The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-02
A FIGHT FOR LIGHTS
COUNCIL COMMITTEE WANTS TO
KNOW WHERE THEY ARE TO GO.
A Sharp Clash with the Board of
Works Inevitable One More
Office Created.

Since the charge was openly made last
week that the Council committee on finance
refused to act on the request OF the Board
of Works for 5000 for electric lights. be-
cause the members of the Council wanted to
have something to hold over the heads %
the members of the board in securing lights
for their PARTICULAR wards, the members OF
this committee have not been very careful in
guarding the purpose of the action. Yester-
day the following letter was sent to all men,
bers of the Council by F. E. Walcott. chair
man of the finance committee:
THE finance committee met Wednesday
evening last to consider appropriation ordi-
nance No. 2. which appropriates 5000 for
additional electric lights. We desired to
wait further time and Investigate how
many lights would be needed I'm each ward
We will meet again Monday evening. April
13. at p. M. in the Council. chamber. and
1t Is our desire that each councilman be
present. In the meantime We wish you to
many lights you will need to properly light
your ward. l would suggest that you take
map of your ward and mark just where
each electric light is now located; also.
where they are needed.
1t is evident from this letter that the men,
bers of the Council are intending to attempt
to usurp the powers of the Board OF Works.
and refuse to give 1t money for lights un-
less they can dictate the places where they
will be located Under the charter the Coun-
ell has the right to refuse TO make an ap-
preparation for this purpose IL IT. should find
the money is not really needed. but IL has no
authority to dictate what shall be done with
the money after it is appropriated. except TO
say that ii shall be used for no other pur-
pose than for electric lighting. On the other
hand, Ii is claimed the counclmel are better
posted on the need for lights than members
of the Board Of Works. The Board OF
Works Is made the sole judge OF the neces-
sity for lights in certain locations.
All this looks as If there might be pretty
war over a conflict of authority, for the
members OF the Board OF Works are very
jealous OF their rights and guard them close
ly. The board now has enough money In the
light fund to put up about sixty-five new
lights. but has been waiting for the action
OF the Council on this ordinance before To-
eating them. because IL the appropriation is
made IL will enable the board 10 put up
about one hundred more lights instead OF
sixty-five. If the additional money cannot
be secured the board will have 10 make an
other arrangement of the sixty-five lights
from that contemplated when one hundred
was the basis OF calculation. Ii is for this
reason that available money has not already
been used in the distribution OF lights. IL is
predicted by those who have watched the
proceedings OF the committee on this ques-
ton that II any attempt is made TO dictate
to the board the committee will simply DC
told to allow the ordinance TO die, and such
lights az the available funds will permit will
be ordered placed.