The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-28
AFTER NEW REVENUE
Council Finance Committee Will
Ask for a Tax on Vehicles.
Unexpected Warrants Turn Up-Board
of Safety Meets-Municipal
Affairs.

The finance committee of the Council
met last night in the city clerks Office to
talk about the city's finances. Controller
Trusler was unable to attend, and the plan
Of issuing temporary bonds to relieve the
city from it's present embarrassing posi-
ton was not discussed. The sentiment of
the committee on several other important
matters was canvassed, however, and these
sentiments will be crystallized in the shape
of ordinances at an early day. Mr.. Rauh
presided over the meeting.
1t took but a few minutes for the gentle
men to find that they were all agreed that
the city needs a vehicle tax. They did not
all agree, however, that the ordinance
killed In the Council was exactly the meas
ure they wanted. There were few changes
that might be made. The old ordinance
aroused considerable opposition because it
was not explicit on certain points. A man
owning a grocery wagon, a dog cart and a
buggy, with one horse for all three would
have had to pay licenses on all three We
hicles although he could use but one at
time. This seemed unfair. Mr.. Merritt
thought the provision relating to the fees
heavy wagons carrying iron and stone
did not make a suitable description. The
sentiment seemed to be that the licenses
should be in proportion to the wear and
tear of the different vehicles on the streets
The city attorney will be asked for advice
before this ordinance is drawn.
The proposed pawnbroker's ordinance was
also discussed. The history of the old or
dinance was described by Mr.. Golfer. He
thought it would be unfair to prescribe a
large license for the pawnbrokers. because
it would drive several poor men out of
h1rcf
people were the ones that should pay the
heavy license, and he believed In providing
for the chattel mortgage people in an ordi-
nance. All the gentlemen favored giving
the police the right to search for Stolen
goods in any of the shops, but differed
somewhat on the extent OF police surveil-
pawnbrokers are compelled to furnish the
chief OF police every evening at 6 o'clock
complete list of the articles they have
loaned money on during the day. The
finance committee did not look with much
favor on this, as it put the ban of sus-
picion on the pawnbrokers. They thought
it would be we'll, however. to have each
pawnbroker give a bond and keep on file
a list Of the goods he has taken In each day
and submit this list to any police officer
OF the captains or sergeants. The old or
dinalce proposed an annual license fee Of
$500. but several OF the committee thought
this too much. The committee decided to
request the city attorney to prepare an or
dinance.
IuSlc was llOl IL QlcScIltlDe NOlCc dS 10 Tie
policy of compelling the breweries to pay a
license, and no one proposed a small Ii
cense, either. The sentiment was, how
ever, that no discrimjnation should be
made against or in favor Of the home
brewerSes, but that every brewery or agefl-
cy should pay the same fee. Councilman
Allen said he believed the old ordinance
failed In the Supreme Court on account of
discrimination, or because the three brew
cries of the English syndicate were only
compelled to pay one fee. 1t was deemed
best to draw up an ordinance that would
compel each one OF these brewerieS to pay
license 1t was decided TO ascertain from
the city attorney the exact cause of the
ordinances failure to stand the test in the
Supreme Court.
The finance committee also talked of
ly in their province. The banana cart null
sance was considered. Mr.. Merritt thought
the carts should be kept out of the terri
tory bounded by Mississippi Ohio, Della
ware and Louisiana streets. Some believed
suitable provisions should be made for an
express wagon stand so as to get the
wagons off the street.
Mr.. Golfer wanted the committee to ex-
press itself on the matter of cutting the
salaries of city officials, from the boards
down. He was willing to stand q reduc-
ton in his own official salary. He did not
think it was fair to cut the wages OF work
ingrnen and not cut those OF the higher
paid officials. The committee decided to get
a list of all the salaries paid and consider
reduction at its next meeting. Chairman
Rauh said he believed it would be best to
abolish the office Of plumbing inspector
and wipe out some more OF the useless
inspectorships. The committee will meet
again at the call Of the chairman.