Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-06-16
WOULD NOT CUT
THEIR SALARIES
TO PARE BUDGET
Passaic Commissioners Reject
Mayors Proposition, but Re-
duce Other Employees.
Especial to the Evening siar.J

PASSAIC, June 16.-By order of
Mayor George NJ. Scger the Board of
Commissioners yesterday assembled
to discuss ways and means OF cutting
the budget for 1gfi-1915. The members
were all determined that some reduc
ton must be made, and all were
ready and willing to lend their aid.
The first suggestion the mayor made
was so astounding that the commits
sioners gasped.
Let us cut our own salaries ten
per cent" said the mayor. But Pas
saics commissioners refused to be
martyrs, and voted down the may
or's suggestion. Each commissioner
receives $1,000, and thinks he earns
every cent of it.
a meeting of the commission is
scheduled for today, at which time
1t is expected the budget will be
passed.
Before the commission form of gov
eminent took charge of things in this
city the tax rate was $1.49. Within
two years it jumped eleven points,
and now stands at $1.62. 1t is be-
lieved the rate will go to S1.90 after
today's meeting of the commission.
That was the prediction of Mayor
Seger, made yesterday.
That Passaic is not very we'll
pleased with the new form of gov
eminent is evident from the protesta-
tons heard on all sides. The people
are especially displeased by the taking
away this year of the social centre,
which was one of the most popular
splits in the city. There dancing was
enjoyed, cooking was taught, dra-
matte productions We're given and de-
batting clubs We're formed, with an
expense to the city of only $3.50. But
now that is thing of the past. The
city fathers say they can't afford it,
The town must do without that pleas
ure.
Among others joining in the pro-
test against the city are the police
and fire departments, the members of
both of which think they deserve a
raise in salary. But they can't have
1t. The commissioners say so. The
police put up an especially strong
plea. They declared they were under
paid and pointed to the salary of the
police of Garfield. a town not haif
the size, where the pay was larger
than give nhere.
Then the school teachers came
along with a modest request for an
increase. They thought that about
$4,000 additional should be approprl-
ated to the account of teachers sala-
ries in order to reward faithful work
of teachers. This was also refused.
Then the school authorities came
along with a request for an additional
probation officer. which they said
was necessary. Even when they
pointed out that the city woula be
reimbursed from the States school
fund by additional school attendance,
the commission could not see the wis
dom of such an appointment.
The only request for increases the
commission did consider were the ap-
plications of City Treasurer Harry j.
Ketcham and John Woods, clerk to
the Board of Tax Assessors. Mr..
Ketcham is now receiving $1,000
year, and the commission thought he
certainly was worth 5000 per year
more. Mr.. Woods, they thought,
should be getting $1,700. He's receiv-
ing only 81, 800 now. They decided to
lay over the applications until later.
The financial condition of the city is
laid directly to the doors of the COM
missioners, who are charged with be
ing incapable of managing the cfty's
affairs properly. 1t is charged their
methods are loose and carelessness
are also among the chief reasons for
the poor financial condition Of this
town.