Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-23

corning the outcome OF l0e
session and said that he was
unable to make any predictions
as TO what the union would
decide, entirely losing the con-
fidenee he previously had man
ifesfed that the men would
quit The session was
stormy one.
With the entire city commission
in Chicago attending the gas rate
hearing before the public utilities
commission of the state. the mem
bers OF the Rock Island Firemen S
union went into session at 2:3O
O'Clock this afternoon, determined to
resign from the employ of the city.
Henry Herman, president of the
union, declared before the body
went into session that the meeting
would be strictly private and that
il would no doubt unanimously
vote to reject the offer as made by
the municipal commission at the
meeting yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Herman said that the firemen
are opposed to accepting the pro-
posal Of the wage increase Of $40
a month being offered as a war
bonus. since it would thus last only
for the period Of the war. Nothing
was said in the resolution adopted
by the commission concerning CIV
ing the firemen every fourth day
off. They asked for an increase of
$50 under the present working con-
ditions or a raise of SIS with every
fourth day off At the present time
they get every sixth day off.
The police department was voted
a war bonus of $40 a month at the
meeting of the city commission yes
terday, the councilmen understand
ing that with an increase being
granted the firemen, the police de-
partment would ask for a similar
advance in compensation.
Another Coming.
While the subject of wage in
creases was being discussed, Com
missioner J. A Murrin, in charge
of the department of public prop
erty, announced that workmen en-
ployed in his department would Of
fer a petition to the commission
next week asking for an increase il
wages also.
The commission expects to de-
eide all wage matters soon so that
the appropriation budget which has
TO be arranged during the early
part Of next month will be made
up with the new wage scale in eff
feet.
The firemen announced last week
they would not strike in a body but
would resign in small groups, Civ
ing the commission an OppOrtun-
ity to fill their places as vacancies
occur and thus not impair the fire
protection of the city any more than
necessary under the existing cir
cumstances.
The city commission, according
to the indications when the firemen
went into session this afternoon.
will return here from Chicago to
meet the problem of engaging an
entire new corps of fremen.
The demands of the city firemen
were met in part at the council
meeting yesterday afternoon, when
Commissioner Liedtke offered the
following resolution which was
unanimously passed by the council:
BE it resolved, that the city at
torney be instructed to draw up an
ordinance entitled. AN Ordinance
Allowing the Members of the Fire
Department Raise in Salary in
the Sum of SO Per Month same to
be in the nature of a war bonus
and PAYABLE monthly beginning
May 1, 1915"
Protest Bonus Clause.
A delegation, headed by Presi-
dent Herman of the firemen's
union. was present at the meeting
Walter KolIs Immediately protested
for the fremen, asking that the
phrases. "in the nature of a war
bonus" be stricken out Of the reso-
luton. Mr. Kolls contended that if
the resolution was allowed to stand
as worded, the raise in salary
would Immediately be lost upon the
conclusion Of the war He stated
that the firemen are not seeking a
bonus" but a permanent raise in
wages.
1t was pointed out by Commits
sioner Liedtke that any increase
which the present council might
grant would not bind following city
bodies to continue such a course,
but upon the advent of another
council, living conditions may have
there would be no need for the
raise demanded. After considerable
wrangling upon this point, the fire
men demanded to know what pro-
vision the council had made con-
corning their demand for every
fourth day off on pay. This mat
ter was not considered and the fire.
men reiterated theig demand for
100 per month and every fourth
lay off on pay. Commissioner
Liedtke announced that if the coun-
ell saw a means Of revenue which
would cover such an increase. none
IS more willing than the commits
sion 10 grant such a demand. but
that no such revenue could be
counted upon.
Ready TO Step Out.
Mr.. Herman then took the floor
and stated that IN his opinion the
iremen would never accede 10 the
concessions Of the council and that
hey are prepared to step into other
work tomorrow morning If neces-
sary. However. he stated that he
you'd lay the resolution Of the
council before the fremen at a
meeting this afternoon when final
lction by the men VIII be taken.
After the council meeting Mfr.
Herman said, Il don't think the