The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-09-20

(Continued from Page D recognize changes in the cost of living. This phase of the program also can be undertaken immediate ly.
 "(5) Adopt an adequate personnel code which will provide for the re- cruitment, training, promotion, de- motion, and dismissal of employees in accordance with recognized merit principles which will assure the ob- taining and retention of the best man for the job This phase of the program should likewise be car- ried out with the advice of com- petent consultants. It can be un- dertaken immediately to a limited extent, but should bemade com- prehensive by charter amendment as soon as possible.
 Furlong Works on Plan
 "(40 Centralize personnel admin istration under a qualified person. nalist appointed by and arswerable to the chief executive. This phase of the program can be undertaken by ordinance on a limited basis inn mediately but should, as soon as possible, be made comprehensive through charter amendment.
 As reported in The Democrat previously, City Budget Director Arnold E. Furlong is already pre- paxing wage schedule and classi- t1cation in accordance with previous recommendations of the Board of Finance. MT. Furlong said today that his plan would be submitted in the near future.
 Mayor Monagan at 8 recent Fin ance Board meeting also stated that the need was obvious for some in- crease in municipal salaries" The various departmental heads have submitted similar increases in their proposed 1946 budgets.
 Certain factors for consideration in establishing any such program are also emphasized in the associa- tion's letter. These include recogni- Hon of the fact municipal salaries cannot equal those paid by indus try. "Permanency in office, pension rights and security of municipal employment should be weighed when considering salaries" the let ter adds.
 Sounding a warning that the dangers of recession are always pre- valent, MT. Goes communication points out that municipal salary in- creases must inevitably" be fixed (barrtng drastic economic upheav- aD while those of industry tend tc closely correlate the history of eco- homie conditions.
 Taxpayers Important
 The taxpayers side of the prob. lem Is important" the letter con. tmues. Many of our taxpayers particularly residential property owners and the so-called white-col. lar workers, have not received wage increases comparable to the gen. eral level of industrial wage in. crease. In addition, these same peo. pie as well as most other taxpayer. received substantial boost in theh tax bill last year."
 In citing their reasons for sub. mitting the considerations the as. bociation states:
 "Even such considerations, how. ever, do not strike at the heart O. the salary problem in Waterbury The real problem is that a perma. nent solution has not been found ta the salary question with the resul that each year the problem is recurring one and the solution reached each year depends upo, the current plans of the polio, Formulating authorities - tempered to some extent by the pressur, exerted by the various factions in volved. Such a solution is certainl, not an equitable one. It is unfair tt you and your associates since it un necessarily throws you into a wag, controversy each year; it is unfai from the viewpoint of the city em ploye because he is not assured o adequate and equitable considera ton, and 1t practically forces him |, become associated with a 'pressur group: and it is unfair from tn Tdewpoint of the taxpayer since forces him to take steps to o1se