New Britain herald., 1922-02-08
COUN. HART SEEKS VOTERS SENTIMENT
First Warder Queries Constituents
 on 10 Per Cent. Cuts

First ward voters received a com hunlcation today from Councilman Howard S, Hart requesting an opinior on the question of 10 per cent, cu in the wages of city officials and cn ployes such as has been advocated h, the councilman,
 Stamped envelopes were inclosed ii the, letter so that q reply might hf St nt 10 the councilman either m ths form of approval or disapproval o his stand
 Councilman Hart's letter to his con, stituonts follows;
 To First Ward voters
 "The common council voted againsl q reduction of salaries Of city em- ployes, al it's last meeting, but this question is likely to come before the council again; and, deslring your opinion, am presenting you with the facts as they appear to me, for youl consideration
 "It may be taken for granted thai all of ns desire that those working for the city should receive fun value for services rendered. but we cannot ignore the fact that the cost of living has decreased very materially during the past year or more, and Is now re- ported by some authorities as about so per cent, above 1914 living costs
 "The fremen have been advanced from $260 per day in 1914 to $5.5C per day. or s2,oo7.ho per year. 1t is claimed in their behalf that their hours are long, and that they have little time to spend with their fami- lies; that their job is hazardous; and that they have been disappointed ir not having their ho-rs shortened through the adoption of the two pla toon system; all of which is true. Or the other hand, it seems to me thai their work is not more dangerous of our people, and that some modifl cation of the two platoon system should be adopted soon to shorter the hours without greatly increasing the cost to the city.
 The patrolmen have been advanced from $3.00 per day in 1914 to $5.5t per day or $2,oo7.5O per year.
 Common labor, working on the streets has been reduced over 50 per cent. and calls for no action at this time
 Some employees of the city have had no advance since 1914 and should not be subject to any reduction.
 "Other employees and salaried off cials have had considerable increases since 1914 though averaging less than patrolmen and f1remen.
 'It appears that most of our city employees have been paid at the war time rate and for full time for over a year after most of our population has suffered cuts in both pay and hours of work.
 Tt has seemed to me that with some exceptions a general cut of 10 per cent. would not be unreasonable.
 We have capable men and women in the various city departments, prob ably they average no better than the rest of us, and may be entitled to no more consideration.
 'If city employees are paid more than they are worth an undesirable condition arises Men in the council and heads of departments are be- seged to maintain the high pay and find easy jobs for friends.
 "To quite an extent the tax rate is a question of the number of city em- ployes and the amount we pay each employe.
 "A lower tax rate helps to cut down the cost of rents, and everything we buy
 'Drectly or indirectly all of us are taxpayers.
 "Therefore, all of us are vitally in terested in securing an efficient city at the lowest reasonable cost.
 Ut seems to me that no city job should be paid very much more than that price at which an equally good man is willing to accept the employ ment
 "The preference, however, should be for the man holding the job. and he should be retained so long as he renders efficient service.
 'The appropriations for next year are being figured,
 Do you think they should be in creased over last year. or do you favor a decrease?
 With the exception of providing work for the unemployed believe there should be reductions in the cost of running the various city depart ments and that we should practice the utmost thrift and economy lh every 
 "As one of your representatives in the council l am anx,ous to know your views on these questions, and re- quest that you make answer OH the enclosed sheet and mail to me as promptly as possible n the enclosed stamped envelope
 Yours very truly,
 H. $. HART,
 Councilman, First Ward