The labor world., 1917-02-03
FIREMEN'S RIGHTS.

For some reason difficult to understand, the
safety commissioner, Mr. Sbcrstein, has seen fit
to continue in operation the old rule regulating
the activities of members Of the fire department and
which reads fooWs
''No member shall take part in any election by
distributing printed matter eectioneerng in any
way, and no association, club society for the pur
pose of influencing legislation either IN state or
city will be permitted"
During the recent election in Duluth on the wet
and dry issue the mayor attempted to prevent all
city employees from participating in the contest.
Commissioner Merritt promptly notified the mayor
that so far as the employees of his Mr. Merritt s,
department were concerned, they could go far
they liked unless their activity lnterfered with
their duties city employees.
Public sentiment with Commissioner Mer-
ritt and opposed to the position Of the mayor.
Just why should the fremen be placed in class
by themselves treated as little children furnished
with list Of don 'ts'' and otherwise hampered in
their natural rights as American citizens? 1t is up
to Mr. Silbcrstcn to explain. The columns of The
Labor World open to him.
Formerly the fremen duty twenty -four
hours per day. If such rule as we have quoted
above necessary under the old system, it is
clearly not necessary under the double platoon.
Is there any reason under the sun why fireman
should be denied the right to distribute printed
MATTER elcctonecr in any way; be denied the right
to join any association club society for the pur
pose of influencing legislation?
Shall the city fremcn be denied the ri ght to
form club for the purpose Of seeking redress of
grievances through the city council or the state
legislature? Did the people Of Duluth say this rule
should govern the natural lights of citizenship Of
the Duluth firemen when they voted by majority
of four to to treat the firemen as other human
beings are treated?
The city commission gave the iremen the cold
shoulder when the latter appealed to them for re-
dress early last summer. The frefghters were
obliged to go the heads Of the city commission
and appeal directly to the people. The issue
plain justice The firemen got t-from the people,
They have the people to thank and not the commits
sion.
Let's read it again just for the fun of the thing
Because it s amusing o-member-shal-tak
- part - in -any-election- -dstrbuting-
printed-matter-or r-eectioneering - in amy, ~
way-and--no-asso sociation,-club or society,"
-the-purpose - of-infuencing-le
--either- in - the state -Or-city-wl-be-
permitted. ..
Now, Mr.. Fire Fighter, don you breathe word
regarding the coming election in Duluth Dom
you tell anybody who you going to vote for
Don't you mention politics in your lodge room, and
don't-for heavens sakc-don't you stoop to talk
politics with your comrades in the fire halls or any,
where else.
You will be allowed to cast your ballot But
carry your heads erect look neither to the right nor
the left when you walk into the election BOOTH and
don you even think who you going to vote for
or what you voting for.
And when you are through with this heavy re-
sponsibility, you go straight home. So there!
Mr. Commissioner of Public Safety May a
fireman take his wife and kddies to picture show
some night when re isn't working?
You see, Mr. COMMISSIONER the people didnt
vote directly this picture show business last June
and your rules do not make the fremen's rights in
this respect quite clear