Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-01-03

City Council in its action of Monday night when they made
drastic and sweeping the salaries OF the ciy employees
Nor do the wisdom necessity for its (or
secretly session.
Secret executive of city officials bring distrust
TIE business of the mayor and council is the business of
EVERY citizen of the ciymae and female Secret sessions
lead to log rolling log-rolng leads politics. and politics
inefficient government Caucuscs and executive
tons often facona politics. the greatest that
any city officials Dtust the part of
the frequently caused by misunderstanding and
when governing body goes behind closed doors transact
the business of the people, the people fear something being
put over"-hat there something kide when reality,
the BEST cities those where citizen thor
oughy acquainted the affairs the troubles the adverses
that be met by its OFFICIALS.
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen Of the Council, if you the
unbounded conhdence Of the citizens Of Amercus
take them your conhdencee that they know where
stand and just what the financial condition of their city at all
times
The Times Recorder knows the Mayor and Council have
difficult financial problem solve They have confidence
and best wishes and aid is theirs for the asking
The columns of this paper open to them every day of the
year. is tie logical through which city officials may
communicate with every citizen in Americus
However do believe that the city such Gnan-
ca condition that the cutting of salaries Of the ci employees
is justified. '".
We believe that Amercus has an A-No. fire department,
loyal and efficient composed of who will and do risk their
lives the interest of public and private property And what
of the fire department. like for the
lice Department and the Sanitary Department. and every other
city employee.
Using the fire department as an example we find there
men, all loyal and efficient TRAINED FIRE FIGHTERS We
are informed that takes three years train for this
work where he good judgment and think fast skng
life and limb. Of these nine married with others
support than themselves One of them has dependents
have five dependents each has three dependens four
have each while three have only themselves provide for
How under tho with (or three) to feed and
house and cothe do $4,000 monthess than $4,000
week?
These underpad in 1922 and the council has
Topped $1,000 year from this department. The Chief of the
fire department is of 10 years experience in fire fighting
and yet he paid only 81 100 month"; the assistant chief
and the foreman under the schedule 10000 each the
other $4,000
The Times Recorder does believe that the efficiency IF
the department be maintained under this scale We would
rather raised than the employees of the
city paid salaries low that debt and bound to fol-
low.
This desire part humanaranisn--it IS
purely selfish When night comes we want to KNOW that life
and property ae and surely be with unframed
dsgruned men in the police, fre other departments
he Council attempted the salary OF the mayor from
100000 year to $4,000 per year. No
opinion faced year harder work than that which lies
front of Elmore Poole If he makes Amercus good and
efficient firmly believe he WILL he must devote
hours and hours of time daily his job We do not believe
necessary advisable pay mayor what he must be
worth the city but do believe that 5000 $1,000
little the city and its citizens gracefully accept the
services Of Mr. Poole for this year We do not know whether
he NEEDS it. But do know that servant is
WORTHY OF HIS HIRE and that the City of Americas is not
t0v
charitys sake.
TIE foregoing not alone the opinion of The TimeRe
corder We have discussed these questions with
Der of leading and influential and has agreed
with your action gentlemen And but what expressed
the utmost faith in ability and fitness for Office We sim
ply disagree with the wisdom of SECRET sessions OF
the council and The NECESSITY for sashg the salaries o the
citys employees.