El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-28
COUNCIL ISF0R
THE BIC REFORM
Taxpayers Efforts to Sys-
tematize City Department
ments Get Quick Action.

Mayor Charles Davis and the alder
men unanimously endorsed the prin-
oiple Of the plan of the Taxpayers
association to reorganize and sys-
tematize the various departments OF
city work, at a meeting OF the coun-
ell and a committee of taxpayers Fri
day morning. There was some dis
cussiou. however as TO details and II
was decided that the council meet
executively Monday morning and
work out all the problems. and then
pass the ordinance making the
changes ON first reading next Thurs
day in open session
James G. AicNary. Charles y. Bas-
sett Julius a. Krakauer. L. S. Stewart
and Dewitt A. Bandeen were in the
delegation from the Taxpayers as
ISOLATION in attendance at the meet
ing. which was opened by the follow
ing remarks by mayor Davis.
Gentlemen, this ordinance looks
pretty good 10 me. I would like TO
ask how soon you would want it to
take effect You know we have some
extensive Improvements under way in
the waterworks department and they
would require the services Of the pres
ent management until completed
Says jackson Wants Out
Mr.. BassetL president Of the tax
payers, thought the change should not
go into effect until a competent man
had been secured for superintendent
OF the department including the wa
terworks- Mayor Davis replied with
the following regarding T. 2. Jack
SON. now superintendent OF water
works
Tt occurs 10 me that Mr. Jackson
would be competent man for the
ew position. but he assures me he
doesn't desire il, and IN fact wants
20 be relieved from the waterworls as
soon as he can
Not Judge Of Technical Fitness.
alderman T. 3. simmons said he
didn't see how the city could dispense
with ar. Jackson, and Mr. Bassett
thought the Taxpayers league was
rot competent 20 judge on the tech
meal fitness OF Mr. Jackson
Alderman j. p O'Connor then pre-
scented the query. suppose the new
the council won't approve Won't that
be throwing a monkey wrench in the
cOgs OF the new machinery al oncee' /
Council Would BE @BOss.7
AR McNary replied the superintend-
ent would always be subservient 10
the council
Mayor Davis asked how much salary
the new man would have TO be paid.
and agreed with Mr.. Bassett that II
would run from $4,000 TO $4,000 per
year. The mayor then called on each
councilman 10 state how he felt to-
wards the proposed change, and the
following were the replies:
Semple-~Very kindly"
SimmOns-"Eery kindly, but I would
" ant more information"
O'Connor-~Very kindly
Jolly--Td like 20 try il OUT
HTaEnww~ TFmrrarnHHrnnu-wa
Mr.. McNary complimented the coun- .
Gil Tor its stand. Gentlemen" he said. t
you are taking a long step forward +.
in business mana cement and economy. .
II the plan should not work, you could .
make a change, but this council is .
spirit and II you do try the .
plan. you will deserve the everlast-
ing gratitude OF both business man 4
and other taxpayers 7 don't believe .
politics is al all in your minds I'm this
matter" Other taxpayers present .
agreed with Mr.. McNary-
Prefers Private Auditor.
Details Of the proposals were then
taken up and alderman O'CunnOr
thought the city clerk would be given
100 much power as head Of the audit
division. This brought on a general
which the council expressed the wish
hat il would become possible to have
D private auditor.
SALARY Savings Claimed. S21 900.
The matter of salary savings was
hen suggested for discussion and Mr..
3audeen said his plan would mean
iaving $4,000 per year
IF 10 doesn't save a cent In sal
lries." said mayor Davis. 1T would
mean. saving lot IN other eEpendi-
ures. ! believe now money is being
.pent needlessly. 7 don't believe, how
T-ar r~nrrfd ~ rrneHfhfa elm mate