The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-12
AN ANNEXATION CAUCUS
DEMOCRATIC COUNCILMEN CONSIDER
THE PROPOSED PLAN.
Little Opposition to It-Water Works
and Gas Contracts to BE COnsid-
ered-Mail Delivery.

meeting of the Democratic members of the
City Council to consider the annexation
question. which continues to be the one en-
crossing topic OF conversation among the
city fathers and in the City Hall. There
was no definite conclusion reached as TO
what action the majority shall take, but
the project seemed to be regarded with
general favor.
There are several difficulties that are re-
ceiving consideration. In the first place
there was fear that to annex the suburbs
might complicate the street-car situation.
as the Citizens Street-rairoad Company
has tracks in all the suburbs and claims a
perpetual franchise, particularly in Bright
wood and West Indianapolis. In addition
to this there are existing water and gas
contracts. Not much trouble is anticipated
with regard to their settlement however,
and City Attorney Curtis has given an in
formal opinion that the street-car situation
would not be much more complicated than
it is if the suburbs were annexed. Ii is
understood that there will be a special
meeting of the Council tonight for the
preliminary steps to be taken, so that the
ordinance can come up for passage Mon
day night. Meantime Mr.. Curtis will look
more fully into the legal questions involved
AT the special meeting tonight Qf
one is heidi preliminary action will
be taken upon ordinances TO be
introduced annexing West indianapolis,
Irvington. as the mayor was informed yes
terday that petition was being circulated
to have that suburb included in the Great
er Indianapolis scheme. Ever since the
Journal gave the first news of the petition
being circulated i'm Brightwood for the an
neXation of that suburb, the subject has
grown in favor until about all the others
have taken to ii. Woodruff Place, ii is
said. would take to the project but for one
reason; that is the property owners of this
beautiful suburb think its park ways, foun-
tains and abundant electric lights all paid
for by private enterprise, would be allowed
TO deterorate. If there were any assur-
ance that the city would turn the PARK
ways and other identifying features over
to the park commissioners so that they
would be kept up, and if there was the fur
Their assurance that the number of electric
lights would not be reduced, it is said that
Woodruff Place would not object to being
part of Greater Indianapolis" Some per-
sons think that Mt. Jackson, otherwise
known as "Jacktown' among the sporting
fraternity who frequent the resorts in its
vicinity, ought to be included, as 1t would
enable the police to abolish the roadhouses
and other Objectionable places. 1t is said
that one class of persons strongly opposed
to the idea of annexation is the proprietors
of the big gambling dens, who now ply
their trade without fear Of interruption
from the police.
Along with the annexation talk other
topics are revived, for instance the subject
of municipal ownership of the water works
controller johnson says. however. that the
ence In the taxable property to make 1t
possible 10 buy the water works. il
would only increase the debt-making power
of the city some 100000 under the 2 per
cent. constitutional limit.
Postmaster Sahm was asked what effect
1t would have on the postal service of the
suburbs. He had not given the subject
much thought. but recalled the case OF
North indianapolis. After that suburb was
annexed, he urged the additional population
Der of letter carriers so to give North
indianapolis free delivery. The department
fit to grant the request, Judging from this
experience he is doubtful as to whether
free delivery could be secured for West
were, while the local offices would be abol-
ished. the postmasters would not be dis
continued, but would probably be left in
charge of their respective offices as clerks
In charge OF substatlOns. Carriers would
operate from the substatons. Mr. Sahm is
making every effort possible to secure free
delivery to a large number of patrons of
| the postoffice who do not now enjoy it, and
expects to renew his application at once.
The annexation of the suburbs might be "A
consideration that would have some bearing
on the postal department at Washington.
City Attorney Curtis has all the data nee
essary to prepare the ordinance at hand
he says that will be comparatively easy
matter, the most important subject being
10 get the boundary lines accurately To-
| Gated. City Engineer Jeup said that he had
not been asked to make any surveys. and
| thought likely that would DE unnecessary.
| as the boundaries were probably fixed i'm
| the records showing the Incorporation of
| the towns.
If annexation of the suburbs takes place
| IL will have 10 be pretty soon. judging from
| the talk of city officials, who say that they
| do not want 20 have the suburbs saddled
| on the city without any prospect of n reve-
nue. from them for two three years
| Monday is the last day that the Council
| can take action and pass ordinances in
| time To get the property of the suburbs on
| the tax duplicates by April Z. If Tins is not
accomplished it is likely that the subject
| will be dropped for this year. at least
| Every one realizes that it would cost the
/ city quite a large sum OF money to run the
| business of Greater Indianapo and
/ there is no disposition to assume the bur
| den without some likelihood of a revenue
| large enough to meet the increased de-
| mands.
|, We don't want a repetition of the North
| Indianapolis case" said city Official yes
| terday. North Ipdiapap polls was ii cor
| poratiOn, however, and it is likely that
| there would not be so much trouble with
/ towns that are already Incorporated. 1t is
| recalled that as soon as North Indianapo-
| lis was annexed there were at once de-
| mands for all the privileges of the city.
| although revenue was coming into the
city treasury from the property of that
! place.