The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-10
CITY EMPLOYEES
PRESS PAY FIGHT
Policemen and Firemen Hold
Meetings to Demand $4,000
Minimum.
$4,000 OTHERS TO MEET
Civil Service Workers Seek
From 10 to 20 Per Cent.
Increase.

The Federal, States and municipal
civil service employees who have been
striving for increased wages to conform
with the rapid rise in living conditions
are determined to cast their lot with the
American Federation of Labor, II de-
veloped last night when the $4,000 men
and women who run Father Knicker-
bockers business openly declared they
intended to carry their fight to the
leaders of organized labor.
All the city employees are members
OF the Civil Service Forum. which takes
in 175,o00 civil service employees
throughout the State Under the leader
ship OF Frank Prial the local forum Is
going to request the city government TO
grant 10 per cent. increase to all
workers averaging $4,000 a year and a
20 per cent. increase for those receiving
less than $4,000 a year.
A mass meeting is being planned by
Mr.. Prial and his associates in Madison
Square Garden or Carnegie Hall within
the next week. Several prominent labor
leaders will talk with the city workers
and advise them as to how they may
affiliate with organized labor.
900 Policemen Present.
lIdu SVV pOilCoIIlcn dtteuueu tHc
meeting of the Patrolmen's Benevolent
Association In Mannerchor Hall, 20a
! East Fifty-sixth street, yesterday, when
II was decided to petition the Mayor
Board of Estimate and Apportionmen,
and Commissioner Enright for $4,000 a
year as a minimum salary. About $50
| delegates who have been interviewing
civic bodies and citizens reported that
every one appeared to be in favor Of the
| new wage scale, which It is hoped will
| be passed in the budget for 1920.
While the policemen were meeting
| uptown. the ircmen who are members
| of Local No. "a, of the International
| Fire Fighters Union, gathered in the
assembly room of the Pulitzer Build
4 ing some 1000 strong and decided they
would ask for the same wages the po-
| licemen request. It will mean $500
per year for new firemen and policemen
and $4,000 when they reached the senior
grade.
Albert Guinness, leader OF the fire.
men. announced that both departments
would cooperate in the campaign which
will be directed against the average
citizen through the property owners ard
civic associations. The firemen also
| passed a resolution pledging life salary
to President Guinness and the other Of
| ficers of their union In the event Of their
activities on behalf IF the men result
| ing in their dismissal from the Fire
Department
Although the policemen and fremen
| are members of the Civil Service Forum,
they intend to wage their salary fight
outside of the campaign of that organ
ization. The forum takes in clerks,
| photographers, accountants. paymasters
| court clerks and other employees. Rob-
| ert Hamburger, a clerk in The Bronx
| County Court. who is one of the leaders
| of the Civil Service men. said:
The minimum pay now given to en-
| ployees in the competitive class is only
| $24 per week. Street sweepers are de-
manding $44, window claners $35 and
milk wagon drivers from s4s to SIS per
week.
| Sees Citizens Behind Police.
Capt Harry A. Ely. chairman OF The
| Audubon Community Council of Wash
| ington Heights, spoke at the patrol
women OF this great city who make and
| omen of this great city who make ant
break its administrative powers are
solidly behind the policemen and fire
men in their fight for more pay. tn,
two departments represent forces Of
which the city has long been proud"
| VI
merchants and business men, the police
men and firemen are going to be sup
ported by the Cypress Hills Board Of
Trade. Brooklyn. and the Claremon
Heights Property Owners Association
The Merchants Association also took 6
| hand in the campaign on behalf OF tn,
men yesterday and Is preparing a re-
port
Both President Moran and Guinness
were ordered before their RESPECTIVE,
Commissioners after the meeting yster
day. They refused to divulge what hat
taken place. Commissioner brennan
| said:
| mayor Hylan is willing TO listen II
the fremen and deal with them as mem
bers of the uniformed force. He is full,
cognizant of their conditions. and it will
be up to the men to present their cas'
and talk across the table to the Boart
of Estimate"
Since both departments have been In
terestlng the citizens in their petition To-
more pay. Mayor Hylan has been re
ceiving hundreds OF letters favorable L
| the f1remen and policemen.