Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-25

Definite and positive promise that the
cause of the Philadelphia nremen will have
the earliest practicable attention of Coun.
ella has been made by prominent and in.
fuential members of the clty's law.mak.ng
body.
of the way the members of the Committee
of Finance are now in position to give their
attention to other matters of moment. Two
members of that committee, in response
TO questions as to their position in regard
10 the flremen's petition for alleviaton OF
working conditions, gave positive assur-
ance that they were heartily In favor of
the firemen. and that at the next meeting
OF Councils they would present n resolu-
tlon to bring their cause before the cham.
per for action that would better both pay
anil working conditions.
O,nar members Of the Finance Commit
tee snd OF Councils at large, while not
yenturing to express such open advocacy of
the lremen at this time, declare that the
forces behind the firemen's appeal have but
to make 1t apparent to the Councilmen In
their respective wards that they want the
fre-hghters cared for, and the battle will
be won.
PERSONAL APPEAL
Petitions to the Mayor and to council
manic committees may have some value,
but, as one Councilman today expressed
himself:
It is true the foremost business men
and property owners have signed the
petition to the Mayor and that real
estate owners have petitioned the
Finance Committee, but will those very
sgners back up that action by visiting
me or other members of Councils and
assure us that they Will stand back
of us in making provision for the fire.
men? / realize the necessity of the
fremen, and will be only too glad to
Nrnfa fpr better
their condition, but where are the resi-
dents of my ward? They are the per-
sons / represent and to whom l am
accountable. If they were to come to
me or to the Finance Committee and
say they were in favor of the firemens
request and would back me up in sup
porting 1t, or any other Councilman
would be only too quick to provide
the means of relief An aroused pub
lie opinion is united force too potent
for any one, Councilman or otherwise,
to resist, and If these friends of the
hremen who have signed their petition
will take the matter up with their
Councilmen in person the fight is won.
The firemen are entitled to relief, and
how soon they get 1t is up to their
friends Councils will provide the money
II their constituents demand 1t.
MEN NOT DISCOURAGED
In-no wise disconnected by the failure
Of the Finance Committee to provide speclf-
ically for their betterment in the tax rate
legislation the firemen, through their cam
paign committee, are resolved to keep up
their efforts to arouse the public sentiment
in their cause They are making renewed
endeavor to enlist the influence of popular
pressure upon the members of Councils in
every ward in order that measures to ef-
feet their liberation from present condi-
lions may be introduced and brought up
for passage without delay.
The committee on social betterment OF
the New Century Club today sent letter
to the Finance Committee. this action fol-
lowing an interview with Director Wilson
recently held, in which the Director took
occasion to express his hearty sympathy
with the firemen and their efforts to obtain
recognition.