The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-29
OUT FOR NEW QUARTERS
CITY ADMINISTRATIONS COMMITTEE
TO SEE ABOUT THE MOVING.
Mr.. CIaypooI Wants the Postoffice
BcuEht-Two Meetings to Pass Tax
Levy Ordinance.

A new idea or two was advanced at the
regular monthly meeting of the Mayor S
cabinet yesterday For one thing Con-
troller Johnson called attention to the fact
that it is almost absolutely necessary to
secure an amendment to the city charter
when the General Assembly meets, provid-
ing some means by which the county treas
urer can keep separate departments to
handle special city assessments, such as
sewer assessments, street sprinkling, etc.
He says that when the consolidation of
/ county and city assessments effected
under the city charter no provisions were
made for special assessments, at that
time they We're collected by the contrac-
tors. As it is now, a great deal of incon-
venience is caused and Mr.. Johnson says
that he does not understand how they
avoid getting showed under in the county
Office. The proposition for amendment
to the charter will not create an Office for
another treasurer, but will simply provide
for a different system of keeping the &C
counts.
DR.. Morrison, president of the Board of
Health, asked for information concerning
the new wing of the City Hospital. He
said that if the work is not completed
within a few weeks the colleges will ar
range to hold clinics in their schools
and will not send their students to the City
Hospital. a privilege for which the city
has received about 1000 a year heretofore
President Downing, of the Board of Public
Works, explained that the board had just
received a number of bids on a contract
which would probably be let tomorrow,
after they have been considered by the
architect When the contract is let, he
said, the work will be pushed rapidly, and
he thought it could be completed within
six weeks. This, Mr.. Morrison said, would
be satisfactory, as it would probably be
time enough for the colleges, although they
are already in session.
Edward F. Claypool president of the
Park Board, launched into a discussion of
the proposition for a new city building. He
said that he believed it will be best for
the city to wait few years-siX or eight
until the government decided to build a
postotfice building, and then the city
figure. South of the poStoffice, he said, is
sufficient ground to build a station house
and police court, if it is thought desirable.
Reference was made to the fact that some
thing ought to be done for the near future.
Mr.. Claypool brought up the old idea of
cutting down the courthouse yard. building
fountains and beautifying the grounds in
tia process of which the basement would
be made tenable. 1t was not discussed by
Mr.. Claypool moved that the Mayor APP
point a committee to look at available
poses of city officers and report at the
next meeting of the cabinet. 1t was taken
for granted that the committee mas no
power to make contracts, but is simply to
learn what can be done. The great objec-
ton to moving away from the courthouse
basement is the fact that the city con-
troller's office Is SO nearly allied to the
county offices that, it is almost necessary
for them to be near together. MessrS.
Downing, Mcguire. Morrison, Claypool and
Johnson constitute the committee.
The controller reported that there is
1oIa nf ne SI03 in the citV treas
ury
The Board of Public Works referred to
the fact that a contract has been made
for 200 street vapor lights at $3.50 each
year, the lights to be used in the outskirts
of the city and other places where the
The contracts are to run until Dec. 81, 1897.
The board reported that it hoped the trou-
BILE between the street contractors and the
creosoting company would be adjusted so
that no work will remain to be finished
after cold weather. The board says that
all work is fairly under way and that pros
poets are good that all of it will be COM
pleted by Nov l.
Mr. Mcguire, president of the Board of
Public Safety, inquired what had been done
relative to the purchase of the lot in North
Indianapolis for fire -engine house. Mr.:
had bought the o lot and that hat
specifications in order that such defects as
existed in other contracts this year might
be avoided MIR. Downing said that the
board does not propose TO pay for extras,
etc. but is determined that everything
shall be regular in this instance. He said
the contract will probably be let in short
time. Routine reports were made by the
different boards.