The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-08-30
Governor Silzer Opposes Move to
Give All State Employees
10 Per Cent Boost.
NEARLY MILLION INVOLVED
Civil Service Commission Told Pub
lie Is in No Temper for Added Tax
ation-Increases Commission Has
Approved to Date S2a1, 1897.

IrenLOu.-UpOn second Thought
Governor Silzer has concluded that
it is not entirely a matter for the
| Civil Service Commission to deter
mine what disposition should be made
of salary increases, especially since
such matters will come before him
in the preparation of the annual
budget
Such a view was expressed in a
letter the governor has forwarded to
Secretary Charles P. Messick Of the
Civil Service Commission in which he
takes up what he understands to be
proposed ten per cent increase in sal
airy to all state employees and which
would add about $1,000,000 to the
states annual pay roll. The governor
declares he is unalterably opposed. at
this time to such an increase when
the people are already burdened with
| taxes.
The letter follows:
when the Civil Service Commits
sion called to ascertain my views on
the question of salary increases 1
stated that at that time it was mat
ter for the Civil Service Commission
itself to deal with. Since, however,
the matter will come before me on ex-
animation of the budget. l believe
that ought to explain to the Civil
Service Commission my views on the
subject.
"As / understand it, the effort is to
effect a general ten per cent advance
throughout the service, which would
amount to an increase of $750,000.
The application OF the same policy to
| all departm ents such as Is beng
urged by certain departments, as indi-
Gated by their requests for salary adj
vances, would involve an increase of
$3.50, 900 to $1,0O0,000 in the pay roll
total over that of the last fiscal year.
Attitude of Taxpayers
81. wish you would say to the Civil
Service Commission that I am I'M
alterably opposed at this time to add
ing a million dollars to our pay rolls.
| II understand the temper of the peo-
pie at present, when they are bur-
dened with heavy taxes, it is that they
do not want any additional million
dollars yearly burden added to what
they are already carrying.
81 appreciate thoroughly the fact
that there are some employees who
may be entitled to increases. Per
sonally, | do not like to have cheap
people about me doing my work. Such
cases may be taken care of, but can
see no reason why a general ten per
cent increase should be made at the
present time and under present con-
ditions. Instead of this there should
be a reduction in the number of en-
ployees and added efficiency, which
would give to those who are entitled
to it increased compensation.
''If your commission could devote
itself to such a study it would be ex-
tremely useful to the state"
Mr.. Messick stated that he had for
warded copies of the letter to each OF
the commissioners, who would prob
ably take it up for consideration at
the next meeting September 4.
Salary Question Raised
The Civil Service Commission men,
bers called on the Governor June 70
at the executive offices and advised
him of the increases which had been
recommended up to that time for vari-
GUS state employees. At this confer
ence the Governor expressed the view
that it was a matter for the commits
sion to dispose of, but according to one
of those present the question was
asked by either State Controller Bug
bee or State Treasurer Read, who
were present, what effect a ten per
cent increase would have if granted to
all state employees. Based on the pay
roll for last year the officials were told
that such a percentage would mean an
increase of about $75O,OO0 annually.
There was not, however, any further
talk about a ten per cent increase nor
any suggestion that 1t be granted.
Since the conference with the Gov
ernor, increases aggregating approx
mately 1921, 97S.04 have been approved
by the Civil Service Commission, ac-
ton having been taken on the greater
number of applications at the COM
missions meeting July 10.
Major Pay Roll Groups
There are approximately 5000 en-
ployees in the classified and unclassi-
ded service. For the fiscal year end
ing June 80 last the estimated pay roll
for the classified service was S7,l69,-
$50 go and for the same period S2,22s,-
144.SS in the unclassifed. The latter
include courts, teachers in the normal
schools, heads of departments. mem
bers of state police, etc.
Secretary Messick stated that in APP
proving the increase thus far, which
| will add 1921, 9S7.04 to the states an
nual pay roll, the commission main
tanned conservative policy, and that
these increases will not anywhere near
approximate ten per cent Of the pay
roll, nor will any material increases
be added to this amount
| Increases already passed upon, said
Mr. Messick were determined after