Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-24
High-Class Service at Low.CI..ss Wages

Hi2h-Ciass Service ut Low-Class Wages
NiHEN Boston's policemen organized and
w went on strike. quitting their posts
like traitors and leaving the city they we're
sworn to serve at the mercy OF thugs and
vandals; when police of other cities were
swept by the prevailing unrest and in union
lzation sought relief Tor real imaginary
complaints, what were the Richmond police
doing? Did any one hear from them any
expressions of dissatisfaction, any utterance
that could be interpreted us disloyal to Rich
mond? Was any one in Richmond actuated
by the slightest fear that the germ of un-
rest might vitiatc the local department and
bring on Richmond trouble similar to that
which drove Boston to terror? The answer
is, No.
Richmond is peculiarly fortunate in the
personnel Of its Police Department. it's free
dom from undesirable elements, it's loyalty
to the city, and its allegiance to duty 1t is
doubtful if in like number of men drawn
from any other business, trade or profess
sion, higher general standard can be found
The result is that the local department is
conducted in harmony, and with an efficiency
that commands respect at home and abroad.
That very efficiency, since it results in the
affairs OF the department being so little be-
fore the public. is the chief reason why peo-
pie generally are too likely to forget the
interests OF tho men who walk their beats
by night and day guarding the city and keep
little of their arduous labors their long
hours their hardships and, sorrowfully be
1t SAID OF the meager wages they are paid
in return for the loyal and painstaking SER
vice they perform
The patrolmen who watch over Richmond
receive only S127 a month the scale rising
Tor the officers as they rise in rank And
Tor that sum each month, barely enough to
Keep body and soul together, these men are
expected to devote practically their whole
time. to suffer irregular hours, to undergo
any hardship and to face any danger that
may present itself Richmond is paving its
policemen too little H.: far. It's scale OF
wages does not compare favorably with that
OF other Virginia cities less in size and less
IN ABILITY to pay. In Norfolk, for instance
the patrolman receives $157 month, $40
more than Richmond pays, while sergeant
receives S165, lieutenant $751; and cap
tain S206. Newport News, small in compari-
son with Richmond pays patrolmen of less
IMAM live years service s1,S10 a year, patrol
men OF more than five years service s1S6O
year, While a sergeant receives $3.50
bridgeport, Conn, pays its patrolmen $500
year, It's sergeants $4,000, its lieutenants
$3.50. and its captains $4,000 Trenton
y. d., pays its patrolmen $50 a month
When Mayor Ainslie comes to consider his
budget for 1920, he will have before him a
recommendation that Richmond pay its
patromen $3.50 month, with corresponding
increases for the officers. That would be lit
Tie enough in all conscience, and still would
he below the scale paid by other cities of tho
same class and smaller But even that would
help these city servants to meet their cost
of-ilvng problems, SO let it be hoped that
the Mayor will not find it necessary to use
mrs pruning knife on this particular item of
the citys estimated expense. To do so would
De unjust TO patriotic body OF men and
continuing disgrace to the city that should
expect TO pay at least decent rate for the
service it receives
1t also will be recommended that the force
OIL 2o5 men be increased by thirty. The
present force admittedly is too small for
satetS sake and it is physically impossible
10 patroi the city properly and respond TO
the constantly increasing number OF demands
rms recommendation also il is honed the
Council will consider favorably.