The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-31

its AnimaiS-An Appropriation o.
SO, 900 for a Central Fire House il
Urgcd-Othcr Matters That Were
Before the Boards Last Night.
Recommendations Eor a general i'll
crease III salaries, averaging 10 Qel
cent; for building a central fire sta
ton and increasing the fire apparatus;
for building a city stable and caring
for the city animals; for civil service
feature in the police and fire depart
ments; for placing the city engineer
on a salary instead of fees; and for
~disposing of the city's garbage by con-
tract instead of by city employees,
We're among the most interesting and
important items hat. were tentatively
agreed to at the joint meeting Of the
aldermen and board of audit and
finance last night at which were pres
ent the following gentlemen: Chair
man H. c. Mcqueen. and Messrs.
Yates. Wilder, McNair and Tiencken
of the board of audit and finance:
Mayor Springer and Aldermen Bolles,
French, Kari, Rathjen, King, Jewell,
Yonq, Wood and O'Brien. The budget
a not been gone entirely over when
adjournment vas taken until tonight
when it's consideration will be re-
Sumed.
The second joint meeting between
the members of the board of audit and
hnance and board of aldermen was
held last night at the city hall N the
entire session Of more than three
hours was given to the discussion and
consideration of the budget for the
fiscal year ending May 81, 1908.
The question of salaries of officials
and employees was not considered in
the joint meeting, this being entirely
in the hands of the board of audit
and finance. but the chairmen of the
committees all recommended
increases in the salaries of the men in
all capacities in their departments.
The increase recommended in all in
will average about 10 per cent.
The chairman of the fire committee
recommended the establishment Of a
civil service law i'll that department.
and this was also suggested for the
police department. the men to be paid
On a scale according to the length of
they serve.
At the outset Chairman Mcqueen
stated that with the decreased tax
on6 with the incpnacn in tho vol
lation of property estimated at $S0G,
700. the estimated income of the city
:or the next year would be about
S220, 900. and the appropriations would
have to be based on this income.
These figures are slightly in excess of
the appropriations made last year
which amounted to $212. 1856.
Under the police department. Mayor
Springer argued earnestly for an in
in wages. bespoke Of the in
creased cost of living and the need of
keeping good men in the department.
suggested an average increase,
from the chief through the Drivates,
of 10 per cent. For the keep of teams,
was asked against the present
appropriation of $1,000. For feeding
prisoners 81, 900 against S700. For
detective service the appropriation Of
800 is asked to be increased to $500.
Under streets and wharves Chairman
O'Brien asked for an increase in wages
for the street force, including the
superintendent. When the keep of
the city teams was reached. the bid
Of the City Livery Co, at SIS per mule
was read. This brought forth consider
able discussion, and the suggestion
that the city build stables of its oWn
and care for its animals seemed to
meet with great approval. The matter
was referred to the public buildings
An appropriation Of $500
asked for to be used in number
the city streets.
Under permanent street work appro"
priations suggested for the rock con-
tract, curbing, draining, etc, We're dis
cussed freely and action was delayed,
It being the idea that no permanent
work should be done now by the City
as all this class of work will be done
under the bond issue bill recently
Toted.
An increase averaging 10 per cent.
Fas asked for all the men in the fire
department and it was requested that
he Superintendent Of fire alarm be
made arregular officer. with a salary
+ s55 per month. For maintenance
the fire alarm system and the plac-
ne of boxes at Seventh and Bruins
yick and Front and Princess street. L
100 was asked; $500 for the fire boat; II