The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-06-16
TRUSTEES CLASH
OVER SALARY GUT
IN SOUTH ORANGE
Wholesale Economy Scheme of
Peoples Men Fooled by
President Wall.
FlREMEN AND POLICE
SAVED BY PARTY VOTE
Village Engineer Allen and AS
sistant Fire Chief Fitzsim-
mons Resign.

A wholesale cut in wages of South
orange village officials was averted
by the deciding vote of Village Presi-
dent Albert c.. Wall at a meeting of
the Village Board of Trustees last
night.
A deadlock resulted between the
trustees when the three Peoples Or
Eanization men, John r. Weeks. Henry
E. Halsey and Louis F. Blanchet,
sprung a surprise and introduced res
olutions providing for a reduction in
wages of some of the village hall men
to just one-half. the Citizens Party
trustees, Thomas G.. Conway, Charles
H. Burke and Walter T. Wallace vot-
ing in the negative. President Wall
also voted no, thus casting the decid-
ing vote.
The Peoples men started in to make
big reductions in expenses, but were
held up and beaten in nearly every in
stance by the Citizens trustees, with
the help of Mr.. Wall.
Mr.. Weeks introduced a resolution
providing for a cut of from 800 to
| $685. per month in the salary of VIII
lage Treasurer Frank Fenner, and
fafter it had been beaten, Mr.. Halsey
Followed by presenting a resolution to
reduce Village Clerk M. A. Fitzsim-
mons's pay from 500 to $50. This
measure was lost.
The Peoples men, it is said, contend
red that Clerk Fitzsimmons could amply
do the duties required Of him as clerk
~ the evenings.
Shakeup Is Headed Off.
Previous to the meeting q long eau
Gus was held, but the Citizens trus-
tees would not stand for the reduction
of a man, either the ~janitor or one of
the four paid iremen, which the Peo-
pies men agitated because, it is said,
Chief Harry j. Becker informed Mr..
Weeks that this could be done and the
loss be not greatly felt.
Mr.. Conway, a Citizen, it is said,
told the Peoples men that if it was
their pleasure, why not give Chief
Becker an entirely paid fire depart
ment, which he has recommended, and
then let the vamps look after the
other officials jobs in the village hall
and do police duty, if necessary, al
lowing the other village business to
cease when a fire occurred. The former
village trustee is said to nave also de-
clared that there Is no reason why his
should not be done if a fireman was to
act as village ~janitor. The matter was.
left to be decided at the formal meet
ing last night, but nothing IA done.
MIR. Weeks, when asked after the
meeting if he would continue the fight
10 do away with one man of the five
paid fremen, said 1t was not probable.
Counsel Saves Police.
An opinion from Village Counsel
Thomas A. Davis as to whether the
police force might be reduced because
Of q law passed May IA of last year,
which states that one bluecoat may be
appointed for every 700 people in a
municipality, stated that the law was
unconstitutional, because of special
legislation, n he advised hat no re-
duction be made in the police ranks,
although there are fifteen police and,
according TO the law, If constitutional,
Mr.. Davis said, only thirteen would be
allowed.
The tax budget as presented at the
meeting a. month ago for $65, $50 was
reduced $4,000 last night by doing away
with the miscellaneous item.
The printing of 1000 copies of the
annual reports of the various commit
tees created another discussion between
the ."Cits," on the Affirmative side, and
the Peoples men, on the negative. The
printing committee of the old board
was given permission to have the work
done at a cost not to exceed $3.50.
Second Assistant Fire Chief NJ. A.
Fitzsimmons rendered his resignation,
and it was accepted by the board, on
recommendation of Mr.. Weeks, with
regret. Village Engineer Eugene Y.
Allen also resigned, giving the board
until June 25 to find a successor. First
Assistant Fire Chief James Murray an
ounce later that he would resign at
the next meeting of the board.