Contrasts in St. Louis
In St. Louis it would seem that the members of every class of city employes are better paid than the firemen. These are on duty for 24 hours every day—except one in every six, which is the fireman’s day off. Of the 24 hours he is allowed only three hours for his meals and a peep at his family. His salary, with time taken off for meals and his off day, is only a small fraction over 17 cents an hour, as against that of the average water works employe, with a salary of $80 per month—a small fraction over 33 cents an hour for an eight-hour day. The contrast is at least suggestive—all the more so when the discomforts and dangers of a fireman’s life are weighed in the balance against the safety and ease that accompany that of the water works employe.
In St. Louis it would seem that the members of every class of city employes are better paid than the firemen. These are on duty for 24 hours every day—except one in every six, which is the fireman’s day off. Of the 24 hours he is allowed only three hours for his meals and a peep at his family. His salary, with time taken off for meals and his off day, is only a small fraction over 17 cents an hour, as against that of the average water works employe, with a salary of $80 per month—a small fraction over 33 cents an hour for an eight-hour day. The contrast is at least suggestive—all the more so when the discomforts and dangers of a fireman’s life are weighed in the balance against the safety and ease that accompany that of the water works employe.
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
