The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-09
SAFETY BOARD FUNDS
THE DEPARTMENT HAD NO MONEY
o MOUNTED POLICE.
Estimate OF Board OF safety Dfsre-
garded by the Ex-ControlIer-
Board OF Health Meeting.

Yesterday the Democratic organ made
some charges against the Board OF Safety.
The most important one. from the stand
point OF a Democrat was that the board
has not expended all the money appro-
priated for its use. This phase of the
question created amusement among the city
officials when they read the article. Con-
troller Trusler said 1t was the first time
IN the history of the city government that
a board or an official had been censured
for saving money, but, he added with a
smile. the leaving OF a substantial balance
OF al appropriation at the end Of a year
is a thing entirely new to Democrats. and
the very thought Of such a thing staggered
them and blinded them to the fact that
such balances were the things most sought
after by the taxpayers.
The charges referred to were based on
the following estimate by the Sullivan
Board Of Safety for the necessary appro-
priations for the police and fire departments
for the year beginning Sept. 1. 1893:
The Board OF Safety makes the follow
Ing estimates for appropriations for the
different departments under its charge for
the year beginning Sept i. 1893, and ending
Aug. 81. 1884:
For fire force account 100000
: for police force payroll account. 97.04S.75
For station house aeoount......-.. $4,000
FOR market acc0unt....-........... $4,000
For office expense account.......- 5000
The above estimates are, in our judy
ment. the amounts actually needed to pay
the expense OF each department under our
control as it now exists We recommend,
however. that 5000 additional be added
90 the police force payroll account for the
purpose OF employing and paying for a
small number OF mounted police.
also hat $1,000 addi-
xlonai be appropriated for the purpose of
nishing the necessary horses md apparatus,
70 be located at some outlying point in the
city where It may be Of service"
1t Is charged that the Board of Safety
did not use the 5000 mentioned I'm this s-
Innate FOR the purpose OF eguipPing mount;
right did the board have to use this money
for any other purpose?"
An examination OF the records of the
Councils proceedings shows that ex-Con-
troller woollen. in making VI. his esti-
mates for the appropriations. did not re-
gard the request OF the board for money
OF the boards estimate. Instead OF doing
so. he simply added those two amounts to
the police and fire force pay roll estimates.
propriation, providing. nothing for the
equipment Of mounted police. Ii Is the
custom for the Council finance committee
to consult the various boards when making
up the annual appropriation ordinance, for
the purpose OF ascertaining the specific
purpose for which the money is to be
used. and formulate the ordinance accord
ingly. This was not done by the commit
tee OF the Democratic Council, and the err
dance had been passed
When the new administration took charge
OF the city's affairs it was discovered that
provision had been made for the salaries
OF additional patrolmen, but no provision
made for the purchase of horses on which
TO mount them, nor for the care of any
such horses. After consideration, Ii was
decided by the board to add eight patrol
men to the force, which was done last
Aug. 81. last. there was a balance of
4,492.72 to the credit OF the police force
payroll account. after deducting the
amounts due the policemen for July and
August salaries. which had not been paid.
The expenses during the year, not specif-
cally contemplated I'm the appropriation or
dinances, but chargeable to that fund were
special officers during the strike, $2,086.H n,
ard pay for eight additional men. 81. 4O6.
which, subtracted from the total expendi-
ture from this fund. would leave the pay
roll or the regular police force 1885 40 less
than the original estimate provided for IL.
In regard to the building of new fire en-
CINE houses. the same general facts are
true The Board of Safety asked for an
appropriation for the payment of the neces-
sary men and for the purchase Of new ap-
paratus. but the Controller. In making up
asked, $1,000, In the fire force payroll ac-
count, which made IL impossible for the
board to use any part OF it for the pur-
chase OF apparatus. Besides that the Board
OF Works did not provide for the cost of
new buildings which would be a necessity
before new companies could be organized.
me present city officials have been more
careful In making their estimates and ap-
propriating the necessary money. After
Jan. ]. there will be available. 81, 300 for the
ERECTION Of new fire engine houses and
1900 for the purchase of the necessary
lots. all to be expended by the Board OF
Works The Board OF Safety will nave
$50 for the purchase Of new apparatus.
The pay OF the new companies has been
provided for in the regular payroll an