ECONOMY OF HIGH SALARY

Evening Post, Volume 72, Issue 72, 25 March 1924, Page 6

ECONOMY OF HIGH SALARY

In framing terms and conditions for the appointment of a City Engineer the City Council has two things to consider: the arrangement of duties and the salary. Of the first question it is sufficient to say that the organisation of the office must be such that the City Engineer is - able to devote his whole time to City Engineer's work. If he is expected to be a clerk of works, or a draftsman, or ■an adviser upon petty problems, he cannot be a good engineer also. If the Council is resolved to have a good man, and give him the opportunity of proving his worth, it will be wise to offer an attractive salary. Probably the Council has information concerning the salaries paid to' City Engineers in other towns, and this information will, roughly, guide Councillors. This is a branch of municipal finance in which wise spending at the beginning may ultimately result in saving greater than would be obtained by excessive economy at the start. A cheap man may prove most expensive to the City; while a man of higher attainments, though deuianUuig a higher salary, may gave

that salary over and over again— if he is allowed to do so. Of course, if the Council wants a man to be worried and harried with details, it may as well save the salary; but if it is prepared to give a good engineer freedom good money paid to attract him will be an investment bearing high interest.