Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-08-07
WOULD DROP MEN
IN WATER DEPT
curtaiIment Suggested When
Orange Finds Its Salary APP
preparation Low.

Producing figures which indicated
that unless there is a reduction in
the staff of the water department the
salary appropriation for the en-
ployees will be greatly exceeded be-
fore the end of the year, Councilman
| Henry T. Stetson, of Orange, last
night had the water committee of the
Common Council instruct Water Su-
perintendent Isaac N. Travis to de-
termine whether fewer men can be
kept at work without affecting eff
ficiency.
Spirited arguments between the
Second ward representative and
Councilmen Christopher Freeman and
Patrick A. Quinn over the attempt to
decrease the force preceded the is
suance of the instructions to the SUI
perintendent. 1t was the third time
this year Mr.. Stetson advanced the
idea of having fewer employees in
the department for economy sake. His
figures showed that of the $4,000 ap-
propriated for salaries for the depart
ment all except 81 4O6 of the sum has
already been paid out.
Mr.. Travis declared that If any of
his men were dropped important work
in the department would have to be
sacrificed as there are now two men
less on the staff than were employed
last year. He admitted he made a
mistake in figuring the money needed
for salaries would be $4,000 at the
first of the year.
IF reduction is not made it will
hn frnT cCfh To oh 70 in n no
money for the department under the
present financial system" declared
Mr.. Stetson in response to a query
from Mr.. Freeman as to whether he
cared to accept the decision of the SUI
perintendent that the department
would suffer by a reduced staff
Then shut down the department,
shot back Mr.. Freeman,
do you want to see the city go
to the dogs" heatedly shouted MIR.
Quinn.
Let us try reduction as an eX-
pertinent suggested Mr.. Stetson.
II am against this also" declared
Mr.. Quinn. Don't go down with the
ship if you can avoid it," he added.
IF the money is not obtainable how
are you going to pay the mem" in
On I'D Mr.. Stetson.
Hease operations in the depart
ment," reiterated Mr.. Freeman.
Messrs. Freeman and Quinn sug-
gested the finance committee could
arrange to secure sufficient funds to
insure the payment Of the employees
salaries for the remainder of the year,
but Mr.. Stetson informed them it was
up to the water committee. and not
the finance body, to solve the prob
lem.
Figures examined by President Fin
neran revealed that $50 less has been
spent for salaries up to this time than
was appropriated last year, though
the force has been reduced by two
since 1912.
Mr.. Stetson tried to have a motion
passed "instructing the department
head to investigate the practicability
of the reduction, but none of his col
leagues would second 1t and Mr..
Travis was requested" to make re-
port.
Preceding the tart arguments over
the reduction in the department,
Councilmen Quinn and Keister had a
warm passage over a declaration OF
the latter that Partially was shown
certain individuals in requests Tor
reductions in water bills
BE specified" angrily cried Mr.
Quinn in reply to the assertion.
81 refer to an Italian who lives
near me-" said Mr.. Keister. Perhaps
1t was because he was friend OF
mine that he did not receive reduc-
ton" went on Mr.. Keister,
This statement is not correct and
YOU know it." continued Mr.. Quinn.