Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-09
CITY TAXPAYERS I
ARE DIVIDED ON
SALARY QUESTION

Realizing that the proposal to in
crease the salary of the city manager
from $4,000 to 5000 a year is one Of
vital importance to every taxpayer. a
number of citizens of Albuquerque
have been interviewed for the purpose
of obtaining their views regarding the
matter.
No large number of taxpayers
could he seen in the short time allow
ed, and it Is not claimed that the few
statements which are appended re-
fleet the sentiment of the entire city.
Those who We're interviewed We're
caught at random, the only exception
being that an effort was made to get
an expression of opinion from a few
Of those whose taxes aggregate thou
sands of dollars annually. as well as
the men who pay much smaller
amounts.
A number of men when questioned
regarding the matter declined, for
various reasons to allow themselves
10 be quoted in print.
The interviews follow:
VI. +. Stamm: THE matter now
under discussion of the raise in the
salary of the city manager is one that
concerns us all, no matter whether a
large or small taxpayer. We are apt
TO judge salaries on what is paid for
the work, which is more or less rou
tine, of county and state officers, but
a man capable of handling the bust
ness and engineering affairs of a city
such as Albuquerque is entirely out
side of that class. The advantages of
the commission form of government in
our city over what We have had in the
past are so apparent that no COM
ment is needed from anyone. Our
city manager has saved his salary
many times over. and $4,000 is surely
not enough for a man Of his ca
pacity."
r. T.. Putney: Having been asked
to express my opinion on the question
of a raise in salary for the city man
ager I'll say as a taxpayer of this city
and one who, while he believes that
our city should have been paved
years ago, that I opposed paving at
this particular time for reasons that
have already been demonstrated. Our
city manager will not allow the ques-
tion of salary to arise at this time SO
that will in any way tend to handicap
the paving program, or any other
program that may be in the process Of
completion. AS good loyal citizens
we should all put our shoulders to the
wheel and under no circumstances
seek to obstruct or throw monkey
wrenehes in the machinery.
Our taxes are sufficiently high and
any difference of opinion or friction
which might serve to delay the game
will only make them higher All
projects under way should be brought
to a successful conclusion. | am not
a hal in, rIoy i'm IN, h.
middle of the stream, nor do | be-
lieve the taxpayers, city commission
ers or city manager have any desire to
see the taxes any higher than they
now are.
Il believe our city manager desires
least of all any agitation regarding
salary. But if we have to choose be-
tween losing him and paying more
money I should say pay it and do it
quickly, and quit finding fault with
the city administration"
John Il. Simms: II believe Mr.
Hebenstreit is worth $1,000 to the city
of Albuquerque, and if it takes that
much to keep him I am in favor of
paying it and saving the difference on
something else
A. FIeischer: IF he is as good a
man as l think he is, we will have a
hard time keeping him here for what
he is now receiving"
ID. $. Rosenwald: Il am thorough
~ in favor of the increase. l think
Mr.. Hebenstreit is very competent
man. ! think it would be very seri-
Gus mistake, if we can retain him, to
get new man, even if he were equal
ly competent because it would take
new man a year to become familiar
with affairs here. I am willing to pay
the difference in taxes"
DR.. c. II. Conner: Il like the city
manager very much. / am in favor OF
raising his salary if the commission
ers think he is worth the money
DIR. B. II. Briggs: while ] don't
doubt that he is worth $4,000 and
that he is giving us an excellent ad-
ministration, at the same time I do not
believe the city's finances are in such