The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-29
LIE IS PASSED.
City COuncilmen in a White
Heat.
Mayor Davis Prevents a Person
al Encounter.
HUGHES AND SIMMS.
They Passed Some Rather I'm
complimentary Remarks.
But Firemen Get Increase of
Pay Nevertheless.

The lie was all but passed last even
ing in a clash between Councilmen ].
| ". F. Hughes and Frank B. Simms
over a question of raising the salaries
Of members of the fire department.
Both men were at a white heat and
only the continued protests of Mayor
w. H. Davis prevented what would
have otherwise resulted in a personal
encounter.
Councilman Simms who fathered
the increase in the salaries was op-
posed to all efforts made to postpone
for further consideration and became
| incensed at Councilman Hughes when
the latter started in to speak at length
upon the desira bility of equalizing
salaries in other city departments and
postponing action until the council
could consider the needed salary adj
justments at one time.
I'VE have got other departments
just as important as the fire depart
ment." said Hughes. Il think we
ought to go over all of this and equal
siOner is underpaid and ought to be
better paid, the assistant chief should
receive more, the men in the electric
light department are in the same fix.
There are the trimmers. They have
to pay for their horses, take care of
them and feed them and don't get
cent more for it. When you take off
what it costs to keep a horse they are
not getting any more than a day
laborer and the work Is hazardous"
Mr. Mayor" said Councilman
Simms, as he slowly got on his feet.
that same speech was made here
months ago and I am getting tired of
it. Mr.. Hughes covered all of this
ground; he went over it on several oc-
casions. I object to having anything
more said"
THE man that says that made this
speech before tells an untruth,' re-
Il tell you, you have" fred back
Simms.
Don't you dare tell me that have
from the military gentleman.
You have"
ct say I never have"
II say you have
Gentlemen, gentlemen. let's have
order" raped the mayor.
Mr.. Mayor, I wish to be protected
from further interruption, said
Hughes continuing with his speech.
This ended the threatened mixup.
Pay for the Firemen.
The following salary increase for the
firemen was finally adopted:
Chief, $3.50 per month; assistant chief,
$50; six captains, $780, two heutenants,
SIS; engineer. $50; igtweAty- fire.
men of first class, $40; seven fireme< Of
second class, $55
The increase, with the exception in
that of the chief of the department,
amounts to about per cent. The sec
ond class fremen receive no Increase
in wages, since hremen are on proba-
ton as second class only for the short
period of six months. The two new
positions of lieutenants are created
with a salary-a position as lieutenant
at stations l and 2 has been in exist
ence but without any increase in salary
over that of a regular fireman.
The report of the ways and means
committee did not carry with it the in
crease of salaries for two heutenants
but raised the pay of second class fire
men from $55 to $65.
Councilman Griley proposed as an
amendment the two features varying
from this and with this amendment the
report of the committee was accepted.
The report in passing the council re-
ceived eight out of the eleven votes
possible. Councilmen Green, Griley'
Swendson and Holiday. Noes-Coun-
ciImen Horn, Hughes and Nipps- The
latter three believed that The increase
should come under the next admins
tration as it was a matter directly eff
lecting whatever the policy inaugural
ed by the incoming administration
Councilman VIM. Green moved when
the committee report came up that It
should be adopted. His motion was
seconded by Councilman Howe.
Griley Immediately proposed his |
amendment leaving the pay of second |
class hremen without change and offer |
ed in connection Herewith an increase |
In the salary of city physician from $55 |
to SIS month. This latter tail of the |
kite was taken off.
II am in favor of dropping all of this |
now and letting the whole thing be re- |
ferred to a committee and go over I'M
til the next ton Why should |
we do something now to bind the next
administration queried Councilman
Horn.
The proper way to handle this is to
either reject or adopt the report, said
Councilman Green
Councilman Swendson moved to |
strike out any reference to salary
raise other than that of members OF
the fire department. This carried.
Il believe this matter should go over
to the new mayor and council said
Councilman Nipps. THE council should |
not lose sight of the fact that we have
puilt a new frehouse- costing Sc, 900 and
raised the nxed charges of the depart
ment by about $1,000 annually. 1t seems
to me report of this kind should
show the money available for an in
crease in salaries. I think that If we
ever expect to get anywhere We should
arrange for these things. DO you know
how you are going to meet this?'
mo, but presume we will have the