The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-16
Topeka Force Threatens a
WalkOut for More Money.
1t Is Up to Commission To Pre-
vent Drastic Action.
UNION Representative HERE
Men Reach a Firm Decision To
Push Their Demands.
Asking 40 Per Cent Increase
Over the Schedules.

Topeka faces the almost absolute
certainty of a walk-out on the part of
the city firemen. possibly within the
next seventy hours, unless the city
commissioners see fit to meet the de-
mands of the firemen in the prepara-
ton OF the general budget for 1920.
There Is no l.ild excitement, no high
heated turmoil OF pent up emotion,
nor reckless expression OF views
among the men OF the department.
Their attitude Is that OF calm, pur-
poseful men who have reached firm
decision after the utmost careful de-
liberation. They have reached a point
from which there is no turning back.
Altho there has been no official pub
lie announcement from authorities in
the department, there can be no doubt
hut this is the almost unanimous de-
cisoin OF the firemen should the com
missioners fail to NEE. their demands
in the completion of the preparation
OF next years budget. So far they
have taken no vote. However. the
majority Of men questioned feel no
loubt as to the outcome OF such
'ote in case the action of the city COM
fissioners does not prove satisfactory.
Union Representative Here.
+. w. Baer. second vice president
the International Firemens asso-
alton. of Kansas City. is now in To-
clta. He will remain here until a de-
lsiOn Is reached.
The duties of the second vice presi-
lent are TO participate in negotiations
Jetween nremen and city governments
when troubles of this grave, critical
nature arise. He has charge of the
'econd district which comprises Ne
iraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri
ust what attitude he is taking in the
resent controversy it is not known.
Want 40 Per Cent Raise
Firemen are holding out for a 40
Icr cent raise over the schedule IN
iorce several months ago when hose
man was paid 500. they say. They ad-
mis that the city commissioners have
tentatively offered them an increase
Of 25 per cent over this schedule and
promptly stated that it did not meet
with their idea of satisfa ction.
There is $3.50 difference between
the tentative proposal and the demand
the firemen have made consistently
for a number of months. The old
schedule Of 500 per month would be
increased to S112.50. The firemen
have been striving for 1925 per month,
which would be 40 per cent increase
over the old schedule for the various
members OF the department.
Worked 1t Out in Legislature.
In the last session of the legislature
he firemens association was influ
cntial in the passage of bill provid-
ing means whereby the city commits
soners were provided with a legal
means Of raising more money. 1t not
only meant a means of raising more
money in all ways but provided a
means of providing for paying fire
men more money This was done af-
ter they had been informed that they
could not be paid more money be-
cause there was no legal method pro-
vided by which more money could
be raised to pay them They worked
out the solution of the problem in the
legislature. Now, they say, they are
told that they cannot have the money
they worked for as it is needed for
other things.
The situation has reached degree
OF high tension and a strike is practi-
cally assured unless their demands
are met
The city commissioners were in ses-
sion, Tor emergency purposes, late this
afternoon. It is known that II action
- not taken today it will be taken
Monday. The firemen. it is under
stood. will not accept anv delays