The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-23
DEFEATED BY THE MAYOR.
1 Tie Vote in Council on the Ordinance
Increasing the Pay Of Firemen.
An Ordinance introduced Granting a New
Telephone Company the Right to Use the
Streets-An Interesting Session.


The meeting was an adjourned one, and the
Mayor called for the report Of the judiciary COM
mittee, to which the telephone matter had been
referred. MIR. Rocker. chairman of that com
mites, said they had only verbal repors to
make. On last Saturday they had met Mr.. Wal
lick, Mr. Brownlee and Mr. Hockett, of the Gen.
trail Union Telephone Company. and made an
agreement with them to do nothing toward re-
moving their lines and poles until after the next
regular meeting of the Council The proposition
Of the telephone company is to remove 474of the
telephones on the 3lst Of this month, on the Both
Of June certain other number, and so on until
the both of September, when the last
of the instruments will be removed.
They said they intended to suspend bust
ness, and, furthermore, intended to appeal
their case to the Supreme Court of the United
States It was the sense Of the committee that
the company could not do business unless they
did it generally; that they could not render
service to A, and refuse IL to B; could not sus-
pend it to 474 subscribers and continue it to 9th
ers; could not refuse the applications now now
on file and asking service, and until the
Both Of September. Understanding that the
committee was determined they should obey the
law and supply all the desired telephone accom-
mediation. they then proposed that the commit
tee should give them until the Saturday before
the next regular meeting night of Council to de-
termine whether they would obey the law. The
committee adjourned with the understanding
that the company should give final
answer before the next reglar meeting of
the Council They were given to understand
that they could not hold the poles and wires
here until September and, in the meantime,
prosecute their case in the United States SUI
preme Court, in order to find out whether they
were on top or not. The question presented
was whether they would transact business as
shey should. or have an ordinance introduced
that would repeal their rights to the streets and
alleys.
Mr. Swain-If they remove their instruments,
they can take the consequences.
Mr. Cummings said he was in no particular
people, but, when they refuse telephone service,
as now, to applicants, they must remove their
poles and wires.
Mr.. Thalman-What is this-a report?
The Mayor-It is verbal report from the
chairman of the judiciary committee.
On motion of Mr.. Benjamin. the committee
was granted further time TO make a formal re-
port.
Mr. Cummings moved that the finance com
mittee inform the Council of the amount of
amounts lost from each of the various funds.
Mr.. Thalman said it would be an impossible
thing to tell the amounts from the various
funds 1t is all lost-$1l0, 900. The motion car
ried.
Mr. Hauga called up, out of it's order, the or
dinance allowing John B. Doris's circus to ex-
hibit two days without paying into the city any
thing Cor license therefor Carried-Nays:
Herig. Mcclellan, Pearson, Reinecke and Thai
man.
Tho ord;na ma ;roroac;ro tha nov ~ fha fro
men, drivers and hosemen of the fire depart
ment from 81 day to s.. % q day came up for
consideration. Mr. Thalman hoped the ordi-
nance would not be passed. He thought it very
anwise measure. The expenses Of that department
last year were $84 900, and they are continually
increasing. We have already paid $4,000 as an
extraordinary expense for the use of the Walker,
Treat & Go. arrangement Machinery is wear
ing out which will haveto be replaced by new. Ii
we 90 ahead increasing salaries it will be at the
expense of letting the department run down, and
letting other departments run down. Two dol
lars day is not bad wages and the city is not
in financial shape to give any more. When it
can be afforded he will cheerfully agree to it.
1t will be unjust to taxpayers and citizens to
recklessly squander money In the present con-
dition of the city's finances. If we do, we may
have to cut street department., and In
order to pay the fremen more wages deprive
another and needier class OF work.
Mr.. Pearson also vigorously opposed the in
crease. Were the city able to afford it he would
not object to 81 so day for the men, but it
simply could not be done.
Mr.. Thalman moved TO postpone consideration
of the advance until the first meeting in July, as
by that time it would be easier to tell how the
eity's finances were. Mr.. Coy moved to lay the
motion the table. Mr.. Rocker and Mr.. Cum
Tnings (nsbody paying any attention to the Coy
motion, the discussion being we'll under way)
both spoke in favor of the increase. Mr.. Cum
mings was in favor of cutting off fire plugs If
necessary to do it.
Mr.. Coy renewed his motion to lay on the
table. which was carried. Yeas-Burns, Coy,
Cummings, Dell, Dunn, Howes, Herig, Marley,
McGroarty, Reinecke, Rocker. Smith, Stuck
meyer and Swain-15. Nays-Benjamin, Haugh.
McClelland, Newland Pearson, Reynolds, Smith
srs. Thalman and Waterman-9
Mr.. Thalman again spoke, urging the eouncilmen
TO bear in mind the condition of the city, and beg
ging that the ordinance should not be allowed
TO pass He remembered once when the iremen
We're getting $3.50 day. and after time halt
had to be called. and they were cut down to
81 75 He thought it would be doing the fire.
men a service to let their wages remain as they
are.
Mayor Denny asked to be heard on this i'm
portant question. He said he did not suppose it
necessary for any one having an interest in the
affairs of the city to say that he should not be
heard on this proposed increase. He would De
glad IL the wages of the fremen could be raised
afty cents day, and that then they would not
really be getting any more than they earned, but
there are oLner questions TO De CONSIDERED DeToT6
acting this ordinance. They should act as in
their private business matters. .sWhat would
you do" he asked, IF in your private interest
you stood as the city of Indianapolis now standsl
You have to make payment of bills with q debt
already hanging over the city OF more than
100000 above her revenues, which, if we in
crease, we have no kind of hope of
legislation to allow as to increase our
tax levy. What will the people say2
What is our sworn duty in the easel / will prob
Qft " hav vr.So acfia nd
rmy views, as will in some sort be held respon-
sible in the matter of economy in the admins
eration OF the city's affairs. At least let the
matter go over until the time of which Mr.. Thai
man spoke
hremen, but this city government must be run
on business principles. The fnapee committee
comes in and says we have not money to paw
such debt, and we should concur with that
committee. Taxpayers are complaining that