The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-13
MAGISTRATES WANTMORE PAY
WOULD HAVE SALARIES HIKED
FROM $1,000 TO $4,000 A YEAR.
They Vote Unanimously to Ask the Board Of
Estimate for the Increase-The Poorest
Paid BODY In New York, Says Judge
Barlow-What the City Charter says.

1UCN WV ~ !. NAhO VI
Estimate for the Increase-Tne Poorest
Paid BODY in New York, Says Judge
Barlow-what the City Charter says.
At a meeting Of the Board OF City Magis-
trates yesterday It vas decided to petition
the Board OF Estimate TO increase their
salaries from $1,000 TO $4,000 a year. The
Magistrates met to pass on their estimate
Of expenditures for the coming year. but
the item was not down on the schedule.
The estimate handed out provided for an
increase Of $500 in the salaries Of all the
clerks and stenographers except one man.
II was estimated that the expenditures
for the coming year would be 1927. 900. an
increase Of sle.5O0 over those Of the present
year. Tit estimate made no provision
for the salaries Of the two carbohydrates
who are 20 sit IL the bill authorizing the
night court is signed by the Governor.
Most Of the Magistrates present had no
idea Of asking the city for more money
when the meeting opened. and several Of
them treated the suggestion as a joke when
it vas first preached. They had heard the
report OF the committee on the increase
~ the salaries of the clerks and were look
ing over the copies Of the estimate placed
in front Of each mar present when Magis-
trate Steinert. who was at the far end OF
the table, spoke up.
While we are at It why don't we ask
for 81. 900 a year more, so that we can have
8 s.0oO a year. instead Of s7.ooo?" he asked.
Magistrate Barlow smiled. Why do
you limit il to se.OOO2" said he.
Magistrate Steinert didn't know exactly
how TO take the remark.
1T is fair and reasonable SAN he.
1T is certainly reasonable" said Magis-
trate Barlow. Then there was silence
about the board for several moments.
The proposition was a surprise. and most
Of those present showed that it had not
been thought Of by them
What do you think Of It. Judge Butts?"
asked Magistrate Stcinert Of the newest
Magistrate.
"Tt would seem TO me hat for the present
we might Just "a we'll let the matter go
Owe, 7 thin, that it lie a bad time"
Then Magistrate Steinert got to his feet
snd mad, = little speech. He said hat
twenty wears ago Magistrates in New York
got sio,oQN and that living expenses were
nov 10 por cent. higher than they vera
then They must either ask for the increase
now OF wait another year. Magistrate
Butts when he had heard that changed his
mind, saying that he had not understood.
u think that we arr the poorest paid
body Of men in New York. " said Magistra rate
BARLOW. when we get through our work
in the summer time we come out OF the
court like n rag. Our work is hard"
And don't forget that while We ara
Magistrates we are not allowed 70 practise
law or engage in any other business" in
terpolated Magistrate Steinert.
In England Magistrates get 81 500, which
is equal TO $l2. 900 in this country. because
II the low rates of living over there" said
Magistrate Cornell said that astTong argu-
ment in their" favor was the recent increase
Of the salaries Of the Municipal Court Judges
from 1000 to 5000. He said that the job
Of Magistrate was much more important
than that of municipal Justice and should
be better paid.
BY that time everybody was interested
and Magistrate Cornell moved that the
estimate be increased by s32. 900. Magis-
trate Bal low seconded tho motion and
every one present voted aye.
The president of the board will appoint
a committee OF five, including himself, 10 put
the matter before the Board OF Estimate
Section 14o2 of the city Charter says:
The salaries of the City Magistrates now
in Office, and OF their successors
shall be as follows: The salary Of each City
Ma gistrate Of the First Division MAN
haitian and Tn Bronx shall be seven
thousand dollars per annum.'
At the same time section Sc OF the Charter
says that it hall be the duty of the Board
Of Aldermen upon the recommends, ion OF
he Board Of Estimate to fix the salary OF
every officer or psrson whose compensa-
ton is paid. out OF the city treasury, other
than day laborers . irrespective
Of the amour fixed by thisa act. except that
no change shall be made in the salary OF an
elected officer or head Of department dur
ing his tenure OF Office"
This matter was discussed by the Mag is-
trates and it was decided that under section
So the Board Of Estimate could recommend
an increase in their salaries