Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-26
DISTRICT MEN KEEP
JACKSONVILLE Jobs
Florida Court Continues in Of
flee Board Which En-
pIoyed Them.
SIXTEEN WASHINGT'0NIANS
DRAWING GOOD SALARIES
Engineer Department Officials Here
Thought Former Associates
Would "Lose Out"

District government oficials breathed a
sigh of relief yesterday when they
learned that sixteen Of their former as
sociates, who more than a year ago
obtained positions with the city of Jack
sonville. Fla. are in no danger Of losing
their jobs, as the result Of a court de-
cision continuing in office the board Of
bond trustees by which they are en-
ployed.
Practically the entire personnel Of the
engineer department of the local gov
eminent has been interested in an cleo
ton which was to have been held in
Jacksonville, Tuesday of this week for
the purpose Of adopting an amendment
to the city charter taking the admin
istrative duties from the hands Of the
board OF bond trustees and placing them
in the hands of committees appointed
from among members of the present city
council
Had this proposed change been effected.
1t is commended by those who opposed It,
the result would have been that every
city officer and employe would thereafter
have owed his position to councilman
and the affairs Of the city would have
been thrown into politics.
Information received yesterday by The
Star is to the effect that there will be no
changes in the officials of Jacksonville
as the proposed charter change election
was knocked out by decision Of court,
which was to the effect that the recent
law enacted by the legislature delegating
to the municipality power to change its
charter is in conflict with the state con-
stitution.
Jacksonville recently has undertaken
extensive improvements, the work being
under the direction principally OF former
District officials. whose positions it is be-
lieved, undoubtedly would have been
~ 1,rtt4 80 ~ 4~N
of bond trustees been taken over by the
city council.
1t is understood that the board has
been criticised on the ground that the
salaries paid the ex-members of the Dis
trict of Columbia engineer department
are excessive.
The former Washingtonians who are
now employed by the southern city are
Lloyd D. Smoot. w. r. Warman, ]. e.
Baliengsr. F: H; Murray. W, H; DAVIS.
win. c. F. Walters. w r. Lapham.
Frank Hoover. Guy Talbert. Rankin
Middleton, ]. B. Whelpley, Hope Falk-
ne- and Hillery Price.
Elmer Miller. who held a position with
Jacksonville for several months. has re-
turned to Washington and is with the
office of the municipal architect.
Good Salaries Being Paid.
That good salaries are being paid these
officials is evidenced by the fact that
Smoot. who was assistant engineer of
the surface division here, at $500 per
annum. receives $1,000 year in Jack
sonvile as chief engineer
Warman, who was a rodman In the
local sewer department, ut $3.50 per year,
is assistant superintendent of the sewer
department in Jacksonville, at $500
Ballenger, who, as assistant engineer in
the surveyors office, received 81 $40 per
annum, receives in Jacksonville, as en-
gineer of highways 5000. Murray boost
| ed his annual compensation from $50 to
| s., 500, Bleo. from 1850 to $1,000: Wal
| ters from $3.50 a day to 81. 500; Darwin,
from SIS a day to $500 Lapham, from
| 81 800 to s.. 500; Hoover from $3.50 to
81. 500: Talbert, from $3.50 to $500; Mid
| from $500 to 81. 500; Falkner, from So 81
| a day to $1,000, and Price, from s. a day
| to 81, 800.
| The employment by the board OF bond
| trustees of such large number of en-
| ployes of the District government is be-
| iieved to be due largely TO recommends
| tons made by Capt. Markham. former
! assistant Engineer Commissioner of the
/ District. who was employed as consult
| ing engineer for Jacksonville.
| All of the officials have made good"
| in their respective jobs. it Is understood.
and yesterdays dispatch indicates that
| no changes are contemplated, inasmuch
| as the board Of bond trustees will con-
| tinue to direct municipal! improvements,