Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1915-02-25
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Judge Ewart Advocates Economy anG
Conversion of Alleged Excessive
Salaries Into Advertising Fund
for the City.
Editor, Democrat:
1t was my pleasure to attend a meet.
Ing of the Greater Hendersonville clut
on the evening Of the 18th instant.
There was quite a large attendance
including the police force and their
counsel, Mr.. Med Ray. The meeting
was called to formulate measures to
raise the amount necessary to publish
a booklet to properly advertise Hen
Jacksonville as a summer resort. The
discussion brought out the fact thai
this publication would cost six to
eight hundred dollars, and that after
the payment of all dues. and existing
Indebtedness, but a small balance
would be left in the treasury.
Immediately the club went into a
committee of the whole, Mr.. w. 4.
Smith presiding as chairman.
A motion was adopted limiting each
speaker to five minutes and the chair
man called for suggestions as to the
most feasible plan to raise the eight
hundred dollars needed.
Mr.. Wilcox and Mr.. Wetmur urged
that renewed efforts be made to in
crease the membership. Mr.. Frank
business ads in the booklet but If the
money could not be raised in any 9TH
er way would favor it.
Other speakers wished to know
whether the board of aldermen had ex-
pressed any opinion as to what they
we're willing to do.
AS suggestions had been called for,
and thinking myself entirely in order,
/ said substantially: THAT it was
perfectly apparent that after all. col
lections for club members was made
and all obligations of the club had
been met, that there would be prac-
tically nothing left in the treasury.
That being IA fact the only way by
which we &could hope to raise this
amount, estimated at $500 to $500. was
an appeal to the board of aldermen.
That to ask the board for an immedi-
ate appropriation of this amount in
view of the admitted fact that the city
treasury was bankrupt would be a
vain thing tosdo4andsto petition that
body to levy a special tax at this time.
would be suicidal
EIged RefreHeRiAent.
1 urged that the club inaugurate.
policy of economy by dispensing with
a high salarieds secretary who practi-
cally- had nothing to do, and secure
the services of the librarian of the
Carnegie library, who. is an. expert
stenogrApher and typewriter, a COM
petent business woman, and VINO
would, / did not doubt, be glad to sup
pleInent the meagre salary she was
receiving by a small addition from thu
club and the Merchants association,
thus, reducing the salary of the secra-
tary of the club from $50 to possibly
fifteen.
1 endeavored. to point out the fact
that both the national and state ad.
ministratiohs and. every town and citv
in the cotton belt in view of these
days of stress and disaster was reduc-
ing expenses and economizing in every
way possible. That being SO. l could
not see why the city authorities of
Hendersonvilie should not adopt the
same policy, pointed out where those
reductions could be m~ade@namely; by
a reduction of the police force and
in other departments Of the city ad-
ministration.
& Mr.. Glover Orr replying was oppos-
ed to any reduction, and favored thH
appointment of two extra policemen.
He further announced that he was a
democrat. Mr.. p. F. Patton expressed
regrets that any politics should sDe
mentioned in the club and that any
suggestion shouldEhaEe been made as
to economies in the city ~administra-
ton as he feH5eonfident that the alder
men would make. a liberal donation to
the advertising fund.- A resolution
was finally passed appointing special
committee to wait on the adorned
and ask for an appropriation.
Not Talking Politics.
I wish to say that my suggestion
was made in the utmost good faith and
absolutely free from any political con-
s%ideration. I am not a voter in the
town, and rarely if ever interest my
self in any municipal election.
i consider the employment OF q
clerk, who is neither a stenographer
or typewriter at a salary of $50 per
month a pretty unnecessary and ex-
pensfve act. when a perfectly comDe-
tent typewriter and stenographer, VIZ,
the librarian of the Carnegie library,
can be had by adding a small amount
to the salary she is now receiving J
consider the employment of four po-
Iicemen in. this small and law abiding
town at salaries a~ggregating $3.50 per
month a palpable a%bsurdity. Your pa
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