The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-18
D. c. FIREMEN
TO BECOME
MEMBERS Of
WORLDUNON
By BILL PRICE.


OF FirehghterS, to be organized by
the American Federation OF Habor
February %, and to become AFFILIATED
with that organization.
Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation OF Labor, has
called a meeting of the nfty-one or
I ganized firemen's unions OF the coun-
try, to be held in this city on the date
mentioned. Mr.. Gompers himself will
open the meeting and preside until
officers are elected. He will assist in
making the organization national and
international, and, with other prom
inent speakers. will cheer the firemen
on their way to complete organiza-
ton.
The majority OF Washington fire.
men are members OF City Firemen's
Union, No. 1906, and will not only
be represented by delegates, who have
been selected, but will entertain the
visiting delegates.
The following delegates will be
present from the Washington union:
r. E. -Oden. Serg! w. A. Smith, and
Capt. Edward O'Connor. A committee
to look after : the visiting delegates
consists of Sergeant Smith, Thomas
Buckley. Altman. NJ. w. ThayeB J.
T. Mooney, and S. NJ. Callahan.
VIII AID Immensely.
While Washington fremen do not
say so, they are known TO believe that
their membership in a strong inter-
national union will aid them i'm
mensely In their efforts to obtain
from Congress the creation of a two
platoon system in this city. Their
request for such a system now has
the backing OF the District Commits
sioners, the three trade bodies, all
the citizens associations. many other
organizations, and thousands Of in
dividuals. Commissioner Brownlow
will put forth his best arguments to
have Congress give the local fremen
what they are asking for.
Experience in. various citieS has
proved, however, that the best asset
firemen have had in getting the two
platoon established is their affillation
with organized labor, which ssympa-
thizes heartily with the plea that no
man on earth should be kept on duty
tYentyfour hours at a stretch and
kept away from his family so long
that his own children hardly know
him when he does show up for a bite
to eat.
Regard Plan FaV0rably.
A good many Congressman who
care mighty little what happens to
the District OF Columbia DO care what
organized labor ip their districts may
think II they oppose a proposition to
decrease a mans labors from twenty
four to twelve hours each day.
There is no question that firemen
throughout the country feel kindly
toward our request" said r z. Oden,
president OF the local union. "Of
course, the fremen of all cities are
not under a two-platoon yet, but they
are coming to that, and all OF them
recognize the rights OF hremen in
every city to obtain betterment OF
conditions under which they are lIvr
ing and working.
THE closer we study the recon-
mendations made to Congress by the
District Commissioners the more con-
fident we are that they will, II en-
acted. increase the efficiency of the
department here. improve the health
equality and Justice.
Congress FayoFs Pan.
I'VE have no doubt that Congress
will favor our plea Laws protect
the animal, bird. and fish life OF the
country. protect employees in all lines
OF work. even prevent convicts
working longer than eight hours. yet
hremen are supposed to work
hours without rest. The
call OF humanity goes deep into the
halls OF Congress. / am SIRE, and the
twoplatoon idea Is one of humane
ness.
Under the proposed rev system
there will be a full crew always on
duty and a reserve force of equal
strength in case OF emergencies. In
fact. the system promises to work
out even greater efficiency than