Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-01
BOARD AGAINST
POPULAR FUND
Chamber of Commerce Looks With
DfSfavor on Scheme TO Raise
Money for Firemen-
PLAN IS UNFAIR TO PEOPLE
Citizens Led to Believe Solicitations
Limited TO War Aid-Ask
Compromise.

The board of directors of the
Chamber of Commerce does not
favor the circulation of a petition
for popular subscriptions in order
to raise money with which to pay
the increase in wages demanded by
the Rock Island firemen. Such was
the consensus of opinion at a meet
ing held at the Rock Island club
last evening for the purpose OF dis
GUESSING the fire protection ques-
ton Representatives of both the
city commission and the firemen
were present and presented their
sides of the case as viewed by them.
The firemen made direct petition
to the Chamber of Commerce for
the raising of sufficient funds to
carry the fire department through
on its present status to March l.
at which time it was believed the
question of increased taxation
could again be placed before the
people. The board of directors
viewed the matter of circulating a
subscription petition in behalf of
the firemen's department with dis
favor, owing to the fact that when
the Patriots fund was organized a
pledge was made to everybody that
other solicitations of whatsoever
character would not be made dur
ing the period the Patriots fund
was in force, and inasmuch as the
board Of directors of the Chamber
of Commerce was responsible for
the initiative OF the Patriots fund,
it feels that it cannot conscientious
ly initiate the circulation Of sub
scription papers asked for by the
firemen.
Walter Kolls, Henry Herman and
Fred Mellow appeared before the
board as a committee bespeaking
the interests of Rock Island fire.
men. J. H. Ledtke, commissioner,
bespoke the interest of the commits
sion.
A very interesting disclosure was
brought out in the stand taken by
the firemen, that they were taking
the arbitrary stand that their de-
mands would have to be met as q
whole or they would discontinue
their services with the city; their
demands being that they receive a
$40 increase and that they be given
every fourth day of and all of the
stations now in operation be con-
tInued.
Concede Demands.
On the other hand, Mr.. Liedtke
announced that the commissioners
were willing to meet the $40 in
crease, but could not concede the
demands to keep all of the stations
now in operation open, nor could
they give each fireman a fourth
day of. The commissioner believe
they are on high ground in asking
that during the war period one
more station be cut down and the
f1remen concede every sixth day in
stead of every fourth day off,
Business men who have discussed
the proposition informally believe
that DUNG these strenuous times
when every man is asked to give
as much service as possible. the
concession asked by the city should
not be one keeping the firemen and
the commissioners from getting to-
gether and smoothing out their DIFF
ferences. Mr.. Liedtke contended
that during the past year, accord
ing TO their figures. the firemen had
been engaged in fighting fires 160
hours during the entire year and
that while the cutting down of one
station and giving one-sixth day off
would make the work harder, it
would not necessarily be so siren
uous as to work a hardship on the
men.
Another conference is being held
late this afternoon and it is be-
lieved that inasmuch as the con-
tentions of both parties are close
together, a compromise will be
reached which will settle the prop
oSition at least for the present.