The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-03-05
CITY COUNCIL
USES THE KNIFE /
Slash Salaries Right and Left
at Tuesday Meeting
Will Effect a Big Saving to
the Taxpayers of the City
of Washburn.

Acting on the suggestion made in
an editorial published in The Times
last week the City Council at their
meeting held Tuesday evening slashed
salaries right and left and by doing
this will effect big saving to the
taxpayers of the city. The salary
cutting started when Alderman
Ambly of the Third ward read the
article in The Times and suggested
that the plan as outlined be carried
out. The cOuncilmen seemed favor
able and Aldermen Ambly, Bryan,
Lysager and Johnson took hand in
the motion making and before the
meeting was adjourned over $500
was cut off by the reduction in
salaries.
For some time it has been apparent
that something along this line must
be done and the action of the council
at their Tuesday meeting will be
heartily approved by the majority of
the taxpayers of the city. They
should be encouraged in the good
work which has been started.
We would now suggest that joint
meeting of the city council, school
board and library board be called at
which the financial situation can be
discussed from all angles and deter
mine if more cutting can be done.
While we have not figures. at hand at
present to bear us out, yet is our firm
belief that some cutting can be done
in the department of schools without
seriously efecting the efficiency of
the schools to any great extent and
this should be looked into. This
should not be. done of-hand but every
endeavor should be made to maintain
the present high standard of the
schools at less expense.
The first matter taken up by the
council in the way of cutting was in
designating the room in the basement
of the city hall building as council
chamber and city clerks office.
This room was fitted up for this
purpose but has never been used.
By utilizing this room the sum of
$50 per year will be saved.
A motion was then made to abolish
the Office of patrolman, raising the
salary of the Chief of Police from 500
to sos per month, and having the
Chief on duty from six o'clock in the
evening until six o'clock in the
morning, and giving the Street Com
missioner police powers so that he
can serve during the day.
The salary of the Pound Master,
amounting to $4,000 per year was
abolished as was also the salary of
sewer Inspector. The street COM
missioner will also be sewer Inspector
in connection with his other duties.
The salary of the city physician
and health officer was also abolished.
Quite a good sized scrap was
brought about over the efforts of the
aldermen to abolish the salary of the
members of the fire department,
allowing only runs and insurance
money. Some seemed to think that
if the SIS year salary allowed each
fireman was cut off that the city
would have difficulty in finding fire.
men to serve but others thought the
city would have little difficulty in
this respect and as compromise the
salary was cut in two. The council
may decide to cut it off entirely at
their next NEE ting.
The salary of the city attorney
which has been $3.50 per year was
cut in half for the ensuing year.
A motion was also passed dispens-
ing with the publishing of the pro-
ceedings of the city Mcouncil in the
city papers and hereafter taxpayers
who are interested in city matters
will have to go through the records
to get their information.
The Mayor was authorized to en-
ploy an accountanta to look pver the
records in the County Treasurer $
Office in regard to an old settlement