The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-09-20
SOLDIERS TO
BE USED IN
D|STR|CTF|RE
DEPARTMENT
BY BILL PRICE.

Substantially one-ffth of Washing
toms Fire Department under the new
| two-platoon system, when It begins
operation, will be composed OF limited
service soldiers of the United States,
who will be loaued TO the Fire De-
partment through furlough from the
various army camps.
As with the same class of men now
| serving on the Washington police
force, these men will continue to
! wear their army uniforms. although
II 10 permissible for them to buy
the regular blue uniforms OF the fire.
men II they wish. The purchase Of
uniforms will not be required because
Of the high prices prevailing.
| Date Indefinite.
Just when the Washington Fire
Department will change to the long
sought two-platoon system cannot be
told until a sufficient number of civil
recruits or limited service soldiers
are obtained to put It into effect. Ar
engagements have already been made
for a number of these men from Camp
Humphreys, but the negotiations for
them and their selection all take con-
| siderable time.
| The department under the existing
system. consisted OF SOB men, but for
more than a year there has been
| deficiency in the number called for
owing to war conditions bringing
about repeated designations. The law
creating the two-platoon system
calls for 647 officers and men. The
firemen, in their desire to see the
two-platoon operative as early Al
possible. have worked hard for re-
crui1s, and have Increased the regu-
| lar force to about the maximum
number called for under the exist
ing system. They are still about 1871
men short of the necessary 647 and
the military camps are being combed
for men who can not be used by the
Government in active service abroad.
1t is expected to get the men in a
few weeks. AS fast as they are
brought here they will be scattered
among the various engine houses for
instruction in their new tasks so that
when the change is ordered they will
be prepared to properly fill their
duties.
1t is for the Commissioners to de-
termine when the full complement OF
men is ready and to fix the time
for the change to two-platoons.. They
are not yet prepared to set a date.
Must Have More Money.
The effort OF individual firemen'i
and of their organization to recruitI
the department has revealed that the
relatively small pay being paid. the
men prevents substantial additions to
the force. It points out. too, that un-
less Congress grants an increase mi
the pay of the men it may be neces-
sary for the District to continually
appeal to the United States Govern
ment to loan soldiers for duty as
tiremen.
From the standpoint Of the soldier
who knows he cannot go to the front
he is the gamer financially by trans
Ter to police or fire duty in Wash
ington. He obtains the full pay OF
policeman or fireman, as the case
may be; his soldier uniforms at
prices far below what the regular
men have to pay, and has a bright
future ahead OF him il he makes
good.
F, 1t is the intention OF the District
Commissioners, in the estimates they
will soon submit to Secretary McAdoo
for appropriations for the fiscal year
1920 to ask for additional pay for
hTemen and to press for this Increase
in the hearings to be held before
CONGRESSIONAL committees.
Favorable Prospect.
The prospect that this will be done
may hold the majority of firemen
in their places, but reports from
among them show some unrest as to
their pay. Temptations are contin-
ually placed before them to accept
positions in the Industrial world pay
ing more money. AS against these
temptations, however. is a sense OF
loyalty to the department and Dis
trict: the fact that when they have
served to ripe ages they will be
retired on pensions, and the further
fact that the new positions now Of
fered may not last when the war
closes. with many of them ii is a
case OF considering present advan-
taEcs and prosperity or looking to
the benefits Of the future.
Commissioner Brownlow. although
recently rapping the Firemen's
Union for it's attitude on seniority
promotions. has been a consistent
and sympathetic friend Of the men.
So are the other Commissioners. Mr.
BrOwnlnw is directly in charge Of
the Fire department. and as chair
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