The Washington times., 1924-01-15

Subcommittee of House Re-
ports Measure FaVorably.
Three Changes Made.

Three Changes Made.
Carrying net increases Of
$92,570 for the police depart
ment and $4,000 for the fire de-
partment, and providing recon-
mendations which will result in
the enlargement of the police
and fire departments by one-sev-
enth, the police and firemen's
compensation bill was today or
dered favorably reported to the
full District committee by the
special subcommittee.
Three Amendments Adopted,
The subcommittee adopted three
amendments, two of which will bene-
fit the police and fire departments
even more than under the bill as 1t
was originally drawn, while the third
amendment will make slight cut in
one of the special allowances asked.
The bill, it is expected, will be favor
ably reported to the House by the
fuI committee within q week or two,
The principal amendment is to
provide a day off each week. for
members of both departments. This
amendment was introduced by
Congressman Thomas L. Blanton Of
Texas. This change will necessi.
tate an increase in the personnel of
both departments, which must be
SNTsnTySHnH for h1y&
Committee. The fact that passage
Of the present compensation bill
will make granting of the day off
compulsory, is expected to force
the Appropriations Committee into
making the necessary appropria-
tons to increase the force.
Another amendment to the bill
provides that driver privates OF the
Police Department shall be given
the same classification and the
same salaries as the other privates,
with opportunities for advancement
other privates enjoy.
The third amendment makes a
cut in the special appropriation of
$54O to mounted policemen for the
maintenance of their horses. This
sum was cut to $3.50.
Poor Pay Is Handicap.
George S. Watson, chief told the
committee that under the present
pay schedule the District fire de-
partment was seriously handicapped
In securing men Of the proper cali
ber. He declared that no more
loyal or efficient set Of men could be
found in the fire department Of any
other city, despite the low rate or
pay, but urged that the Detroit pay
schedule be adopted for Washing
ton.
Inspector William s. Shelby, Of
the Police Department, urged an
amendment providing an extra Uni:
form allowance, but this amend.
nent was not adopted through fear
that 1t would endanger passage OF
the bill.
Inspector Shelby testified that the
cost of uniforms amounted to prac-
tically 500 a year for newcomers
on the police force.
Shelly recommended the $40 al
Iowance for mounted patrolmen,
but this item was questioned by
Congressman Blanton. Congressman
Blanton also questioned q $3.50 al
lowance for motorcycle men, but
no change in this amount was
Special allowance Carried.
= The bill carries special al
Iowance Of $3.50 for precinct detec-
tives, in addition to their regular
pay as privates Of the second or
third class. This item wNs also
questioned by Congressman Blanton
but he made no objection when II
was testified that these men are
subject to constant call and actually
perform more duty than the regular
patrolmen.
Inspector Shelby urged the crea'
ton of the rank Of detective lieu
tenant, with q special statutory pay
schedule. The members of the pres
ent detective bureau are now listed
as privates of the third class, who
hold temporary rank of detective
sergeant. Their pay, Inspector
Shelby stated, is that Of privates
Of the third class with, two extra
allowances.
COmmends Detective Bureau.
Inspector Shelby took this occa
sion to commend the record Of the
detective bureau. He stated that ir
the apprehension of major criminals
the local detective office is secont
70 none in the country.
The present police appropriation
bill totals 81 ,606,920 for basic salary
and $231 $50 in bonuses. Under thu
new compensation plan the basic
salaries total $1,930,S5O is provided
a or a total increase OF $323,930 ovel
the present basic figures.
Taking into account the present
bonus the actual increase win b.