Evening star., 1921-02-13
BONUS PROSPECTS
INCREASE MORALE
Firemen and Policemen High
ly Pleased Over Action of
Senate Committee.
WILL HELP FILL RANKS
Fire Fighters of Italy, However,
Are Better Treated Than
D. C, Men.

With prospects for favorable action
by Congress in the matter of pro-
viding the s24O bonus for members
of the police and fire departments
members of both these District
bureaus are better satisfied with their
positions. 1t is not a case of men
being able to perform better or more
service, according to opinion among
the men. but when a man is satisfied
and feels his employer is doing the
right thing by him his efficinecy nat
urally is improved.
Adding the bonus to their salaries,
it is stated, will bring their pay to
about what the reclassification COM
mission thinks should be their basic
salaries. Should Congress respond
favorably to such suggestion. it
is stated. firenen and policemen will
not hereafter be placed in a position
of asking a bonus. Their request
this year was made as a matter of
justice. members of both departments
pointed out.
New System Praised.
Adoption of the two-platoon system
in the fire department was looked
upon by members of that branch of
the service as being one of the great
est innovations they could expect.
They declare it has bettered the de-
partment and given time for rest and
recreation not previously enjoyed.
When the men were so favored by
Congress. it is stated. they thought
little about other fire departments
In which the men worked under still
better conditions.
In Italy the position of fireman is
rated as a preferred occupation. and
the average pay is said to be higher
than other industrial trades. Because
of desire to keep the firemen in
touch with their work. it is stated
men on the off shifts are permitted
to work al trades. many of them
being employed in the government re-
pair shops near the homes of the
companies to which they are attached.
Practitioners. required to serve Two
years, make their homes in the fire
houses and are furnished their food.
while those working under permanent
appointments are furnished food only
tire uniform equipment is furnished.
while others supply only portions of
the uniform.
Look to Year OF 1872.
IT is said that in no city in the
United States are firemen furnished
the amount of equipment and certain
other necessaries. including food. as is
furnished the italian firemen.
Members of the police force. fully
appreciating the favorable action of
the Senate committee on the request
for the bonus. are interested to know
what, II anything, will be done rela-
tive to the salary question for the
fiscal year 1922. While the present
salary. plus the bonus, is expected to
he the means Of increasing the num-
her of applicants for positions on the
force. il is generally believed that res
1gnations would be greater il it were
not for the retirement arrangement
provided by law. -
Many of the ablest members of the
force have resigned during the past
few years. more especially during the
war. many of them entering the MILL
tary service. while others found more
remunerative positions elsewhere A
number of those who entered the mill
tary service received permanent Army
appointments and did not return to
the force. 1t