New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
SALARIES JUMP SlS0,OOO
CITY TREASURY RAID.
RAID.
CIT
Citiaens Union Says Commissioners
We're 4ctiue Before Departure.

The bureau Of city betterment of the Citi-
zens Union, which recently began a searching
investigation OF the various city departments
Issued a long statement yesterday alleging that
in the month OF December last the Department
Of Water Supply. Gas and Electricity tho De-
partment of Docks and Ferries and the Depart
ment Of Bridges raised salaries and made new
appointments which added $4,000 TO the city
payroll for 1906
From the statement issued it would seem that
ex-Commissioners Oakley. Featherson and Best
had some inkling Of a possibility Of their re-
moVal and decided to make themselves popular
with Tammany Hall and their own constituents
10y raising salaries ami creating places.
According TO the report Commissioner Oakley
Increased salaries 10 the amount OF S1s,30O and
added SS4 100 by creating new places.
"Crediting him with $1,000 for removals. the
statements reads: Mr.. Oakley made a net in
cease of $4,000 in his payroll"
The report says:
In the Department Of Docks and Ferries. Com
missioner Featherson did not know that he was
TO be removed from office until December u.
yet IN the remaining ten days of his term he
managed 10 make appointments and reinstate-
ments involving $4,000 and increases in salary
and changes in title involving $4,000. total
OF S3I.00O added to the city payroll.
From December 4. 1905 TO January /. 1906.
the appointments in and the transfers to the
Department OF Bridges, under Commissioner
Best. represented $4,000 and the increases in
salaries $3.50, total of S46.2S0.
Since January / there have been further
salary raids" The Board OF Estimate at its
meetings on January II and 10 and February
- provided for increases Of salaries or esta b.
lishment OF new positions to the number of
thirty-six. and appropriated approximately
$4,000 to meet the additional sum involved
Even the board, however. grew alarmed at the
numerous requests for the creation of new
grades, and referred communica tions from a
dozen departments 10 a special committee for
consideration. II these requests granted the
expenditure of another $4,000 will be in
order.
Touching on the esta blshment Of new grades
the statement says:
Since the beginning Of the year the demands
or the various departments for the creation Of
new grades have been so heavy that the Board
of Estimate found 1t necessary to refer a num-
Der OF items TO a special committee consisting
OF Controller Metz and President MCGOWAN Of
the Board Of Aldermen. Undoubtedly new
commissioners. upon assuming Office. sometimes
find themselves handicapped by reason of a
lack Of certain classes of employees. At the
same time II is a well known fact that many
bureaus of the different departments are over
loaded with employees. a number of whom have
snap jobs
In addition TO the suggestion of the alder
men, that salary increases be considered only
once year. President MCGOWAN favors a plan
which would provide for q minimum and maxi
mum amount for all Civil Service employees,
salaries being regulated by merit, length of
vice, experience, etc; in other words a plan
teachers in the Department of Education. Such
arrangement. IL is believed would eliminate
political preferment as a basis for promotion in
the city departments