The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-26

firepyoof building. X Il only block from
The HEADQUARTERS OF the fra department.
fTnser ~ roSxFfIs efr~9,ya sta-scss could
the house be entirely destroyed. and II
would be almost impossible 70 iu1uTe y
zl9.9v worth Insurance OF s@5.e1 Is al
there = any excuse for putting upon IL
As IN The ease OF the city before re-
cited. the school board has been retrench-
ing for number Of years past. and has
got expenses down 10 pretty nearly the
right figures A little can De taken or
here and q LITTLE there yet, however. Some
or the classes can be consolidated, and in
a number % ways savings can be made
that will easily reach sS.ao9 In the course
OF the year Should the financial troubles
continue. Il may even be necessary 20
practice further economies in 1saS. The
COMMITTEES has no idea that the schools
have been hurt by the salary cuts Of re-
cent years. On the contrary. it is conf
dentIy believed that the teachers them
selves would resent as gross ana IN
warranted tmputatIon upon their good
faith and honesty the statement that the
efficiency OF the schools had been re-
euced - per cent. as a consequence Of the
past reduction in salaries.
In Conclusion.
'''The matters discussed IN this report
are wholly and solely in the province OF
the legislature. county commissioners,
city council and board Of education. IL is
for them 10 ascertain whether the state
ments herein made are substantially true,
and whether the recommendations are
wise. In some cases no inYestiga tons
VIII be required The abuses are notori-
GUS The remedies should be applied
promptly and sharply. In other cases the
inquiries should be OF the fairest chaTac-
ter. II must not be expected that any
public employe viii urge the adjustment
OF his office. the increase OF his lahors or
the cutting OF hls pay If the inquiry Is
confined 20 such persons - may as well
not be made That the distress OF the
people s. real needs neither argument nor
proof. The regular taxes levied upon the
people OF King county last year We're
1850 an average Of nearly sle0 for
every vote cast at the November cleo
ton.
The fixed charges cannot now be re-
duced, but the other charges can Dc ma
tefisliy .essened II the powers named 50
determine. VIII they do g.? Respectful
1T. W. PROsCH.
JOHN LEARY
ADDIsON SMITH
wv. p NELWAIN.
JOHN SCHRAM.
Committee"
Senator Forrest moved the acceptance Of
the report. but suggested an alteration Ia
the matter OF CCrolers' case fees. M.
Forrest though that they should be treat
ed IN the same manner az recommended
for criminal eases.
Mr.. Carkeek asked whether the report
was for general action by the association.
or whether IL was simply a committee mat
ter. DF. Ramsey said that he understood
T. was simply a committee report. This
opinion was iadorsed by Mr.. Prosch. Mr.
Carkeek then moved that the meeting vote
It's approval OF the Recommendations. After
q few unimportant questions had been ask
ed and answered, the question was put and
carried.
a general discussion was then INDUCED
In. in which the differences between "A Is
per cent. interest and no penalty, and 12
per cent interest and per cent. penalty,
were discussed.
Mr.. Padden, deputy county treasurer,
who was present by appointment. answer
cd a number of questions. bringing out
many of the points shown in the discus
sion of county affairs last summer at a
time when a general movement along lines
of retrenchment was inauguarated. Mr..
Padden's remarks brought out the fact
that great deaf of unnecessary detail in
the matter of keeping the records in the
treasurer's Office makes imperative the en-
ployment of clerks whose efforts are di-
rected 10 general uselessness Mr. Padden
expressed himself as opposed 10 a high
penalty. In answer to a question as 10
the payment of taxes, he said that the bulk
of delinqueneies was that of small holdings
by outsiders. whose interests were repre-
scented in this city by trust companies. He
recommended a continuance of the present
system Of delinquency and penalty He
said that he had found 1t TO the advantage
OF the county to offer a rebate as a pre-
MUM for prompt payment.
Mr.. Padden also advised new system of
books for the treasurer's Office, in which
an index should figure, giving the name
and address of owners of property. He
also suggested term of four years from
delinquency TO a deed instead OF six. The
county. according TO Mr.. Padden. does not
want the property; il needs the taxes. He
characterized the work in the treasurer's
office as being In a great measure value
less. but required by law. in which the
fault lay The work now requiring twelve
people, under new system should be done
by six.
Upon motion, tIr, Padden was requested
to submit his views in writing, and his
name added 70 those composing the COM
mittee on legislation