Atlanta Daily World

New York City Employes to Return Month's Salary to City Treasury

NEW YORK, July 31.-(By A. E. White, for ANP)-Harassed on all sides by proponents of a necessary reduction in the $600,000,000 budget of the city of New York, Mayor James J. Walker issued an appeal which resolved itself into an ultimatum, Friday night at the City hall when the heads of the various city departments met to discuss the proposed slashing of the budget to meet public demand.

A sacrifice of one month's pay by all employees, other than those whose small salaries are not affected by the State law is proposed by the Mayor.

The heads of various departments are to be responsible for the reaction of the employees, civil service and appointed positions, as well, and these chiefs have been instructed by the Mayor to report any fractious employees who rebel against such a payment.

Many colored employees will be affected by this edict, which makes it imperative that the employee "kick back" to the city, his full month's pay, either in full, or fifty per cent for two months, or twenty-five per cent for four months.

Beginning with his own salary of $40,000 the Mayor would return to the city, $3,333.33. The highest paid colored city employees are Municipal Court Judges James J. Watson and Toney, whose annual salaries are $12,000 each.

This makes their return $1,000 each. Next in line is Civil Service Commissioner Ferdinand Q. Morton, with an annual salary of $8,500 (not $10,000 as previously reported) with a return of $708.33. Alderman John William Smith, $5,000, with a return of $416.66.

Also in line are Dr. Louis T. Wright of the Police department, with a salary said to be $3,600 per year; Lieut. Wesley T. Williams of the Fire Department, with similar pay.

Numerous court attendants, probation officers, court stenographers, architects, engineers, civil and electric are in the class of salaries from $1800 to $3,000 per annum.

Police department employees, patrolmen and detectives, sergeants, acting lieutenants and others in the traffic and special service squads will feel the sting of the edict.

Hundreds of clerks, messengers and attaches, with salaries ranging from $1200 per annum to $1800 per annum are included in the category.

The entire amount saved to the city in one month is estimated at $26,000,000 of which it is believed that $3,000,000 will be returned to the city from the various colored employees in the five boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx, Kings, Queens and Richmond.

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