Evening star., 1919-09-19
POLICE DEMAND
FOR HIGHER PAY
WINS SYMPATHY
Witness at Hearing Today
Denies That Union Con-
templates Strike.
AIM OF ORGANIZATION
TO BETTER CONDITIONS
Senator Sherman Admits the High
Cost of Living Brings Him
Embarrassment.

Even a United States senator at an
annual salary of $500 is not free
from embarrassment due to the high
cost of living, according to Senator
Sherman of Illinois, who confessed to-
day at a meeting of the Senate Dis
trict committee. which is considering
the right Of Washington policemen to
unionize, that even his child Is
twitted by playmates because its
father cannot afford an automobile.
The statement was made after
Charles o. Turner. local policeman,
had defended the action of the pollce
in affiliating with the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor and. told how because
of his meager salary his two, chill
dren had been deprived this summer
from taking their regular yearly out
ing.
Policeman Turner'S Testimony.
Policeman Turner told the commit
tee that before affiliating with the
American Federation of Labor the
matter had been laid before Maj.
Pullman, superintendent OF police,
who was quoted as expressing the
opinion that there was no reason why
it should not be done.
Sympathy with the demands or the
policemen for betterment Of their
condition was expressed by members
of the committee, and the policemen
were told that they had a better
chance of receiving their ends through
appeals to Congress than by afhlia-
tion with any labor organization.
Policeman Turner, who has been
twenty-three years on the force, said
mentally equipped, to be in perfect
physical condition, to have a thorough
knowledge Of municipal laws and ordi-
nances, knowledge Of the rights OF
diplomats, and to be men OF intelit-
gence. They are constantly in danger.
and indeed are in q class by them
selves.
Contrast with other Associations.
He said that splicemen- being thrown
u. eoqtact with, wp5ktngmen In, various
tFzdas. Ill of wh6zn xrss afdlisted Win
labor organisations, see men in other
vocations getting along much better
than themselves. &
"A plumbers helper, who, lives across
much money as he does and works
only eight hours day. The police
mems children are in contact with
children of working men who are
much better OF in every way than
they are. All these benefits seem TO
the policeman to be the result Of
affiliation Of the men with labor or
ganizations. He said the policemen
had been unable to make any progress
through their own organi1ation. and
way to>secure relief would be to join
the A. F. L. -
The poIicemen's union, he said, had
practically become dead letter. 'The
Federation OF Labor" he added.
wards. We went to the A. F. L. to
help US, and not to coerce you gentle
men of the Congress. I am a member
Of the union to benefit myself. but not
to coerce Congress"
Statement Influences Senator.
"Your statement to me-" said sena-
tor Sherman, "of your conditions and
needs have more influence with, me
than would the whole Federation Of
Labor"
"You don't seem to need the Fedora
tion of Labor" said Senator Dilling-
ham, smilingly.
Senator Sherman pointed out the
difference in the positions Of a police
man and worker in other vocations.
The policeman. he said, cannot quit
his work as can carpenter: the po-
sentative Of the law-abiding element
of the community. constantly ar
raigned against the forces of lawless-
ness and the enemies. of society.
Says Policemen viii Not Strike.
Policeman Turner. replying to a
question, said the policemen Of this
city Toaa tSs q never 90 .sd Sd senata1 ssrae sa.r
strike as occurred in Boston, would you
favor similar course here?"
NO" replied the witness, whatever
might occur. l disapprove Of policemen
Then how would aniliation with labor
benefit your" asked Senator Sherman.
Has Seen Men Benefited.
The witness replied that he had seen
men in the trades benefited by joining
labor unions. He expected that repre-
sentatives of the A. F. L. would ap-
proach Congress in behalf Of increased
compensation for the policemen.
rIf Congress should refuse the de-
mands what kind Of action would the
Federation Of Labor take?" asked Sena-
tor Sherman.
THAT do not know" replied the wit
ness
most of the senator's and repre-
sentatives know" said Senator Shef-
man; I'VE know that when we don't
take orders from the Federation Of
Labor that organization fights u.s.
Senator. Sherman asked in case the
Federation Of Labor should take is
sue with Congress or the Commits
sioners with whom would the police-
men sympathiEe? The witness replied
that the policemen had not .thrashed
out the proposition in answer to that
question, but thzt he did know that
the policemen would do their duty as
officers Of the law.
"If Congress should pass an act pro-
hibitinE your affiliation with labor
would you agree with it?' asked Sem
ator Sherman.
Senator" replied the witness. 1.-The
courts always pass on what is law
You are now facing the iaw-mak-
ing power and we must calculate on
the future. The court cannot enjoin
Congress. II Congress should pass
such law would you acquiesce
Certainly" replied the witness with
.Even il it required you to withdraw
from the Federation Of Labor?" con-
tinued Senator Sherman.
yes" replied the witness, IT would
withdraw from the federation and sub.
init myself to Congress"
Would Trust Congress-
(which would you rather trust to get