The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-29
MAYORS CABINET MEETING.
Mr.. Maus Suggests that the City Own
a Telephone Plant.

Inc Mayor caDlnet meeting was neld
last night with nearly all present except
Controller Trusler. Mr.. Maus, of the park
commission, sprung an interesting question
upon the members by suggesting that it
would be a feasible scheme for the city
to become the owner and operator Of the
telephone exchange and thus solve the
~perplexing questions that are now pressing
upon the city authorities. He addressed a
question to Mr.. Holton, president of the
Board Of Works, as to whether the
scheme would meet the approval of
the board, and the latter said he
thought the plan would present too many
complications Of a legal nature in regard
to the telephone patents. etc. He was
convinced, he said, that the city could not
own and operate a telephone plant as
successfully as ii could be done by private
ownership. Mr.. Maus held hat as far
as the operation of the plant is concerned.
there would be no insurmountable difficult
ties, but that there might be legal struggles
over the patents which might prevent a
consummation Of the idea. President Hol-
ton said that on the subject OF city water
works, he was thoroughly convinced that
the city ought to own its water supply.
Mr.. Holton brought up the letter from
Fred L. Mayer, president Of the festival
association, as printed elsewhere. 1t was
read to the cabinet and received approval
for the greater part President Holton
said he thought the change proposed in
the lighting of the hall could not be under
taken now, owing to the large expense
that would be necessary to undertake., but
he was In favor Of renewing the plumbing,
changing the closets as proposed, repaint-
ing, cleaning and overhauling as far as
means would permit. Mayor Denny left
no doubt in the minds OF the cabinet that
the hall ought to be repaired, saying that
IL would soon be impossible to rent 1t IL
the cause of the stenches were not cleared
away. The cabinet agreed hat 1t is the
desire OF the members mat the board OF
order, and that If the $1,000 now at their
disposal be not enough, the City Con-
troller be asked to recommend to the City
Council the appropriation OF what would
still be needed TO complete the overhauling
as ordered by the board. Mayor Denny
suggested that this work be undertaken at
once in order that ii may be completed be-
fore the fall season, when the hall will
be in much greater demand. Mr.. Holton
related to the cabinet that there is a con-
slant pressure from almost every interest
that asks for the hall for its use free of
charge. The Presbyterians wanted il free
for their mass meeting a few Sundays ago,
and were allowed TO have it at about half
price. Then the School Board wanted it
and the Board of Works compromised at
half half price not The hes cost sba for opening n gvh i each sG6
services, and the board says it cannot be
secured at a figure that compels the city
to bear any part OF the cost of it's use. There
was a unanimous sentiment in the cabinet
that the regular prices should be Stifily
adhered to and that the proceeds of the
hall should be used to keep IL in order.
Stress was laid upon the suggestion OF
Mr.. Mayer that the hall be kept clean and
when some suggested that a woman should
be put in charge OF II, there was none
to defend it's present condition.
President Holton reported that at a meet
ing during the afternoon with the Board
OF Health, the contract with the American
Reduction Company was discussed and that
II was agreed that no board or officer
ought to be asked 10 take the responsibility
of closing the contract without first eX-
aiming the financial condition of the COM
pany in New York and OF coming to an
understanding about several points over
The afternoon conference concluded TO
recommend TO the cabinet that the presi-
dent of the Board of Works, and
be authorized to go to New York and
make the investigation and, If satisfactory,
e eoen ta a mightg be the Closed eedaii & so @ot tnas I .as
adopted that IL was the sense OF the 80
met that these gentlemen should proceed
called the experience OF a former member
of the Board of Works in reference to the
travelling expenses and wanted TO know
what the cabinet thought about 1t. He said
that he did not want any trouble about
it afterward and that he would rather
pay his own expenses than encounter any
opposition TO the payment of the bill. The
reduction company. he. said, had offered
TO pay the expenses of the committee to
New York, but he said that he would not
permit IL TO do SO and did not think 1t
would be proper. DR.. Hays also declined
to consider for a moment that his ex-
penses should be paid by The reduction
Company. The cabinet agreed that the city
should bear all the necessary expense of
the trip.
Among the matters to be adjusted with
the company is that the company now
wants four months instead or three for
getting ready to carry out the contract.
months will elapse before the new COM
pany takes hold Mr.. Holton asked what
the cabinet thought the board should do
regarding the desiccating company's prop
osition TO continue TO destroy the garbage
at $3.50 a month for six months. the con
tract thereafter to be Cancelled at any time.
Mr.. Holton said this was a fair PROPOSE
ton and the cabinet agreed that it was.
The matter being. in the hands of the
Works Board was left there without further
discussion.
Colonel Ruckle. of the Board OF Safety,
presented the matter of the bids for the
erection OF the three new fire stations.
He said that the lowest bid for the three
buildings was A. O.. Despo's. amounting 10
$l2,slS. but that the board only has $12,O0
at its disposal. He wanted to know what
should DE done-ask the Council for the
excess and give the contracts TO one mar
or proceed to build the two houses mos
needed with the money on hand. Mayor
Denny advised that the board proceed 10 LEI
the contract Tor the TWO houses most needed
the one north and that in the east. and
then 10 ask the Council for the money
needed for the house northeast. He sale
that the Sc. 1000 set apart for this purpose
in the city budget was for two houses anC
now that three could be built for so nearly
the same amount the City Council would
not hesitate TO appropriate the money. Thi:
plan would, however. make another bidder
the least for the two houses. The cabine'
meeting approved the Mayors suggestion
Mr.. Claypool brought up the question 81
the renting TO dry goods and notion deal
ers the choice stalls in the market house
He SAID that such trade should not be al
" in the market and that II has tn,
effect TO drive the gardeners TO the street.
about the courthouse and causes the PEG
pie great annoyance. Colonel Ruckle sale
that the gardeners could not he induced
to rent the inside stalls because they would
have to pay for taking care OF their horses