The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-18
CITY GIVES IN TO
LOCAL FIREMEN,
AVERTING STRIKE
COmmissiOnerS Grant Wage
Raise, 33 Per Cent.
Men Would Have Walked Out
This Evening.
VACATION Time is EXTENDED
Men Will Get IA Days With
Pay Instead of 10.
Forty Per Cent Increase Was
Mems Original Demand.
Men Would Have Walked Out
This Evening.
VACATION Time IS EXTENDED
Forty Per Cent Increase Was
Mems Original Demand.

BY majority of 1 5 votes out of s.
votes cast Topeka firemen this morn
ing voted to accept the offer of the
city commissioners, extended to the
committee this morning by Mayor
Corwine, to grant firemen a raiset of
33 "a per cent and to extend the vaca-
ton period from ten days to fourteen
days on full pay.
This will increase the salary of a
first class man to $120 per month.
Firemen demanded an increase of 40
per cent last Saturday. This would
have meant 1925 per month to a. first
class man.
Had they not voted to accept this
proposition every member of the To-
peka fire department would have
walked out at o'clock this evening
and the city of Topeka would have
been absolutely without fire protec-
ton.
Many Were for Strike.
1t is estimated that the 3315 per
cent hike plus the extra four days
vacation on full pay brings the total
so close to what they would receive
under a 40 per cent hike that there
for it. Still the closeness of the de-
Gliding vote is a strong indication of
how near the city of Topeka came to
losing its fire department
In voting TO accept the proposition
offered them by the commissioners as
absolutely final the firemen have ap-
preached very closely to gaining what
they started out after. At the same
time 1t does not prevent them from
renewing action to bring the schedule
up to the point they ask at some future
date.
In addressing the men before the
vote was taken. F. w. Baer vice pres
ident of the international association
from Kansas City, spoke briefly He
told them that if they accepted the
raise it would place them in much
better position than were the firemen
in many other cities. The firemen in
Kansas City are receiving only $40.
Seek Further Increase.
1t is true, however, that the men
in Kansas City are going after an in
crease at some date very soon. Baer
sketched all sides of the question. He
told the men just what they were
gaining and how nearly it approached
to what they had set out for in the
first place. On the other hand he
pictured the difficulties of a strike
and indicated that if they should
strike and obtain the 40 per cent in
crease, as they undoubtedly would If
they put the strike into effect, they
than IL they should so ahead and ac-
cept the offer the city commissioners
made to them.
Mayor Corwine promised them the
331s per cent. The mayor also in
ferred. but did not make any promise,
that If at a later date it became ap-
parent that the city could pay the 40
per cent increase. he would do what
he could to see that they got it.
Voted in Shifts.
The strike vote was taken in two
shifts meeting in Labor hall at differ
ent times. The first shift numbered
thirty-six men. Twenty-one men voted
to accept the, city's proposition. Fiji
In the second shift there were thirty
three men. Twenty-one voted yes.
and twelve voted against accepting
the proposition. There was a total of
sixty-nine votes cast; fortytwo of
these were to accept and twenty-seven
were to reject the proposition and to
go out Oh the strike this evening at
o'clock.
A report seemed to gain some cred
ence in town that the firemen were
only fooling They were in earnest
about the question. They did not get
Just what they went after but 1t was
so close to what they asked that the
more conservative element predomi-
mated and when put to a question OF
accepting the offer of 331s per cent
or going out on a long strike full OF
danger to. the city. arbitration and
general loss of time and discomfort.
they took the final offer of the com-
missioners and will stay on the job.