The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-16
STIRRED UP in COUNCIL
COMMITTEE WILL INVESTIGATES
GARBAGE-CONTRAC CHARGES.
Mayors Message Bead-Urges Action
on Parks and Favors Ne. Police
Station and Dispensary.

nance providing for the heating of cars
was passed by a good majority. The ordi-
nance to prevent the crowding OF cars was
tabled. Councilman Shaffer introduced a
resolution calling for an investigation of
the charges Of attempted bribery made in
connection with the garbage contract. The
mayors annual message, which includes
the reports of al The city departments, was
read.
The message begins with a review of the
department of finance. The following eX-
tract shows the condition of this depart
ment at the close of last year:
1.-The total cash receipts during the year.
including cash hand Jan. i, 1895, were
81, 49,, 263.S2; the total amount of warrants
drawn was s., 479, 103.03 the amount of war
rants redeemed was 81 402, 653.1I, leaving
warrants outstanding. SO, 449.G6. There was
a gross cash balance on hand Jan. /. 1897,
amounting to $1io.121.02, from which should
be deducted the outstanding warrants
above leaving an available cash balance
on hand Jan. i of the present year OF
$6i. 21.l6."
The mayor is pleased to state shat it did
not become necessary TO act upon his sug-
6estion of a year ago that ii might De pos
sible that the tax levy would nave to be
decreased from the present tate of 50 cents
on each 500. The plan Jointly agreed on
by Treasurer Schmidt and Controller John
son for the payment of Improvement as
seSSmentS whereby the people or the city
VIII De reviewed Ol the CONSTANT lear VI SUITS
and big attorneys fees is highly COM
mended.
The city attorney is commended on ac-
count of the fact that of the appropriation
of Sl2,60O for his department 10 be used in
suits and settlements of judgments and
compromises there was "A balance of 50 $50. 2.
turned into the treasury at the end of the
year.
In regard to the Board of Works the
mayor says: "Forty-four miles of public
improvements were constructed during the
ct Of = inn
provements include the construction of
streets, sidewalks, sewers and alleys.
am pleased to state that the period of guar
antee for asphalt streets, which was for
merly five years. has been extended to nine
years at reduced cost. The guarantee
period On block streets has also been eX-
tended from five to seven years.
THE policy pursued in 1896 in regard TO
public improvements will be adopted in
1887, working from the central portion of
the city outward. Only those Improvements
will be made on the outskirts which are alb
solutely necessary or are petitioned for by
the property owners.
Il wish TO call particular attention to
that portion of Kentucky avenue lying
south of and adjacent TO Greeniawn Gene
terry. This piece of roadway has for years
been impossible i'll spring and during rainy
weather. A bill is now pending in the
Legislature which. if passed, will enable
the board to have, the street improved
southeast of the railroad tracks as, under
the present provisions of the charter relat-
ing to improvements, il is impossible 10 do
so at present.
THE GARBAGE CONTRACT.
THE garbage question has in the past
been source Of great annoyance. An ap-
preparation of $50. coo was made available
Jan. l. and the board has entered into a
contract for the disposal OF all garbage
at an annual cost much less than the APP
preparation, to wit: s24,997 All that re-
mains to give effect to this contract is the
acceptance of the same by your body by
the passage of a proper ordinance covering
the subject which hope Will be promptly
done.
While there has been a demand from
citizens generally for the purchase and
municipal ownership of the water plant
1t Is very serious problem. and unless
the Legislature can and will PASS some law
authorizing the city to buy without con-
1lCtlng with the present limit OF indebted
ness am unable TO see present solution
o. the question.
The mayor recommends that Pogue's run
| be converted into a siXteen-foot drain. He
thinks this will be the best thing that can
be done, both for the city and property
owners. He thinks the city should bear a
portion of the expense, which VIII be large.
In support of the plea for the city sharing
| the expense he shows that In ten wears
Pogues run, exclusive of bridges and dam
age suits, has cost the city SOS. 66l 46 He
| thinks that large part OF this would
| be saved TO the city the general public
should pay portion of the expense OF
| the proposed work.
With the work that is now under WAY al
| the courthouse completed, Mr. Taggart
| thinks the city will have suitable quarters
| for many years to come The close busi-
ness relations between the city and some
| of the county Offices. he thinks makes i,
| necessary that the offices should remain in
| the courthouse as long as possible
The Board OF Works is congratulated on
| the clean condition Of the streets with
| the further statement that with the ex-
perience OF last year the board will he
improve condition Of he S.tro
| this year The reduction. in the cost OF
| cleaning improved streets is also com
/ highly praised.
The principal point i'm the part of the
| message devoted TO the fire department l.
the fact that the insurance cor1panies have
| granted reduction OF rates to about where
| they were before the large increase which
| occurred shortly after the Schnull fire. The
police department. Mayor Taggart says
| has done remarkably well in preserving
| peace and good order and by the arrest and
| conviction of so many criminals. The cree
| ton of new police station is strongly
! recommended. and the recommendation in
| cludes the purchase of modern police pa
| troll system. Coupled with this is the hope
| that the new police station will he ample
| for the accommodation of the City Dis
| pensary, which now occupies a house unfit
| for habitation.
| The information is given that as soon as
| the weather will permit the Board OF
| Works will improve the vacant space east
OF the city meat market for gardeners
\
| ton of the streets near the market during
| three days of each week.
| TRAINING SCHOOL AND PARKS.
| The mayor fully indorses the new de-
| parture in placing the training school for
nurses under the management of the hos
| pital superintendent. and says in this re-
| gard THE training school for nurses
| formerly under the Flower Mission man
| agement. but located at the City Hospital
| has been discontinued on account of differ
ences between the former management and
| the Board of Health The hospital is now
| conducting its own training school. which
| In my judgment. will be more satisfactory
| as 1t places the school under the direct con.
| troll of the board and Will prevent any con.
! 1ict of authority in the future. Under the
| management of DR.. Ferguson the hospita
| is steadily gaining in reputation fer eff
| cheney in the treatment of cases and It's
| economical management"
| In regard TO parks the mayor says: Dur.
| ing the year the park board has made
| great advances toward beautifying the
| property under its control. Particularly is
| this true of Garfield Park. which is one
| of the loveliest spots in or near the city
| Other parks throughout the city have re-
| ceived a great deal of care. and much inn
| provement has been made in the way OF
| walks. trees and shrubbery.
"Greenlawn Cemetery. which has recently
| been turned over TO the park commission
! ers by the Board of Works will this yeal
| receive the attention OF the former. As
| soon as the weather will permit the GENE
| terry will be cleaned up. walks PLACED
| through the same. and the whole beautifieC
| much possible.
The board has given a great deal of at
| tenton TO its work and to the survey anC
| location OF the new park system / be