The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-10-22
WANT A DEFINITE ANSWER
Council Not Satisfied with Promises
from the Union Railway Company.
An Ordinance Providing for a Reorganization
ofthe Fire Department-Rauh's Fertilizer
Factory Again Under Discussion.

~ SUI AANttfhe Va h~o
Council last night Mayor Denny read a
letter from w. II. McKeen, of the Indian
apolis Union Railway Company. stating
that he would call o meeting of it's di-
rectors at an early date to consider the
building OF the viaduct on South Meridian
street. Mr.. McKeen further stated that
the company does not desire to delay the
matter. but that it will carry out the con-
tract with the city. Nearly an hour was
spent in discussing this subject, during
which Councilman Swain offered a motion
Mr.. McKeen that, while the letter
was not satisfactory, no action would
be taken until the next meeting
of the Council. and If by that
time no definite answer is given, the city
street commissioner he instructed to take
up the racks on McNabb street.
immediate mayGa Ds aetIo Is'' "T i9s S SaSiT { snd at afg St'a
he said. this letter from Mr.. McKeen is
hardly fair to this body. We nave made
numerous attempts to obtain a decision
from the Union Railway Company, and
nave mad many promises: But 80 far
in our favor. If the company is in
good faith with US, why does it insist on de-
laying the work. And. if it is waiting until
1t Is ordered to act by q mandate from the
courts. it is the duty of this Council to
order the suit to be brought"
Il am opposed to Councilman SWANS
notion said Councilman Pearson, be
cause 1 do not think we are called upon to
wait any longer upon the company. In
1856 it'tpromiscd to build the viaduct, and
for the city civil engineer. while he pre-
pared the plans, So far nothing has been
accomplished. / am in favor of instruct
ing our attorney tonight to bring suit.
We must stand firmly upon the resolution
which we passed at a previous meeting.
and which provides for immediate action
unless we are given q definite answer by
tonight"
Il have changed my opinion about this
matter" said Councilman Thalman, "ana
move that our city attorney be instructed
to notify the company that the letter
which we received tonight is not at all
satisfactory, N that he carry out the pro-
visions OF our original resolution at once"
The motion was unanimously carried.
The next matter taken up pertained to the
extension of the lease OF K. Rauh N Sons,
on the Sellers farm. Mr.. Rauh himself stated
to the Council that they had decided TO re-
move the offensive departments of their
fertilizing establishment. recently located
on the Belt road, near East street, to the
farm, but that they would need a
hve-years' lease to justify them
In erecting the necessary. buildings.
They would, however. be willing to com
promise on a th:ee-years' lease. Fully an
other hour was spent in talking the matter
over. Councilman HicElin was opposed to
removing the factory, because he thought
it would not be consistent with the Coun-
cips action several months ago.. I'VE
now we are getting only sos q year out of
1t. i am opposed to granting this extension
of lease, because i would he going ex-
aecaiy in an opposite course from
was up before. At that time | voted
to have that factory remain where it is be-
cause 1t was held to be q benefit to the
health Of the South Side. l still stick to
that opinion"
But. you, don't understand the ordi-
nance" said Councilman Coy. do you
know why the city bought that farm.
Colonel Hicklin7"
Eyes, / do. For $50, OOO." was the reply.
mo, no; / don't mean that. l mean the
purchased solely for the location of all
factories that are ~nuisances.. There is
no need of extending the lease, for if Mr..
Rauh's factory is a nuisance we can compel
him to go out there"
Councilman Pearson was opposed to
granting the extension, because he thought
1t would be freezing out legitimate cOmpe-
tition. He knew of others who were wait
ing and willing to bid for the same privi-
leges. He was opposed to it, furthermore,
because Mr.. Rauh had not made any defin-
lite offers as to what portions of his factory
he would remove. After further discussion
the matter was referred to the rental conf
mittee. with Instructions to report at the
nex meeting.
Councilman Trusler. in the call for mis-
c~ellaneOus business and new ordinances,
Introduced an ordinance providing for the
reorganization of the fire department. in
such q manne that it shall consist of one
chief engineer, one superintendent of fire
alarm telegraph, six engine companies. four
hose companies, three truck companies, two
chemical companies. three watehmen for
the watch-tOwer, one Waterman at
headquarters, who shall acc ms tele-
phone operator, and n watcEman
at engine-house No. 5 and one at engine
panies, it provideds. is to consist of one
captain. one engineer, one stoker, two
drivers and two hose men; each of the hose
companies of one captain. one driver n
two hose mem: truck company No; l, at
headquarters, of one captain, one driver.
one tiller man and four ladder men, one of
which laddermen shall act as assistant super-
intendent of the fire-alarm telegraph. Truck
Company No. 2 and Truck Company No. 3,
it provideds. shall have one captain.
No. /, one captain, one driver and one
hoseman; Chemical Company, No. 2, one
captain. one driver and two hosemen.
Relative to the Office of chief fire engineer,
the ordinance says the present in
cumbent is TO hold Office until Jan. /, 1891,
and until his successor shall have been
duly elected and qualified, and thereafter
there shall be elected a chief engineer of
the fire department by a joint convention
of the Common Council and the Board of
Aldermen, %biennially, in the month of No
vember. as now provided by law. the
term of the engineer to commence on the
first day of January following said election
and to continue for two years and until his
successor shall nave been elected and
qualified. The compensation of such en-
department are to be fixed by ordinance,
the compensation of said officers and men,
as now fixed for the department. as now
constituted, shall remain as the
compensation of such officers until
changed by ordinance. All vacancies
are to be filed by the Council and Board of
Aldermen at the recommendation of the
chief fire engineer. The ordinance was re-
ferred to the committee on fire department.
Considerable routine business was also
tran sacted during the evening. The city
clerk reported warrants for S39. 291. 02 as
having been drawn on the city treasury for
September. and S. 21.9 % as having been
spent in the street Improvement depart
ment. The bid of the Western Paving and
Supply Company for paving with asphalt
Court street. between Delaware and Penn
sylvania streets, was accepted. The In
diana Florists Association was granted the
privilege OF putting, at its own expense,
eight additional electric lights in Tomlin-