The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-07
THE CITY HALL SCHEMERs.
A Brilliant Plan Soon to Be Sprung to Pat
Up the Building Immediately.

The persistent determination to build o city
hall in Indianapolis, in exemplifcation OF the
adage about the attainment of the desired end
when there's will, has been quietly, but busily,
working out the ways and means for the thing,
and in the light of well-developed plans, which
are about to be sprung upon the public, 1t seems
altogether probable that the city hall will begin
to assume shape before many more days. The
harassing question as to where the money is 60
ing to come from and how it is going to come is
about TO be very effectually settled, and in a
way most pleasing 70 contemplate. The will
has certainly found the way, although
that way may be somewhat shadowy. 1t
Is learned, upon reliable authority, that
Mr.. NJ. K. Fatout, the contractor for the
building, has prepared proposition which will
be submitted to the city hall commissioners at
the first opportunity, Offering to at once begin
work upon the structure, giving the commission
ers guarantee that he will secure the sale Of
the Tomlinson estate at its appraised value, and
that, should the sale not be made before the
city hall is completed, he will take the property
in payment of his claim. The consideration Of
Mr.. Fatout's contract is $135, 900, and the ap-
praised value of the Tomlinson estate is $685.
900, which will, of course be the figure at which
1t is TO be applied upon the payment Of his
claim. The ordinance for the construction of
the building provides that work cannot be be-
gun until there is 100000 In the treasury to
the credit OF the city hall fund, and as there is
now no probability that the money will be real
lied soon, as no ready purchaser Of
the Tomlnson estate can be found,
the proposition of Mr.. Fatout is the
only way to get matters in @ tangible shape for
beginng work during the present building sea-
son. The city attorney gives 1t as his opinion
that the acceptance OF the proposition will open
the way for at once beginning work. A meeting
of the city all commissioners was called for
last Saturday evening to consider the matter,
but quorum failed to appear, and it was de-
cided to call another meeting for next Thursday.
However, the proposition is likely to be present
ed to the Council at its meeting tonight and
fuse to accept the terms q qnietus Will be put
upon all proceedings, and 1t will be impossible
to begin work upon the building until the Tom
linson estate 10 sold and the entire $105, 900 ia
the proposition of Mr.. Fatout will provide
for the allowance of estimates from time to time
during the progress of the work, but, In accord
ance with the provisions OF the ordinance. Is
per cent. of the amount is TO be reserved until
the work is completed.
whenever q sale of any part Of the TOmltn-
son estate is made, is the amount of the esti-
mates allowed Mr.. Fatout to be repaid to the
city from the proceedsf" asked a Journal re-
porter from member OF the city hall commits
sion.
mo, but further estimates will not be allowed
until the proceeds from that sale are exhausted"
was the reply.
The proposition ia not strikingly perspicuous,
but it may be better understood when formally
presented 1t is said that Mr.. Fatouu has already
derstood that, viewing 1t in the light that if We
must have city hall, let's have 1t, the majority
of the members of the commission favor the ac-
ceptance OF the contractors proposition.