Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-22
SALARY CUTTING
i PLAN IS PUT Up
i TOACOMMITTEE
Mavor-elect Raymond and Re-
publican Aldermen Discuss
Economy Proposition.
INVESTIGATION
is DEEMED ADVISABLE

TUX TEX INV Ed lNAA i@lN
is DEEMED ADVISABLE
Some Salaries May Not Be Ex-
cessive, While Others Are, Is
the Argument Advanced.
Plans for a reorganization Of the
city's affairs and readjustment OF
the municipal salary schedule looking
10 an annual saving of more than
$50 900 was discussed last night by
The Republican members and MEM
hers-e elect of the Common Council and
Mayor-elect Thomas L. Raymondsat
conference held In the latter's law
offices, In the Lawyers building. No
definite action was taken. The mat
ter was left in the hands OF special
cbmmittee OF aldermen for further
consideration.
THE plans, as outlined last night to
the mayor elect, were devised at the
caucus Of Republican aldermen held
last week in the City Hall The
L naayor-eleet approved the spirit OF the
Suggestions, but did not commit him
self either way on the plans as placed
before him by the aldermen.
aHe told the visitors they were work.
Ing along the right lines, and added
that there was plenty OF opportunity
for a great saving by lowering the
cost of running the city government,
as well as by reducing salaries in GER
tain instances.
He pointed out, however, that the
kAlary schedule should be changed
only after great consideration and de-
liberation. He declared there were
salaries which are greatly excessive,
While, on the other hand, there might
lie few cases where the present SAL
my is justified. He said he did not
iavor the indiscriminate reduction OF
all salaries. but did not mention any
Particular position In his talk.
Talk of a Purchasing Agent.
The plans provide for a reduction In
the office forces of several depart
inents, the establishment Of a pur-
g4fasing department, the consolidation
&C at least two departments, direct su-
3ervision of all books and records OF
he city, as well as the sweeping cut
sing in the salary schedule. 1t was
;slso suggested that the Board of Edu-
cation be served from the City Hall
switchboard, instead OF from a private
Hoard as at present.
The different provisions OF the plans
VIII be taken up separately, and each
will be thoroughly investigated before
definite action either way Is recon-
nended. The special committee that
viii attend to the investigation is
composed of Aldermen e. Garfield
Sffford. new minority leader; William
p. Bleick, Charles w. Littlefield, Theo-
aore d. Gottlieb and Frank W. Cam.
h re, lfCbs
department may be one Of the big
gest changes. This Is a matter that
has often been discussed in this city,
put never went beyond that stage.
The aldermen figure that with a
Tell-regulated purchasing depart
snent at least SIS, 900 annually could
pc saved in the purchase OF sup
plies and necessities. 1t was adj
nitted that it would be difficult 10
End a man thoroughly qualified to
sulfin the position of purchasing
egent.
The consolidation OF the comptroll-
er's and treasurer's ONCE was dis
zussed as almost surely practical, if
NE necessary legislation can be OBJ
tained. II was suggested that the
Martin act department be CONSOLE
dated with the law department, so
that one force OF clerks could attend
20 the duties of both departments. 1t
was pointed out that the number of
clerks in the tax receivers office and
IN the city clerks office could also
be materially reduced.
among the salaries suggested for
reducing are those OF the mayor and
bis secretary, the city counsel, the
city attorney and his assistant, the
police judges, members of the fire,
1fr-cf r,ryr
Ind the heads of various city de-
partments. 1t is not likely, 1t was
declared, that the salary of the men,
Ders of the Board for the Revision
Ind Assessment of Taxes will be re-
auced.
: Alderman Littleheld commended
that in city of Newark's size the
Comparative salaries were not high.
j was pointed out that the mayor is
responsible for the entertainment of
visitors to the city, and must extend
The hospitality of the city to prom
snent visitors and commissions.
There is no provision made for de-
araying the expenses Of these dis
plays of hospitality and the cost
Snust be met by the mayor.
Just when the consideration OF the
test of the program would be taken
up could not be learned.
- When Opinions Differ.
: THE Mayor draws at present $4,000,
xsnd those In favor of reduction advo-
Gated a cut to $1,000, which was the
ssmount paid Mayor Hauss.ing eight
Years ago when he took office. Others
think that the expanding city war;
.ranted an increase and that the chief
Executive should be paid not less
,than $4,000 Some argued that under
present conditions the Mayor of New
ark has to devote almost all of his
s1me to the city's affairs, and a man
equal to the position could not well
he expected to work for less.
I The reduction in the salary OF the
.djty counsel as proposed would bring
,she remuneration of that office from
20 900 to s6,00O and that of his assist
ant from $4,000 to $4,000. Other cuts
tentatively proposed were: Mayors
,secretary. from $500 to $2,10O; police
court judges. from $4,000 to $4,000:
!ax commissioners, from $500 to
6, 500: excise commissioners, from
j 500 to 81 900; assessment commits
aioners. from $4,000 to $500.
mo cut is likely to be urged for
reducing the aldermen's compensa-
rion. which amounts to $500 a year.
.