The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-17
COUNTY EMPLOYES GIVEN INCREASES TOTALING S47,O00.
Sixty Persons In Eight De- partmentS Benefit By
 Action Of Board

Salary increases amounting to ap- jroximately $47000 a year were voted for county employees at meeting of the board of revenue Tuesday morn ing. These increases are divided among about 50 employees in eight de- partments of the county.
 Most of the departments granted increases were placed on budgets and voted specified amounts for all sal aries, which are to be determined by the heads of these departments. Some question has been raised as to the power of the board of revenue to place this duty upon department heads. but. if any difficulty arises on this point, the board probably will ask department heads to recommend salaries which the board may approve as matter of routine.
 These department heads are elected, most of them, by the people of the county and are held account able to the people for a wise ad- ministration of their offices, sald Tom Huey. one of the board mem bers after the meeting, explaining the position of himself and other board members in leaving the TX ing of subordinates salaries 10 the QeDarIne0C enough confidence in these men to elect them to responsible positions. They ought to be worthy of trust In the way of fixing salaries. They know more about their clerks than we or the board can hope to know and they are in the best position 10 1udse their worth to the county.
 Tax Collector J. F. Hawkins asked for increases totaling $275 a month for his department, or $500 year which was granted. Probate Judge J. P. Stiles increases amounting to $275.50 month, to be divided among 12 clerks It was voted to allow all his clerks to receive $125 a month, raise of S15 in some cases and only $10 in others.
 A budget totaling s3,350 a month or $40,200 a year was voted to J. Woolsey Morrow, clerk of circuit court, as increase farm budget of s2,95250 per month. This increase is to be divided among several employees most of whom will be paid from $l5 to S25 more a month than heretofore MT. Morrow pointed out that the busi- ness of his office had doubled within the past six years and that salaries had not been raised in proportlon'
 Forney Brandon, clerk of the | criminal court, asked for and received a budget of S24.600 year for his de- l partment Similar action was taken on the requests of Hunter Armstrong 1 of the chancery court who asked for l S21 .6SO Tax Assessor L. R. Dillon, who
 wanted $39,240, and Sheriff T. j.. l Shirley, who asked that his two deputies be raised from $250 to $500 month.
 An increase of s5 per month was made in the salaries of janitors, wlo will now receive $75 a month. F. T.. 1 Downey, plumber and general custo- l dian of the court house, received an l increase to $225 a month. Rev. T. O.
 Jones, county chaplain, asked for an
 increase fEom $135 to $200 a month i but it was voted to allow him only l $175 a month.
 A general increase of 10 per cent was asked for all employees in the o1- l flee of County Engineer c. J.. Rogers, who now receives total of 1 S36, 900 a year. This increase was granted. 1t was voted to allow L. H. l Salter, sanitary engineer, an increase l of S55 a month. Chief Clerk E. J. Reed of the board of revenue was voted a salary of $275, an increase of 1 S25 a month Other clerks in the revenue department are to receive in-. creases of $25 a month. B. N. Wheeler l sunerintendent of roads, received an
 increase from $25O to $500 a month.
 The county is in a good position l financially, according to board of revenue members, and can easily take
 care of the increases granted. It was pointed out that t1e new automobile l laws and other laws passed by the
 last legislature would provide addi- 1 tional funds for the custody expendi-
 lures.