The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-22

The city assessors came I'm for some
hard raps at last nights meeting of
the joint estimates committee of conn
cils. Common Councilman Luther
Keller criticized them sharply for their
| action in appointing a clerk without
any appropriation having been made,
and several of the other members of
the committee re-echoed his senti-
ments,
Some six months ago the assessors
appointed Daniel r. watkins as clerl,
in their office, no salary having been
provided for such place in the gen
eral appropriation ordinance for the
present year Mr. Watkins has done
extensive work during that period and
Is at present engaged in compiling the
assessment recently made.
In their estimate of their expenses
for the coming fiscal year the asses
sors ask for an appropriation of s525
to pay Clerk Watkins for the time he
has already expended in their office
and also for an appropriation of 81, 600
to pay his salary for the coming year.
When the committee got along to a
consideration of the assessors estimate
Mr. Keller took the floor.
Leu > MAKE Snort work OF these
two items" said he, "and cut them
out altogether. The assessors did en-
tirely wrong in appointing a clerk
when there was no appropriation and
they know that their action is indie
fensible. Any official or officials who
would do what the assessors have done
in this particular instance should be
removed and if I had the power I'd
do it, These men got a raise of $500
in their salaries a year ago and with
all the leisure time they have they
can we'll afford to do their own clerk
ing"
CAN DO 1T THEMSELVES.
Mr.. Clemons spoke along similar
lines, expressing himself as feeling that
the assessors are very we'll able to do
Mr.. Watkins work themselves. The
motion to strike out both items was
passed unanimously.
The item of $500 for the salary of the
clerk of the common council was
stricken out, after long argument.
Messrs. Keller, Clemons and Oliver con-
tended that the office is absolutely un-
necessary and that the work done by
the clerk could be just as well done by
the assistant city clerk. The diSad-
vantage of having the common council
papers in an office separate from other
city records and the fact that the clerk
of the common council never has any
regular hours when he can be found
and his assistance procured were dwelt
upon.
Common Councilman Joseph F. Evans
argued against the striking out of the
item, contending that the clerk of the
common council is an indispensable off,
cial
When the estimate of the city clerks
department was reached, Mr.. Schroeder
moved that the salary of City Clerk
Lavelle be increased from 81, 500 to $1,000
per year. Mr.. Lavelle, he declared, is
the most invaluable official in the city
hall and it was about time councils re-
warded his long and faithful career by
increasing his salary. Not a word of
objection was heard, and the motion
was passed unanimously, every men,
ber present seeming to find genuine
pleasure in voting to do a good turn
for Martin" as he is familiarly known.
The item of $2,500, asked by the city
treasurer, was reduced to S1,5O0, which
is $500 more than was appropriated for
this purpose for the present fiscal year.
The increase of 5000 asked for the as
sstant city solicitors salary was cut
off, and the item of $720, for stenogra-
pher for the law department, was re-
duced to 5000.
SALARY OF RECORDERS CLERK.
The old question of the salary of the
recorders secretary was brought up
again, Mr.. Oliver moving that it be re-
duced from $1,000 to $780, but he
couldn't find anybody present to second
his motion.
The total estimated revenues for the
coming fiscal year, according to Con-
troller Howells figures, will be $443,-
S3463, while the estimated expenditures
amount to about $21 900 more, which
means that the committee will have to
chop off that amount. Only $4,000 was
cut out last night.
On motion of Mr.. Clemons it was de- |
cided to have Chairman Wagner ap-
point subcommittee of five to pre-
pare a plan whereby $4,000 can be cut |
out and report it back to the next meet
ing of the committee, to be held on |
night.