The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-16

appearance Oelore the BOARD OF works
as pokesman for the city firemen in
regard to the pay rise they want.
This was emphatically stated by
John Peltz, and the two other members
Of the board Of works, after the council
meeting Monday night.
He was discharged because Of his
stand as an agitator, not for the rea-
son cited by Councilman Waterman,
they said.
I'VE have had repeated requests
from some of the city's leading resi-.
dents asking that Fireman Coyle be
dismissed as soon as possible" they
said.
These citizens tell US of the 'doings'
of Coyle before his fellow workers and
the public. They charged that he
called the various city officials names.
We showed leniency in the case and
waited until we were absolutely sure
of ourselves before taking the final
step"
Waterman Starts Fireworks.
Near the close Of the council meet
ing Councilman Waterman arose to
speak for the fremen, and with Mayor
Zimmerman backing up the action of
the board Of works, an argument was
waged. Waterman stated that James
Dillon had just said that a man could
not live on 1915, in his argument for
an increase to city light plant en-
ployees, and the flremen are getting
only 1882, for "a hours day, which
would make s1.1s every eight hours.
mo working man in the United
States can live on $1.19." said Walter
man. He then stated Coyle's side Of
the matter, for which he had been dis
charged before the board, saying that
he (Coyle) had been elected spokes-
man for the entire fremen's organiza-
ton in an effort to secure the raise.
This was the only reason, Waterman,
said, that he knew for the discharge
of Coyle.
THE firemen have right to elect
spokesman and appear before the city
council or the board of works and
petition for an increase in pay when
their increase Is justified, as 1t Is
now" continued Waterman.
81 think it was wrong for the board
to throw him out. I understand that
he was one of the best fremen the
city has. And according to the rules
OF the fremen's union If one man
leaves they must all go.
City Without Protection.
This would leave the city without
any protection, and the councilmen
see that the city is protected. Where
would the city be if the firemen walked
out?
Waterman said he believed that
the council should appropriate money
for the firemen's increase, and see to
the reinstatement of Coyle. This plan
seemed to receive no support from the
other council members.
II don't know the real reason for
Coyle's discharge. If you will come
before the board you can find out
said Mayor Zimmerman.
"Councilmen haven't time to stop
work in the middle of the day to at
tend board Of works meetings" inter-
posed Waterman again. What If the
fi7emen should walk out tomorrow"
I'VE will equip the fire department
as we would any other place" said
the mayor
You can't do 1t.
I'VE can do it,"
II would like to see you do It,"
well, we can do It,"
Have Verbal Duel.
III you did, you would be the first
man in the country that could accom-
plish that" said Waterman, smiling.
1--WE won't argue that now" said
Zimmerman.
why not? we have plenty Of time
TO hear both sides OF the case. You
made remark a few minutes ago that
hadn't heard both sides. What is
wrong with hearing them now?" asked
Waterman.
"If you want to hear the reasons go
beforethe board Of works which will
meet Thursday morning"
"You know councilmen haven't time
to attend board meetings"
Council Is adjourned" With ter.
rife swing Of his gavel the mayor gave
the council notice that 1t was dis
missed. Following this action many
councilmen and spectators, among
them a delegation from the Central
Labor council, which it is presumed
was present in regard to the dismissal
Of Fireman Coyle, talked over the
matter.
Explains Water CO. Petition.
Before the battle on the action TAX
en- by the board In regard to Coyle,
City Attorney Robbins gave a thor
ough explanation of the petition of
the Water Works company for author
ity to increase rates, a hearing for
which will take place before the In
dana Public Service Commission
september 80.
He stated that at the time the city
employed an expert to go over the
situation. it was found that the com
pany was earning within one-half OF
one per cent of the rate allowed by
law and that the city refused to allow
an increase because 1t was under the
impression that the war prices would
drop, but that in view of the fact that
prices have not decreased, the com
pany says that it is impossible for Il
to go on. Robbins said that he had
no further information, as the Water
Works had taken the matter up direct
with the Commission, and had not
consulted the city. He said, though
that the mayor and himself would at
tend the hearing at indianapolis, Sep
TENDER 80.
johnson on Gas Rates.
Nimrod Johnson gave an eXplana
ito Of the increase in natural gas
rates.
1t was apparent from Johnson's
speech that the gas company has MOI
filed petition with the Public Service
commission, but desires to settle the