Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-03-22
COUNCIL FIGHT
At So. AMB0Y
Move to End Job of Janitor
at Water Works Causes
Opposition

SOUTH AMBOY. March 22.-An
ordinance abolishing the Office of
Janitor at the local water works
created quite a stir at the meeting
last night when Councilman Dis
brow took exception to the proceed
IRE and inquired into the reason for
the action.
The council of last year through
an ordinance established the Office
OF ~janitor at the water plant and
named Nels Kvist, father of Andrew
-. Kvist, who was at that time coun-
Gilman of the fourth ward, and fix
ing his term of Office for three years
with a salary of $1,320 per annum
In reply to the query of Council
man Disbrow, asking for the reason
for the measure, Councilman Della
ney stated that it was the beginning
of a move to do away with all un-
necessary offices throughout the city.
as a means of saving the city a con-
siderable mount of money. He
said that in this instance the city
would be saved $40 per month.
"If this resolution is offered for
the sole purpose of putting this man
out of a job, with intention of plac-
ing another in his place at an early
opportunity, 1 will not vote in favor
of 1t. If it is offered with the pur-
pose of saving the city a sum OF
money, I might consider voting fav-
orably on it." Continuing Mr.. Dis
brow stated hat 'since the feeling
was for the reducing of unnecessary
help, 1 can suggest where a like step
along the same lines will also les
} an the burden of the taxpayer.
H"This act is beyond me-" continu-
ed Mr.. Disbrow. II have been at
the local plant on several different
occasions and always found the man
: in question doing his work. II we
had a reason for expelling the man
it would be a different matter, but
when there Is no motive, l cannot
see why Mr.. Kvist could not claim
his pay for what 1 might call a
breach of contract. For has he not
a contract with the city? Hasn't he
been placed in that office for a term
OF three years? I'd like to ask the
city solicitor his advice OF the mat
ter, before l consider the question
further"
When questioned for his opinion
Solicitor Coan stated it was unlaw-
full for the council to create such a
sition. claiming that a janitor was
49, an office holder and that it was
breach of law to create an Office
g / fixed by law.
g Mr.. Disbrow again took the floor
and claimed that there was work
enoughNfor the %jaintor at the plant
and hat he was sure no engineer or
fireman would cart coal, or empty
flashes at the plant. At this point
MIR. Disbrow asked of Councilman
Delaney the number of men employ
ed at the plant at the present time.
The councilman from the first ward
claimed he was not able to tell Off
hand just the number of men en-
p1oyed there but added that ow-
ing to the enormous mount of work
,s4done there recently it was neces-
sary to add several to help with the
new pumping system being put into
effect.
II have in mind one man. at h
plant who I know was not on the
plant during four of my visits there.
When pressed for the name of the
Individual the councilman stated
that it was John Braney. son OF the
water commissioner.
"Councilman Delaney stated it was
unfair to make IN accusation, unless
entirely acquainted with the nature oil
the work of individuals. Mr.. Delaney
stated hat young Braney. who IS re-
ceiving the same amount OF pay as
other men at the plant. was using
his automobile throughout the city,
without charging u cent extra 1or
gasoline automobile hire or tires.
Councilman Disbrow asked how long
the man in question was employed at
the plant. The water commissioner
statel that he was hired at the time
the new wells Were commenced at
the water plant.
Cn1ncilO1an Lovely in an effort to
nut the question, stated that the only
reason the ordinance was presented,
was to do away with the position
of ~janitor and save the city the add
ed expense. He claimed that since
the saving of coal amounted to al
most three tons a day. there was no
need of keeping a man on that par
ticular Job all the time. When ques-
toned by Councilman Disbrow as to
how the ashes and coal was to be
taken care of, Mr.. Lovely replied that
one of the men from the repair de-
partment of the water works would
be placed on the job. Mr.. Disbrow
took exception to this. claiming that
lie the repair department could spare
men to work on different parts of
the plant. it was evident hat too
many were being kept on and sug-
ESSteu tlidL IL WOulu OS IL cdFlitN "
curtail the number of men now held.
Concluding. Councilman Disbrow
stated that he was heartily in SYM
pathy with any move that would save
the city money. but did not feel as
though he would like to feel respon-
sible for any loop hole in the law
which might mean the expenditure
of several hundred dollars to the city
and perhaps the back pay without
work of the deposed janitor. The
ordinance was left over under the
rules with Councilman Disbrow vot-
ing no.
An ordinance abolishing the Of
ice Of assistant city collector, was
also laid over under the rule with
scouncilman Disbrow voting no. This
office was also established by the for
mer council, shortly before the COM
pletion of the term. The position was
being filled by Mrs. Bowen. While
Smany contend hat this action of
The council is questionable, giving for
! reason the amount of money saved
by his department since the installa-
/. ton of the office, and the increased
of work, still the council
commended that it is an unnecessary
exoensa to keep this office, when X
fra help could be supplied when nee
es5ory.