The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-05
POLITICAL WAR
TO BREAK OVER
BUDGET SLASH
Affected Officials Hint at
Suit to Force County
Council to Pay.

RUmDHngS OF storm IN county
politics were heard today as a result
of the slashing of 100000 from de-
partmental salary and equipment
requests in the 1880 county budget
by councilmen Wednesday.
In addition to a further break in
the courthouse political ranks, as a
result of the budget reductions, af-
fected officials today indicated they
will file suits in county courts in
efforts to obtain mandamus writs
that will force the council to pay
the appropriation requests.
Officials and employees who have
broken ranks with George V. Cof-
fin, county and district Republican
leader, and who suffered most in the
budget reductions Wednesday. to-
day declared Coffin is to blame"
Charge Political Framing
They indicated that the council
with five of seven members friendly
to Coffin. had used the budget
slashing as a means to stifle job
distribution in the Offices of Repub-
lican opponents.
A series Of suits, seeking to obtain
mandates against the council and
County Auditor Harry Dunn, which
if granted would force payment of
the budget requests, also were con-
templated today. it was known.
Consideration of county institution
funds, working balances and other
similar items was started today.
CounciImen are endeavoring to
bring the 1880 tax levy rate to about
20 cents, or a drop of Is cents from
the levy proposed by county COM
inissioners.
Deputy Gets Raise
Sheriff George L. Winkler's vic
tory in obtaining an enlarged sher-
ifs budget, including a salary in
crease FOR Harry Bendel, chief en-
forcement deputy, and funds for in
creasing of1cie and patrol equip
ment. was taken by county officials
to mean that cOuncilmen used
steam roller" methods in abiding
by Cofhn's wishes.
County Clerk George HutselI and
Dunn, both of whom have been al
lied against the Coffin reign, were
affected seriously by the budget
slashing. and limited that the affair
was perpetrated because certain ele-
nents won't ally themselves with
Coffin" HutseI several months ago
publicly declared his break with
Coffin.
Prosecutor Judson L. Stark suf-
fered the fall of the councils ak
when 1890 was cleft from his
fund, decreasing the salaries of nine
deputies, lowering radically the
courthouse office operating expenses
and eliminating two city court depu-
ties and a criminal court investiga-
ton fund. Dunn was deprived of
funds for added help and the salary
Of present employees was cut $4,000
from the budget request.
Hits Anti COffiniteS
The reason for Councilmen deny
ing County Treasurer Clyde E. Rob
inson $4,000 additional for new
employees in the delinquent tax de-
partment, proved disconcerting TO
-Cofinites, as the treasurer has
been regarded as a Coffin protege..
Robinsons 1880 pay budget, how
ever. remained at. the 1929 figure.
Whether the council exceeded its
authority in reducing salaries of
court reporters from $4,000 to $4,000
q year and court bailiffs from $4,000
to $1,000 a year may be decided in
several mandate suits to force the
auditor to allow original requests.
Fred T. GLADDEN.. county school
superintendent, probably will resort
to mandate action to overthrow the
councils act in not only disallow-
ing his 81 200 a year salary raise but
in cutting his salary $500 below the
$500 mark. Councilmen allowed
GLADDEN. $4,000 for the remainder of
this year but said the lower rate will
be effective Jan. /.