The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-23

you what sets my hair on end is men earn
ing fat salaries and doing no work"
Mr.. Hall appealed to the committee not
TO allow personal prejudices to warp their
judgment
Mr.. Bagley moved that the committee of
three be appointed, and on Mr. Halls sug-
gestion it was resolved that Mr. Hanford
be member of that committee. The
others selected were Messrs. Korn and
Barnes.
When the police force was reached it
was reported that Chief Rogers was will
ing TO accept reduction to 5000 year.
Mr.. Hall moved that patrolmans salary
be $50 month, but after considerable dis
cussion it was put at SIS.
The fire department was then taken up,
the chiefs salary passing without reduc-
ton. The first question was on the as
sistant chief. Mr.. Hall deprecating the
suggested rule that the first captain on the
ground be the acting chief.
Mr.. Hanford said the salary roll was
$500 month. The proposed ordinance
made it 81 1850, which was altogether too
low. He went through the entire roll
with view to showing that the COM
As
the point that hremen must live close to
the engine-houses and could not take adj
vantage of low rents. Then, also, the de-
struction of their clothes made their posi-
tons very expensive. He did not think
their pay was any too much, considering
the nature of the work they had to do.
Mr.. Lansing opposed any reduction in
the fire department if it could be avoided.
Mr.. Miller said Tacoma had a better de-
partment thap Seattle and was costing less
than 5000. He could not see why it
should cost Seattle so very much more
than any other place. He thought it
could well be run with fifty men. He was
told that at the Windsor hotel fire (the
biggest there had been for some time), the
men were running in each others way
and some of them were busy stealing rum.
Mr.. Hall thought if the matter were put
to vote the people would unanimously
decide in favor of keeping it as it is.
Mr.. Mlller-The fire department con-
sumes just half the city's entire revenue.
There was hook and ladder which cost
the city 5000 lying in the sun. Why not
organize another company?
Mr.. Jones moved that the committee
confine itself to scale of salaries, and pass
over the question of numbers.
Mr.. Bagley thought the department
could be recognized with great benefit
to the city. He did not want to see the
department crippled, but he did not be-
ileve that because there were certain
things done that they must be kept so.
Mr.. Muldoon said he was going to favor
an extension of the system ON behalf of
the suburban localities.
Mr.. Hanford denied Mr.. Miller's state
ment that the cost of the fire department
was one-half the city's revenue; that Ia
coma's department was better, or that it
cost so small sum as stated. He very
vigorously objected to any reduction, and
called attention to the millions of dollars
involved. He asked if the German Saw
ings Institution would put millions into
buildings if its investment could not be
protected.
this department until the next meeting.
which was fixed for Wednesday evening.
Outside of the charter officeIss and the
comptroller who, althougkfiiling an office
whose compensatiop-is not fixed by the
charter, has deiin.ite term, the following
Is the rate OF Salary agreed upon, with the
e1 .,' 81 the treasurer's office, which
VII need further revision by the COM
mittee of five on account of the extension
of the work of that office:
City clerks deputies, 500 each; board of
public works, chairman, $50; one men,
Der, $125; one member, 500; secretary,
$3.50; comptroller's deputy. 500; superin-
tendent of water-works, $l66.66; police,
chief, sl66.66; captains, sos; lieutenants,
$50; license collector, $1i0; patrolmen,
SIS; fire department., chief, S166.66; assist
ants, 500.
After some general talk on the subject
of future committee work, adjournment
was taken.