The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-21
THREATENING TO SUE THE CITY.
The Broad Ripple Company Complains that 1t
Has Been Caused Unnecessary Expense.

In the Common Council, night before last
City Civil Engineer Shearer stated that the
provision in the ordinance regulating such work
requiring the laying of naturai-gas pipes three
feet below the surface had received the indorse-
ment of all the companies concerned. 1.-THE
Broad Ripple company, so far as | know,"J J. NJ.
Westcott said last evening. was unaware
of the change of the Requirements from four to
three feet We have been laying all our pipe
four feet below the surface and there have
been instances where the depth was short that
measurement by only one inch that the engi-
neers inspectors compelled us to take mp the
pipe and dig the trench deeper 1t was under
stood that the required depth was to be four
feet Whenever ordinance providing for it
should be passed. We acted in accordance with
that, and making the depth three feet has sub
Another thing of which We complain relates
Ia fire bends in pipe used to go
around permanent distractions, such as
place we made one OF these bends. The engin
GERS inspectors saw the work done, made no OBJ
lection. and allowed us to lay the pipe, but
tailed another unnecessary expense OF 5000
We think we have good claim against the city
on this account If it is not paid it is our pur-
pose to seek relief in the courts
t'Is the Indianapolis Naturai-gas Com pany OBJ
structing your worka" was asked
when we accepted the ordinance, gave bond
of pipes. our intention was to confne the COM
panys operations to the west and southwest
part of the city, with the alley between llli-
ncis and Meridian street the Eastern houn-
dairy. ALI of the city beyond we were willing
leave to the other two companies When the
indianapolis company got ready to lay its pipe
it ran parallel on Meridian street with our Illi-
nois-street line, "a far at Tenth streets
It then passed into the alley between those two
streets where we were laying pipe. Yesterday
we had gone about 2, 600 feet south with our
trench, but this morning the Indianapolis COM
moving south. It's line is little to aide of
our stakes and In throwing out the dirt IL COW
ers them, that when we get down that
far it will be necessary for Us to
move this obstruction We notified
the city engineer, and he ordered the Indianapo-
lis company to cease working there. but at
o'clock last evening is was still at It"
Has your company increased its resources
recentlyn
I'VE have twelve wells. but the supply used
comes from only three. However, we pre-
pared to turn the flow Of Others which will
that, too, without sending out solicitors.
We made connections with the glue factory yes
ferdRy. and tomorrow we expect 20 supply
the coffin-works Our company has contracted
for ten additional wells and before the cold
weather sets in again the Broad Ripple will have
the second trunk laid down 10 the city. Our
policy is TO mind our business and TO let that of
other companies severely alone. We have
no favors to ask and will demand
only what is accorded to other companies. AS
to making money, We are in much better posi-
ton than either the Trust the Indianapolis
as much money as that of either company, and
our expenses considerably Less. We have
no high -salsried officials, and try to observe the
old adage. live and let live