The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-09-25
MAYOR BELTSSALARY
His Motto Is, Cut EVERYBODY,
but Spare Ne.
FOR
MUNICIPAL ECONOMY.
The Council Considers = View R.scn Of
Recommendations From the Tn
selfish Populist.

Spokane. Sept zt-Srecfal. resrso-s Sc
10 The request OF the council Mavo~ Belt
fled another message in which he recon-
Iaen3ed: First. that IN caes there was 10
legaE obstruction In the way, the council
could declare the Office % one OF the city
commissioners vacant ard 10 without the
services OF that official. Second. that the
collection Of water rents be placed in the
hands OF the city treasurer. Third that
the police force be reduced Fourth. that
the fire department be reduced by abolish
Ing the Office OF assistant chief ard LAYING
OF some OF the men
As this message had been previously
PUBLISHED III the daily papers. together
with a request frc-a the council that the
citizens in general and the heads Of the
various departments be present a. the
meeting today for the purpose Of discuss
ing the mayors recommendations the
council chamber was well filed when
President Comstock called the meeting 20
order
Corporation Counsel pluuau,e- stated
that in his opinion IL would not b. safe 20
attempt 10 DO away with the Office pro-
Ficed By charter for city commissioner.
The board OF underwriters. through Ar
thur .. Jones and J. c. CUNNINGHAM re-
ported that upon representation 20 the va
rioiIs insurance companies OF the efficient
fire department in the city. reductions IN
year ago That IL the FIRE department
were 10 be reduced the old rates would be
restored. which would cost the taxpayers
about 80, 90 year more for insurance
Commissioners Wiscoube reported that
IN his judgment IL would not De wise TO
yaeate the position OF assistant fire chief
as II had been incumbent upon him TO
make a daily inspection OF all the streets
and alleys and keep them free from rub
bish. thus reducing the liability Of fires.
That during the past year the total loss
II this city by IRE amounted 10 about ST.
oea. which was better record than any
other city Of this size had been able 10
show
Several taxpayers were heard on the
question OF reducing the police force. and
al seemed 10 agree that TX would be i'm
possible TO curtail this department and
maintain the present standard OF ef-
ficiency.
Last year all OF the councilmen signed a
petition IL which they agreed TO reduc-
ton OF their salaries provided the mayor
would agree to q Ike percentage OF re
ductioE from his salary. but as the mayor
seemed 10 think that q reduction OF his
would greatly curtail the efficiency OF his
Office he refused 10 add his signature 70
the agreement
One Of the councilmen stated today:
We have reduced the salaries OF the men
On our police force and fire department 10
a minimum OF expense consistent with ef-
ficicnt service. and the only thing that can
be done TO reduce expenses is the aaon-
ton OF q new charter, which will provide
for system OF government requiring a
less number Of officers. We can abolish
several departments and combine the
work so as 10 place IL in the hands OF half
the number Of officers required by the
present charter"