The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-01-05
PupIic Hits
FurIough Of
City Police
Many Ask Why
Council Is
Not Cut
MEN MAKE PROTEST


drawn chorus of complaints this
week from both the officers them
selves and large sections of the
public.
Following the curt treatment
given by City Council TO the petit
ton signed BY every member OF
the force the complaints have been
coming more vocal and suggcs-
tons that the City Council mem
bers themselves should take cuts
are becoming more pronounced.
Parents OF children who are nc
longer protected by police in theii
shedding sports on certain streets
arc up in arms and the revelation
that only five officers were on dut!
In the entire city last Tuesday
night Is causing a wave of apprc-
hcnsion among the residents, Say
many people.
The added information that the
plain clothes members OF the de.
tective and investigating squad
are also operating on the fur
Tough schedule is adding to the
growing feeling OF uneasiness.
One Proposal
One proposal. made by a sub
stantial Baltimore Street mcr-
chant. is that the Mayor and
members of the Cumberland
City Council voluntarily go
without pay for the balance OF
the fiscal year ard transfer
their salaries 10 the Police
Fund. THE Mayor and Council
members have other jobs and
incomes" he said they are
responsible for the financial
biunder and in justice they
should not ask the wives and
children Of our police officers
TO suffer for their incficicncy."
All of them in the past have
expressed their earnest desire TO
serve the City. Here is their
chance 10 do So"
The Voice OF Labor thinks III,
suggestion an excellent one. but
points out that the proposal doe.
not go far enough. He would alsC
include The City Solicitor on tn,
furlough list in the belief that Il
would not cause him any hard.
ship.
Curious
Meanwhile. the general public
is becoming more curious as e
what has happened TO Police
Fund monies. How did the short.
age deyolop?" they are asking
What kind OF inefficient admin
istration is it that can purchas'
a Deluxe patrol wagon and ther
lay off the police officers who arr
necessary to provide occupant.
for it," ask others.
How much was paid for tn,
police cruiser cars and what use
are they without a police crew.
is another popular comment.
Who drew up the budget FOL
the Police Department. and IL
what particular was II ovcrSpen
or under cStimatcd?" is what tn,
man in the street asks.
Up until this time there ha.
been no detailed accounting o.
the shortage in the fund. bu
plans are afoot among the mer
themselves to have the entir,
question aired.
Morale
The grave danger OF this UNI
fortunate and unjust incident
is the effect II will have on the
morale OF the force" said a
prominent citizen land while we
cannot build morale overnight.
but II can be broken down
quickly"
Many Of the men are incenScd
over the unsympathetic rcccp-
ton given 10 their petition.
Mayor Irvine profcsscd 10 lay
the "blame" for the petition on
two or three officers. although
every affected member signed II.
lie commented that there had
been no discussion Of the petit
ton provisions in general
meeting. but failed 20 say how
the police officers could hold a
general meeting at any one
time!
II has been announced that
there will be "cuts" IN other city
departments in order to keeT
within the budget, but many OBJ
servers have stated that they be-
lieve the police furlough an
nouncement will eventually have
TO be rescinded or modified in the
face OF mounting criticism.
In Petition
The officers petition offered Il
work the eighteen days per mar
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