Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-10
IN WnhneLE over
CUT IN PAYROLL
Heated Discussion Follows Mo
ton to Retrench by Abol-
ishing City Offices.
r. R. REYNOLDS I OPPOSES
Says Proposed Measure Is Direct Slap
at His DeparGment-FourIA Are
OuCz of Jobs.

That the ordinance for the abolition
Of certain city Offices is a direct and
willful slap at his department, that it
was offered 10 personally hamper him
rather than for the purpose of econ
Rudgren, acting mayor, is insincere in
his motives, were some Of the state
ments made by Commissioner R. r.
Reynolds yesterday afternoon at the
council meeting before the ordinance
was put TO a vote. There was argu-
ment on either side for several min
utes, followed by a resolution by Com
missioner Reynolds for the abolition Of
the Office of chief OF police, and then
by a challenge TO any of the members
of the commission to resign and go
before the people of the city for re-
election or defeat.
WILL RETAIN CHIEF.
The resolution regarding the chief of
police lost three to one and the chal-
lenge went by default, the other COM
missioners declaring that there was no
ground for a challenge.
Acting Mayor Rudgren presented the
ordinances for the abolition of the Of
fees of street supervisor and street
inspector and providing that the work
come under the direction of the com
missioner of streets and public i'm
provements, and for the Office of SUI
perintendent of waterworks and plac-
ing the department under the super
vision Of the commissioner of public
property. 1t was then that Commits
sioner Reynolds stated that, though he
favored economy, he thought that the
ordinance was a slap at his depart
ment
POINTS OF INCREASE.
Commissioner Rudgren answered by
saying that where $1,000 was neces-
sary before this year to carry out the
work of the department, the expenses
now run to $4,10O. He explained that
formerly the street superintendent was
in charge of all the work and acted as
a member of the board of local i'm
provements as we'll He further stated
that the commission felt that Mr.. Rey-
holds was capable of handling the work
in all the departments capabIy and as
well as the man at the head now,
though he is certain that the men dis
charged their duties faithfully and
well. He said that it was a fair ordin-
ance and that Commissioner Reynolds
had ample time to assume the other
duties if he would devote his attention
exclusively to city affairs. The argu-
ment was ended when Commissioner
Reynolds said that it was a matter
that the public would decide. Commits
sioner Rudgren agreed with the view.
MEASURE Is CARRIED.
The consideration of the ordinance
was carried unanimously, and when
offered for adoption carried three to
one. Commissioner Reynolds, in vot-
ing no, gave as his reason that the
ordinance was not comprehensive
enough and that 1t IS a discrimination
against the department OF streets.
When the explanation of the vote
was made and handed to the official
reporter for inscription IN the official
proceedings, Mayor Rudgren asked if
the explanation of the vote was to be
put in the minutes and the city pay for
it at six cents a line. He said that it
is high time for the Discrimination of
the practice, and Commissioner Hart
said that It was uncalled for. A mo-
ton by Mr.. Rudgren to exclude the
reason for votes from the official min
utes was carried three to one, Com
missioner Reynolds voting no.
NO OFFICIAL REPORTER.
The ordinance providing for the abo-
htion OF the once of council reporter
was carried unanimously.
1t was after these matters had been
disposed OF that Commissioner Rev
nolds offered the resolution for the
cutting OF OF the office of chief of DO
lice and instructions to the city at
torney to draft an ordinance providing
for the measure and placing the COM
missioner OF public health and safety
at the head OF the department. Com
missioner Rudgren seconded the reso-
luton. Commissioner Hart said, when
the resolution was offered: Il am serv-
ing the people every hour of the day,
and look after enough other things that
are tor the interest and welfare Of the
people TO take up every minute of every
day. I am on the job from morning
till night. However, II would be a
pleasure for me To sit in a nice warm
Office on cold days and handle these
affairs if the people see fit. l am in
charge Of several other departments.
and my entire time is taken up. /