The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-04
PAY RAISE ISSUE
GIVEN TO ROLAND
Instructed to Prepare Detail.
ed Report With Specific
Recommendations

The county commissioners yester-
day referred to H. M. Roland, school
superintendent, the matter of prepar-
ing a more detailed report with spe-
cific recommendations on proposed
wage increases for janitors and help
ers in the county school system.
The action followed lengthy dis
cussion of the matter of joint ses-
sion Of the county commissioners
and members of the board Of educa.
tion.
DR.. John T. Hoggard, education
board chairman, explained that the
janitors were employed by the state
and their wages were supplemented
by the board of education.
Roland said 80 janitors and help.
ers were now working in the county
school system and suggested that a
new wage scale be worked out for
them provided that funds could be
secured from the general fund.
The need of some wage increases
for the school janitors and helpers
was cited by Roland, who pointed out
that wages paid them by the state
was dependant, in a large measure,
on the size Of school building in
which they worked.
Hoggard said he would like to see
them get more money and expressed
the opinion that the question was
whether the details of the wage scale
were to be worked out by the board
of education or the county commits
sioners.
Lewis ]. Coleman, county commits
sioner, called attention to their long
hours, present low income monthly
the fact that several of the janitors
had considerable experience, and
said, "some were entitled to more
money"
Hoggard again explained that they
were primarily state employees with
their wages being supplemented
more than double by the county
board OF educatlOn.
Commissioner Coleman then point
eG out, under the present setup, "they
can't very well keep their self re-
spect and live decently," and said He
would be ashamed to pay them what
they are getting"
Harry Gardner. county commission
er, said, "if there are some ways
and means of doing it. We ought to
do it." Addison Hewlett. chairman
to the county board Of commission
ers, suggested that a further break
down be made of the matter before
more serious consideration could be
given the matter.
Roland suggested that about $500
would be needed in order to raise
each of the janitors and helpers
about $40 a month, explained some
of their wages were now lower than
others, and expressed the feeling
they should receive the same in
crease as bus drivers in order to
maintain living wage"
The two boards later called on Ro-
land to prepare a more detailed re-
port with specific recommendations
on the matter for submission before
another joint meeting of the two
boards.
County commissioners suggested
that a basis of an eight hour working
day at 35 cents per hour be worked
out for consideration at later meet
ing.
Commissioner Coleman said you
will hear from me in such matters
as long as 1 stay on the board OF
county commissioners in behalf OF
the working people" Coleman said
he was speaking for and represent
ing the working people Of the COM
munity and felt the lanitors and
helpers in the county school system
were not getting enough money"
Two applications, one white and
one colored, submitted by J. r. Hol-
lis, public welfare superintendent for
admission to the county home were
approved by the county board. An
nual report of the Associated Charl-
ties was received and filed.
The county commissioners also re-
ceived and filed a petition from the
First Presbyterian church asking
that no licenses be issued for opera
ton of places of amusement and any
commercial establishments on Sun
day.
The county board also burned
bonds and coupons amounting to $75.-
9S6.23 that had been paid out by the
New Hanover county government
since the first of the year.
Jurors were drawn for the special
one week criminal term of New Han
over superior court beginning Mon
day, February II.
County Court Revenue