The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-03

that there was not enough creosote in the
block pavement of Michigan street to make
a man bat his eye" in a way that the
crowd enjoyed
THE Sentinel says that creosote oozed
out of the blocks until bicycles mired in 1t.
Creosote has a wonderful way of disap-
pearing then. Dip a block in creosote, lay
II on the ground and 1t would be long
time before it would disappear Split II
open. take a splinter in your mouth and
you would know ii was there. 1t would
not require a chemical analysis to convince
you OF its presence. You would Know 1t
was there. Take a bite OF this block from
Michigan street and you find only the taste
OF pine. l know something about that talk
OF coal tar being carried into houses and
The truth is that il was not creosote but
coal tar. The Sentinel probably got its in
formation from inspectors that were en-
pioyed TO inspect the work because they ala
not know the difference between coal tar
and creOsote The contract called for long
leaf yellow pine block 1 am told that an
Inspector who knew what long leaf yellow
pine is was made to walk the plank be-
cause he threw out q lot of block that did
not NIL the specifications. Look at this
block. 1t is not long leaf yellow pine. 90
and see for yourself whether there is any
on Michigan street."
Mr. Van Vorhis said that he realized it
was impossible for Mayor Taggart or En-
gineer Jeup to inspect every little contract,
but they are responsible for the appoint
ment of inspectors.
They ought to know better" he said.
than TO put shoemakers and tailors to In
spect creosote and cement"
1t was common talk he said, that an ar
rangement has been entered into whereby
the contractors 'whack up with inspectors
permitting u inch of cement to pass in
IL inches. Mr.. Van Vorhis spoke in favor
of the abolition of the whole system of
street improvements by contract.
John F. White candidate for mayor on
the Citizens ticket, explained why he was
candidate. He said that it was an UNI
pleasant thing for a man to be at outs with
Ntx~ lint
became necessary for him to take stand,
no matter how unpleasant. Last year he
was loyal silver Democrat; giving MS
efforts to the success of the Chicago plat
form. The principles that he then es-
poused are still dear to him.
''It is because l have felt that the Demo-
cratic party has fallen into the hands OF the
gold men of the city that | cannot stand
by the ticket nominated"
Mr.. White recalled how Taggart MADE
grand stand play by getting on the Demo-
cratic platform and said that he now has
designs on the Prohibition platform, If re-
ports are true.
I'VE all known what a good hand he is
at carrying water on both shoulders, said
Mr.. White "but whether he can carry beer
on one shoulder and water on the other
remains to be seen"
Mr. White spoke briefly in denying. that
Taggart's has been a business administra-
tion," contrasting it with the two that pre-
ceeded it. Under Taggart it has cost the
city 100000 more than under Sullivan. IN
der that administration the city paid large
sums for improving street intersections, OF
which the city is now relieved. Denny
administration also paid for street inter-
sections, besides which two engine houses
were built and equipped and bonds amount
ing 10 S21 900 were paid off Notwithstand-
ing this Taggart's administration has cost
the city more and improvements to the fire
department are made by borrowing money,
instead of being paid for out of current
revenue as in Denny's time
C. f. Weir, candidate for police judge,
and Charles II. Krause both spoke briefly.
There will be a meeting in the interest of
the Citizens ticket at the corner of West
and McCarty streets tonight.