Evening journal., 1921-08-30
FIRE RUNNERS
THREATEN TO
QUIT SERVICE
Continued from First Page


Drivers and engineers have been
employed by the companies at regu-
lar pay, but the runners have
done duty for nothing.
Many Of these runners" who are
unmarried have virtually made 'heiT
homes in some Of the fire houses,
sleeping there at night an1 getting
,heir meals outside. This arrange
onnent has been an advantage because
il has meant that the companies had
a staff on duty at nighr without cost.
When the directors of Public
Safety contracted 10 tafe over vol
-nnteer houses and apparatus they
notified the companies to be ready
to move out with such equipment as
was not taken over by midnight to-
morrow, when the paid service was
to be established. AS a result most
of the companies have sold off their
furniture, including cots and blan-
kets They also have sold off con-
Siderable hose which was not wanted
by the Safety Department.
Now, with Council proposing that
the companies sign a contract to give
service for three months longer. the
volunteer companies are confronted
with bare houses and lack Of usual
-fire-nghting equipment. Under such
circumstances the active men or
s'runners" are protesting against the
extension of time and threatening
to withdraw their services.
81
TO the mems discomfort has been the
dropping Of about 100 men who had
been engaged by the Public Safety
Directors and have gone through a
preliminary course OF training at the
fire tower. Some OF these men gave
up other jobs to enter the paid SER
vice. Now they find themselves
"out" all around. Naturally, they
are somewhat bitter.
The Safety Directors protest they
can do nothing in the face OF the in
junction granted by Chancellor VOL
cott, and the men feel that L is
therefore distinctly up TO City Coun-
Gil TO act in their behalf. Instead
OF aiding them. however Council
last night virtually turned its back
on them for three months at least
BY proposing that the old volunteer
system be continued.
II was said today that a meeting
OF the active men OF the various
volunteer companies had been call
ed at Friendship company house
but George W. McGonigal presiden
of that organization. said ne knew
nothing OF It. He added. however
that he had offered the Friand'hin
house as a training station for those
men who have been employed by
the Public Safety Directors AMI tnen
unceremoniously dismissed.
'The men may come here and
keep ft'" said Mr.. McGonigal
-euntil they receive regular positions
three months hence"
Mr.. McGonigal likened the present
situation with regard TO the fire
companies to a carpenter who hac
sold or his working tools and ther
taken contract TO do certain work
Either he must buy new tools or sc
shy on the job.
The Friendship Company has beer
out OF active service for some
months. having voluntarily retired
Believing a paid service should be
Established.
s. Prank <. Brand. president Of the
Fame Company. who aroused City
Council last night by declaring that
the volunteers could no longer give
efncient service with the equipment
they now possess. and who told the
city fathers to their faces that they
Hacked backbone" reiterated his
declarations today. He is employed
in the Pennsylvania Railroad Offices
at Todd's Cut
"The situation Is plain" said Mr.
Brand. "As long as volunteer firl
companies say they can give service
Council says II has no emergency
But let volunteer companies declin
TO serve any longer. and Council wi
be confronted by an emergency q
biggest proportions.
''Council should 60 ahead and tai,
over what houses and apparatus
needs. establish the paid service q
planned and not waste three month
more waiting 10 hnd out what a
courts are going 10 do about the ID
partpent OF Safety and its methods
1t viii not be surprising II a nun
Der of the companies at meetings q
night decline to sign the thr
months agreement or call for a ge
ersl meeting Of representatives Of ;
the companies to discuss the stu
tion before giving their reply.
Owing TO the illness OF City S
ncitor satterthwaite, this mornir
preparation of the contracts viii
the volunteer fire companies ha
agreed to sign, has been delayed.
= It was planned to have these co
tracts drawn this morning so tn
The different companies would 7
ceive them tonight and officially a
cept the same. so that Council mig
have them in hand by tomorrc
night The delay. however, is n
likely to complicate matters