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at the next meeting, will answer the questions the Member has propounded; I could answer some myself, but I think it would be better to take up ali at one time. In regard to the Agricultural Station the Municipality has nothing more to do with it. After the hurricane a certain amount was appropriated spent and the amount budgetted is to pay ack the amount. In regard to the West India and Pana- ma Telegraph Co., the Honorable Member has a right to eriticise, but you will find that all other places there is a ery about high ‘rates; however, they nave only taree more vears to 0 under their ¢n- tract. 15t Member for Frederiksted Country District (Andersen) remarked: Mr. Chairman. Is there any clause in the contract that prevents a prevocation of it? Itis rediculous to pay Fres. 5,000 and get such bad service. The Chairman remarked: In regard to the news I do not know why that can- not be remedied. Ist Member for Frederiksted Country Disiriect (Andersen) rema.ked: Mr. Chairman. [am very sorry to learn that we cannot vet any news from the Agri- cultural Station. The Staticn was cre- ated by the community, and the commu nity has spent a good deal of money on it and it is rediculous that we cannot get any information from it. Che Chairman replying to the last speaker said, The Honorable Member, as a citizen has a right to make apolica- tion for any information he wishes to have. Ist Member for Frederiksted Ceuntry District [Andersen] remarked: Mr. Chairman. I think we did poor business in giving over the Sration to the Federal Government. Ido not know of any man who sells out his business and retains its debts. Ist Member for Christiansted Country Distriet [Stakemann] remarked: Mr. Chairman. [do not intend to speak on this budget because I do not consider the money is ours. 1 only wish o sav if we curtail this budget by saying we do not want this or that the mon- ey will, very likely, go over to St. Thomas: we have seen that in the ' Lospital case; for my part I would put on some more expenses. Why can we not put on some more mouey to fix our roads. When the time comes for us to spend our own money and we are taxed more than we are taxed at present, then we ean say the amounis are too much. Under present circumstances 1 say iet us get as much as we can. 4th Member for Christiansted Country Distri~t (Ramsay) asked the last speak- er- Do I understand you are not 2oing to vote for this budget. Ist Member for Christiansted Country District (Stakemann) answered; No, I will not. ° Sl. ¢ R A Vl> 4th Member for Christiansted Country District (Ramsay) : “Suppose all of us do the same 7 Ist Member for Christiansted Country District [Stakemann] : That’s your busi- ness. 4ch Member for Christiansted Country District [ Ramsay] : 1f you have this is- land’s interest at heart you certainly would say different. To vote for the biddet is fifty percent vou owve and ®fifty percent ithe public owe. If you have anything at heart come ocut with it, but don’t say You will not vote fo® the bud get. Ist Member for Caristiansted Country District [Stakemann]: In my home I would tell my wife get this and get that, but this bud<et is a different matter; when it cogies to the point it matters very little whether the Couneil vote the budget or not. Under the former Government it was different, 4th Member for Christiansted Country District [Ramsay], remarked: 1 have, again, the trouble to attack the last speaker; I am tired hearing about tne former Government; let that Goveru- ment be dead and speak about the pre- sent Government. This Government is is tryipg to work in harmony with us. [t is true that expenses should be kept down as much as possible, but that does not mean that we shou'd not have suffi- cient money to rus the various depart- ments, or that employvees should be underpaid. Ist Member for Frederiksted Town (Coulter) remarked: vr Chairman. The remarks of the last speaker draws the attention of the Honorable Members of this Ceuncil to one or two items of ex- penses in connection with this budget. In connection with salaries for Munici- pal employees, the :Municipal Committee has recommended an increase of 207 for all mployees receiving a monthiy salary of Fres. 75 or-less. [am not acguainted with the salaries of employees in the various departments, but ! am acquainted with the salaries of the employees in the Municipal Hospitals; and [ am glad that the salaries of the Inspectors are raised to $125 per month, that is more in keeping with the onerous duties of their pusition, but when its comes to the salaries of the other emplovees, take the salary of the Chief Janitor, Fres. 900 per year; now we all kaow the pay la- bourers are rveeceiving today and when it is taken into consideration that a sirong abled bodied man who is able to take a litter up the stairs—to work for $3.75 per week, and he has to do duty from six to six in the day and three nights a week, [don’t think any mem- ber of this Council will say that tne sal- ary budgected is comniensurate with tae duties incumbent on such an employee; that also is applicable to tae Wardmaids. Five dollars per month tor Icook and she 1s supposed to be clean and wear shoes, and work from six to six every day for $1.25 a week. I don’t thinkthat member of this Council will say any, that remuneration this Government is proud of paying to such an employee. I certainly agree with Member Stake- mann that the budget be increased. In these days of high cost of living to ex- pect physically good people to live on $1.25 per week is impossible. [certain- ly ask that consideration be given to my remarks in connection with these employees, and if Government cannot see Its way to increase their salaries 409 propose to feed them with three good meals a day and that will preserve the moral fitness which the head of the de- partment demands of them. The Chairman closed Ist Discussion and remarked that Government desires to call an extraordinary meeting for next Monday the 21st. inst. To be continued. Attention 1s called to a notice from Mr. L.a Bega in this issue to the etfect that ice will be manufactured from spring-water from Monday next week al- ter which date, as itis urderstood, the supply of rain-water being so reduced it will not be- possible to use much of it for the purpose. Receipt 1s acknowledged and thanks extended the Government *for 2 books comprising the new code laws sent to the office of this paper. The Steamboat ‘‘Saranac’’ returned from St. Thomas yesterday afternoon. As passengers were observed Mr. E Phaire and Lawyer J. P. Jorgensen The Navy Band enlivened the town with a popular concert last night as which there was a large gathering. Several fair showers of rain fell atto midnight last rgeht. TELEGRAMS. ST. CROIX STATION. Delayed in Transmission, Honolulu, June sth. -According (o ad- vices received here Nikolaievik has been captured by she Japanese naval and mil itary forces, working in conjunction. after a short and decisiva battie, in which the Bolsheviki were either driven out or captured. Paris, June sth. —A discussion on the budget in the Chamber o7 Deputies yes- terday brought out the announcement that Pari Mnutuel Beiting had thus far totailea six hundred miliion franes. of which the Government gets ten per cent. It is proposed to increase this tax to elev en per cent, the additional money to be used to support the work of the Agri cultural Departmens. Washington, June 6th. Prosident Wil son on the fourth instant accepted the resignaticn of Mr.. Polk. the Under. Seeretary of State.