Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-16
ADJUSTMENTS.
Immediately struck with the high sala-

Immediately struck with the high sala-
ries fixed by the charter as compared
with those fixed by this ordinance for
other employees. They are out of pro-
portion, and are as follows: Mayor,
$4,000 per annum councllmen, $1,000 ;
city clerk, $2400; auditor. $4,000; asses
sor. $2400; treasurer, $2400; engineer,
$4,000; attorney, $4,000; superintendent
of buildings, $4,000; street superintend-
ent, $4,000; chief of police, $4,000; health
officer, $240O; tax collector, $4,000.
No action of ours can alter or reduce
salaries fixed by the charter, but it will
be seen that we have dispensed with
clerks entirely for the city auditor,
treasurer ETC., and we recommend that
the mayor do the same with his clerk,
as the accompanying ordinance pro-
vides for clerks of the various boards,
which services have heretofore been per-
formed by the mayors clerk. At the
time of the appointment and fixing the
salary OF the mayors clerk, he acted as
clerk to the police, fire and park COM
missions, as we'll as the board of health.
Now that each of these boards are pro-
vided for by the accompanying ordi-
nance, with clerks, without additional
expense to the city, we see of no neces-
sity for mayors clerk other than Is
provided in the ordinance.
The superintendent of buildings and
clerk OF the mayor being charter officers,
we cannot reduce their salaries; but
both being appointive officers, can be
changed by the appointing power. The
charter requires that the superintend
ent of buildings shall be an architect or
builder, consequently the present may
or's clerk is not eligible to the appoint
ment of superintendent of buildings; !;
but we think that the gentleman acting
as superintendent of buildings can, in
addition to his present duties, also per-
form whatever duties the mayor might
find for clerk. We have, therefore, so
provided in the ordinance, and hope the
mayor will cooperate with US in our
efforts to reduce the expenses of rum
ming the city. by dispensing with his
clerk, now drawing salary of $500 per
annum.
This change would also vacate room
in the city hall occupied by the super
intendent of buildings.
In the health department we have
dispensed with two sanitary inspectors,
and police surgeon, as the ordinance
provides that all policemen shall act as
sanitary inspectors, and that the health
officer shall perform the duties of the
police surgeon.
In the street department the ordi-
nance dispenses with the services of
''outside deputy" two street inspectors,
the superintendent of sewers, Inspector
of street sweeping, and three gang fore
men.
We believe that the ordinance pro-
vides a sufficient force to do the work,
provided the superintendent and those
retained are as active as would be nec-
essary if employed in private capacity.
In the engineers Office we have dis
pensed with one clerk, two draughtsmen
and per diem reduction on other en-
ployees.
The saving to the city by the accom-
panying ordinance is about $3.50 per
month or $45, 900 per annum.
The members of the school board ex-
pect to meet with US in caucus this
week, and it ia thought that saving of
some twenty thousand dollars can be
made then. Add TO this from eighteen
to twenty-five thousand dollars by parks
and library boards, (the expenditures
over which we have no control, and we
have total saving of we'll on towards a
hundred thousand dollars.
No saving can be made in the elective
or charter officers until new charter is
adopted.
The ordinance was then passed, under
suspension of the rules, every one voting
aye except Councilman Summerland.
The table being clear, the council
then proceeded to adjourn.