The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-23
WHY THEY.GET MOREPAY
ALDERMEN GIVE AN ExPLANA-
TON OF THE SALARY INCREASE.

Chief Puder's Extra $500 is for the
Entertainment of Visitors-Clty At
torney Adams $500 is an Appre-
citation of Past Services and Increas-
ing Burdens-The 5000 for the SUI
perintendent of Water Works Is to
Rank him With the Chief OF Police.
Health officer Brunner's $500 to
Keep Him From Being Jealous of
His Subordinate.
The announcement OF the increase in the
salaries Of certain officials by the city ooun-
Gil was the cause of much comment yester-
day, some favorable and some otherwise.
Many people were asking themselves the
question why these increases had been made,
as they could see no reason at present for
them. Several OF the aldermen we're asked
for reasons for the increase. They gave
generally the same opinion as to each indi-
vidual officer.
Chief Puder's salary was raised $500 be-
cause it is conceded by all, the aldermen
say, that the duties Of the chief are very
onerous, calling for all of his time, night
and day, and also because Chief Puder has
made a very able and efficient officer.
Among his many other duties is that of en-
pertaining visiting hremen from other cities,
and 1t sometimes happens that their visits
are quite frequent. The chief is supposed
TO represent the dignity and Importance of
the city on these occasions, which he has
always done at his own expense. These and
other incidental expenses in the discharge
of his duty make his salary inadequate for
his support.
The council has no power 70 appropriate
money for the purposes mentioned, aud
when the true state of affairs was made
known and it came within the ability of
aldermen to do so they increased the salary
$500 as was requested.
In justification of the increase of the city
attorneys salary 1t was stated that the posi-
tion of city attorney Is one that causes a
lawyer to lose much other practice he would
otherwise obtain but for being the attorney
of the city. The aldermen further called
attention 70 the fact that City Attorney
Adams has had some very heavy cases for
the city and that the work connected with
the position generally is increasing. These
things being so the council felt that it was
only just to increase the salary as asked.
The superintendent OF water works has
very important position, the work of which
he considered too great for the salary. The
aldermen argue that the position is at least
as important as that of chief Of police, but
The health officers salary was also in
creased. Among other reasons given for
this change was that one of the health Off
GERS subordinates, the quarantine officer,
got larger salary than his chief. It is
considered the head Of this department has
duties and responsibilities In connection
with the position that entities him TO re-
ceive at least as much salary as the qusran~
tine officer.
The salary Of Mr.. Howard, assistant city
engineer. was increased from 5000 to 81, 900.
In justification Of this it is claimed that
Mr. Howard is not only very consoi-
entious and efficient officer. but that he is
one of the hardest worked men in the city
government.
These increases were asked for some time
ago, and although the aldermen felt that
the claims were just they say that until the
abolition of the city dispensary there had
been no available funds for the purpose.
The increase In salaries amounts to 5000.
The remaining 81, 900 available from the
city dispensary was attached as salary for
the office of recorder.