Evening star., 1924-01-15
COMMITTEE TOGET
FAVORABLE REPORT
ON NF|RE-POL|CEB BILL
Amendment by BIanton Gives
Men One Day Off in
Seven.

Favorable report to the House
District committee tomorrow on the
police and firemen's increase pay bill
was ordered today by the special sub
committee headed by Representative
Frederick N. zihlman Of Maryland,
which has been conducting hearings
on this legislation. 1t Is practically
assured that a favorable report will
be made to the House by the full
committee tomorrow.
The COMMISSIONER bill providing
graduated increases throughout the
grades for officers and privates in
both the police and fire departments
was approved without change by the
subcommittee. save in three respects.
The bill as reported includes an
amendment by Representative Thomas
L. Blanton of Texas, which gives
one day on in seven in lieu OF Sunday
in addition to annual and sick leave
TO every member of the police and
fire departments. This automatically
increases the foroe by one-seventh,
Chairman Zihlman explained.
Driver-privates, who, under the
Commissioners bill would suffer a
severe decrease in salary to $500,
the same class and pay as other pri-
Yates. which Will mean substantial
increases and opportunities for pro-
motion.
Here Allowance Cut.
The only decrease under the bill
as originally drafted is slight cat
in the allowance for horses from
$40 as proposed. to $3.50. thus saving
$50 per horse.
George 8. Watson, chief engineer Of
the fire department., who appeared
before the committee this morning.
statement made by Commissioners
Oyster that the apparatus on which
the men are forced to ride going to
and from fires Is extremely danger
Gus.
Capt Edward O'Connor, president
of the Firemen's Association. and
Chief Watson advocated the Detroit
rates for Washington. which. COM
pared with Washington. are:
So. 900, compared with $4,000 in wash
ington; deputy chief. $4,000, COM
pared with $4,000 in Washington; bat
talon chief, $500. compared with
$2,40o; captain, $4,000, compared with
with s1,7sO; marine engineer. 12,52o.
compared with $1.70o; private. first
class. S2,1so, compared with $3.50:
private, second class. 1890. compared
with 1850; private. third class, $l,S40,
compared with $1.460.
This statement also showed that
where privates Of frst class In Wash
ington received 1850, all of the large
cities, including New York. Chicago.
francisco, Newark. Minneapolis, Ak
ron, Yonkers. Lawrence, Mass; Ho-
boken, Bridgeport and Atlantic City
ali pay privates of this class more
than $4,000.
Speaks for Drivers.
Harry Englehart Of No. 8 precinct.
spoke for the private drivers explain
the long hours they are compelled to
work.
w. J. Kerns. secretary Of the Po-
licemen's Association. and F. s. storr-
Iney OF No. 4 precinct advocated driv-
| ers should be put in class and the
opportunity for promotion opened.
Capt. w. S. Shelby advocated new
grade Of lieutenant detective for
CAPT. Shelby placed in the record
| heures showing that the bill would In
crease the compensation S92,570 over
what is now actually being paid them.
Increase Will Add Sss,3eo.
Fire Chief Watson presented figures
| showing that the present pay roll. in
cluding the bonus, is $1.31s.o40, and
that the bill would increase this by
| 38s.3e0. There are 691 employees Of
| the fire department. 1t was pointed
out that the changes recommended by
Capt. O'Connor would further increase
the cost $4,000.
Edward L. Phillips. representing the
detective force, urged the new
title of detective lieutenant to distin-
| guish these men Of proven ability.
Representative Blanton advised that
as little change as possible be made in
| the Commissioners bill, in order that
it's chances for quick action in the
| House not be jeopardized.