The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-07-15
JOBS AND WAGES
ARE Topped OFF

An ordinance, which eliminated
the offices of plumbing inspector,
building inspector, one deputy of
the health department and the
stenographer to the commissioners
as well as providing for a general
cut in the salaries of city en-
ployes, was passed by the commits
sion in legislative session Tuesday
morning in an endeavor to reduce
the city's expenses.
1t is estimated that practically
$500 will be saved in this way.
AS provided in the bill employees
receiving $125 or more a month
were cut SIS. All under 1925 were
cut $40 and city stenographers were
reduced to 500.
Commissioner of Public Works,
R. B. Williams, who maintained
that they were necessary safe
guards to the property owners and
the cleanliness of the city. He
stated that 56 per cent of the re-
ceipts being realized by the build
ing inspector would be lost if the
office was consolidated with some
other department. Receipts for
1921 were $1,157 and for the first
six months of this year, $649
The inspector for the water de-
partment having served notice that
he would jump the job if his salary
was cut from $145 to $135 a month,
and as it would have been difficult,
| if not impossible, to obtain a COM
petent substitute, the commission
| allowed that salary to remain I'M
changed.
George Aldrich, capitalist and re-
tired lumberman: at is up to the
government to function in the same
way individuals are doing; let out
all employees not absolutely neces-
sary. The commission should go as
far as possible in reducing ex-
penses. Those who are not tax
payers have a different view"
Mr.. Aldrich said nothing about
the men and women who pay rent
and buy their necessary supplies
from the merchants of this city
but if he meant that these are not
taxpayers who "have different
view," his economic education has
been sadly neglected. 1t is this
portion of our citizenry which bears
the greater burden of taxation.
The just way to secure more rev.
enue is by increasing the taxes OF
the holders of unused real estate
held for speculation, and those man.
ufacturers outside the city limits by
extending the limits. This latter
class have all the advantages of the
city's utilities and do not bear a
just proportion of the upkeep OF
those utilities.
The suggestions of the Building
Trades Council were not given Sc
rious consideration, but they are
well worthy the serious thought of
all when the question of taxation is
considered.
Mr.. Clay said: There is slight
difference between the government
and the individual. How much can
! you cripple the government, or rem
der it less efficient? How much
can we curtail city government
without making it inefficient? That
is the big question"
Commissioner Turner said: "Wash-
ington cities of the first class are
being MIXED dry by state and ma.
tional taxes. We are not even per
mitted to use all of the police court
fines. Even the railway terminal
tax on property in Everett is spread
over the state. The legislature has
been allowed to run wild. Everett
has a big debt unloaded on the
commission by the saloon element
when our form of city government
was changed. Honest assessment of
unimproved property would help,
but it has been easier to let things
slide than to act. The public safe
ty department will turn back into
the treasury $4,000 this year"
Commissioner Williams said: "The
people wanted improvements, and
now they kick against paying for
them. Lack of efficient inspection
of plumbing and building has cost
the city more than the salaries of
inspectors since those offices were
established. The public demands
inspection by competent men. Ger
tain contractors would like to have
the inspectors eliminated altogeth-
err"