The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-10
SAVING THE PENNIES.
Michael Heery Asks That City
Wages Be Clipped.
Found That They Are Already
Low Enough.
City Council Soon Proves That MI
assry's Posisio is Untenable
Council Proceedings.

Michael Heery of the Taxpayers
league locked horns with the council
last night and he had decidedly the
worst of the encounter.
A committee composed of Mr.. Heery
and Mr.. NJ. Snattinger attended the
council meeting They were there to
request that the tax levy be made as
low as possible and Mr.. Snattinger
made short talk along that line to
which the councilmen took no excep-
tionS.
But when Mr.. Heery arose to talk the
mayor and council resented his intiIna-
ton that the city affairs are not be-
ing administered economically and they
had no trouble in convincing the gem
tleman that he was mistaken.
There is an impression abroad said
Mr.. Heery, that the fire department is
costing too much. 1t is just as ex-
pensive as it was in boom times and 1
think it is high time that this was cor
rected. Another impression that is
cent more than the current prices for
labor"
Mayor Fellows-Your organization
was divided on that question, was it
not? understand that they refused to
indOrSe a reduction.
Mr.. Heery-The members of our or
ganization were just like the council.
They were cowardly
Mayor notwithstanding to your
plan you would reduce the pay of the
men to 70 cents per day.
Mr.. Heery-No, sir. The current price
for day of ten hours is $1.25. 1 I'M
derstand that the city pays $3.50 for
eight hours work. Unless I have missed
in my calculations that is so per cent
more than the current rates. The
courts may stand in the way, but that
can be fixed, for even the supreme
court of the United States reverses it
self every six months. In my time we
nSR6 n h<ao
and street cars, and 1 do not see why
that cannot be done now.
Councilman Mergan-I do not know
what the gentleman means by current
rates, but it seems to me that 81. so per
day is about what is paid. I have been
railroad man for twenty years and
know something about the rates paid
there. Mr.. Harter, who is in charge
of the paint shop at the Santa Fe, pays
a man $1.50 per day to wash the cars
That is something that does not re-
quire any skill. That is surely little
enough for Iaboring man to keep his
family on.
Mayor Fellowship. Heery is a con-
tractor, and so am I. I never paid any
of my men less than $3.50 per day
Councilman Drew never die, either
L was laid up when this assessment
ordinance was introduced and could not
be present, but soon as 1 was able
came down and made careful ex-
animation of it because L am Something g,
of crank myself on this tax question,
but l was satisfied after 1 had care
fully examined the ordinance that the
IeyieS are as low as they can consist
emily be made. l own a few small
houses and it takes nearly six months
rent to pay the taxes on them but
these taxes are som thing we inherited
and the only thing we can do is to pay
them.
Councilman Skinner would like TO
inform Mr.. Heery that this council took
off a few top rails in the fire depart
ment and other departments as well.
hn m .f% IaAG ,,0
from 81, 500 to 81, 300 We cut the en-
gineer from 81. 500 to $1,000 We re
duced the superintendent of the electric
light plant from 81, 500 to $500. Besides
we disposed of several dog tax collect
ors and other officers where they could
be spared I want to say that since
Charlie Fellows has been mayor the af-
fairs of this city have been run on an
economical and business basis and
great deal of money has been saved to
the taxpayers.
examined the pay roll and 1 find that
none of the employees on the streets
make more than $40 per month and
others range from that down as low as
$40
Councilman Roundtree-I understand
that these white wings who keep the
street clean get but $25 per month.
Councilman Mergan-If that is true,
I believe their pay should be raised.
Mayor Fellows-The carts they use
cost SIS each and the men are to work
they will get $780, That was the under
standing.
Councilman Mergan-That is surely
little enough.
Mayor Fellows-I don't believe, Mr..
Heery, that these councilmen are cow
ardly. They vote their convictions and
1 have never known them to go back
on what they believed to be right
Mr.. Heery-I understand that a sal
airy ordinance has been here several
months and has never been introduced
at least that is what 1 have been
told
Mayor Fellows-If that is so I don't
know where it is. There is nothing to
prevent any member of this council
from introducing a salary ordinance
whenever he wishes.
Councilman Skinner am glad that
these gentlemen came here. 1t is a
good thing to have friendly talk oc-
casiona11y. We are always glad to
hear what the people have to say
business first, friendship second and
politics last.
The ordinance, which had been post
poned because of a mistake, was then
passed.
NOT STAND IN THE WAY.