The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-10
ONE MORE SALARY CUT
Councilmen Discuss the Reduction
Of CITY Expenses.
DO not Favor RADICAL MEASURES.

said to BE Only TempOrnry-Other
Caey Matters.
The next radical move on the part Of
the city council will probably be the cut
ting Of salaries of city officers. So far
there IS nothing more than talk appear
ing on the surface, but an ordinance will
be prepaI Ell aud Introduced as son as
possible which, if adopted Will mater
Tally reduce the city payroll
Councilman Fulton Of the Fifth ward
said today: 1--WE might as well face the
Tact now as at any time, that the city Is
IN hole. Something must be done TO
reduce our expenses or we will run sew
eral thousand dollars behind I am in
favor Of reducing the salaries of the city
officers and the employees Of the city
excepting the street force. who receive
day wages.
Mr. Fulton suggested the following re-
ductions IN the heads Of departments:
Fire Marshal s. 800 70 81 200
Sup. OF L ec.rlc Lights LOO 10 l.2O0
s.ree. Commissioner 800 10 co.
Couicliinen ---------.-- --..------ % 10 "
THIS would make a saving Of SO, 100.
Dir. Fulton is willing TO give up his
salary a. a member Of the council, and
thinks every otner councilman would d.
the same, and though the indIvidal sal
airy Of the members il only $50 per year,
man Fulton is also in favor or cutting
the salary of the N smbers Of the ire de-
partment $40 per month, VIII oh would
reduce their wages to $40 and so. This
move. however, will be likely 10 prove so
unpopular that the fire department may
be spared.
Councilman Fulton does not favor
making the reduction permanent, but
thiaks the retrehchment policy should
be adopted until condition of the
finances of the CITY are in better cOndi-
ton.
Councilman Griggs is also in favor of
cutting Salaries, but he thinks that if the
cut applies only 10 he heads of depart
ments enough can be saved to tide the
city over the year without deficit
Councilman Stephenson Of the Second
ward, IS also in favor of reduction, but
he IS not III favor of making it 50 sweep
ing as VT. Fulton. lie said: "FrOm the
financial distress of the country and from
the ind cation of an immense delinquent
tax list it ought to be Il fair warning to
the mayor aud members Of the council
that something should be done TO pre-
serve the financial integrity OF the city.
/ know that the efficiency of the fire de-
partment and street force could NOT be
better, and l have no other motive in
fav0ring a reduction than that there will
be deficit unless we Immediately take
the necessary steps to prevent it, The
reduction should have been made months
ago. but as it was not made then l am
in favor OF doing it now
Councilman Ettlinger said: II am in
favor OF making reduction. but do not
think it should be too radical. / think
the fire marshal's salary should be re-
duced to $1,000, the city engineer to
1000, the superintendent of electric
lights to $1,000. the city attorney to
5 40 and the city clerk to 1880. There
is some doubt in my mind about reduc-
inU the clerks salary as he has nearly
all the responsibility Of the city govern
Inent on his shoulders. There is no
the fact that something will
have to be done"