The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-25
COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE TOO MODEST ID FIX THEIR SALARIES Jefferson Delegation Is Amused by Responses to Requests for Speeches NO FIGURES NAMED
 AS WORKING BASIS Weakley Tells Those Present to Speak Now or Forever
 Hold Their Peace"
 on Subject

If officeholders in Jefferson county or those who hope to be emit series of squeals when the members of the leg of fees, they will have no one to blame save themselves.
 For last night in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce, only one man who is an official of this county ventured an opinion as to the amount of money which should be paid the man who succeeds him in office.
 From standpoint of amusement. the members of the delegation admitted following the session that their meet ing had been highly successful. but in consideration of the fact that no light was thrown on the subject under ois- cussion. that it was a failure.
 Officials Called Upon
 Several of the officials of the county were called upon for remarks, for the members of the delegation made it very plain that they were in search of light Judge Stiles of the probate court stated that he had nothing to say in public William Waldrop. clerk of the circuit court. declared that he could state what his successor should receive. P. B Bowers, tax collector, declined to set the salary of his successor. He endeav- ored to indicate, however, Just how diff ficult it would be to make collections before January 1 were there np fee attached to delinquent payments. Tax 4 assessor McLendon declared that he had never drawn q large salary and was not competent to name the amour, urer Rogers, who is now on a salary basis, expressed the opinion that the next treasurer should receive larger salary than he himself receives, $3500 He expressed the belief also that mem bers of the board of revenue should be paid S3600 rather than their present salary of 5000.
 W. B. Copeland clerk of the crimina l court, broke the record. He stated .hat l in his opinion the next clerk should b, paid S5000. When he was questioned
 In this respect later on in the meeting
 he hastily explained that he intended
 to convey the idea that 5000 should
 be paid the clerk with the understand l lnS tudt none OI tlat dHlOunl WAS lt i go to assistants.
 Defends Fee System
 1 Henry Morschhelmer, register il 1 chancery. when called upon to throw light on the subject. entered upon 1 long defense of the fee system, pictur 1 ing the disadvantages in the severa | departments of the county governmen which would follow a fer the fac sys 1 tenn is abolished officially. However l he could not say just how much none.
 should be paid his successor. Whei l question. he stated that the office h | held paid during the first year of hi l ircumbency between s1000 and $S00( | but that it had not paid so we'll sine
 that first year.
 l Thomas ]. Batson, who is sheriff l elect of the county, stated frankly ;ha ] he knew nothing of the office to whicl 1 he had been elected to fill. meanini | thereby that. his unfamliarity of de 1 tail made it impossible for him to reck on the amount which he should be rai l for his services.
 l Following these addresses John E | Neakley, member of the delegation who presided, asked any other gentle l man present to make a speech. Afte
 a moments pause, he significantly said
 Speak now or forever after hol' your peace.'
 When no other man spoke, he de
 clared the meeting adjourned.