The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-09-19
Friday. September 10, 1913.
ABOUT THE SALARY QUESTION.

In view OF the differences that have
arisen between the Second and the
First branches OF Council relative 10
the appropriation ordinance and the
salaries OF various public officials.
The 1ntelligencer makes few sug-
questions:
Ffrst-lt IL clear that some % the
proposed reductions in salaries are en-
tirely unreasonable. II the City Engi-
neer OF this city is not worth more
than sl.2eO a year. no ought not 70
hold the position. n the Health on
Ger is not worth more than 81 500 a
year. he ought not 10 hold the post
ton. Both % these positions require
educated and trained men. Both O:
them are positions OF great RESPONSE
bnity. A mistake by the Health on.
Ger may cost the lives OF dozens 90
people In Wheeling. a mistake by the
CITY Engineer may cost tens OF thou.
sands OF dollars. II these men are ca
pable. and The Intelligencer believes
they are. they are worth considerably
more 10 the City OF Wheeling than the
very small salaries proposed by the
Second branch. They are worth fully
every dollar that the city pays them.
Purely as a matter OF economy. the
salaries OF these two oficials might
be slightly reduced. and possibly they
would accept the reduction. bu. heir
present salaries are not excessive. and
the reduction. ~ any. must necessarily
be slight. There are. however. a mum
Der OF positions IN which salaries
could be reduced. and a, the risk o, in
curing the displeasure ~ some indI-
viduals. The Intelligencer points them
out.
The clerk % the BOARD OF Control 70
ceives $1,000 per wear s. 200 or $500
year IS enough for this place The
work OF that ONCE Is purely clerical.
II Is done under the direction OF the
Board o. Control. and 6, the board
Itself giyes the proper attention 70 It's
own business. & does no; require
high-salaried CLERK
The salary Of the clerk OF The First
branch OF Council IS higher than the
duties OF that ofic4 Justify This f.
said in all Kindness 20 tho dietin.
guished gentleman vho Ellis the Office
Tor whom The Inteu.gencer has he
highest consideration
The salary o: the Fire chief. which
Was raised 20 81 900 some years ago.
Is considerably higher than FIRE chiefs
were formerly paid II IS ont OF pro
portion 70 the salaries paid the Are.
men fhemseives and ought % BE- 20
duced II q competent fireman can be
gotten for $50 Or 500 a rnon'h. certain.
ly competent FIRE chief can be gotten
for 1926 o. $40 month.
The Chief Engineer Of 'he Wafe-
Works ought not 20 be paid more than
the Superintendent ~ 'he Water
Works. n r. probable that a modest
reduction IN expenses could be made
az this point. bu' certainly NOT 30
heavy a cut ~ has been proposed
Another i'm por'snf economy could be
made. and ouEh. 10 be made IN the
version % tho fees fo- me issuance
81 licenses from the pockets o. tho
city Auditor 20 ne CIV Treasury
There ~ no Rood reason vhf these
Tees should Be paid fhe city Auditor.
Who already is paid a liberia salary.
snd n the Second branch 49, Council
VII earnestly tsAe that matter 100
The ffn enec' reasonable eronom.
economy I7 good thing .f o.ghf
70 boz r-actced in our CO., sTaIrs
but ''on"mi7~rs ,an Pm sm.c. when
they t.a HsaF tunffs and rock .....
Iy fhef ah'e 'o o. harm instead
=" good Tire reor.e o. Wtre.-r III,