Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-03
INCREASE SALARIES
FOR OWN OFFICES
West Orange Mayor and coun-
Gilman Denounce Action
of Colleagues.


Despite the opposition Of Mayor
Samuel A. Muta and Councilman
Daniel F. Gillum, the West Orange
Town Council last night passed on
second reading an ordinance increas-
ing the salaries of some of the town
officials The ordinance provides for
an increase from $3.50 TO $500 for the
mayor and councilmen and from $500
to $500 for Police Recorder Thomas
Mclaughlin. Mayor Muta objected to
all the increases, while Councilman
Gillum protested chiefly against that
part affecting the mayor and council
men.
A raise for the Mayor is included in
the former measure, but DR.. Muta
will not receive an increase as ii is
stipulated that the pay of the chief
executive of the municipality cannot
be advanced until 1915, by which time
Mayor Muta's term will have ex-
pired. -Four of the councilmen who
voted in favor of the measure Will
not benefit by the Increase next year
either as Town Attorney Simeon H
Robinson ruled those members re-
elected this year, will not be in
Cfdutu III tiit iilNiCdSt until tAAINA NiAN
next general election
DR. Muta urged his colleagues to
amend the measure so that the raise
would not become effective until 1916,
when the present members of the
Council will probably be out of the
body, but when put to a vote his
suggestion was defeated.
Mayor Muta and Councilman
Gillum pleaded for referendum
vote so that citizens of the town
could have an opportunity to voice
their sentiments on the proposition,
but Councilman Kerr was the only
other member of the Council who en-
tertained a like belief.
Selfish Motives Alleged.
From what have observed during
my eleven months In Office" said Mr..
Gillum Il cannot aeree councllmen
are entitled to an increase. Icon
slider the present pay ample.
| That the councimen desiring the
raise are actuated by purely selfish
motives was declared by Mr. Gillum.
MY taxes have Increased almost
100 per cent since l first became a
property owner, continued the Fifth
Ward representative, but l do not
believe the efficiency of the council
has increased 100 per cent since that
time. Neither can ] agree In the
manner in which you are trying to
get the raise 1t could almost be
termed disgraceful," said Mr.. Gillum.
Interpreting other remarks by Mr..
Gillum as reflections upon the coun-
ell members, Councilman Thomas
Drummond tried to have the former
head ruled out OF order, but Mayor
Muta said he did not regard the state
ments as such.
DIR. Muta. after informing his COL
leagues of the pay received by coun-
cilmen of municipalities of the same
population of West Orange. told his
colleagues he considered their pay of
$3.50 per meeting exceptionally good,
and could see no reason why their
salary should be advanced.
He stated If their pay is not salts
factory they should get out of office,
or walt until the next election. when
referendum vote could he taken
IF serving as councilmen was your
means of earning a livelihood" said
the mayor, sit would be different.
He added that the high cost of living
can't apply to the council.
Surpris e at the opposition to the
increase was voiced by Councilman
John King, who said he had not
| heard a protest from citizens. He
| had no sooner uttered the remark
before a man in the rear Of the
chamber, saying he was a constltu-
ent of Mr. King, annot iced he was
opposed to the raise
That the raise was slight consider
Ing the work done by the officials
was the belief of Councilman John
KLEIN. Mr.. KLEIN deploreG the fact
that Mayor Muta referred to the few
meetings held. declaring he attended
sixty-seven the first year he was in
office
REWRITING to the raise for Recorder
Mclaughlin, DR.. Muta stated he
plainly recalled number of the
councilmen opposed granting an in
crease to the late Recorder Cond't,
and declared the duties of the magis-
trate have not increased since that
time.
Town Attorney Robinson urged an
increase for Recorder Mclaughlin,
saying Mr.. Condit was a justice OF
he peace and was able to earn much
more than Mr.. Mclaughlin, as he
had authority to use the court room
for his private practise. Mayor Muta
reminded Mr.. Robinson that Mr..
Condit's livelihood was principally re-
ceived from his private practise while
Recorder Mclaughlin does not rely
entirely upon his salary for his main
tenance
"rhe pay of Mr.. Mclaughlin as re-
corder is Familiarity termed velvet.
is 1t not?" the executive asked In
conclusion. He alone opposed the
Increase.
The ordinances providing for in
creases for the police and fire depart
ment members were adopted. Voters
Il -.
the men at the November election.
The measure will come up for final
action on December 16