The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-08
COUNTY MOVE
TO CUT WAGES
ROUSES STORM
Sumner Challenges Bust
ness Men to Donate
Money for Needy.
COUNCIL PLAN RAPED
Sheriff Pledges 10 Per Cent
of Salary for Relief, If
Others VIII Follow.

FIOpOSdl OF county cOunCllnlen 10
discharge some employees and cut
wages of others as method of re-
ducing the 1882 tax levy, today drew
fire of county department heads.
Led by Sheriff Charles (Buck)
Sumner, heads of the various de-
partmental units demanded not
only that wages remain at the pres
ent level, but challenged council
men and business men to donate a
sum equal to 10 per cent of the
amount they pay in income taxes,
for support of needy this winter.
The council is holding the first of
two sessions to consider the finan-
cial outlay for the county, which, as
proposed, would call for a 37.5-cent
tax levy.
The council and leaders of the
Chamber of Commerce, Board of
Trade, and Indiana Taxpayers As
ISOLATION are requesting a Scent
slice, based chiefly on wage reduc-
tons.
Sumner Hurls Challenge
"I'll pledge 10 per cent of my an
nual salary to aid the needy"
Sumner told the council and spec
tatorS. II challenge just 10 per
cent of the amount you put out in
income tax to help the needy"
Sumnerf was vitrolic in his con-
demnation of the organization which
seek pay reductions, and opened fire
on the Chamber of Commerce,
which has proposed almost complete
wiping out of the road patrol in
Summers Office.
''rhe people who want to do away
with the deputy sheriffs patroling
roads are the ones who wouldn't
face bandits gun to protect their
own property" he declared. IF
disregard of the safety and protec-
ton of citizens fresides is the way
to reduce to taxes, then it's wrong"
Would Cripple Force
Sumner said reduction of his
force would leave him with insufn-
cient men to take prisoners to state
institutions.
In a statement issued follow
ing the meeting, councilmen stated
salaries of county employees have
been revised throughout all offices
and departments.
"In certain offices one or more
clerks have been eliminated COM
- Of
ness handled. The sheriff's road
patrol has been reduced by dis
charging ten deputies, because the
county can not afford to continue
this department on such expensive
SCALE" the statement declared.
After a series of night meetings
the council said it had the final to-
tai of 81, 486, 1867 for all appropria-
lions from the county general fund
for 1882.
Might Cut Levy
If adopted, this appropriation
would keep the county levy as low
and perhaps lower than the 341z
rate levied last year.
The council stated it was cutting
salaries and considering other re-
auctions in department expenses to
make up for an $87, 900 deficit in the
county general fund for 1881, "ob-
viously the result of the lax finan-
cial policy in effect during past
years, when expenses were not held
within the income"
Coroner Fred Vehling, through
his attorney, Fred Barrett, made
the first demand for increase in
appropriations. He asked for $4,000
for autopsies and was attacked by
the council
Roy Sahm and Cortez Blue, coun-
cilmen, told him to hold down" the
number Of autopsies land save the
county some money"
Vehling offered an increase in
fatalities in the county as the rea-
son for his demand.
Reduction Is (Expected)
Before the council session opened.
Harry Miesse, secretary of the In
diana Taxpayers Association. told
councilmen that the people expect
reduction" and to bear in mind
the purchasing power Of the
dollar"
He said before his organization
appeals the budget to the state tax
board, he would investigate the de-
crease in property valuations. said
to total $4,000 900.
Frank Fishback, council president. Z
declared the council had ito re-
member that there are thousands
without any work" in defending the
favorable attitude the board has
taken on proposed salary reductions.
Those thousands all would like to
have these jobs" he added.