The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-03-05
CITY COUNCIL REFUSES
TO REDUCE SALARIES
OF EMPLOYEES

Monday evening the city council
met with Mayor Turner presiding
Judge Dunlap in attendance; and
Aldermen Ackley, Adams, Boone,
Harrington, Parker and Steunenberg
present. The usual routine business
of the session was transacted after
which Mr. II. w. Dorman was asked
to state his troubles. Mr.. Dorman
was troubled by the fact that some
eight residents of the Mountainview
addition were without water and I'M
able to get water. The City has I'M
der consideration an extension of the
water works system into the Noun
tain View addition and Messrs. Har-
rington, Adams and Beatty were in
structed to go over the ground with
Mr.. Dorman and report back to the
council next Monday night.
Street Commissioner Campbell sta
ted that number of hitching racks
were in bad shape and needed repairs.
1t transpired during the discussion
that these hitching posts had been
erected by the Commercial club Mr..
Dorman stated that in view Of the
fact that the Commercial Club con
templated some heavy publicity work
and would be unable to give hitching
posts much attention. Thereupon
Commissioner Campbell was author
lied to bolster up our hitching racks
IN such manner as seemed to him pro-
per.
Commissioner Beatty called attcn-
tion to the fact that we had had an
other freeze and asked authority to
settle with the water users who to
avoid having their pipes freeze had
permitted the water to run. Mr.
Beatty was authorized to settle on
the same basis as he had settled al
ter the first freeze.
Adams Starts the Rumpus.
The principle business of the ses-
sion, or at least the matter that pro-
vokes the greatest interest, was stag
ed quietly by Alderman Adams. Mr..
Adams had in his vest pocket a good
sized chunk of dynamite in the shape
OF proposed salary ordinance. His
bill proposed to fix the salaries of
the elective and appointive officers
for the ensuing two years on the fol-
lowing basis;
City Clerk, per month, $500. $4,000
City Treasurer, per month, $500
Chief OF Police, per month. $500
Policeman, per month, ...... $500
City Attorney per month, e.. $500
Supt. streets who would be
Water Commissioner, 49,. 5000
This bill would reduce the payroll
OF the city nearly 100000 per year.
Mr.. Adams explained that the offices
of the water commissioner should be
combined with that Of city superin-
tendent of streets. The city attor-
ney and city treasurer were to stand
straight cut with the understand
ing that the city treasurer was to be
made water works clerk and receive
additional salary while the city attor-
ney was to receive substantial pay for
certain lines Of work.
After more or less discussion it was
determined that this council could do
nothing that would bind the succeed
ing council except in the matter of
liking the salaries of the clerk and
treasurer, the two elective officers.
This saving Of $1,000 per month did
not appeal with great force to Alder
men Harrington and Ackley but great
ly impressed Aldermen Adams, Par
ker and Steunenberg. Alderman
Boone kept his own counsel at this
stage of the game.
Steunenberg Advances Idea.
Alderman Steunenberg in the dis
cussion applied the great theory that
every little bid added to what you
have now makes little bit more. He
argued with some reason that the
theory applied in taxes as in all other
things and felt that the 5000 should
be saved. Alderman Parker expires
sed the conviction that the would be
applicants at $1,000 and $500, and /
that two dollar a day man was as
good as four dollar a day man. He
did not state why he was not in favor !
OF paying two dollars a day, MesSrS,
Harrington and Ackley took the posi- |
ton that our present city officers, as
a whole and Clerk Dunlap in particu-
lar, were very efficient, were render
ing good and faithful service, and |
were entitled to living wage This |
idea appealed to Mayor Turner who |
stated that courtesy TO the succeed |
ing administration restrained him
from favoring any interference by |
this council. lie stated that il the
council thought that salaries should
be reduced, that Offices should be
combined; that it should have taken
action year ago instead OF handing
ready made program over to the
succeeding administration. lie also
called attention to the fact |
that the city fire engineer was
NOT included notwithstanding the
fact that he was getting good
water, fuel and rent thrown in. Mayor
Turner somewhat disturbed the eco
nomists by wringing in the fire en-
gineer who was not to have had a
place in the scheme.
The upshot OF the matter was that
Mr.. Ackley was conviced that an adj
journment should be taken. 1t was
done. The council will meet next
Monday night at the usual place and