The Washington times., 1924-01-15
The Bill Fixing the Salaries of
Washington Policemen and
Firenen
By BILL PRICE.

Any pressure upon Congress for the passage Of the House
bill fixing the salaries Of policemen and firemen In the Dis
triCt ought to be wholly unnecessary The Commissioners OF
the District have recommended it, civic organizations
have unanimously gone record in its support and Congress
is sensible enough that the facts submitted behalf Of
these Cuoans Of law and order and protectors OF property
justify the increases asked.
does include the members Of the police and fire depart
IF recasSCaon goes into effect the bonus Of $20
per year win be discontinued and policemen and femen Will
return to prewar salaries that will absolutely disrupt the
morale of the two departments and make it impossible under
the high wages paid mechanical fields for vacancies in the
Even with the payment Of the bonus is not possible
TO keep the personnel Of the police and fire departments
to the maximum allowed by law The community the suf
ferer thereby high order efficiency to be had the
pay must be made sufficient to attract and their working
conditions must be made more pleasant.
Employees Of the Federal and District are
lowed thirty days annual leave; policemen and fremen
twenty There are seven national holidays which Federal and
in the Fremen and policemen busiest on days
when others not working. Holidays really mean nothing
With the withdrawal Of the bonus prvatss Of Glass
m the fire department will receive 81 $50 annually Glass
$780, Glass $460 In these American cities the pay Ii
follows New York Glass $26oo Detroit Class $21eo;
Conn., Glass 5000 Atlantic Go' city, ' Glass ss1oo
In but five cities Of the United States do prvaes Of Glass
ecsTe Less than % ws in the most % o. them they
the entire departments The salaries Of the chief and deputy
chiefs Of the Washington department far below those Of
Every city has found it necessary to pay policemen and
hemen salaries that will entice competent willing to
the responsibilities placed upon them In the proteC
ton Of lives and properties The salaries here only
unng but inadequate for the maintenance Of the and
their families which they seldom because Of the many
tricks Of duty imposed upon them.
When the bonus longer paid the salaries Of Washing
tou policemen win be- Glass l. ST AGO. Glass ST. $780, Glass
$660 The citizens Of New York last November voted In
referendum four to for salaries Of to policemen
Of the first grade in that city.
Even the small cities Of the country pay their policemen
better salaries than Washington and yet Washington police
men must safeguard the lives and properties Of Senators
Representatives Ambassadors Cabinet officers diplomats
men and women Of note throughout the world
The scales Of pay throughout the police department
proportonately small In both the police and fire depart
ments the must furnish their uniforms and keep
themselves looking Many cities furnish uniforms
Of charge these officers thereby enabling them
their salaries for other needs
the wishes Of the people Of Washington desired by
Congress they would ask for the prompt passage by House
and Senate Of the bill submitted by the Commissioners that
fair and reasonable salaries may be made effective the
beginning Of the fiscal year, July 1 next