New-York tribune., 1901-04-03
OPPOSES SALARIES BILL.
GOVERNOR AGAINST WEEKEs MEASURE.
WHICH MAY GIVE WAY TO
CHARTER AMENDMENT

Albany. April 2 (SpeciaD.-The bill of Assembly
man Weekes. which provides for commission to
investigate the salary lists of New York City, and
which is intended to result in curtailments of ex-
penses TO the extent of many Millions has borne
immediate fruit. The Assembly Cities Committee
announced to-day that 1t had drawn up amend
ment 10 the charter under which the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment is TO classify the
salaries OF the city's employees and fix them so
that they may be equitable and uniform. The
amendment further provides that no empIoye shall
receive extra compensation other than that fixed
by this board, and that increase in his salary
may be made only by the board
1t is plain that the amendment although not con-
templating as great reform the Weekes Com
mission bill, is. nevertheless. long step in the
direction of economy Its effect. according its
trainers will be twofold First. such a classifca-
ton would expose the great number of sinecures
which are now said 10 be enjoyed by Croker's IA
vorites; second 1t would safeguard the city's
treasury against inroads to a far greater extent
than at present. Judging from the trend of opinion
at the Capitol to-day, It is probable that the
Weekes bill will he withdrawn in favor of this new
charter provision.
In view OF the opposition to the Weekes bill ex-
pressed in various quarters In New-York Governor
odell said to-day that ne could not favor It, He
said that If the bill had the approval of the tax
payers Of the city he would not only sign it, but
would assist its passage if necessary by an emer-
gency message Mr.. Weekes was later closeted
with the Governor for good fraction of hour.
and found the Governors attitude on the bill un-
changed. After the interview Mr.. Weekes said
that he would not press the bill until found the
citizens of New-YorS in hearty accord with
his plan Furthermore Mr.. Weekes favor
ably impressed with the charter amendment that
he said he would support it in case his own measure
failed of passage
The tremendous opposition of Tammany Hall to
the Weekes bill has already assumed formida BILE
proportions Tammany off1ceholders. fearful of
cut in their salaries have rallied their Assembly
men and Senators. and urging them to crush
the bill Some have threatened Mr.. Weekes
with political determination. One prominent Tam
many Assemblyman said to-day TO a Senator rep
resenting certain district in New-York
IF Weekes passes that bill We'll fix him did
Mazet He'll never Albany again.
When Mr. Weekes asked how the fight that
Tammany is preparing to wage against him would
affect his support of the bill he sad
The more Tammany fights the bill, the
reason there is fight it I introduced the
mendous opposition from Tammany oficeholders.
Ihere VIII be only one reason that will influence me
zens and taxpayers of the city. shall not press
the bill i there is NOT universal demand on the
am surprised. however. that the bill has been
attacked by certain newspapers which. suppose,
said by Of them that the commission pro-
posed in my bill would violate the principle OF
This deny. The commission is to be made up Of
representative New York men. who thoroughly
have political purpose serve They simply
to deal with the salaries of the city on fair bust
believe. however that when the subject Is more
clearly understood the opposition from the people
will withdraw it's opposition. Indeed about all the
howl that has gone up has come directly in
Home Rule except when il has legislation OF tts
| press into enactment.