The sun., 1919-09-17

CoHttHheu from FUSt FuQc.
Boston feel much easier since II became
known that the firemen would not strike.
Statement of the Firemen.
The statement, signed by Daniel ].
Looney, president OF Local 10, Interna-
tional Association OF Firehghters. reads {:
The fremen OF the city of Boston are
now, as always, opposed to lawlessness.
disorder and violence in any form.
Statements have been made that the
fremen would contribute to the crisis
now existing in Boston by striking and
leaving their posts in order to make
msnifest their sympathy with the police.
All such statements are absolutely un-
true.
They come from irresponsible sources
and are calculated to excite public alarm
and terror which In the present sit
uation the firemen of Boston in COM
mon with all good citizens seek to re-
lieve. P. A. Kearns, consumptive hos
pital trustee, and Victor A. Heath are
quoted in the newspapers as saying
that IS per cent >of the f1remen have
voted to strike in sympathy with the
police That statement is absolutely
false.
mo strike vote has been taken by the
privates in the fire department. No
action has been agreed on nor will
any action which involve the firemen in
a strike be agreed upon.
1.-THE representatives of labor in Bos-
ton have not suggested that the firemep
strike. On the contrary, they do not
We mt the firemen to strike; they have
urged that they do not strike, and in
this attitude they are in complete har-
1ncny with the sentiment which per-
-ades the whole community that a strike
of the firemen would be a calamity not
even to be thought Of.
Position of the Firemen.
THE position of the firemen is this !:
The firemen of Boston are organized In
Local Union No. 10 of the International
Association of Firefighters. There is a
provision in the constitution of this as
ISOLATION which provides as follows:
TT shall be deemed inadvisable to
strike, or take active part in strikes,
as we are formed to protect the lives
and property of the community in case
OF fire or other serious hazards.
This position we shall keep. Organ
lied labor and its representatives have
not sought to change that position, and
we make this statement SO that the pub
lie may know just where the firemen
stand.
IF 1t tends in any way to allay fears
of firemen's strike we want to empha-
size it in large letters.
I'VE have been coworkers with the
police we have stood shoulder to Shout
der with them in protecting lives and
property of the people of Boston we know
more than those who condemn them so
readily of the working conditions of the
police, and we know that they have
sought to better those conditions. Men
who work as they and we do have better
angles of judgment of human acts than
those who visit judgment in resentment
and passion in times Of public excite
ment.
"A calm and careful survey of present
| events, when IL is made, as undoubtedly
1t will be made, will take the human
element into consideration with reference
to the Boston police and their strike We
ask consideration by the public and pub
lie officials for the policemen, fathers of
families, and for the policemen who suf-
fer in the loss OF wages.
mo objection was made to the fire.
men Of Boston joining the American
Federation of Labor. After our affilia-
ton with the American Federation of
Labor we performed our duties as faith
fully as before, and it made no differ
danger, whether TO a member OF a labor
union or not.
mo objection was made to the police
Joining the A. F. of L. until after they
| had applied for their charter from the
A. F. of l.. We believe that the stand
of the Police Commissioner against the
police joining the A. f. of L. was I'M
just in that IL was not indicated to the
police until after their actual utilization
with the A. F. Of L.
Tales Abound In Labor Circles,
To make the rounds of labor headquar.
tiers and to mingle with labor leaders
mere Is to get thousand and one dis.
concerning stories whispered into ones
ears. The most sinister of these has Il
do with Samuel Gompers's hurried trir
to Washington from New York.
First of ALL it is argued pretty logic.
ally that the strike OF the Boston
police force is not going to be allowed
to crash under it's own weight. TIL,
American Federation of Labor has to,
much at stake to let significant situa.
ton such as this come to nothing. Tn,
principle underlying the local situation
has transcribed the actual strike itself
Both sides, it is said, have arrived
at tacit agreement to let the matte
rest as it is until some sort of mu
tually agreeable adjudication is to b.
had at the capital and labor conference,
in Washington, October 6. That is, II
part at least, Mr.. Gompers's wishes.
But Mr.. CompcrS and his lieutenant
do not underestimate the local situa tiol
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