The herald., 1896-01-28
TARDY ECONOMY

lAKDY ECONOMT
The sweeping reductions in the
monthly expenses of the city govern
ment which the council has made come
better late than never. Several un-
necessary employees are dropped from
the pay roll, and few changes made
in the management of certain depart
ments of the public service, all of
which mean reductions in expenses
that will aggregate handsome sum
every month. There is good reason to
believe that many more persons in the
city's employ are mere supernumer-
aries, whose services could we'll be dis
pensed with.
While taxpayers will rejoice at the
cut thus made by the council,
the thought will undoubtedly oc-
cur, and the question be asked, why we're
not these reductions made long ago?
The needless employees who have been
ordered discharged have all along been
just as needless as they are now. Yet,
month after month they have been
kept on the city's pay roll and have
drawn money from the pockets of
duped taxpayers just as if it was the
sworn duty of the city government to
furnis b as many men as possible with
jobs.
1t is apparent to everybody that
the fit Of economy which suddenly
struck the city fathers was result of
of the grand jury's expected investiga-
ton of municipal affairs. And though
the reductions made by the frightened
officials are steps in the right direction,
the city statesmen deserve but little
credit for doing now what they should
have done long ago, or. better yet, never
have created a necessity for doing at
all. However, if they will henceforth
refrain from bleeding taxpayers for the
benefit of few individuals, and cut
down and keep down expenses to the
lowest point consistent with efficiency
in the public service, their past often
ses, great and numerous though they
are, may possibly be condoned.
Meanwhile the grand jury, following 6
the suggestion of the HERALD, should
go ahead and make the most searching
investigation of official affairs at the
city hall, no matter who may be hurt
by the process.
The contest for the official advertis-
ing of the city, before the council yes
terday, developed the difference in the
way the daily papers treat the adver-
tising public. 1t will be observed by
reading the council proceedings in an
other column that the price for which
The HERALD offered to do the munich
pal advertising was uniform with that
asked by it of its regular GUS
toners. The HERALD's competitors
for the city advertising, however,
submitted figures considerably below
the rates they usually charge individ-
uals. This discrimination was partic-
ularly noticeable in the bid of our
morning contemporary, the rate ten
dered being 25 per cent less than that
asked its everyday advertisers.
The HERALD could make no rednc-
tion to the city from it's regular rates
becars Sc its space is worth those rates.
It asks no more from its usual patrons
than the value of the service it renders
and could not afford to discount for
the city. In the case of the other pa
pers it is different. Their common rates
are high enough to permit Of ample
discount when it comes to city lads" J"
THE DEATH of Theodore Runyon, the
United States ambassador to Germany,
will be lamented not only by those for
tunate enough to enjoy his acquaint-
ance, but by all Americans who appre-
ciate ability and dignity in high diplo-
matte station. Mr.. Runyon by his
character and tact had created most
favorable impression at the court of
Emperor William, and was in a fair
way to accomplish the removal of some
of the unreasonable obstacles the Ger
man government has placed in the way
of trade with this country, under the
delusion that by injuring this country
it benefited Germany, philosophy
worthy of the middle ages.
THE MOVEMENT to assist the Armenian
sufferers from Turkish deviltry has
reached Los Angeles and will find ex-
preston in an entertainment to be
given this week under the auspices of
the Red Cross society for the purpose
of adding to the relief fund being raised
by that organization. The hum anity
of Los Angeles citizens should be made
evident in liberal patronage Of the
affair.