The Fight to Trim King County's Fat
A committee of concerned Seattle citizens demands transparency and cuts in county government spending during a severe economic downturn.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Chamber of Commerce and Municipal League met last night and received a report upon the result of their investigation of the county affairs. The report finds that in a time of unprecedented depression, it is plain that the expenses of our public administration must be reduced. The county commissioners are currently employing one hundred and twenty-three people. We believe this force can be reduced without detriment to the service. We recommend that at least four employees in the county clerk's office and one in the auditor's office be dispensed with. We also think that two of the deputy sheriffs, or a like number of bailiffs in the superior court, might be dispensed with. Furthermore, the county commissioners are furnishing the county attorney with offices in the Union block on Front Street at a rental paid by the county, although the law makes it their duty to furnish rooms in the court house. We recommend that his offices be transferred there forthwith.
“It is plain that in some way or other the expenses of our public administration must be reduced.”
This civic argument regarding the size of county government and the efficient use of taxpayer funds mirrors contemporary debates about Seattle and King County’s administrative bloat and budget priorities.
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