The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
CITY CHARTER BILLS.
Purport of the Three Measures Passed
by the Sennte Yesterday.

In the Senate yesterday morning Senator
Hawkins requested the suspension of the
regular order in order that he might call
up Senate Bills $50, $40 and 341. amending
various sections of the city charter.
Regular ORDER cried some one.
"Oh. let's dispose of them said Senator
Shvely. 1T won't take long"
Consent Consent" said several MEM
bers.
On Senator Hawkins's motion the rules
were suspended and the bills all passed or
one roll call.
Bill 500 provides for an increase i'm the SAL
airy of the county treasurer Eek officio city
treasurer) from $4,000 TO $500 a year. Re
Gently the county treasurer has entered
into an arrangement with the city officials
whereby the accounts of special City assess
ments shall be kept separate and distinct
from the county business. This necess;-
tates the employment of additional clerical
force-in fact, creates a new department.
1t is to meet the additional expenses that
the increase of salary Is made. SO it is said.
Bill $40 makes it the duty of the county
treasurer TO notify property owners of as
sessments made against them for street and
other public improvements. The following
provision has been interpolated:
Upon receipt of the certified copy OF the
assessment roll by the treasurer II shall at
once become his duty to notify each person
affected by the same of the amount of the
assessment against him by placing in the
postofiice in such city a notice addressed to
such person. The treasurer shall also, on
the first Monday in each month. give notice
in some newspaper Of general circulation
TO persons who have failed to take advan-
tage of the opportunity to make payment
of assessments made against him in ten an
nual installments, or pay in cash the
amount of said assessment within thirty
- Of
final estimate by the Board OF Public
Works, by publishing description contain
ing the name of such person, the name by
which the Improvement is known and the
amount owing by each person, and a state
ment TO the effect that unless such assess
ment Is paid within thirty days suit Will be
instituted for recovery of the amount due.
The treasurer shall add to the amount due
from each person SO notified 20 cents for
each tract or parcel of land mentioned In
the advertisements, and collect the same to
cover the cost of such advertisement and
such sum shall be added 10 the amount due
from each person and shall be included in
and covered by the lien of the assessment -
Under the law the contractors are re-
CURED 10 give notice OF assessments This
is often neglected, frequently wilfully.
When postal cards are sent they often mis-
carry, and the property owner has no no.
real estate until he receives notice of suit
brought. in which he must pay attorneys
fees and court costs.
City Controller Johnson says that the
clause providing for the publication on the
first day of each month of a list of names
OF persons who have failed TO pay in cash or
take advantage Of the Barrett law and who
are delinquent with notice that suit will be
brought will reduce the number of delin-
quents 10 the minimum. Real estate agents
and attorneys will watch such notices close
ly and keep their friends and clients
posted.
number of important changes in the
charter are made by Bill 341. The first is to
enable the Board of Public Works 10 i'm
prove Kentucky avenue in the vicinity OF
Greenlawn Cemetery. where half of the
roadway is occupied by a railroad and
| against which there Is no abuttng prop
erty that can be assessed for the improve.
ment. The amendment says: IF il may
| be deemed necessary by the Board of Pub
| lic Works TO improve only part or one
| side of any street or sidewalk. or other pub
| lie place in such city. then one-half of the
cost of such Improvement shall be assessed
against and paid by such city and the re-
manning one-half OF the cost thereof shall