Evening journal., 1914-01-23
WOULD PAY
FOR THE WORK
Mayer Thinks Assessment
Board Should Be Allowed
Extra Compensation
CITY COUNCIL WILL
CONSIDER SUBJECT

City Council last evening received
communication from Mayor Harrison
w Howell requesting that the body
provide special compensation for the
members of the Board Of Assessment.
Revision and Appeals for the large
amount OF extra work that has de-
volvei upon them in connection with the
installation Of the new assortment sys-
tenn in this city. The mayor pointed
out that al least two of the three
members Of the assessment board have
devoted great deal of their personal
time go this work, and believed it only
fair and proper that they should re
oeirc como compensation.
The letter was presented by Council
man Kane, and after its residing was
referred 90 Council as committee OF
the whole for consideration.
The member. Of the board arc prcsi
dent of Council Willism ". White.
Councilman W. r. Stovcr, chairman OF
the finance committee, and Building IN
pector William Johnson. Each II al
lowed $3.50 for work a, a member OF the
assessment board this being the regular
salary fNod by law. and Is paid every
year aud has nothing 60 do With the
special work which Is now being car
ricd on.
For several weeks the members Of
J the board have been devoting from
twelve 10 iitcen hours day 70 the
work Of compiling the new and revised
assessment from the data furnished
them by The experts that have been nm
ployod for the purpose oi equall1ing the
taxation upon real estate ~ Whining
ton. This time has been given by the
three members from their own private
business affairs, and they haze been pat
TO great personal Inconvenience De-
spite this. however. the officials have
undertaken the work without Thought
iof compcnsation.
/ Following the reading Of the letter
iast evening Colonel Stoycr remarked
that he mad the highest regard Tor the
sentiment that prompted the mayors
/ letter yet it placed him IN rather an
embarrassing position. inasmuch AS he
( Is a member OF Council and OF the as
sessmont board as wcll lie declared 70
was true that the members devoted
d from twelve TO fifteen hours daily 10
the assessment work, but he believed
that when O man entered upon q task
he should consider what be- il going up
against and take Bis ncdicine.
] "i as a mciner OF the assessment
board. wish 10 say frankly that Coun.
eli need 20 10 no trouble. so Tar a. ]
am concerned. about amy additional com
pcnsation" declared Colonel StoNer in
{ conclusion.
Nh. Kane caused laugh when he
reminded Colonel Sto,er that bis re-
marks were little premature. inas'
much as Council had given them no as'
,urance that thoy would give him any
thing. The remark was made IN 4 ioe'
ular manner and Mr. Stover enjoyed ii
as much az the other members.
Moyor Howells letter in iul is a.
iolloWst
beg 10 can yonr attention 20
matter concerning the members Of
the board OF Assessment Revision
and Appeals.
They or as least two Of the mem.
hers have devoted great deaf %
their personal time 20 the work nee
ossary 20 be done IN connection WITH
the new assessment for The city oi
Wilmington as provided ior Icy en'
actincnt Of the legislature and au-
thorizcd by act OF Council
Through an oversight in ii'c legis ,
lative enactment provision vas not
made for special compensation for
the members OF the board herein be
1 lore mentioned and think City
Council should allow and provide Tor
tair and proper compensation Tor
the men who have given their time
10 this Important work. II might
b. necessary for Council to provide
ior this omission by allowing a iair
sum Ar compensation for specinl
services. However. Council viii be
I'm fuli knowledge Of the proper way
10 meet such AN emergency.
Trusting that this matter may re.
ccive vour favorable consideration,
] remain
j Very truly yours.