The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-15
$4,000 TOO LITTLE
D.. G. Bell Thinks Proposed Cut in
County Treasurer's Salary
Is Unwise.
Other County Officials Variously
Shocked or Vexed by New
Schedule. s....

County Treasurer D. c. Bell thinks the
trainers of the bill revising the Hennepn
county salary list made a mistake in re-
ducing the county treasurer's salary to
$4,000. Mr. Bells statement Is unbiased,
as the cut does not affect him personally.
He said: ' ~
Being acquainted with the demands
and responsibilities of the treasurer s
office, l will speak only of that. 1t pleased
me to see that the increased cost Of liv-
ing that must be met by increased income,
was recognized in a slight mark up for
several in this office. 1t was we'll de-
served.
'Regarding the reported cut Of $1,000
in the treasurer's salary I can have no
personal fault to find, as it does not apply
to the term for which I was elected.
Speaking then, as taxpayer only, and
unprejudced, I am free to say, from some
special knowledge Of the requirements of
this office, and It's peculiar responsibili-
ties, involving as it does the care of and
accounting for four or five million dollars
Of the taxpayers money annually, and re-
quiring a half million dollar bond it does
not appeal to capable and active business
men such as would be willing to give
themselves faithfully to its duties. In my
opinion the office should command the
services Of at least $1,000 man. To low
er the salary by $1,000 is to lower the
standard Of service by at least that much.
1T is only fair to presume that the sub
committee of the Hennepin delessa ton,
charged with this matter, contemplated
all Of this in their recommendation Of o
cut in compensation. That their recon-
mendation was based on their knowledge
of some demand on the part Of taxpayers
that has not been made public must also
be presumed"
Not Cordially Received.
Other county officials are not unani-
nous in their opinions Of the new bill, but
none Of them appears to view it with
entire approval. Their views are set forth
in the following statements:
Ace p. Abel, clerk probate court-The
idea of fixing salary bill came too late
in the session for the committee to give
it careful attention and the result shows
this fact plainly. The salaries provided
for by the new bill are wholly inadequate
for the services rendered. Clerks in 9TH
er offices having one line Of work are re-
ceiving from 40 to 100 per cent more for
their work than is paid to our clerks. The
character Of the work in our office is such
that it requires men not only Of ability
but of experience, and its Importance
should receive some recognition in the fix
ing of salaries.
Hugh r. Scott, county auditor-I have
taken no active part in the preparing Of
the county salary bill, and I had no idea
that there were any changes intended, in
any of the elective offices. The schedule
as agreed upon. therefore, came as a COM
plete surprise to me. The provisions cf
the new bill leave our office somewhat
handicapped, but l have no expression
to make relative to the efficacy of the ar
rangement.
Sheriff J. w. Dreger-The sheriff's office
is very responsible C>e, and 1 did not
look for reduction of $1,000, as now in
the bill, but I am glad. that the commit
tee allowed all the extra, help that was
asked. 1t was on account Of having a
force not large enough. in my office III
1902 that the county met with loss in not
having personal delinquent taxes col
lected required by law.
G. n. Dickey. Clerk Of Courts-I am sat
isfied with the provisions of the new bill
and believe it to be a step in the right
direction. If there are any Inequalities
in the fixing of the salaries Of various
county employees, as it is claimed, these
can be adjusted later on. and we will be
able to work toward civil service rules.
| George G.. Merrill, Register Of Deeds
| ! am not competent to discuss the salary
bill except in so far it pertains to the
office of register Of deeds. In this office
there was only one reduction. and tina
was in the salary of the vault clerk.
consider that unjust, but I am informed
by members of the committee that drew
the bill that misrepresentation exists as
| to the duties Of the encumbent OF this
position. The other changes in my judg
ment, make the salaries as a whole bet
ter proportioned and practically amount tt
the changes I requested of the county
commissioners at the beginning of the year