Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-09
INERT TO GOVERN,
!: ]: f|REMEN ARE TOLD
INF. BroWnIoW's Answer to
Protest That Seniority
Rule Is Violated.

$sss Promotion; in the District fire de-
Dartment by seniority alone is thing
zof the past. Hereafter 1t will be
possible for a private to jump to the
rank of chief engineer. If the Com
Znissioners consider him the right
@man for the place.
- Commissioner Brownlow announced
This change in policy to committee
E4f fremen that called at his office this
morning to protest against the pro-
motions made by the Commissioners
FRIDAY, in preparation for the In
-etallation of the two-platoon system.
Interview Is Stormy.
q The interview was a spirited one.
1t was opened with an interrogation
Eby the Commissioner as to whether
reports, made to him by newspaper
hen, that the fremen intended going
@n strike if their demands were not
met, were true. The committee to
sAan denied there was any intention
IF ordering a walkout and disclafmed
Responsibility for the origin OF the
lfumor. .
- II would not tolerate a threat OF
Rhis sort for a moment" declared the
commissioner. IF the report were
true that would end the interview at
Ipnce."
Lieut.. Thomas Buckley, spokesman
ESor the committee, then read state
1nent from the firemen's union, ADOPT
I'd at last nights meeting. containing
the names of fire fighters the union
considers should have been given the
recent promotions by right OF Sc
This brought forth the declaration
Eof the District official as to the abol-
lshed seniority rule. After explaining
4the reasons for the adoption OF the
7ew ~erit policy. the Commissioners
burned to Lieut.. Buckley and request
ed tht he leave with the board the
Efhe fireman declined to do.
Both Given a Surprise.
5rised by the refusal and emphatical-
5y said so.
THAT ends the conference, gentle
men" he announced, "Good-day."
E1rised by the suddenness with which
-3he proceedings were halted and held
"a hurried consultation after reaching
The corridor of the fifth floor of the
municipal building. Just outside the
Commissioners Office. 1t was decided
ITO give the communication to the
newspapers. Some of the members
Sadvised that. out Of courtesy to the
commissioner, they should return and
spresent him with the paper which had
abeen read.
., While this point was being debated
Commissioner Brownlow came down
Skhe hall on his way to the headQuar-
aters Of the draft board. He stopped
sthey wished to state their case in a
xletter to the full board of Commits
ssioners they were at liberty to do 50.
= Will Hold a Meeting.
> It appeared probable this course
swoaSld ,h be fol,oTea Lieut. Lieut. Buckley sosd
Smeeting later in the day and decide
son what action to take. If statements
shave been made threatening a strike
sfrom unauthorized sources. He would
tnot speculate on the probability of
1.-THE men taking their appeal to Con-
sgress
Buckley commended that the new po-
ssition of deputy fire chief should have
Sbeen given to Battalion Chief Keiiher
s1t mentioned the names Of four cap
Stains and a lieutenant who, in the
sopinion of the hremen's association
sshould have been promoted
& Replying to the communication read
s.by Lieut.. Buckley. Commissioner
s,Brownlow said he regretted 'that the
sassociation, which was organized ito
.lobtain better working and living
etconditions for firemen, should go 80
STAR as to present names of particular
smen for particular positions. He said
he favored the association and the
S.principles underlying its organiza-
s'tion. but that 1t was not its province
ito attempt to decide what persons
,should be appointed or promoted to
AomcA
z Acts On His Judgment.