The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-18
FAvoRS TO RAILROADS
COUNCILMEN LOOK WITH SUSPICION
ON WORKS BOARD CONTRACTS.
Investigations VIII BE Made Here
after-PIan to Construct City
Building Looked on with Favor.

The Council committee on contracts and
franchises met last night 10 consider the
ordinance recommended by the Board OF
Public Works. authorizing the c., ii. &
ID. railway to lay switch in South Liber-
W street TO the plant of the Indiana BIZ
cycle Company. The committee decided TO
postpone action on the ordinance and IT
will not be reported TO the Council Mon
day night Members of the committee will
visit the premises before making IA report
Expressions from the various members of
the committee indicate that there is
feeling that the railroad companies are
making too many demands. The request
made to the Board of Public Works by the
Pennsylvania Company for permission TO
lay five tracks across South Delaware
street to afford communication between
it's yards and the Sinker-Davis property
was commented on, as well as the recent
request of the indianapolis. Logansport <
Chicago company for a right OF way to
the Union Station.
These railroads seem TO want the
EARTH" said one of the members 10 a Jour-
nal reporter and we have decided to be
cautious in acting upon recommendations
of the Board of Public Works I'm the
future. Some of the committees have
adopted their suggestions too indiscrimi-
nately and without sufficient investigation.
When it comes to the question of allow
ing the streets TO be taken up by railroads
we feel that we ought TO proceed cautious
ly. We will visit South Liberty street and
see how much injury will be done to
property owners before recommending that
the wishes of the board be followed in this
~ In
tory in town will be wanting switches
from the railroads and the streets will be-
come irnpassa BILE
The franchise and contract comrhittee
will keep the c.. ii. & d. contract under
consideration until the meeting Of the
Council, two weeks from Monday night,
and unless the sentiment changes in the
meantime they will recommend that the
ordinance be killed. From present indica-
tons the Pennsylvania and Chicago. In
dianapolis * Logansport ROADS are not
likely TO be given what they ask by the
Council committee on contracts and fran
chises at the mere suggestion of the Board
of Public Works.
Impromptu speeches were made by diff
ferent members OF the committee on a
number of questions. Councilmen Coulter,
Montgomery. Smith and President Costello
take kindly to the SUGGESTION OF Mr PoI T1i
Works. that il will be a good thing 10
erect. with part of the Belt railroad money.
a $3.50. 900 city building where city officials
can be more comfortably and respectfully
housed than In the courthouse basement.
President Costello and Mr. Mont gomery
agree with Mr.. Coulter that the city can
and ought to purchase the water works.
through the fundamentally of board of
trustees. MIR. Coulter says that the city
will have to pay the water company SSO.oo
next year for water for fires and other
purposes. BY placing the matter in the
hands of trustees. he says. the city can
pay for the water works in less than
twenty years. beside providing for interest
on bonds meantime.
Councilmen do not take kindly TO the
order of superintendent Colbert relative
to arrestinS bicycliSts for riding on the
sidewalks. Several declared last night
that his order ought to have related 10
sidewalks on streets which are not impas-
sable. Reference was made 20 "A recent
ordinance passed by the Council of West
Indianapolis allowing cyclists TO ride on
sidewalks where the streets are impossible.
Councilmen say that the Superintendent
should have ordered the patrolmen 10 ar
rest people for riding on the sidewalks
when 1t is possible to keep i'm the streets:
the officers, not the wheemen. to be the
judges of the condition of the streets. An
ordinance similar to that i'm effect in West
indianapolis may be introduced.
A great many cyclists have fallen into
the habit of riding to fires every time an
alarm is sounded. Untold dangers are
risked by such foolhardy riders and they
afford no end of annoyance and trouble
TO firemen- President Costello and Mr.
coulter spoke of this nuisance last night
and their suggestion that 1t would be good
thing 20 pass an ordinance abolishing the
sounding of fire gongs was Endorsed bv
Messrs. Montgomery and Smith.
THE practice of striking the fire gongs
was established when indianapolis was :,
village, said President Costello and il
was a good thing then, when voluntary
fire companies fought the fires with hand
apparatus"
Every large city in the country has
abolished the fire gongS. said Mr.. Coulter
and we ought to do so here. Wheelmen
would then know nothing about the fires
and would not be on hand to interfere
with the work of the firemen."
Mr.. Coulter will probably introduce an