The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-09
COUNTY WAGE
CUT ORDERED.
FACES FIGHT
10 Per Cent Slash for All
Getting $1,000 or More,
Council Rules.
JUDGE HURLS THREAT
Cant Do It, Says Baker;
Court Battle Looms;
Levy Not Set.

Ol11OAdlo anu ClllplOySo W SALARY It
duction burst into an intense flame
of indignation today as the council
definitely announced a 10 per cent
slash in salaries Of all employees re-
ceiving more than $1,000 a year.
The council at noon today re-
cesSed without fixing the county tax
rate at SO cents on each 500 taxa
BILE property, which it has an
nounced as its intention. The new
rate would be IL cents below the
present levy and Az cents under the
rate submitted by county commits
SionerS.
Reductions of court attaches sal
aries, which judges declare they
have the right to fix by law, prob
ably will bring forth court fights to
raise them to former schedules.
This became evident, when Grim
inal Judge Frank P. Baker informed
the council:
Hasn't it occurred to you men
that you have nothing to do with
fixing court salaries. You merely
are fooling yourselves by not ap-
propriating money the county is
going to have to pay"
ASSailed by Judge
whether you appropriate it or
not, their salaries are going to be
as I fixed them,' Judge Baker de-
clared.
This opinion also was voiced by
Juvenile Judge John F. Geckler.
Answer of the councilmen to
heated criticism from county heads
was: 1--WE can't spend money we
haven't got; this is the only way to
keep the tax rate down."
In all courts except municipals,
court reporters salaries were re-
duced from $2,400 to $2,160; salaries
of bailiffs from $1,000 to $1,62O;
salaries of stenographers generally
from $500 to $3.50.
The council cut $1,000 from
County Clerk Glenn Ralston's esti-
mate for operating his office. This
reduction included cuts in salaries
of all clerk deputies.
An appropriation of $27O was
added by the council when Chief
Deputy Charles Ettinger informed
the council that the clerks office is
using typewriters bought thirteen
years ago"
Budgets Are Slashed
Approximately $4,000 was cut
from the county auditors estimated
budget and the county treasurer'S
request for his Office was reduced
$19,950.
A requested appropriation of $54,-
900 for "other deputies" in the
treasurer's office was cut $4,000.
The council ousted two persons
from the county recorders pay roll
and reduced salaries of other en-
ployeS in the department. A photo
static operator was provided for,
however, when Recorder Ira Hay
maker protested.
More than $4,000 was slashed
from the sheriff's proposed office
budget, including elimination of
$4,000 for radio service, $4,000 for
two emergency cars and smaller
automobiles and a reduction of
$4,000 in the item for return of
prisoners.
Sloan Wins Argument
Expenses for operating the county
jail were yet to be acted upon by
the council when it recessed at
noon.
Similar salary reductions were
made in the county surveyors.
county assessors and township as
SCISSORS budgets.
When County Assessor Robert r.
Sloan pointed out the council was
disregarding his lawful right to two
deputies, the council raised his APP
preparation. reinStating one deputy.
Continued opposition of commits
sioners to fixing the free gravel
road levy at u cent instead of
cent, as proposed, may force the
rate to 1914 cents.
Councilmen raped the commits
sioners' plans to spend huge sums
on a "blacktop" road program in
the county next year. The COUNSEL.
whose jurisdiction in the matter is
uncertain, has recommended the
1a-cent road levy, proposed by
Charles E. Mann. county highway
superintendent.
State Appeal Likely
This road levy probably will be
appealed to the state tax board,
Harry Miesse, Indiana Taxpayers
Association secretary, stated.
Wholesale salary reductions in oil
county departments by the council
was described today by several
county officials as mere Repub-
lican strategy to stir dissension
among the Democrats"
Protesting the recorders force re-
duction, County Recorder Ira, C.
Haymaker described the councils
action today as near sighted" econ
omy. THE cutting of five persons
from my force would fix this office
so that it can not operate" he said.
Not single councilman came in
this office to see what was needed. !"
Haymaker declared, 1T seems they
have acted on other peoples sug-
geStionS."