Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-01-20
Advances In
Pay Favored
Report Says
District Attorneys and
County Clerks I'm
derpaid;; Sheriffs
Get Too Much

Increases in the salaries of the
state superintendent OF schools
from $4,000 to $4,000 per year, the
attorney general from $4,000 to
$4,000 per year, the corporation
commissioner from $4,000 to $4,000
per year. and the clerk OF the state
land board from $2500 to $4,000 per
year. are recommended in the re-
port of the special legislative com
mittee on salaries of state and
county officials.
General increases are also rec
commended for county superintend-
ents of schools. Although making
no direct recommendation for in
creases in salaries Of county Judges
assessors and county commission
ers, who, the report states, were
found in most cases to be capable
men serving at Inadequate nav. a
warning Il sounded to the effect
that the good citizens of the state
should lock well into the conduct
ana management of public affairs
II they desire to protect themselves
from waste and lnefficiency and
consequent higher taxes"
Some Shcriffs Overpaid.
Although the salaries of district
attorneys were found to be TOO low
nor commentator is made for an
fncerase, "for the reason that any
moderate increase in salary would
not attract the ADLER class of law |
yers."
salaries OF county clerks In most
cases are adequate, the renort
states, In few instances county
treasurers are underpaid while on
the other sheriffs of two or tbren
coonties are found to be overpaid,
The report Is signed by Senators
lSen and Strayer and Representa-
tiVes Dodd, Wheeler and Haines
our investigations have been
made with a view to uaintajning
efficiency in public office" the ra.'
port reads. 1--WE have sought IN
protect the taxpayer from higbor
-hxes but also from inefficient sn,.y-
ce. '''
inexperienced Crowd In. 8
we round many high grade {
neh uhderpaid. We also found mon
githout capacity for the office thov
liled who were ,overpnid Worry i
ew good men are seeking oCrica Il
ma public spirited citizens i'm n,or,
Instances have drafted men for i,,- II
oftaht official places who nro n
irving their counties pahloticallv o
W at personal fipancial loss
our Investigations early in tha ~
eur lS@O showed many instances ,
l county officials resigning for
etter positions in private work 81
'hiie Tess experienced men took L
lelr places, but with the change IN
ohoItiohs during the latter mart NJ NJ
1e year this loss of efficient mor fo
peing reduced The business of til
ie counties in nearly all cases is
'c'easfhg and 1t h important thar Sc
ie good citizens Of the state look To
Ell into the conduc and manage 10
leht Of public affairs if they do
re TO protect themselves from, "A
as'e ana inefficlency and copse- TO
tent higher taxes" Al
Repeal Of Laws Favored pc
iHe report recommends that all
es payable to and collected bv IN
'unly officials, particularly the el
ierlil' clerk or recorder. should 10
accounted for and all laws in
'hiiict herewith should be re- tSe
,aled. Oh
county surveyors should be made ,
'poihtiNe and thes alarv fixed NV "'
e county court. according to the
illiaittee' which also states that
lch dissatisfaction was found tic
TN the method now in use i'm the wv
lployment OF water masters. rec rl'
amending that the county courts VIC
given jurisdiction In this matter tiv
TO. '' ty.