The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-01-13
Let Underpaid Rank and
File Police Refuse to
Fight Workers on Strike
BY J. LOUIS ENoDAHL.

TODAY both policemen fremen in the city of Chicago
protesting vehementy against low wages. They
declares: 800 POLICE TO GUT If DENIED RGIsE
There will be no strike of course No repetition of the
strike OF the Boston policemen that thessy broken
by the city aided by President Cal Coolidge
then governor of Massachusetts,.
The Chicago firemen have union, of the few in
the country affiliated with the local federation labor But
the policemen have no union Yet they boast organza
fight
The employing interests, thru their municipal govern
ment be depended to take fairly good Of the
policemen and fremen insofar their general attitude
ward wage workers is concerned. They The fire
men and policemen the protectors Of private property
the most sacred institution under capitalism Especially
policemen, who constitute the vanguard fighting every in
frngemen of capitalist law. Yet they complain Of the
low wages that they receive Michael j. Hooks president
OF the Patrolmen's Club, is quoted saying that:
have received young pocementhe back
bone of the dePartmenhat they will quit
I'VE HAVE ANY NUMBER OF POLICEMEN LIVING IN BASE
Yet the wages received by Chicago policemen now stand
at $1,000 per year. The demand is for $500.
The policemen complain that this wage of So 200
has purchasing power only s2422o based on the value
OF the dollar in 1913 in terms Of the cost of living while
purchasing powe) have fallen $12sso during this 12year
period of boosted American prosperity.
Every worker is entitled to his wage demands This in
cIudes policemen and fremen. The wage demands
be too high.
But is we'll for the policemen to remember the cond
ton OF the large number of workers. many of whom they
are often called to make upon during strikes who re-
ceVe much less than they and who in strategic
position to enforce their demands
The average weekly wage for all workers in New York
State for November 1925 only $305 with the average
wage tor women falling as low 1851 This makes
annual average wage for all of only $156760 nearly 1000
below that to which the policemen aspire and only
age OF $SS444 for women workers.
The situation in Massachusetts is much worse There
the average weekly for all workers only 2431 while
that for women workers is down $1622. The annual
average for all workers therefore 81 2642 nearly
$1,000 below what Chicago policemen now receive, while
women average only $843.44 annually.
Getting home to Illinois, the average falls between that
OF New York State and Massachusetts, The average weekly
wage for all workers during October 1925 this state was
average wage OF $1749 per week for women annual
wage of $o0o48.
Let the policemen of Chicago remember this when they
are called upon to club workers in the strike Within
recent times you have been called beat strikers of
both International Ladies' Garment Workers. Union and the
Amagamated Clothing Workers Union, large percentage
OF the members OF both these organizations being made p
OF women.
Policemen must remember that every strike is called to
better the conditions of the workers. When they fight for an
increase OF their own policemen might also insist on
demand that they be not called upon engage in anti
strike activities They might the lesson that militant
trade union OF their would be great strength
in pressing their demands
Three hundred Chicago policemen threatening TO quit
because OF the low wages received is healthy sign of dis
content. . - ~
Three hundred Chicago policemen threatening to quit
rather than do antistre duty would be an indication of
real class solidarity. =