The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-22
MIR. HAwKINs,s ESTIMATES.
New Board Of Safety Examines Them
Chief websfer,s NotffcatfOn


The new. Board of Safety held it's first
meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Conner
having arrived in the morning and quail
fed. There was a crowd of anxious people
outside of the high railing that separates
the assembly room from the corridor.
Many OF them were out of work, and they
wanted jobs Mr.. Conner, without wait
ing for formalities, promptly moved that
Colonel Ruckle be made president Of the
board. Mr.. White seconded the motion,
and, as there was no opposition on the
part of Colonel Ruckle, that gentleman
was duly declared elected.
IT believe there is no desire on the part
of the board to take up appointments"
remarked Colonel Ruckle.
81 believe not" said Mr.. Conner
Then the mysterious estimates of Mr..
Hawkins were taken up by the board. 1t
was seen that in his bulk estimates Mr..
Hawkins had made provisions for new
fire company and for the mounted police.
These amounts of $1,000 each were included
In the ordinance which passed the Coun-
Gil, but the manner in which the sums
were appropriated does not make them di-
rectly available for the purposes for which
they were appropriated. The bulk OF the
estimates on the fire force pay roll is S113,
$500. and of the police roll $1040 The
estimates for the purchase of horses and
harness are included in these. And yet
money could not be taken from these two
ness. This would, of course, leave the
money to be paid out in salaries, give
the department or safety $1,000 extra for
salaries. This money could have been
spent In employing extra men before the
election If the commissioners chose In
order to make the money available the
Council will have to make a new appropri-
etion so as TO properly classify the funds
Il is hardly prSba ,bie that the city will
the mounted police in the present condi-
ton of her finances.
1t was also discovered that the old board
had entered into some sort of a contract
for new fire engine with the Ahrens COM
pany Of Cincinnati. Clerk Herrick explained
that il was not binding on the new board
company had made 1t according to specifi-
cations submitted by the board. 1t was in
AS in part payment for the new engine.
This old engine is said to be leaking badly.
After hearing this explanation, Colonel
Ruckle again remarked that the board did
not probably care to take up the appoint
ments. The rest of the board echoed this
sentiment. 1t was decided, however. TO
Colbert These two officials were soon be-
fore the board. Mr.. Colbert was told to
continue in office until the board had an
opportunity to act on his resignation. He
was further told that the board would sup
port him just as firmly as If he We're fix
was officially notified that the board ex-
pected TO continue him at the head of the
fire force The superintendent of police
notified the board that everything was up
IN his department except the matter OF
purchasing new uniforms. The season is
beginning to change and it will be neces-
sary for some of the men to get new uni
forms and overcoats.
The board decided upon new feature in
It's jurisdiction over the departments. Upon
Mr. Corners suggestion. the full board
will. hereafter pass on all bills and vouch-
ers except the vouchers for stipulated sala-
ries Heretofore the chairman has passed
on these bills. The board adjourned to in
spect the station house with Superintendent
Colbert. The next meeting of the board will
Ind