Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-21

3AAbAN Va Nhbh iip phNbNAuNhN9s- -
new phase was given to the flremen's
campaign for fair living salary and
eauitablo working conditions today when
movement TO place the situation In new
light before tho business mon OF Philadel-
phla was begun
The men in the service as we'll as their
leaders are convinced that. after all, tho
problem OF an adequately paid and equipped
fire-hghting organization Affects tho prop
arty owner vitality MS II docs the men In
the ranks OF the engine and truck com
panies.
They believe that when tho facts Of their
condition arc known to the mon whose
property is in their keeping at all hours Of
tho day and night the merchants business
instinct will lead him TO demand from the
Mayor and Councils mon and equipment
alike adequate In number and condition TO
safeguard tho millions no has at stake.
Result of this realization OF present con-
ditIona, they believe, viii strike tho most
caiiousod observer OF facts In his one
tender spot, his pocketbook, and induce him
60 bring pressure to bear upon his Council
man and the Mayor. as a plain matter OF
civic Justice, TO create force or ilremen'
paid and maintained upon n plane behtting
the city and It's requirements.
NEW PLAN PROPOSED
Ths germ OF this new move was launched
ut n meeting of the Hose and LRddermens
Association last night at Veteran Flromens
Hall. Tenth street above Brown. Every
company In the city was represented by
Delegate and the full membership of the
campaign committee was also present.
Norris t. Conn, Common Councilman
from the Eighth Ward and a member OF tho
Committees on Finance and Police and Fire,
was the chief speaker. Two other Council
men, Frank Gray of the Thirty-fourth
Ward, another member of the Committee on
Hpsa1I md nd
of the Fortleth Ward framer of the pending
ordinance granting n pay increase and re-
adjustment OF the hremens working hours,
also spoke.
All three Councilmen pledged their In
divfduRl support to tho campaign and virtu-
ally assured their hearers that the fight
had reached stage where victory might
be anticipated Messrs. Thompson and Gray
declared that their associates In tho West
Philadelphia wards were with them in their
stand and that popular sympathy west of
the Schuylklll was unit on behalf OF
the fremen
Mr. Conn, however. sounded the keynote
of the meeting. AS n member of the FL
nance Committee, he declared that the
course of action was to take I'm the fight
on the floor of Councils when tho budget
for next year came up for action. Then.
he urged. the champions of the firemen
should insist that provision for the pro-
posed salary change be Incorporated. To
create sentiment that should be convincing
10 the trainers OF the appropriation bills
he advised that business men be interested
moro actively In the question from the
selfish viewpoint of their own protection,
1t Is more than a mere salary question
that oonfronts the merchant and property
owner, he said. With an underpaid, over
worked and undermRnned fire bureau to
look after the millions of dollars In build
ings and contents now located In the citys
center. Mr.. Conn contended he must be n
F1aa.
measure looking to greater safeguarding of
his great investment, even II that added
protection involves n matter OF two OF three
cents n year In the amount of taxes
seassd against the property under pro-
lection
MATTER OF SELF-INTEREsT
He promised success to the flremsn II
the business interests OF Philadelphia would
regard the problem In its proper aspect AS
belonging 70 them and primarily designed
20 afford them and their goods greater
security. That the hremen themselves
pronted was secondary. he argued.
Acting upon the suggestion thus held
out. the campaign committee decided TO in
augurate a new visitation of the business
interests which already have signed their
petition to the Mayor and solicit their per-
sonal Influence and efforts to bring about
sarly legislation.
The firemen are much encouraged by the
EEAQI CO-opuTdtion bHOWn Dy Lne men at the
head OF the Bureau OF Firs. Both Chief En-
sfneer Murphy and Deputy Chief Ross Davis
have expressed themselves In full sympathy
with tho cause of the men and are lending
every assistance TO impress upon the public
the Justice Of the claims they are now press
Ing
Battalion chiefs and other officials OF the
bureau are In equal accord with the move
nnsnt ana their assistance in aiding 70 in
form the public OF the hitherto unknown
details and incidents OF the iremen's lot
is doing much to encourage the rank and
ME In their campaign.
That Mayor Smith will be found among
the supporters OF their plea before Councils
many OF the nremen today believe The
Mayor, they declare, has never manifested
the slightest intent or desire TO stand IN
opposition TO public desire. The recent
awakening OF popular Interest on the fire.
mems behalf, based upon the Justness of
establishing a fair living wage and more
nearable working hours for men who now
do heroic work at less pay than rewards
the day lAborer and city messengers, Is
growing 80 rapidly and with such force |
that the men Of the bureau believe that |
the Mayor win be found. when the time /
rofnes 20 speak, IN the forefront OF their |
aevocates with Councils.
PUBLIC RESPONDING SWIFTLY
1hs alaerity and unanimity with which
lha Methodist Preachers Association es.
saaaed their cause Is accepted By the fire.
fsen as Indicative Of similar action BY other
representative bodies. not only Of the
e|srEy, but OF business organizations as
zen TIE chief obstacle OF the campaign
- been the clearing away Of the prevail
l14 Ignorance on the part of the public Of
list what . lreman Is called upon 70 do.
+ ia sought 70 ahoW the public that this
enty extends far beyond the spectacular. al
.houEh dangerous, response TO alarms Of
as
aaa that the campaign OF publicity has
e great measure established the true con-
t'1a tta hransn ara receiving responses
q 41eqafa8 8enent from al directions. Not /
81 private individuals and business men
aecIefinE themselyes ID favor 81 the
~ petition but members of Coun
W a other innuenkai pphlie o1i-
-.