Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-20


q the Eastern Penitentiary. in their be
half
McKBNTY's WORK
Warden MoKenty, when Director. sue.
| ceeded IN obtaining for the police an In
| crease Of pay. and reorgenlzed the detec-
tlves on an equallzed salary basis. He
also established better system Of pay
| FOR tho House of Correction guards These
evidences OF interest we're cited by the
Rev. Doctor McKenty as guarantee that
the warden would support the men OF the
Fire Bureau.
Public sentiment In behalf OF the firemer
today took such form that the leaders In
| the campaign are beginning to feel that
Mayor Smith and Councils will recognize
the situation as one where any movement
toward It's allevlation will popularity he re-
garded as a master-stroke for Justice and
humanity. Despite tho Mayors expressed
opposition TO Increasing the city payroll AT
this time, II is felt that thograntlne Of the
nremen's request would be looked upon as
redoundinE to the credit Of the Admlnistra-
tlon sanotloning II, and at the same time
making for the added efficiency Of the SER
vice itself.
CoUNCILMI1N WILL HELP
Several members Of Councils, inspired
by the growing impetus Of the campaign
of publicity, have Bigniied their intention
to attend a meeting OF the Hose and Ladder
mems Association tonight when the ques.
tlon OF pay and hours will be discussed.
The CouncIlmen In question voluntarily re-
quested permission TO attend the meeting
which Will be held in Veteran Flremen's
Hall, Tenth street above Brown. In making
the suggestion to the committee In charge
OF the nremon's campaign the Councilmen
took occasion to declare their hearty CO.
operation with tho nremens efforts and TO
pledge support TO any relieving measure
which might come before Councils
INDICATES POPULAR SYMPATHY
This action on the part OF members OF
Councils 10 received by the hremen as in
dicative OF an aroused public sentiment In
favor Of their appeal. Although Mayor
Smith has given no intimatlon OF hin nten-
ton IN the matter Of the petition presented
to him last Tuesday, the nremen are hope.
full that his delay In announcing his posi-
ton is favorable to their cause, They see
also In tho interest being manifested In
their behalf by members OF Councils the
beginning of popular pressure to bring
about revision Of their pay schedule that
will place them on n footing with the fire.
fighters of other cities.
Invitations to attend tonlght's meeting
OF the Hoso and Laddermen's Association
have been extended TO members of the
Finance Committee and several other Coun-
cllmen The hremen feel that Councilmanio
disregard Of their condition has arisen, not
from any intent to slight or overlook the
hremen, but from unfamilnrIty with the
actual working conditions under which they
labor.
This lack Of acquaintance with the regu-
lations of the Fire Bureau is by no means
restricted to the private citizen. A former
Councilman. chairman of the Finance Com
mittee at the time, in visiting n fire sta
tion expressed surprise that beds were in
use.
II always supposed you men were so
disposed that half OF your company slept
At home during the night and that the others
went Off when tho first squad returned to
the engine house"
The impression prevailing today among
the firemen believe, is different
and tho change of feeling Ia growing moro
and more favorable to the men of the bu-
reau as existing conditions and the need |
for remedy therefor become apparent.
Tho action OF Senator Penrose in openly |
pledging his support to the movement, and |
the signing of the flremen's petition by
State Senator'S Ware and McNichol, 1t is be. |
loved by tho hremen, presages non
partisan approval of the movement for |
higher wages.