The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1914-05-16

that county OFFICERS nave required the
work and make corrections where
P~evious errors had been made by the
accountants in the first instance
pensation under the circumstances is
en- unjust demand and should be re-
fused.
Better Wages for Telephone ope-
rators.
We find that the Pacific Telephone and
Telegraph Company which controls the
telephone system in Stevens county
instead of promoting the welfare of the
wage wage to its employees has inauguarat.
ed q system of handling its system of
service which Is calculated, In our
Judgment, to work .grieyious injury
to society and to render itself q bur-
den rather than q convenience to the
public. For example, this company has
recently increased its traffic rates near
its patrons an oxorbitant toll in addi-
tion to rates which were already yield
ing enormous profits to the corporation.
At the same timo girls of tender years
employed at wages too low to afford
them tho actual necessities of life and
comfort. and are thrown into an at
mosphere of unwholesome association,
and subjected to the wiles and caprices
of designing adventurers and by the
taint of circumstances the doors of
ginners as telephone operators are paid
twenty-five dollars per month and
wages are increased by the addition
to such salary of two and a half dol
lars evory six months thereafter until
the maximum of thirty-five dollars per
month Is paid. We consider further
comment unnecessary and would rec
ommend that those engaged In the work
of the betterment of society and the
uplift of economic conditions sho
direct their energies vigorously against
IL
sible, a more respectful situation and
better recor,n nense for those who are
obliged to give their services to enter
prises OF this class.
Warn Incorporated Towns.
We recommend that the Incorporated
cities of the county exercise due dill
eence In the administration. of Justice
within their respective dominions, and
especially we would entoin nDon those
who tolerate the license system IN
reeulations Of the, LIQUOR traffic as s.
possible in administering the law as
it relates to the violation OF police
regulations and thus relieve the county
of q large and unnecessary expense In
this regard
People Must Not be Reckless.
In the Investigations which we have
conducted we find there Is growing
disposition on the part of some people
to exercise a reckless intimacy Wi
the public treasury when offered the
slightest opportunity to perform SER
vices for the county. Unusual mileages
are CHARGED for and extravagant claims
are insisted upon for services. which,
while necessary. are of ordinary value.
We trust that citizens who enjoy any
degree of self respect for themselves
show It In their consideration for
taxpayers by an exhibition of honesty
In dealing where the public purse Is
open to them. This suggestion is not
for the benefit of officials in their line
of duty but 1t Is a criticism of the
acts and conduct of many who are
most prone to condemn those who are
chosen public servants.
Extra Help for Grand Jury.
every reasonable way to meet the de,
mand of the public by rendering full
and efficient service; In this we have
been obliged to solicit and employ per-
sons who were not officially connected
with the public administration or +
county. In doing so we have acted. az
we have been advised. clearly within
our rights and assume. full resptonsi,
blity for the task which was placed
In the hands of one whom we consid-
cred faithful and trustworthy In the
hands.
Mothers Pensions Touched.
We find among other matters touched
upon In our Investigations that there
Is In measure an abuse of the privi-
lege extended to destitute persons under
the mothers pension law. This law
Is hard to administer In justice to all
who claim benefits under 1t and In
the endeavorr to do JUSTICE to all It is
Is violently imposed upon. We have
found some cases that were 1t not for
the unfortunate condition of the Of
fender. we would recommend prosecu-
tions for perjury in the endeavor of
applicants to secure assistance from
the public treasury.
County Should Have Automobile.
In view of the fact that the automo-
bile has, grown in popularity among
the people to such an extent that pub
lie transportation upon the highways Is
most conveniently, quickly and econom-
the enpense for hire of this class of
vehicles has grown to be an Item of
great expense. to the county. we believe
at at m medium price would be money
well invested: and we, therefore recom-
mend that such vehicle be selected
and purchased by the board Of county
Of the sheriff for the exclusive use OF
county officials when necessarily
travelling in the performance Of public
of such vehicle for other than public
purposes should be considered GRIM
inal act
Juries Must be Careful.
We would enjoin upon Jurors In the
found and abiding Interest in the pub
lie welfare. Whether public criticism
is we'll founded or not there seems to
Stevens county are remiss in their In
clination to enforcement Of the law.
Grand Jury Public Necessity.
We believe that the grand Jury In a
public necessity and the manifest pop
ular demand for II has been a great
encoura cement to this body In Its work.
We recommend that a grand jury be
convened at least once a year at time
when those serving upon 1t will be least
inconvenienced by reason of being
taken away from their personal duties