The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-05-06
CLASH OVER 500
APPROPRIATION
Mayor Lawrence Becker Suggests
That If City Treasurer Wolter
Does Not Like His Job He Can
Resign, But Councilmen Believe
Officials Is Entitled to Increase.

William WOlter, city treasurer, threw
down the gauntlet to Mayor Becker
last night. Mayor Becker picked it up
and hurled 1T back into the city treas
urer's face. The occasion for the con-
fict was an innocent little request for
an appropriation for S1O0 to defray ex-
penses which are incurred in the city
treasurer's Office owing to the extra
amount of business which has accu-
nuIated in the Office. The resolution
had barely been read by the city clerk
when Councilman John Kane moved
that the resolution be tabled. The mo-
ton was lost and the appropriation
ordinance went to its reading.
City Treasurer Wolton appeared on
the scene before the reading went to
its fret reading and was called on to
explain the request for an extra appro-
priation. He did so in a clear short
statement saying how the work in the
city treasurer's office had grown in the
past until it is now three times as
large As It was wIfen ne took hold of
it.
'T am desirous of accommodating the
people as fast as possible when they
form in line in the Office to pay their
taxes" said Mr.. Wolter, and for the
past 4HOAtllt lIS lWO Ct0IhS ana myself
have been working every night until
8 o'clock to handle the business and
even now we are far behind in the
| work
interrupted by Questions.
While Mr.. Wolter was talking he
was interrupted with the questions
and remarks from Mayor Becker, John
Kane and Harry Eastwood. The
treasurer had stepped into the office
| in fighting mood and seeing that his
motive was questioned he turned on
his heel and walked out of the council
room back to his Office where he was
still at work.
| Although he left the room, the dis
cussion did not subside Mayor Beck
er opened up anew, repeating some of
the remarks that he had made to the
city treasurer:
The tax payers are hollering," he
said, about increased taxes am
going to WELD the stick and instruct
the board to cut down the expenses in
stead of letting them grow by adding
to them in the way of hiring clerks
whose payments should be included in
the salaries that the various officials
get.
1T is true that the city treasurer
does not get the one per cent like his
predecessor did, but he has been al
lowed extras in the sum of $3.50
where Mr.. Hess was allowed only s4O0
| and he has received an extra $500 for
water rent collection while the city
hires and pays the clerks to do the
extra wark. Mr.. Wolter knew full
well that what he getting when
he took the office, just the same as 1
\ +
count myself worth twice as much
as any one doing the citys work, but
am not hollering now.
Opens Resignation Door.
Mr.. Wolter knew what he could
expect and ther is nothing in his way
at all to hand in a resignation. I tell
you gentlemen 1 am heartily tired of
everybody boosting their friends or
relatives for city job and hereafter
anybody hired by the city must be able
to deliver the goods"
The discussion that followed among
the councilmen showed, however, that
it was the concensus of opinion that
the treasurer was entitled to the extra
expense account and his work in the
office was highly complimented on al
Sides
The appropriation awaits its third
reading.
The tilt between the mayor and the
city treasurer was matter of common
gossip in the city hall circles today and
the question has arisen as to what is
the cause of the breach.
Creates EIectrician's Office.
Mayor Becker introduced an ordi.
nance creating the office of the city
electrician and regulating the wiring
of houses and requiring a permit tc
use electricity Before the ordinance
: was completed 1t was referred to Z
special committee for revision
: The council ratified the contract be.
tween the board of public works ant
the J. ]. Dibos Coal company by which
the coal company will deliver coal tt
the pumping station for S1.74 ton.
! The appropriation ordinance allow.
: ing s4.533.10 for repayment of erron.
C0uffuued nm rag,~