The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1922-02-17
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 18th. 1922
TINE FOR COUNTY SALARY RE
DUCTIONS

Just prior to the converting Of the
Legislature we editoriaily offered few
suggestions for our legislators and
some have already received favorable
consideration. Among other things
we mentioned the propriety Of reduc-
ing the salary of those county officials
who were given a raise in pay by the
last Legislature TO meet conditions in
cident to the late war. The only action
taken SO far along this line by our
representatives has been the introduce
ton Of bill to sustain the pay Of the
County Commissioners at the figure
fixed under the war bill.
We hesitate to urge a reduction in
salaries because all the officials effect
ed are personal friends whom wewould
like TO zee prosper. We even fear
that our action may earn us the i'll
will Of some, but as public servants we
feel this is a situation which must be
squarely met, frankly discussed, and
settled once for all. II change is to
BIO made now is the time TO do 1t. If
the present scale Is to exist let's get
1t definitely settled.
For the purpose of refreshing the
memory Of those who do not come in
daily touch with such things we will
recall little past history. The legis-
lature Of 1920 passed bills for Hartford
which increased the salaries of the
States Attorney, Court Stenographer,
County Commissioners, Clerk to the
board Of County Commissioners and
Deputy Treasurer. In the case of the
County Commissioners the increase
was limited to a period of two years,
while the raise was unlimited for all
others. Our legislators of two years
ago now admit they made mistake in
not placing time limit on all.
1t will be seen then that the new bill
does not really raise the per diem of
County Commissioners but merely
maintains It's present status. We are
frank to admit II any are entitled to
the raise the County Commissioners
are. 80 that unless reductions are made
we hope the Commissioner Bill will
pass.
Why were the increases In salaries
first made? In 1920 the full after
math Of the war was upon US. Living
costs were at their peak, there were
two jobs for every employee, and near
ly everyone was riding upon the crest
Of the wave. Certain county employ
ees were an exception to this rule.
While farmers and merchants We're
making more money than they ever
dreamed Of before, these men were at
tempting to keep afoat at the same
old salary, which in some cases was
little above that Of ordinary day labor.
efs Of that time. They deserved an
increase and we gladly advocated 1t
all along tho line.
Times have changed, however. Liv-
Ing costs have unquestionably greatly
declined, there are now two men wait
ing for each job, and the ability of tax
payers TO pay has reached the breaking
point. Large corporations and indi-
vidual employers have read the signs
Of the times and In order to keep alive
have reduced the pay Of their employ
ees In proportion to the cost of living.
Why should not Hartford county lun
her affairs on an equally businesslike
basis?
Possibly II minute study were
made II might be found that some of
the increases should stand while 9th
era should be reduced. For instance
the goosts in salary ranged from 80 Ia
per cent to 90 2-S per cent. We can
mot believe that the latter percentage
Ia any longer justifiable.
We are perfectly aware tina. our
action will bring q storm Of protest
from many Of our friends. If any de-
finite action is taken, unless all prev
ious experience fails, petitions approx.
ing Of the present salaries will immedi-
atcly be put into circulation and the
number of signers will be large. The
average person hates to decline the
request of friend and all too fire.
quently lets friendship get the better
Of his Judgment Within few hours,
however. these same signers will say
not for repetition that the changes
should go into effect.
This is not newspaper bid for pop
ularity-it Is simply business propo-
sition. The dozens of protests which
have come TO our attention make us
feel that we are not at all radical or
unreasonable In our position. We do
not ask that all salaries be reduced 10
n pre-war basis. We do ask that
all be given thoughtful consideration
and that those which are out of proper
ton to present day conditions shall be
reduced to their proper level.
No one newspaper can hope to win
such a fight as this, for the opposition
can pull quite as many wires as We,
II, however, the members of the bar
our farmers organizations and civic
associations follow up with protests to
our delegates in Annapolis there can be
no doubt as TO the outcome. Our re
representatives. are of the calibre who
viii faithfully represent their consti.
tuents, but you must not expect them
to make such move on their own mi
tiative. II the taxpayers of Hartford
believe that in justice to all certain
salaries should be reduced they must
say so at once, and in no uncertain
language.