The Washington herald., 1918-07-27
ALEXANDRIA
THE HERALD BUREAU,
A s. Doniphan.
II King Street.

Alexandria. Va. July 2s-Because
ten out OF the twenty-five members
comprising the Alexandria police
force yesterday went on a strike as q
result of the city council failing to
grant their request for an Increase In
salary at its melting last night, the
board Of police commissioners at a
called meeting today recommended
complete reorganization of the police
force and set forth that their act at
this time was disloyal The new
force, IL provided In their recon-
mendations, shall be composed Of
twelve members which shall consist
Of a chief, two serseants and nine
patrolmen. They recommended thar
the salary Of the chief be fixed at
SIS a month, and the two sergeants
at $40 a month each and the .privates
at 500 a month each.
They also recommend that a certain
amount of the salary of each man be
set aside as q pension fund for all
disabled men after a service Of a
certain number OF years on the force.
The commissioners also recommend
a police patrol and the purchase Of q
motorcycle.
The present salary paid the chief IL
$50 a month, the first sergeant re-
ceives SS a month, and the two other
sergeants each receive so a month.
This resolution was resented to q
joint meeting OF common council to-
night. which was attended by tho
members OF the Board Of Police Com
missioners. The resolution was re-
ferred to the joint committee on
finance and police. The present num-
ber Of men on the police force costs
Alexandria s21.130 a year. and the
new system with the increased pay
and reduction % men will cost less,
it was stated by Councilman Burke.
President Smith also announced that
the commissioners held a meeting
this morning after he was notified
Of the quitting of the men. As act
ing mayor he presided and they got
in touch with the military police
here, who gave assurances that they
would Cooperate with the authorities
in preserving order in the city.
The first Of the recommendation
made by the commissioners was car
ried out when the lower branch ap-
propriated 1900 for the purchase Of
a police patrol and motorcycle for
the police department
Other ordinances covering a mansion
fund and also providing for the num-
Der OF policemen who shall consti-
tute the force. together with other
provisions, were referred to the Joint
committee on finances and police.
The council also appropriated the
sum Of $4,000 for the sanitation cam
paign now In progress here
At o'clock this morning ten MEM
bers of the police force walked into
headquarters and turned over the pis-
tolls and badges TO the station keeper.
Many Of the policemen have arranged
to go to work elsewhere. They de-
clared they cannot live on their pres
ent salary OF SIS a month. Those who
turned in their effects were Charles
Roland. Walker Campbell, william
Campbell. Andrew Zell, James l.
Power. lie Roy hewitt, Heber Thomp-
son, Harry r. Massey, T. Douglas
Lunsford and Frederick J. Garyey.
The policemen. through Chief Goods,
several weeks ago. petitioned the
council for an increase of salary
There was no specific amount named,
although one member of the force
stated today they expected council TO
raise the amount to so a month
After the joint session dissolved
there was an informal discussion
among the member regarding the en-
pioynent Of a fuIl-time. paid health
officer.
The police force here is composed Of
q members. This includes the chief.
three sergeants and eighteen privates.
It was composed OF %. but one recent
ly died. Two men are I'll and one Il on
vacation, leaving only nine on the