The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-02
HE ENDED WITH BUT
j. s. THURMAN TEsTIFIEs AS TO HIS
IMPUTATIoN OF BRIBERY.
Safety Board Dismissed Him After He
Said He Did Not Intend to Use
Money.

The Board Of Public Safety held its reg
ular meeting last night At the request Of
Police Superintendent Colbert the board
called in John s. Thurman. one Of the pro-
motors of the "horseess vehicle enter
prise, and questioned him concerning the
significant wording of q letter recently re-
ceived from bis firm. Thurman & Silvus
have an electric vehicle which they desire
to exhibit on Meridian, Pennsylvania and
Broadway streets. In some correspondence
which they had with the police depart
ment Thurman & Silvus used these words:
I'VE have no money to spend with the
police department. Chief Colbert, when
this letter was. received. bridled up, and at
once went to the board. He felt that by
imputation, at least, he rested under
grave charge and he demanded an investi-
CATION. Mr.. Thurman. on being questioned
by the boad last night, was evasive in his
replies. He had stenographer present,
who took a record of all the proceedings.
He denied that his firm had charged the
police department with Irregularities. and
said that he had no occasion to try to
bride anybody
II know that the New York police depart
ment is rotten" he said, "but believe that
the indianapolis department is BETTER
That's not the question" returned Mr..
Mcguire. of the board. 1--WE want to know
what you meant when you used those
words"
"weiI. there are three different construc-
tons that might be put on them" replied
Thurman. They might be construed to
mean that we did not have any money to
spend in employing extra police. or that
we had no time to throw away in going to
the police station to get permission to use
our wagon. Again. the words might be con-
strued to mean that we had no money to
bride anybody with
"will you kindly tell me whether you
thought the department could be bought?''
interrupted Superintendent Colbert
mo, SIR, we did not think of using money,
but" r.
That's all right; that's all the board want
ed TO know" broke in President Mcguire,
ard Thurman was dismissed.
The board discussed in an informal way
the proposition to remove fire headquar-
tiers to the old hay-market ground. at Ken
lucky avenue and Maryland street. The
board shares the opinion Of Fire Chief
Webster that the proposed location would
be nearer the center of the downtown dis
tricts. Mayor Taggart and Controller john
SON have spoken favorably Of the plan. II
the city can dispose OF the ground where
the headquarters are at present located,
and can sell the site on Maryland street
occupied by the rs. il Is probable that
the change will be made. The board thinks
the property ought to bring $4,000. 1t is
said that there is already prospective pur-
chaser who is ready TO take the two pieces
at $4,000. The city can buy suffcient
ground at Kentucky avenue and Maryland
street and equip it with a large engine house
for much less sum, IL Is said.
The board awarded Cruise Bros. the con-
tract Of repairing fire engine No. at 1915.
The engine is TO be. put in frst-class shape.
The board heard the reports from heads of
departments. Market Master Goebel report
ed the collection of $3.50 in fees for the
month ending March 81. Police Superintend-
ent Colbert showed $50 arrests by the depart
ment during the month OF March. OF this
number forty-one were women and seventy
nine under twenty years OF age. Seventy
nine OF the prisoners were charged with in
toxication, twenty-six with petit larceny.
eight with burglary, six with melting riot.
forty-five with assault and battery. one with
disturbing religious meeting and three with
embezzlement. The patrol wagon Travelled
Az miles during the month. The detective
department recovered $79023 worth of stolen
property. part of which has been turned over
to owners. The fire chief reported that his
department, during the month Of March.
worked 17s hours and the apparatus travelled
ssi miles. During the month 1850 feet OF
hose were laid.