The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-31
WAITING ON MR.. CURTIS
THE POLICE TELEGRAPH CONTRACT
SEEMS TO BE HUNG UP.
Board of Safety Claims to HIVE Had
No Opinion from the
City Attorney.

City Attorney Curtis is now being blamed
for the delay in deciding whether the con-
tract for equipping the new central and
subpolice stations with a telegraph patrol
system shall be finally awarded to the
GameWell Company 1t is now over four
weeks since bids were received. and it was
said the contract would be given to the
Gamewell people. Subsequently the story
or an effort on the part of a councilman to
fill his own pockets out of the contract
were made public and the board put off
final action until an investigation could be
had. Meantime the city attorney had been
asked to prepare formal contract. Every
thing stopped while the investigation pro-
ceeded. Then some one made public the
fact that the board in receiving the bids.
had ignored the charter one>section of
which provides that affidavits shall be re-
CURED from bidders showing that each bid
is genuine and that there is no collision
This was not done. AS an afterthought an
affidavit was required from the Gamewell
people. City Attorney Curtis was asked
FOR an opinion as to whether the violation
OF the charter by the board had invalidated
the entire proceedings and as to whether
1t would be necessary to advertise for new
BIDS. While the charter says that affidavits
shall be required, it is not expressly stipu-
lated that they shall be required before
bids are opened, although the commonest
KIND or business judgment would indicate
this to be the intention. 1t is the opinion
OF the board that the Gamewell contract
ought to be completed but whether it is
SAFE TO go ahead and ignore the fact that
the charter has been violated is the cues
ton on which the board is hesitating Agent
Chandlee still hangs around the board Of
". expecting things wi
come his way some day soon.
Ihere was meeting of the board yester-
uled, but nothing was done with the Came
Wen contract Mayor Taggart sent the
poard telegram saying that he was de-
superintendent Colbert to try to secure the
release or Burton, wanted here for murder
ar rom tnfs cldc4mastanee coupled with the
IL was the intention to take up the Game
Well question yesterday. The subject will
other soon, although the board still insists
mat nothing has been heard from the city
attorney.
so far as 1 know said President Ma
guire yesterday afternoon, nothing will be
done until Mr. Curtis returns. AS the con-
tract mas not been signed. the Gamewell
Company VIII probably be given more time
TO DO the work II we finally decide to make
the contract"
About two months ago the board decided
TO let the contract as soon as possible. lin
order that the system may be ready by the
time the station houses are completed"
Nearly a month ago the contract was let
Everything, according to the board is in
the hands of the city attorney. He has
gone to Morristown, N. j., on a two weeks
vacation, without even consulting with his
deputy, according to other city officials
Those who know his habits of attending to
business before pleasure openly state that
he explained the situation fully to either
the mayor or board before he left, and that
they are afraid to make the facts public
fearing criticism.
Stevens pnrip daI 20
failing to show his badge and make his
authority known before arrestng Tim Dom
ahue and Con Cunningham. Harry Wallace
charged with talking roughly to a woman
when making an arrest, was acquitted the
board considering the charges frivolous
Fireman George Clark was fined five DAYS
pay for using improper language when ad-
dressing Capt. John Wesner, and was eau
toned not to repeat the offense.