New Britain herald., 1918-01-11
MAYOR OPPOSES
 SALARY RAISES HEs.
 FOR CITY WORKERS
Gives Out Vague Statement, De- Clining to Say Who Should
 Get It and Who Should Not
NOW IS TIME FOR
 SACRIFICE, HE SAYS

UHUlel1 HULL 1IA MI N His Honor Declares He Appreciates Efficiency of City Employes and Be- sIieves Those Who Need Raise Should Get It-New Salary Rolls Would Be Burden for Tax Payers, He Insists.
 Feeling, he says, that the burden of the war is already causing flnan- cial hardship to many local people, And also the belief that large general salary increases would tend to boost the tax rate Mayor George A. Quig- ley today. came out with a statement in which he expressed himself as op- posed to the granting of general in- creases and said that his idea is that public officials and city employees who are now earning a fair wage should be just as willing to sacrifice any possible claim to an advance in pay as are the men who are sacrificing their other forms of employment to enter the army at $50 per month.
 Asked what his attitude is in refer ence to the numerous salary increases already sought, as well as others that will be asked, Mayor Quigley said: q am opposed to large salary in- creases at this time for I do not think that this is the right time to boost salaries. While l appreciate the value of the various city officials and city employees in their respective de- partments and consider some or them invaluable to the cityS welfare, ILneyertheless feel that the burden of the salary raises asked would be on the tax payers, who, at this time, have enough financial drains without any extra tax made necessary by a general salary increase for city off, cials and employees. I feel that all city officials and ~,euaplQyes, .MTshsasv,are g. content for the time being to get e4long without another increase"
 The mayor would not specify any particular recommendation for sal ary increases which he opposed, and some salaries or wages that might be increased, but it is Q general increase which he opposes.
 Urges War Time Economy
 Commenting further upon the sal sary increases as recomm ended, the mayor said that it is his opinion that unless a city official or employe actu- ally needs the increase in pay in or der to make a fair living he ought not expect it at this time. This Is war time. he said, when all are mak- ioO ic that living wages should prevail and Ety workers ought to be just as will ing to make their possible financial sacrifice as are the men who go into the trenches for $30 a month. In this connection the mayor said that the income of numerous business men has been cut 50 per cent. by the war and inasmuch as it is impossible ito see into the future and learn how long the war will last Or what addi- tional burdens may be placed upon the community that may call for E necessarily increased taxes he did not think salary increases should be granted unless they are an absolute necessity.
 At the same time the mayor did not wish the impression to go out that IS did not appreciate the value of the city workers for he said that while they may be entitled to certain sa1- ary increases they ought to be willing to waive their rights at this time.''
 If the tax rate of the city is to be increased on account of salary raises the real burden will come right back on the people, the mayor states, ex- plaining that the tax payer will raise %4is rents as a result. To show the ,1nceccitx Of econOuo in every nos sible way to keep down the tax rate that rents may not be forced higher the mayor said that in many instances saving banks and holders of frs mortgages have informed their client that effective January 1 and Febru . ary 1 the interest of mortgages vii be per cent. instead of per cent Naturally the tax payers will shif this burden onto the rent payers.
 Asked If he had any idea just hoy much the proposed salary increase would amount to, the mayor rephet that he thought they might amour to q mill on the tax.
 What Has Been Asked?
 Following are some of the salar, xncreascs that have already been rec commended:
 Health department: Plumbing In rpector Thomas Quinfivan, s1,S0O t sz.1O0; Mrs. Bowen, clerk $500 t $500: Inspector McEnroe, $500 to s1, 100; Mrs Kitson, $500 to s1,1OO; In spector Dolan, $500 to SLIGO; Tn spcet:3r Crowley, $7S0 to $9o0; Mea Inspector witte, s1,20o to $1,4oo; to tai increases asked, $1,420.
 W2t", department: Superintend
 
 (Coptinued On Sixth Pago}.