Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-06
NO PROVISION MADE
IN ANNUAL BUDGET
Alderman Grimes, Strong Advocate OF
Advance, Agrees to Let Matter Rest
for Present-Treasurer Curtis
Wants Commission On the street
Railway Loan Fund.

Action upon the recommendation OF
the committee on fire department and
water that the salaries OF all Of the
drivers and the tillermcu OF the nre
department be increased $40 per month
was deferred last night by the council
committee on finance pending an ex-
animation of the financial condition OF
the city for the present fiscal year.
Even should il be found that the
finances will warrant the increase
asked for. K Is doubtful that the
finance committee will recommend the
increase nj this time, as several of
the members want TO defer the matter
until the budget for the next fiscal
year is made up.
Chairman Ford, Alderman c. ID.
West and Councilman r. w. Wess
opposed the proposed increase. Alder
man West said that he did not think
II vas a sound business policy to in
or ase salaries in the middle Of the
year when no provision had been made
in The budget for such an increase.
Mr.. Ford opposed IL on the ground
that II the firemen we're increased the
other city employees might have a
right to ask for similar increase.
Ccuncilmar West took ruch the same
view of the matter.
Aldermen Grimes, strong advocate
OF the measure. said that he did not
wish TO antagonize the committee and
would let the matter rest for while.
hut declared that he hoped that when
the budget for next year is made up
the members of the committee will
remember their statements about
wanting to see the firemen Increased
anW would not be influenced by any
person. whether a city employe or not.
Messrs. Lash and Nelson favored the
crease. provided The finances OF the
city win warrant Il.
Thinks Commission Is Due Him.
Although the committee understood
Two months ago that City Treasurer ].
M. curtis did not claim any commits
sion on the $i2 600 paid to the city
last year on account OF the fund ad-
vanced the street railway companies
70 pay for their portion Of the paving
recently laid here. Mr.. Curtis Informed
the committee last night by letter that
he always had thought end still
thinks' that be should be paid a COM
mission on that money. However. he
stated that before taking the matter
ups~ith the committee he would con-
fer with City Attorney Massie relative
TO It.
This fund came out OF the general
fand of the city and Mr.. Curtis re-
ceived the commission on Il when Il
was originally collected. For that res
son some Of the councilmen did not
think that the treasurer should get n
commission on the money a second
time.
When Auditor Blanton reported TO
the committee sometime ago that For
mer City Auditor Read had not in
ciuded the item OF ST.. 600 in the state
ment of moneys on which the city
treasurer was due commissions dur
ing the past fiscal wear. Mr.. Read told
the committee that II had been agreed
between himself and Mr.. Curtis that
no commission was due the treasurer
on The $4,000.
City Engineer Raped.
When the com-:.tee took up the
consideration of the recommendation
Of the committee on highways and
sewers that si.27s be appropriated