The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-30
QUESTION BOARDS
RIGHT TO RAISE
KNOWL ES'S PAY

'r' NhoVict Is Internationally Of
hccr of the city. and not an employee,
md as such his salary IL directly con-
trolled by the Council
Whittct Defends Action.
Presiden; Robert Whittet OF the Adj
ministrative Board. admitted freely last
night that the board had increased Mr..
knowles's salary. and that the increase
has been in effect since July /.
section % is capable of several In
Expectations. in my opinion" said Mr.
Whttet AS the board sees il. il does
not affect the right OF the Administra-
tive Board to Increase or diminish the
salaries OF all officers under its CON
troll. ] do not think that the board
has exceeded its authority in raising
MI knowless salary from $4,000 to
$500 n year. That is the construc-
ton place on the new charter"
officer According to Code.
with the language OF Section %
clearly against the construction placed
upon 1t By the board as regards Of
hcers OF the city, the only other point
in doubt is whether Mr.. Knowles is
an officer or merely an employee If
ne is an employc. his pay, accord
ing To the same section. may from
time TO time be Increased or dimin-
iahcd by the said board
Mi Knowles official standing is
ilNed by the CITY Code. which provides
In the language OF the act of April
IL. 1910. that there shall be elected
by the city Council a superintendent of
the Gas Works, who shall continue in
Office for two years. and until his sue
cessor Is appointed and qualities un-
less sooner removed" The Committee
on Light, il Is further provided, shall
appoint an Inspector of Gas
Each of the officers before men
toned, the same act provides, to-wit:
the superintendent and inspector. shall,
before acting in his office give bond.
with sureties. in the following penalty.
to.wit: the superintendent in 5000 and
the inspector in $4,000. When an
officers term OF Office expires. his Of
fetal books and papers shall be de-
livered by him to his successor. or i'm
such other manner as the committee
may direct"
Official Position Unchanged
win the creation OF the Admins
trative Board. the election of the SUI
perintendent of the Gas Works ana of
the Inspector OF Gas passed from the
city Council and Committee on Light
TO the Administrative Board The Of
hciai position OF both men. however, re-
nalned unchangcd-the sole difference
lying in the manner OF election. Both
remain officers of the city, whose sal
aries are fixed and changed only with
the authority of the city Council
Generally speaking. an officer Of the
city mas executive functions. is elected
Tor fixed term and is paid stated
annual salary. while an employee OF the
city Is hired by the executive of the
department. in which he is employed
without limitation OF his period OF
service and without bond
Acting Auditor Crenshaw said last
night that the absolute Increase in
the Gas Works pay roll viii amount
TO between $4,000 and $1,000 annually.
OF this amount $500 goes as an an
nual increase to the salary OF Super
ntendent knowles.
RumOrs Of Politics.
With the news OF the Increase yes
terday arose various explanations Of
the boards action. Nh. Knowles. 1t is
understood. has gratefully acknowl-
edged the boards generosity in q letter
to that body. The superintendent of
the Gas Works was one OF the seven
teen candidates in the Administrative
Board election, running seventh IN the
race.
During his campaign for election 10
the board last fall Mr. Knowles re-
peatedly told his audiences that no
was entirely satisfied with the salary
OF $4,000 that the city was paying him.
and that he has managed 10 save
money on It, His chief concern, he
told the voters. was to secure an in
crease Of pay for the employees OF his
department.
In view Of the fact that Mr. Knowles
had publicly expressed his satisfac-
ton with his former salary. the action
OF the board In increasing IL by $500
annually is generally regarded as SUR
prisinG. Political forecasters saw in
the action n clever manoeuvrc TO make
Mr.. Knowless berth so attractive that
he Will not venture to enter the next
Administrative Board election, where,
1t Is admitted. he would be strong
candidate against Hirschberg and Nc
Carthy should they offer for re-elec-
ton.