Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-31

With three exceptions, every depart
,ent in the American administra-
lion is attempting to stuff the salary
budget. IL all the recommendations OF
the officials are approved. the pay
rolls Will be Increased s9s.7s2.F making
q total OF approximately s6l5.O0o to be
eSpended this year in salaries. Many
Of these recommendations come as
noIiticaIy pledges and will have to be
fulfilled. a score OF new positions ana
one new department at least-a pur-
chasing department-is TO be created
bcsides Increasing the pay checks OF
two-thirds of the heads OF depart
ments. The salary list last year
amounted TO s51e.294.36. but with the
contemplated increase this year 1t will
almost equal the revenue obtained by
taxes.
Mayor John S Bransford. chairman
OF the board OF estimates and appor-
tionments, is greatly worried about this
fat and dimpled budget which mas
grown so large. With the assistance
OF the board. he has been struggling
to make It's last years clothes do, out
in vain 1t Is now a question OF how
large a suit 1t will take to fit II.
In reading over the Recommendation
OF the officials, an excellent illustra-
ton of the difference between pol
itican and businesses man is gwen:
Thomas HOLIDAY, superintendent OF
waterworks, didn't even blush when he
asked for a raise OF $1,000 and only
recommended an increase of 5000 year
for Ed Kneass. chief clerk, who knows
more about the waterworks department
than Holiday ever will. Neither did
Harper ]. Dlnniny. city attorney, lose
consciousness when he boosted his own
salary $500 a year. Frank Mathews,
land and water commissioner, who has
less to do every year. walked up and
asked for a $500 raise. These men
have the reputation OF being politicians
and like the notoriety.
ENGINEER NO POLITICIAN.
But When George F. McGonagle, the
new city engineer, who has been train
ed to look after the interests of
the Hartman lines. sent in his re-
port many of the members OF the
board were overcome. McGonagle had
abolished three positions in the CITY
engineers Office which carried with
them a salary of 1850 year He In
creased the salary OF his compnterS
and craftsmen slightly In order to Sc
cure better men; but the salary list
will be less this year than 1t was last.
McGonagle abolished the position OF
principal assistant engineer, which
threw George o. Chaney out of job.
drawing 5000 year. He also abolish
ed the position of assistant electrical
engineer with a salary Of $500 year.
The position of assistant engineer on
force account was also abolished which
carried a salary OF $1,000 n year.
And according TO reliable inforina-
tion. this is about the way McGonagle
did II. The second day he was In
charge OF the city engineers office. he
mot o. n. Skidmorc the assistant elec-
trical engineer.
Are you an employe of this Office?
McGonagle asked him.
Yes SIR" Skidmore replied. II an
the assistant electrical engineer"
We'll, what do you do?" was the nex'
question.
II arm the man who but just
then Mr.. McGonagle interrupted him
and said calmly. II think the city car
do without your services after Jan. Is.
Skidnore left the next day.
A few days later McGonagle discov'
cred T. D. Thomas. the assistant engi
necr on force account. chasing abou
The office without anything To do AND
Inomas was called Into the private OF
nee and discharged George o. Chaney
who acted as the buffer between L. c
Kelsey. former engineer. was not need
ed In that capacity by McGonagle. 81
ne let him so In about the same fash
ion
The city council did not ask for
raise OF the members salaries AM
neither did the engineer In charge o
the heating and electric plant at tn
city and county building. but every 9th
OF department did with the exception o
the city engineer.
chief OF Police Barlow wants to In
crease the wages OF the present fore
lo'nO which is about $50 year eacf
BESIDES this he wants 30 additions
policemen, which will cost 500 mn
king total Increase of si4,3i0.
City Atty Diuinny. who asked for
raise OF $500, making his salary $500
has also recommended that everyood
connected with his office be given a
increase. p. J. Daily wants $500 al
tached to his salary as 1rst assistan