Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-15

William H. Murphy. Chief Engineer of
the Philadelphia Fire Department, said TO-
day that he would confer with director
Wilson, about a proposed political as
sessment' which the Republican Organiza-
ton plans to impose on city firemen.
Chief Murphy, whose attention was called
20 the attempted "gouge" today, said that
no order has gone forth from MS oirlce
sancttoning contributions from hremen'
Those familiar with the scheme denounce
q az the most brazen in political gang
dom
IT shall bring this matter before Director
WILSON," said Chief Murphy. who had JUST
issued orders to every firehouse In the city
instructing the men to Keep out OF poii'iea'
and factional fights
ar there Is a movement on foot to obtain
contributions from firenien for political pur-
poses" added Chief Murphy, Il never sane
toned 1t. A fireman, however, has as mucn
right to make contribution TO pont'ca,
party as a merchant or banker-put le,
that contribution be voluntary one ana
not compulsory"
The Philadelphia Firemen's Association
which has a membership Of about 72b city
fremen, including a battalion CHER, TO-DAY
through its president James Sinister, mace
public some facts of the attempt to SHAKE
down" the fremen. This association, at its
next meeting. September 20. to be held IN
the Parkway Building. will call upon ts
Z members not TO make any voluntary con-
tributions"
MAY APPEAL TO MAYOR
n necessary. an appeal will lbe made d.
rect TO Mayor Smith and he will be re-
ouested to issue statement over MS
signature telling the firemen that they
should have no fear of being persecuteo
in the event they refused to give up. Inc
I Civic Club and other organizations In TINS
city will be asked by the Philadelphia
Hst, IN
This Is the second bureau OF the satety
department which has taken the stano
against political assessments The Pa
trolmen's Benevolent and Protective Asso
citation. which has membership or more
than 1000 city policemen. has already an
nounced that it won't be "gouged." The po
licemen were asked to contribute the sum o.
e2S each.
The names of several firerhen who were
asked pointblank to contribute S22 are II
possession of the fremen's association
likewise the names of the men VINO arr
acting az collectors"
Evidence in possession OF the firemen'
association shows that a battalion chief ha
+ been very active in a certain part OF tn
city This particular battalion chief ha
been using his pulp with Republican or
N Ganization ward leader as bait" for get
ting contributions
The canvass to get contributions doesn'
only effect ordinary firemen. 1t also ap
plies to battalion chiefs. captains, lieuten
ants and others. AS yet no actual con
tribution has been made. The last few day
has been spent in obtaining persona
pledges.
Indignation regns today in almost ever,
nrehouse over the proposed "shakedown.
Firemen have been given to understand II
the usual way that IL they failed to con
tribute they would be transferred to station!
miles away from their homes. Intimatior
has also been given to the men that charge:
would be preferred against them for trivia
Affairs some of which offenses were com
mitted months ago, but strangely forgotten
BY their superiors.