The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-24
SALARY SCYTHE MAY CUT ON.
WORK OF LESsENING THE DEFICIT
TO nv KEPT MOVING.

A Panacea Is suggested by Or. L. 4.
FaIIigant, Who Thinks city should
Cease Paying Premium on Bonds
and Thereby Reduce sinking Fund
AppropriatiOn-EVen Though a
Matter of Contract, He Thinks FL
nanciers Could Get Around the
burden of Paying Premium in
DribIcts-A Falling on of SI5O,OOO
From Last Years Returns on Per-
sonaI Property Taken to Indicate
ton.
Through its various committees, Coun-
Gil may yet be able to make considera-
bic saving to the city in the reduction of
salaries of employees, only a few of whom
have yet felt the effects of the 10 per cent.
squeeze. 1t is stated that the committees
viii look closely into the operations OF
their departments with view to continu-
ing the policy of retreuchment until the
remaining $1,000 Of the deficit has been
made up.
It seems to be understood among the
aldermen that the salaries Of employees
who get less than 800 month will not
be reduced, though this is not settled
fact. Until there is an exact reckoning
of the amount already saved, there will
probably be no further reductions. The
committees Will keep at work. however,
with view to formulating plans where
by the existing shortage can be made up
without too much inconvenience.
Among the appointve officers and en-
ployes the reductions have been in the city
exchange. Mr. Thomas Candles salary
which had been fixed at $500, was not
cut for, the reason that he is performing
the duties not only of private secretary 20
the Mayor but those which fell 10 a stem
ographer and a clerk. whose services have
been dispensed with. The salaries of others
1T was decided not to reduce are: A. M
Bell city treasurer's office; John w. How
ard assistant in the city engineers office;
Z. ]. Kelly, marshals office; and Jonathan
Stern, sanitary Inspector. The salary Of
G. b. Priichard, treasurers office Is cut
20 per cent from $500, the amount de-
Quoted for the ten months after March
being $3.50; il. S. Dreese was cut 10 per
cent, from 81 800 the amount deducted be-
ing $50; J. de Bruyn Hops, engineers Of
flee, was cut 10 $l.Jo0 the amount deducted
being $3.50, and G. v Hernandez was cut
10 per cent. from 81 200, the amount de-
Quoted being 800.
To. the present. time, the actual amount
saved in salaries and reduced appropria-
tons. as shown by an estimate prepared
by the clerk of Council, is Sl9, 465.09, but II
is stated that there are amounts TO be in
cluded from other sources, which will run
the total to $4,000.
There is considerable conjecture about
the departments that will catch it next.
Some assert that all employees who get
81 200 year can stand a cut of 10 per cent,
but none of the aldermen have stated that
this reduction win be made
Dr. L. A. Falligant, who has had eX-
perience as an alderman said yesterday
that he could see no reason why the pres
ent deficit cannot be made up without
further reductions of salaries, and also
provide an emergency fund. He has given
thought to the city's bonds,
and thinks it is a mistake to be paying the
premium in driblets when the city gets no
credit in the shape of a reduction In the
interest.
1.-THE amount appropriated to the sink
ing fund commission. said DR.. Falligant,
is more than should be allowed. It seems
10 me II is almost squandering the public
money 20 pay both premium and interest
On city bonds without getting any credit
Tor the amount of premium paid. 1 think
the City Council should appropriate the
sinking fund commission enough money TO
pay the interest alone on the bonds, and
let the premium which is now being paid,
be invested and allowed TO accumulate un-
til the bonds are due"
rs not the premium now paid on the
bonds matter of contract which the City
Council can not get around?" DIR. Falligant
was asked.
MY impression Is that 1t Is not a mat
ter OF contract he replied, but in case
It is, there are financiers who could save
the city from what / consider an unenVi-
able position. When il comes to paying
the original interest on city bonds while
the principal is steadily decreasing. think
it Is matter that demands the attention
of tax payers, and especially when the
city is in a close financial condition. My
opinion is the premium on the bonds
should be allowed TO accumulate
until they are cue, being pro-
perly invested in the meantime.
1t is manifestly improper TO expect
the people 10 hold up under an arrange
ment of this kind and am perfectly will
ing to assume the responsibility of the
Speaking of the present taxable value
Of city property an aldermen said that the
difference in the returns of real and per
sonal property of last year and the pres
ent year, Is conclusive evidence that bonds
which are taxed as personal property are
not being returned. The law Is being evad-
ed in some way. ne said.
III is stated this years realty assess
nlent is $4,000 more than ii was last year"
he said, while the personal property re-
turned for taxation is $4,000 less than last
year. With the city constantly growing and
expanding, it, is unreasonable 10 believe
that the amount of personal IS decreasing
in Savannah. IL would be more reasona-
BILE to believe that il is increasing. While
the belief lacks confirmation, / feel fres
to say that the probable explanation Of
this state Of affairs Is the failure of bond
holders TO make proper returns. 1t Is an
easy matter 70 hypothecate SlO0. 900 OF
bonds In bank for a nominal amount. and
then fail 10 return them for taxation on the
ground that the holder does not own
them.
This increase In the valuation of real
property wiz have the effect OF stultifvins
enterprises that might nave II in mind IN
come to savannah he continued The
growth Of the city depends upon the in