The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-17
John Green Asserts that Bids on Contracts Are
Not Properly Presented-A Thorough In
vestigation Is Promptly Ordered.
Mr.. Trusler Makes an Explanation Re-
garding Fire Department Changes.
Two Petitions Presented Urging an Amend
ment of the Natural-Gas 0rdinance-Leg-
islation Affecting the Street Railway.

night. Something OF sensation was created at
the beginning of the session by John Green. a
street contractor, presenting communication
charging that there was a ring among con-
tractors through which bids for street work, be-
low the estimates read before the Council, were
in some way placed in the hands of the COM
mittee on streets and alleys. He claimed that
at the last session of the Council he
| was the lowest bidder for the work of grading
| and graveline alley, but that the work was
let to another contractor, who in some way got
a bid before the committee Councilman Oar
nell. chairman Of the committee on streets and
alleys demanded that special committee be
appointed to investigate the charge, which was
done by the Mayor. Contractors claim that the
same scheme worked in the old Council.
and the committee was instructed to make
thorough investigation of the charges.
City Attorney Taylor reported that the old
case of Davidson the l., P. g. G. Railroad
Company. the city of Indianapolis, and others,
had finally been dismissed in the Hendricks Cir
cult Court, where it taken from this county
FIVE years ago, on a change of venue. This suit
was filed eleven years ago, against more than
eight hundred defendants, for the recovery of
large tract of land in the eastern part of the
city. practically covering all the territory
bounded by Washington street on the SOUTH
State street the east, Massachusetts, avenue
the north and Noble street the West The
plaintiffs were the heirs of the late Governor
Noble. who willed the property, with much
other, to his heirs. upon certain conditions and
for many years the heirs had been trying to
recover the real estate
The board of public improvements reported
that upon recommendation of the city civil
eineer they had appointed William Petty as
assistant in the Office of the city civil engineer
vice William II. Fink. The report was ap-
proved. The committee on fire department.
recommended the passage of an ordinance pro-
hibitng the erection inside of the fire limits"
OF any building not provided with fire walls and
prohibiting the of any ornamental other
cornice composed wholly OF wood: The com
with instructions to prepare ordinance
bracing the suggestions
Mr. Truser, chairman of the fire. committee,
said that the structures of the press the action
of himself and other members of the committee
demanded that he make an explanation for the
benefit of the Council He said that the FIRE
committee held meeting at which Chief Web
ster present, and that some reforms were
discussed and agreed upon On his way home
he saw William McGinnis, and talked to him as
a friend. He told him that there would be an
effort made to remove him, and that it would be
well for HIM to look about for another situation
majority in the Council and in
the city," continued Mr.. Trusler, and 1
can promise that the ire department
will be in good condition when go out of
Office as it was last Friday night. When we dc
not have the approval of the Council we will
sign. 1t is thoroughbred Republican commit
tee. and no matter what the press may say, we
propose to do what we believe is best for the
party"
Mr. Hicklen then said he was for the commit
bee. He in favor OF knocking every
Democrat in the department II also in IA
vor,' said he, ''of having the city engineer pre-
pare a diagram of the city for the Waterman in
ehat tow auHn 1aha cd
by Democrats one way and the property owned
by Republicans another, and when fire breaks
out, If it is Republican property let two alarms
be sent in, but if it is Democrats property let
SUFFICE
The action of Chief Webster in promoting
Louis Raffert John Glazier and William Beis-
ner to vacancies in the department.
CURED in by the Council
The Indianapolis Natural-ga Company sub
mitted petition setting forth that il now has
pipe line extending from its gas field to the COR
poraton limits, which is nearly completed as
required by the ordinance, and that it will be
but a short time until the company will be pre-.
pared to proceed to lay mains and supply con-
sumers with gas 1.-The members of the COM
pany," the petition stated, 'feel that the ordi-
visions, but not in a way to effect
the prices as fixed. or impairne the right of the
city or citizens in any way The company.
therefore, ask that the matter be referred to the
proper committee to investigate and report
thereon" The petition is signed by George F.
Branham. president OF the company.
similar petition, setting forth that it now has
eight good wells, is drilling others with a view
of laying pipe lines to the city of Indianapolis
at an early date, and states that although the
company has accepted the ordinance as it now
stands in good faith, yet it believes that some
minor changes should be made. The petition
pany.
The two petitions were referred to the COM
mitee OF natural gas. with instructions that the
committee get from the companies statement |
to what changes they desire. Tie petitions
were discussed briefly, and the majority of the |
members who had thing to say expressed the |
opinion that some minor changes should be |
made
The committee on streets and alleys brought |
Councilman Darnell to his feet by asking furth- |
er time to consider the petition presented by |
him asking that alley be opened through |
the base ball park. He charged the committee |
with attempting TO defer action until the base
ball season opened, when it will be impossible to
grant the petition. The committee in |
structed to be ready to make a report at the next
meeting.
A very lively discussion regarding the man |
agement OF Tomlinson Hall was called out by
the introduction of a resolution granting the use
of the hall, free of charge, to the Early Closing |
Association for the purpose of giving an enter
taiumenr for the benefit of the working girls
thrown out of employment by the recent fire.
The use of the hall was finally donated for the
purpose, all the members voting for it but Mr..
rrusler. 1t was, however, decided 10 never
again permit the of the hall without charg-
Ing the regular price,
Councilman Darnell introduced q resolution |
asking that the committee on public property be
directed TO ascertain whether or not the city
IS receiving any rent from Garfield Park ard
Il so, how much. The resolution was passed,
and the committee ordered to report at the
next regular meeting.
Mr.. Darnell also introduced an ordinance sup
to the street car company ordinance.
requiring the company to provide and maintain
4 conductor on each car, in addition to the
driver. The ordinance also stipuIates that it
shall be the duty of the conductors TO collect all
'ares. and to announce the names of all streets
crossed by The cars. By request OF Mr.. Darnen
The ordinance WAS made the special order for
The next regular meeting. In addition TO the
ordinance Mr.. Darnell introduced the following
resolution, which referred 10 the judiciary
Resolved That the Citizens Street railway Com
and is hereby ordered and directed at once
provide all used by it in this city with platforms
Il both ends of the That said company be and
: herahv ordered and directed to AZ once ramona