The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-06-26
Ellis Steps In.

IN an effort TO reach some agree
ment with the firemen and prevent, If
trained and experienced fire fighters,
| R. r. Ellis, as president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, appealed to the fire
men to withhold action and permit him
to try and find satisfactory solution
| of the matter.
| At meetings of the two shifts, mem
| bers of the union adopted a resolution
| complying with the request OF Mr.,
| Ellis. The resolution as published in
| The News Scimitar on May 25 contains
no reference to the 30-day period. In
recent conversations Mr.. Ellis declared
| that there was no time limit but that
| the firemen agreed to remain at their
| posts and that meanwhile he, would
| endeavor to secure relief for them in
| some way and, If not, the firemen
would continue in their positions and
an effort would be made to have the
next session of the Legislature change
| the present law,
The rank and file of the fire fighters
union maintain that Mr.. Ellis was
| granted period of 80 days in which
| to secure the wage increases asked.
| Officers of the union concur in these
| statements and state that the 3O-day
| period expired on June "a.
| Charles Knapp. president OF the un-
| ion declined to discuss the matter Sat
urday, saying that A. ]. Schaeffer, sec
| retary Of the union, would make what
ever statement was to be made at this
| time.
S,1,Rsrs TPsrs ssrssRSat ,EDSI |l sRs
/ business. The Increased cost OF every
thing necessary for man to hve have
| made it next to impossible for flremen
| to exist on our present pay. since the
| department has been motorized, the
| danger to the members OF the, lire De,
partment has increased many times ana
|
more money" Mr.. Schaeffer declared
| Saturday.
| Members Of the union can get more
| money in other occupations and they
will undoubtedly accept these 1ther pSo 10
| sitions unless something Is DONE ne
| continued.
Up to Ellis,
| Asked IL MI, Ellis had been called
" ofPog @haf az had nf beon 5 done, o. Mr. schaetfer
| declared that 1t was left to MI Ellis
| to call upon the firemen,
| THE firemen are human" he con
| tinued, "and Mr. Ellis and every bust
ness man in Memphis should know that
we mean business and didn't go into
this thing to be trifled with"
Mr., Schaeffer was asked If any defi-
| mite time had been set by the fire
men as to when they would act IN
| the event they did not hear from the
|
mentioned.
he stated, land imagine that by Tues
day night or Wednesday morning some
| thing will happen.
Conversations with officers and mem
| bers Of the grievance committee as
well as members OF the rank ana lie
of the union indicate that nto,,n the men En-
are determined and are very serious IN
| deelarations that designations will fol-
low in large numbers unless relief Is
| granted, Aoor
working on the matter; that he has had
several conferences with commssioner n ",,ont,
Edgar and that he intends to do every
| thing in his power to bring about some
| relief ,., ,o.,,,oo,,
Mr., ellis and the firemen may, however,
| result In action on the part OF the
firemeu unless an additional sHISn0a on
| Connmerce and this seems improbable
| # statements of the firemen are an
| indication.