The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21

what CITY Auditor Warren says Concern
ing the Matter.


The economical MEASURES recommended
by the Retrenchment and Reform Com
mittee are stll being considerably dis
cussed all over The city, ana more es-
pecialy by municipal ofncers.
Auditor f.. J. Warren. whose Office IS
greatly affected By the change, probably
more 80 than any other. was asked
whether he would be able TO get along
If the Office of transfer clerk was abolish
ed.
We'll" replied Mr. Warren. 1T will
fhrovy tho work upOn the Auditor. The
city for twenty-five years past mas PAID
s22J annually for the services or trans
fer clerk She paid this sum when her
debt was 5000 900. and now When IL Is
81. 900 900. the services OF TINS clerk are
more needed. and his work is greatly IN
creased
In what way have your duties been
increased?' ] asked.
Why" replied the Auditor. we now
have TO make out bills for taxes delln-
quent prior 10 1895 for the collector or
flee. az he is not allowed 20 make them
out when they are missing Come In mere.
and In give you some idea or the work.
Mr.. Warren here led the way into the
vault and pointed out numberless bundles
of bills for delinquent taxes.
Time and again" he said. we nave
10 hunt through this pile. thereby con-
Stunning great deal OF time. Meah"hie
the counter has TO waited upon, as peo-
ple are always coming IN on business.
Another additional burden IS tina
change Of ordinance which requires all
money duo the city 20 he paid direct 10
the Auditor. Receiving this, OF course
requires time
The Auditor had no complaint TO make
regarding the committee recommenda-
lions. but seemed 10 feel that his depart
ment would be seriously crippled there
by. -.
summoned TO appear before the commit
tee at as session tomorrow night ana eA'
plain the duties Of himself and his as
sistants
Those who are familiar with the worf
done by the Police Court officials kno"
that Justice CrutchGeld and his assistants
fully earn their salaries The Police jus
tiee receives q 500 per annum. and his as
eistauts S00 each. Their work Is arduous
I'm the extreme and Is OF most unpleas-
ant kind. as a general rule.
They have To deal with the lowest class
Of people. often. and their work - always
faithfully and conscientiOusly performed
Sergeant Thomas. Clerk Edgar White.
and Bailim Larry Gibbons are never tp-
sent from their posts ~ duty and alto-
eethor q better set or officials It would
be impossible to find.
OF course. 90 IS impossible 10 forecast
what recommendations will be made by
the committee az its next meeting but
the gentlemen who are engaged in the
work Of retrenchment are conscientious
and painstaklng. and desire above al!
things. that fun justice shall be done 70
each and every one.
The proposition 10 abolish the office OF
engineer and mach!nist 10 tho city Hall.
and 10 give the duties pertaining thereto
TO Mr.. George o. Ruskell Sergeant-at-
Arms has created more comment prob
ably. than any other commentator.
Some contend that Mr.. calder, who now
file the office. cannot be dispensed with.
but others assert that Mr. Callers assist
ant. under the direction Of Mr.. Ruskell.
can thoroughly perform the work. and
that 81 200 can be saved annually without
detrimont TO the interests OF the city.