The Washington times., 1919-09-29
D C. OFFICIALS
HAPPY TO SEE
Union FIZZLE
Chiefs Believe Pay Raise win
Follow Withdrawal Of Cops
From Outside Affiliations.
By BILL PRICE.

~ BILL PRICE.
Official satisfaction was expressed
today that the problem OF labor af-
hliaflons BY the Policemen's Union
appears TO be solving itself through
the voluntary withdrawal from the
union Of a large numDer OF members.
This satisfaction was manifest both
IN Congress, where the local and gem
eral situations as 70 police affiliations
has attracted much attention, and in
the District building.
Commissi0ner BrowuI0w, around
Whoae action and attitude there has
centered most Of the local storm, was
ia q cheerful frame Of mind, based
upon Newspaper and official reports
reaching him.
~ am very glad to hear that many
Of the members Of the Policemeu's
Union arc Withdrawing" he said.
voluntary severance Of the ties OF
the union with outside organizations
is the remedy suggested in the first
place and the one which I have pre-
ferred- There 81 no finer body OF DO.
lieemen "a the world than washing
ton possesses, and they are handling
this matter On their own way.
Meh wish 70 VVlthdruvF.
eAs I said before the Senate Com
mittee, / believe most Of these men
wish 20 withdraw. ] said then that
II they were % take q vote without
outside influence I believed an over
WhelminE majority would elect to
Withdraw. Many men told me that
they were going 70 the meeting last
ThurHday 70 vote to withdraw from
the American Federation OF Labor,
but apparently the other side was too
strongly represented in the orEtory.
"If the majority Of the men see az
70 quit individually the whole ques-
tion viii be solved.
Above ali things, / oppose any /
harsh criticism Of the actions Of our
. policemen. They believed themselves 4
to be right, but when they saw the /
other side Of the question-pOssible /
couaIct with their duty anG their i
oaths-they began to act az real men /
do.
INCREASES in salaries are impeFa- !
lively necessary, and once this union 4
afdliation question Is out Of the way
I am sure Congress will act with
promptness and uberality."
Colonel EEut1 IL Pleased.
Colonel Kutz, Engineer Commits
sioner. expressed himself along SINH
lar lines The matter seems to be
solving itself through the action Of
the men themselves, and that Is the
best way" he said These men de-
serve better pay, as do the District
dremen and most Of the other en-
ployes Of the District"
An impression prevails that when
ever Congress does act 20 give an in
crease in salaries to the policemen 4
it win tie up the increases by a direct 1
prohibition Of union labor aHiliation. 4
That at least is the purpose Of a
number Of Congressman if they can 4
get Congress TO follow their lead. /
When IL comes 70 voting straight out 1
against the influence Of organised Ia
Dor, however, there are many Con-
gressmen who do not stand up TO the /
expectations OF the anti-union SIDE. 1
Next year IS a political year, and /
votes loom large.
Go Ahead and Do something.
Washington policemen have long
deserved better pay, and Congress
knows this. The men went into the
union wholly because LheYs believed
that A r Of L. influences with Con-
rreFg were stronger than any other, |
and would help them TO secure living |
nav for dangerous duties. There mas |
never been a minute when the men
took this step with the idea Of array
ing themselves on one side or the
other in industrial controversies that
may arise in the future. They are
faithful, loyal to their oaths.
The very general hope was eL-
pressed today that Congress will not
continue to delay consideration OF 4
salary increases 20 the men. II viii
not be right 10 defer this question in
definitely. The men deserve the in
crease on merits, and as humans, en-
titled to the opportunity to live IN
reasonable comfort in. these trying /
days. i
the action Of the District Commits
sioners may not come within two or
three years, and that decision will
not deal with the moral questions
inyolped.
What Washington policemen need
now De- the undivided support and con-
6dence OF washington people in
pushing claims before Congress for
better salaries.
r. Of L. May Act.
The executive committee OF the
. American Federation Of Labor meets
in Washington early next week. The
policemen's union question may come
hefors that important body
ae the chartering OF police unions
was authorized by the Federation. in
.a.aaa 1I--A1A 81 -AAAAAAlG SALAg lA !
une last it was doubted today
vbetheF the executive council would
have ny power or authority 70 re-
woke hat Gction and cease granting
fhcfs charters.
sIauY A. f. OF I. leaders look for
the police problem to be considered
- the Industrial conference at the
WHfte House and some agreement
res = &c there Of a concillatory ma
ruTe