Evening journal., 1918-09-06
BONUS FOR THE
CITY POLICEMEN
Men Will Get 65 Per Cent
of Money That
Accumulates
MEANS AT LEAST
$50 PER MAN

The much mooted question OF a wage
Increase for the rank and 1le OF the
police department was discussed by
members Of City Council I'm a recess Of
that body last night which lasted nifty
minutes and at It's conclusion the IN
crease was allowed I'm The shape Of a
bonus during the continuation OF the
war This increase Will be met by the
empowering OF the police commits
sioners by Council TO use 65 per cent
OF the unpaid wages due to vacancies
In the department each month.
Following the recess and after a reso-
luLlon providing for this increase had
Deen passed without a dissenting vote,
councilman Hopkins, OF the Sixth ward.
said ne thought the commissioners, dur
ing the time they were having trouble
IN securing patrolmen should favor the
Negro race by appointing one or more
Negroes to work on the patrol II they
would not appoint men Of that race
10 the ranks as patrolmen. Mr.. Hop
kins said he thought this should be
done for patriotic reasons.
Councilman Robertson approved the
suggestion. Other Councilmen also fav-
ored the appointment Of Negroes on the
force. Councilman Cathcart said he
was a resident Of Philadelphia when
the first Negro patrolman was appoint
ed there by Democratic mayor and
this man had acquitted himself with
honors as had Others Of the Negro race
on the Philadelphia police force.
It was intimated that the Councilmen
would address a communication to the
police commissioners on the subject in
the near future.
lt was stated by Mr.. Robertson that
the proposed bonus to be applied to
the department would become effective
from August 4 last, and II was stated
that it would amount 10 between $3.50
and 5000 a year per man. The patrol !
men recently asked for an increase Of |
5000 a year.
The resolution which was presented |
and adopted read as follows:
Whereas, The police force of the /
city Of Wilmington has petitioned |
"The Council for an increase in the |
salaries Of all members Of said force,
and
Whereas, 1t appears, that because Of
said force not having been kept at a
full quota, there will be at the end
Of each month a surplus existing in
the amount OF money set aside by the
Board of Police Commissioners for the
payment Of salaries. and
Whereas. The Council" appreciat-
Ing the efficiency Of said police force.
and believing the members Of said
force are maintaining TO the hest Of
their ability good order within their
respective districts and are accom-
plishing all that a full quota could
reasonably be expected TO accomplish,
low therefore be IL
Resolved by "The Council" That ,
he Board Of Police Commissioners be
md they are hereby authorized TO di-
ride and pay TO the several members !
u said police force an amount equal :
% 65 per centum Of any surplus that Z
nay exist at the end Of each month, I
n the amount set aside by said Board I
VI Police Commissioners for salaries [
n such proportions as said board may I
leem best.
Provided, however. that the division
Il said surplus shall be considered as
bonus, and shall remain I'm force dur |
ng the period OF the present world
var only.
Provided further, that in no case
hall any member of said police force
eceive an amount greater than 5000 Il
4 addition TO the present salaries in
ny one year, and !, :
Provided. further that the provi- n
ions Of this resolution shall apply to "
n members OF said police force as it "
lall exist on September 30, A. D., 1918. n
he division Of said surplus shall COM II
lence TO run Augusa I, A. D.. 1918. e
Prior to The vote being taken on p
ne measure Councilman Robertson
lid: =
Members Of this City Council ap- Ii