Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-08
bonus NECESSARY
! T0GTY''S WELFARE
Police and Firemen Said to
Need 1t for Adequate
!, Clothing.

Mai. Harry L. Gessford, superin-
tendent of police. and George S. Wat
son, chief of the fire department. are
deeply concerned over the fate of the
provision of the restoration of the
$40 bonus to members of their re-
spective forces, and are doing all in
their power to convince Congress OF
the actual necessity for restoring it.
C. L. Dalrymple, president of the
Policemen'S Association, and capt.
Edward O'Connor. holding similar
position in the Firemen's Association.
are actively engaged in the work of
trying to get members Of Congress in
ehould it reach the floor of both
houses of that body.
In police circles the belief is eX-
pressed that Congress will restore the
bonus, while some members OF the
6remen'S organization still fear the
bill will pass without restoration of
the bonus provision.
President Dalrymple has supplied
members of the appropriations commit
tee much additional information re-
specting salaries of policemen in other
jurisdictions, and. in addition to larger
salaries being paid in most of the
cities, he pointed out that allowances
are made for uniforms. In one Mime
sofa city, at the time the figures were
obtained, President Dalrymple stated,
the city council was considering a
proposition to give a fiat salary raise
Of $50 month.
Local policemen are seriously handf-
capped by having to purchase their
own uniforms, President Dalrymple
stated, something that is not even re-
CURED of the park police. The latter.
he said, are furnished full equipment
at the expense of the government.
something that ought to be done for
the city force.
Members of the Policemen's Asso-
citation who are assisting President
DAlfymple in the matter OF fully &C.
Quainting Congress with the reasons
why the bonus should be restored are
W. J. Kerns and E. M. Seaman of the
committee Of ways and means.
It Is stated that; there are three
leaders in the House who will carry
or q fight for the restoration of the
bonus should the measure reach there.
Being properly clothed has an i'm
pcrtant bearing on the efficiency of
nremen." commented Chief Watson
this morning. land it has a salutary
effect in the conservation Of health"
Chief Watson said it is almost i'm
possible for f1remen to provide them
selves with proper clothing with their
present salaries. Firemen who are I'M
able properly to equip themselves
vain clothing, he said. are apt to con
tinue wearing boots that are not
waterproof and clothing which will
not shield them from water :. ires.
IN many such instances, he said, men,
hers Of the department are likely to con-
tract colds and other ailments which,
No said. not only decrease their efficiency
at dres. but which impair their; health
and shortens their usefulness in life
CHIEF Watson told members Of the City
Cub OF his plea for the restoration Of
the bonus. declaring the taking Of SO
hom the pay envelope Of the nremen
Nach month was unfair.
say without hesitation" he added,
thnt for efficiency and loyalty to serv-
ioe the members Of the Washington IRE
Experiment cannot be surpassed by the
1rsmsn Of any other city in the United
ak tho assistance Of this club in
heaptng the hremen recover. their full
6o0ua," he concluded.
Members Of practically every civic or
GnnibAtion in this city have Joined in q
yoQuest for favorable action in the mat
tee Of restoring the bonus