The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-10
NO REDUCTION.
In Spite of Promises Pawtucket City
Salaries Continue at O.d Rate.

Pawtuclet. Aug. lO.-There was consider
able OF howl last fall by the candidates for
office in regard to cutting down the expenses
in the various city departments. and many
promises were made by the politicians as to
the course which would be pursued in the
matter OF economy.
Flushed with victory the new city officers
framed n resolution, and on January %, 1897,
IL was concurred in by the Board of Alder
men.
The text OF the resolution follows:
Resolved. That joint special committed.
to consist of two members of tho Board OF
Aldermen, to be appointed 10y the presiding
officer thereof and three members of the Com
mon Council, to be appointed by the presid-
ing officer thereof, be appointed for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the salaries
paid to the city officers, and also 70 consider
and report thereon, whether, without detri-
ment TO the several departments, some of the
so-called permanent employees cannot be dis.
pensed with"
For the Aldermen Thomas O'Brien and j..
Ellis White were appointed, and from the
other branch the members were Councilmen
Gill, McCaughey and Phillips.
IL Is now six months since the Joint special
committee was appointed, but there has not
been a meeting held yet, and the committee
has not even organized. II is customary for
the branch of the City Council which contains
the larger number Of members on n joint
committee to call the meeting for orgapiza-
tion. so that If there be any blame for the de-
lay it is apparently attached to the members
Of the Common Council.
The fiscal year Is rapidly nearing the end,
but as yet nothing has been done to reduce
the expenses of the city, except TO curtail
the amount of work which is usually done in
good season upon the highways. This has re-
suited in n large number of men. who usually
work several months in the year on the high
ways and sewers, being obliged to remain
idle this summer, while the bosses and su-
perintendents are kept upon the pay rolls of
tho city. Many of the men who have form
erly worked for the city are taxpayers, and
in some instances they depend upon the work
they do for the city to meet their taxes, in
terest and other incidental bills. A number
OF superintendents aud bosses have not had
their salaries reduced.
The school superintendent receives $500 per
annum; then he is allowed $3.50 for a horse and
carriage. besides the services of a clerk at q
I, ir salary.
~"N pm VI 'ho h'kh schooi TecslNeS u
salary OF s57 per week for 40 weeks. or, in
other words he receives for the year Just
5000.
All the principals of the grammar schools
receive S32.5 per week, and the same amount
Is also paid 10 the musical director.
Incidentally. it is learned that none of the
pupils Of the eighth grade in the Broadway
grammar school passed the examination for
admission TO the high school this year. Still,
1t is said that IL is possible thet such was no
fault of the teacher but the blame may be due
to the pupils themselves. However. the ma
jority of the eighth grade pupils of the other
schools passed the same examination.
After all. the question at issue is, Will the
Joint special committee meet and endeavor TO
curtail the expenses of the city, so that the
debt may be reducedi