Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-06
FIREMEN SHOW METTLE
AT GIMBEL BLAZE
Heroism Equal to Emergency
When Flames Menace Large
Business District

Asa result of the heroic labors performed
by the men of Chief Murphy's command,
the fire in the Gimbe warehouse was pre-
vented from eating its destructive way
across considerable section of the city
with an appetite whetted by biting cold and
driving wind
As a secondary result of that herculean
task successfully performed, several MEM
bers Of the already depleted fire-ighting
force of the city of Philadelphia are in hos
pitals or incapacitated from duty today.
There is no one available to supply their
places with their companies, which for the
most part are located within the zone known
as the fire belt" for the city does not
maintain acy list of substitutes and there
is no emergency fund from which Chief
Murphy may draw to hire the needed men
to equip his bureau.
This situation has been made known to
City Councils by the chief in his annual
report by the firemen themselves in their
campaign for more equitable hours ana
proper pay, by numerous petitions bearing
+ the signature of virtually every business
man on Chestnut and Market streets. the
insurance men of Philadelphia and finally
by the wives and children of the fremen.
To these appeals of the practical mer-
chant, the calculating broker, the depen-
dent, and to all other arguments the mem
bers of Councils have replied by a silence
that is eloquent in its contrast to the re-
sponse of the fremen on Saturday when
the warehouse fire menaced a goodly por-
tion Of the western Market street business
section.
At risk of life and limb these underpaid
and overworked servants of a city that
mas long borne the brand Of corrupt and
contented" carried frozen hoselines up ice
crusted ladders TO pour the feeble water
streams that trickled from the nozzles into
sNg 90, p,,1 hoo hnf
fronted them. They clung to their posts
IN some cases until chopped away by AK
bearing comrades, or in other instances pa
troled the blazing interior of the building
IN search of imprisoned employees until
their own peril became so imminent that
they were obliged TO leap for life into
blankets or nets held by their fellows on
the streets
expressions of sympathy and appreciation
OF their bravery have been received by the
nremen from citizens who witnessed their
desperate and victorious battle, and many
persons who realize now. never before,
Inc Justice of the firemen's claim to rate
OF pay at least equal to the salary given
10 City Hall messenger or elevator Oper-
hor, have so expressed themselves in
letters to the officials of the bureau,
Many Of these sympath zers learned to-
oay Tor the first time also. that Philadel-
pnla docs not pay its injured hremen, even
'nough disabled in performances of their
auty The medical attendance furnished
Is charged to the fireman himself, whether
~ comes from his family physic an or hos
p'aL This treatment frequently extends
over period long after the fire to which
owes its origin has been forgotten, and
sdds TO the already heavy financial burden
winch the hoseman is compelled to bear in
ADDITION to his household expenses.
chief Murphy and the fremen's cam
palsn committee are hopeful that the les
eon OF the Gimbel warehouse fire will
serve as an additional incentive for Coun-
Gus 10 yield to the request of the fremen
ana ana their friends for consideration OF
Me existing conditions in the Bureau and
serve TO put an end to the neglect of tina,
essential and most loyal or the various arms
III 'he municipal protective system.