this morning, and his
father and wife We're told that his
chances for complete recovery. were
exceedingly good.
Injuries to Others.
A broken collarbone was the most
serious injury John w. Hurdle sus-
tanned, the x-ray picture showed w. T.
Coulter has a slight fracture of one
ankle, and Frank Il. lFrere sustained
slight fracture of one wrist Will
liam a. Smith. Clarence l.. Euffner and
Charles T.. Gibson escaped fractures.
Physicians report that all the patients
In the hospital are doing sp!eildidts
Clarence Ruffncr was able 10 sit up and
participate il A game of checkers with
:. small boy who is under treatment for
u broken arm. aud Smith and Gibson were
anxious to go to their homes.
John BraSSc, driver of the taxicab, was
released late yesterday afternoon ON S1.0
collateral. The charges against him were
not tried in Police Court this morning,
but the cases were postponed indcfinitell
and viii not be called until tile inyeSti-
CATION of the affair is complete.
Police Have Forty-Nine Witnesses.
Capt. c. +. E. FIsther of the sixth
precinct has obtained the names of
forty-nine witnesses to the accident.
He was at Pennsy lvania avenue and
6th street this morning making meas
urements to show hat distance the
truck was from the street car tracks
when the accident happened. and also
to determine the exact course of tn.
taNicab that was part of funeral
procession.
operating his vehicle at fast rate
of speed when the accident happened.
one witness told the police that
Brasses vehicle was some distance be-
hind other vehicles i'll the funeral pro
cession and that he seemed to be
speeding TO ovcrt;tke the others.
Thomas NJ. Robinson. superintendent
of machinery of the fire department.,
took the disab bled truck to the ,lepal L
ments repair shop near North Caro-
lima avenue and eth street southeast,
where it will be repaired
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