St. Paul daily globe., 1895-12-25
PARKER Committees REPORT
FREELY CRITICISED BY
CITY OFFICIALS.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT II.
HSf
NOBODY FAvORS REDUCING sAL-
ARIES OF POLICEMEN ANDi =
ls FIREMEN.
LET. THE POOR MAN ALONE
Is the Idea of Assemblyman
StrOuse-Others Think the
Same Way. NJ

The report of the Parker investigat-
ing committee does not meet with the
Endorsement of the city officials. The
consensees of their opinions is that
the report, in so far as it recommends
reductions of the salaries of police
men and firemen, and the performance
of all work upon the streets under the
contract system, is not in harmony
with the best interests of the city. The
general criticism is, that, in these re-
spects, the committee seems to have
adopted a starvation basis in making
its calculations. The committees re-
concentrations along the line of legis-
lative remedies were generally ap-
proved.
The various city officials whose opin-
ions are herewith recorded find con-
siderable to criticise in the recon-
mendations affecting their respective
departments. They intimate, though
they do not say in so many words, that
the committee, Notwithstanding it's
searching examination Of the heads of
the departments, did not become suffi-
GENTLY familiar with the practical
workings of these departments to ap-
preciate the necessities and require
mentS thereof.
OF all the opinions expressed that of
Assemblyman Strouse was perhaps the
most comprehensive and well consid-
cred. Mr.. Strouse said:
Generally speaking, [ regard the re-
port as valuable and important docu-
ment. AS a record, it will be found
most useful. The committee is enti-
tied to the thanks of the community
for the intelligent labor it has bestowed
upon these vital questions. AS the re-
suit of the deliberations of representa-
tive and able men it must carry ex-
ceptional weight. Its recommended
tions in the direction of future legisla-
ton are wise, and 1 hope they will be
effective, though it is to be regretted
that the next session of the legislature
is so far ahead.
81 cannot say, however, that L agree
with the committee in it's treatment of
the salary question, in so far as it ap-
plies to the compensation of subordin-
ate officials-the firemen, policemen,
street laborers and clerks. My motto
is, let the poor man alone. He gets
little enough. Why reduce the salary
of policeman? Surely if he is worth
anything he should receive SIS a month.
Statistics show that ST. Paul is one of
the most-if not the most orderly city
in this country. The policemen risk
their lives. So do the firemen. Per
haps the occasions for such risks do
not arise every day in the year, but it
is enough that their employment sub
jects them to such risks frequently.
l do not approve the. proposed reduc-
ton of the wages of the street labor
ers, either. The money saved in this
direction would have to be expended
by the board of control in caring for
their families. No, sir, l object en-
phatically to retrenchment at the ex-
pense of the poor man. Such a saw
ing is un worthy of the city and will
prove expensive in the end''
Assemblyman Johnson agreed with
Mr.. Strouse that the report was ex-
haustive and useful in that it con-
tains valuable data for future refer
ence. He thought, however, that it
was too radical in some respects.
"It contains" said Mr.. Johnson, Tit
tie that is new. The members of the
council have long ago recognized the
abuses and mistakes in our city gov
ernment pointed out by the report
do not care to go into details as I
have not given the report very close
attention. l indorse its legislative rec
concentrations, and 1 also agree nth
many of it's suggestions regarding OBJ
jectionable features that can be OBJ
waited without the aid of the state
legislature. For instance regarding
the compensation Of street laborers, T
do not think the city ought to place a
premium upon this work. If contract
ors pay laborers $1.25 a day, I don't
think the city should give them $1.50
1T should be remembered that con-
tractors make it point to employ only
the most robust and efficient laborers
while the city can and does give en-
ployment to men whom the contractors
will not hire. AS for the policemen
and firemen, 1 will say this: If the
city wants efficient service, it must en-
ploy efficient men, and / do not believe
that they can be obtained for less
money than they now receive, though
that is not to say that all of the pres
ent employees are efficient. L think,
however, that the police department
would do we'll to adopt the plan of the
fire department, which is to regulate
the salaries SO that a novice on the
police force will receive smaller sal
airy during his first term of service
than an experienced man."
The heads of city departments who
would talk at all talked briefly. This
| was especially the case with the mem
bers of the board of public works. The
Der receive a stated salary of $10O
year and Sc day for every actual days
work put in by them, but in no event
should their compensation exceed $500
year each. Asked what they thought
of the report, the four members de-
livered themselves of the following
terse remarks:
President Gorman-We are saying
| nothing, but saving wood.
Commissioner. Fairchild-The reduc-
ton of salaries recommended by the
committee are extreme. No member
of the board of public works could pos
sibly give his attention to the duties of
| the body for such compensation.
Commissioner Warren-I am still
busy studying the lighting question,
and have not given the report sufficient
considera ton to express an opinion
further than to say that I am opposed
to the idea of the city hiring con-
tractors to do all the work on the
streets, thereby reducing the compen-
sation of street laborers. I am also
opposed to any reduction of the salar-
les of policemen and firemen.
Commissioner Quinby-What do I
think of the report? Why I am infat-
uated w tn it, Henceforth l propose
to give my services to the board for
nothing during the balance of my nat
ural life, which won't last long, as I
cannot live upon nothing.
| City Engineer Rundlett declined to
discuss the details of the report which
| recommends that his office force be
reduced to one assistant, two clerks
| and one draughtsman
MY swearing capacity is not ade-
quate to express my opinion of such
recommendation was Mr.. Rund-
letts comment.
Building Inspector Gauger had this
to say in regard to the recommends
ton that his department be merged
into that Of tha oit