Seattle City Hall's Pay Cut Leaves a Hornet's Nest—and One Philosophical Engineer

The employees at the city hall were somewhat inclined to look solemnly along their noses yesterday, the action of the council the day before in cutting their salaries not having a rejuvenating effect. There was a good deal of complaint from all quarters, some claiming that those who do the most work and receive the smallest pay were subject to another unwarrantable reduction of salary. The action of the council, while probably indorsed by the taxpayers, has stirred up a hornet's nest in the city hall atmosphere. In the city engineer's office the change is wrought by the new ordinance, but Mr. Thomson, when asked concerning the matter, appeared indifferent and remarked philosophically: 'It's all right. I never kick. I take 'em as they come and I stand it. When I can't stand it, then I'll quit and go about my own private business.' Several well-known men in the city hall are cut out of positions altogether by the abolishment of their compensation—Victor Hugo Smith, bookkeeper in the water office; Max Mueller, delinquent tax clerk in the fire office; Frank Olson, accountant in the city engineer's office; Capt. Taylor, license collector. While, of course, these men do not feel especially jubilant, they have taken a good deal of good-natured badinage. When Capt. Taylor showed up at the board of public works office yesterday morning he wore a disconsolate sort of a smile. George Meacham, clerk of the board, told him he was wanted in the treasurer's office. 'Who wants me there?' demanded the captain, somewhat suspicious. 'Mueller wants to see you,' replied Meacham. 'I've seen him. We held our council of war a long time ago,' answered the captain. The only member of the council who appears to be opposed to the new deal, and in fact the only man who voted against the ordinance establishing the reduction, was Alderman Jordan. But he is generally 'agin' the government' on all propositions, and his opposition was not seriously considered. At the council meeting yesterday Jordan voted 'No' and explained his vote in a long speech, in which he said he could detect a fine Italian hand in the whole proceeding. He unblushingly declared that it was a shrewd political move and that the municipal authorities were endeavoring to head off the Citizens' League and the charter reform movement, which, he declared, was assuming a threatening shape. He would not admit that the reduction of expenses would be a good thing for the city, but declared it would take the thunder from the plans of the Citizens' League.