The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-09-14

forced to traffic that paper away for IS cents on
the dollar When IL can be bargsined off az all;
but at the present time 1t cannot be sold at any
prce--there is absolutely no market for II, and
those who have been compelled to take II In
payment OF the city's obligations are suffering
hardship which, in eur opinion, IS not warrant
ed by the chief elements of the situation. 1t
has the appearance OF unjust discrimination
that might well be avoided. The taxpayers OF
the city are materially interested IN the use
made OF their money, and this inquiry is made
purely with view to obtaining information on
the subject of the management OF the funds In
our municipal treasury
SEVERAL cry CREDITORS.
In order to obtain the information
sought by the authors of the foregoisg
communication q reporter for this paper
interviewed Mayor Prosscr and q number
of the councilmen concerning the matter.
The mayor, referring to the essence Of the
inquiry, said: 81 cannot believe tn at
there is any direct discrimination made.
am quite certain that there was none
intended. The salary fund was created
in direct line with the reform purpose of
this municipal administration. When We
assumed control OF the city's business we
found it expedient to reduce salaries of
employees OF the city. This was done and
considerable dissatisfaction among those
affected was expressed. To overcome this
the council guaranteed to every employe
of the city that his salary should be paid
in cash. A Salary fund, therefore, was
created, all the license money collected
being deposited in that fund. The amount
thus held for payment of salaries is not
excessive; in fact, without additions to
it between the present date and the first
OF January, it will scarcely be sufficient.
1t is certainly source OF regret that any
creditor OF the city is Inconvenience by
his inability to find market for his war
rants, but the situation will be relieved as
quickly as taxes shall have been collected.
Those warrants draw per cent interest
from the date OF the time they are endorsed
by the treasurer as not paid for want OF
funds have not the figures at hand to
enable me to go into details, but by care
full inquiry you will find that the fund
created for payment of salaries is barely
efficient for that purpose. The reduction
ntaaa % municipal expenses will be
Seaul IL be a saving OF much greater
s. j q the tax payers than that which
shss MA be feegiEsd to meet O., lnr .9.ss
wanants /"
= Councilman Knechler said, by way OF
explanation: 1--WE will be compelled to
expend greater sum in the payment Of
salaries during the remaining four months
of this year than that now in the salary
fund. The city pays out about 5000
month in salaries. There was very little
money in the treasury when the present
council was indicted irto Office. We saw
that 5000 OF interest would soon be due
and we set that money aside Immediately.
That left us mere pittance on which TO
work on cash basis. When we reduced
the salary expense Of the city we guaran-
teed the payment OF monthly salaries in
was created from all the license money
received. The estimate then made was
not excessive. Indeed, we will have to
add TO that fund before the LIST OF January
or it will be insufficient. However, it was
agreed by the finance committeeman
approved by the council-that the salary
there appeared to be an excess of the sum
needed. Taxes will begin to come in
about the first Of January and then the
warrants will be redeemed. Possibly by
the first of November anothf $1,000 of
license money will be collects in which
event it may be expedient to replenish
the general fund. We believe we did
right 10 protecting the employees Of the
city. for their work is important and must
be done. | am very sure there was no
disposition on the part OF the council to
discriminate against any fund. 1t is very
unfortunate that our warrants cannot
now he redeemed with cash, but cannot
see how We could have improved the stu
alton by any course different from that
We have pursued"
The foregoing is comprehensive out
line of the explanation of the matter
made by others. IL was stated by one
official, however. that he bad treason to
believe that the business men who hold
warrants could much better afford to
carry them, with accruing interest, than
the clerical. police and fire employees.
The latter" he continued, "are not able
to DO it," There is very decided divi-
sion of opinion about the matter, however,
and THE HERALD will endeavor to collate
u more general expression OF the views Of
those interested for the next issue.
-
VIGILANrEs There is very
little doubt that well organized gang Of
horse thieves exists in this county, and il
seems impossible to break 1t up. Their
haunts are known, but as soon as an Off
Ger with a warrant OF arrest appears they
are made aware of his actions and effec-
tnally elude pursuit. 1t seems that a
OF vigilantes would be the