Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-20
ARLINGTON BOARD
SLASHES SALARIES
Alexandria Annexation Re-
duced Revenue Given as
Cause for Cut.
BY LESTER N. INSKEEP,

ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT
HOUSE, Va, August 20-The Board of
County Supervisors yesterday afternoon
brought to a close one of the stormieSt
sessions in its history by cutting off the
salaries of two county employees alto
gether and reducing that of another
from a straight $50 a week to $1,000
yearly. These drastic reductions are
but beginning of others to take place,
1t was said.
The salary slicing is direct result,
according to Supervisor B. M. Hedrick
Of Arlington district, who made the mo-
tionS, of the loss to Arlington County OF
approximately $4,000 yearly revenue
from that section of Jefferson district
that was annexed by Alexandria.
Cloth Loses Stenographer.
Despite the fact that in addition to
his duties as commemorative attorney,
he also acts as legal adviser to the
Board OF Supervisors, the hardest hit
department yesterday was that OF VIII
liam G. Cloth, who lost his stenog-
rapher, the county thereby saving SIPS
monthly. Cloth protested the move by
pointing out to the board that his duties
require the searching Of titles, prepara-
ton of lengthy legal documents and a
score of other activities requiring the
services of capable assistant.
Cloth warned the board that the law
specifically sets forth his duties as legal
advisor to the board and that he will
in the future perform them only to the
extent provided. ANY special services
rendered in the future will be accom-
panied by BILL" he declared.
The next drastic cut was in the office
Of the water department., which comes
under G. L. Kinnier, county directing
engineer. There the board, on motion
Of Supervisor Hedrick, cut the salary
of Harry Miller, clerk, from $50
weekly to 81 800 yearly. The only other
cut was the removal OF the salary OF
$50 monthly that has been paid to Con-
stable Herbert T. Baker of Jefferson
district. The county is not required to
pay this salary, it was pointed out, al
though Baker is an elected officer and
will continue In his official capacity
hence.
Indicating that further reductions are
to be made within the near future, the
board instructed Kinnier to prepare
reports on the financial status of each
of the departments of the local govern
ment and have them ready for con-
sideration at the next meeting OF the
board, which takes place on August 80.
The salary cuts were carried out by
Hedrick and Supervisor Edward Duncan
of jefferson district. alone, Supervisor
e. @. Turnburke Of washington dis
trict, refusing to vote.
Although law was passed at the last
session of the General Assembly direct
ing that governing bodies Of Arlington
County and the City Of Alexandria
either pay the expenses Of volunteer
f1remen injured In line Of duty or pro-
vide blanket insurance for them, the
fIrst call unon the former was made
yesterday when State Senator Frank l..
Ball appeared in behalf OF Clayton
Owens, a Ballston fireman who was
injured by a hose connection on Febru-
airy 2.
The injury, which was at first thought
to be slight has become SC serious, Ball
said, that an immediate operation Is
necessary. The board directed that all
previous medical bills be paid and that
the cost of the operation and hospital
bills be paid by the county.
Policeman Bills Paid.
The board was advised by representa-
tives of an insurance company that they
have already spent $500 as a result OF
the injury several months ago Of Traffic
Policeman Hugh G. Jones Of Mount Ida.
and that, although they are not required
to longer bear the expense of his treat
mentS, they will probably do so. Jones
injured his foot when his motorcycle
skidded on the Washington Alexandra
pike, and the injury has not responded
to treatment as was expected. So serious
has It become, the board was told, that
his physicians fear that amputation may
be necessary. Jones has been a patient
at Emergency Hospital since early in the
Spring and is likely to remain there for
some time longer. it was said.