The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-05
Influence Brought to Bear in High
Quarters to Have Specifica-
tiOns Changed.

OHiy.
The great anxiety of the city officials yes
terday to come to some sort of an agree
n.ent grew out of intimations they received
last Saturday that the contractors had
placed the matter in the hands of their at
torneys, Mcbride & Denny, and that suit
was to be brought. The complaint, it was
rumored was to contain some very sensa-
tional allegations to the effect that in one
stage of the work the contractors found
that they could not complete it unless the
specifications were modified so that the level
would be raised two feet where the inter-
ceptor crosses the canal and Michigan road,
and that the city engineer refused to change
the level of the interceptor at their request.
The contractors, finding that it would take
powerful influence to secure this conces-
sion, the complaint was to charge, went
to a city official and secured his consent
to intercede in their behalf. The specifica-
tions were changed. The grade of the inter-
ceptor was raised two feet. The contrac-
tors suit was to bring the city official to
account.
A TALK WITH JEUP.
City Engineer Jeup was seen by Journal
reporter yesterday afternoon.
Has the interceptor been accepted yet?"
was asked.
He shook his head negatively
He appeared rather uncomfortable.
''Will it be to-night?"
Yes, / think So"
What is the sticking point?
1T is whether the interceptor shall be ac-
cepted before the plasterlng is done. There
is a question to whether a deduction TO
cover the cost of plastering shall be made
in addition to the guarantee, or whether
- \ "a
made in the assessment. They claim that
they cannot do the work on account of the
water Whether deduction is made in the
pay or the assessments are reduced the cost
will be the same.
What is the amount involved on the
plaster controversy"
1.-Two thousand dollars, about that
"Is that the only thing that makes the
delay?''
There are some claims for extra work"
What is the amount specified for the
extras?"
1T is not extra work, exactly" said he,
explaining his former statement, "but it is
for work that was necessary. There is
question whether the specifications cover
it."
How much is demanded for this?"
1.-The amount is not specified
He spoke very guardedly. The reporter
mentioned that 1t had been reported no set
tlement was made up to o'clock in the
afternoon. There was no response to this
suggestion.
Are you going to the meeting tonight
the engineer was asked. He nodded his
head and said he had been asked to be
there
'eVVhere is il to be?"
II don't know yet"
''Will it be at your office?'
II presume likely"
''Will the mayor and board be present."
II suppose SOL don't know"
Whose duty is it to accept the intercept
tor-yours or the boards?"
1.-THE boards
CONFERENCE AT THE GRAND
There was a conference yesterday after
noon at clock at which the city attorney,
the city engineer and the claimants dis
cussed the situation. No agreement was
reached. AS a result of this conference an
other was arranged for last night at 8
o'clock at the Grand Hotel, when the con-
tractors expected to receive definite
answer to their demands. Before the hour
appointed City Controller Johnson, Lee
Fulmer member of the contracting firm,
and Royal Robson, the secretary of the
company, and Messrs. Mcbride and Denny
arrived at the hotel. Mayor Taggart was
expected, but was little late in getting to
town from Mount Jackson, where he had
made a political speech. He was preceded
a few minutes by City Attorney Curtis.
Meantime City Engineer Jeup had arrived.
Sterling r. Holt came down into the lobby
and held conference with Controller John
son. He professed entire ignorance of what
was going on. When the mayor arrived
Controller johnson notified the other men,
and they ascended to the mayors private of
fee. After a moment the mayor came
back and talked again to Mr.. Johnson, who
had remained in the lobby and took no part
in the transactions above. Sterling r. Holt
ducked to the barroom below, and after
ward took the elevator to his room.
Mr. Johnson seemed somewhat nervous, as
did all the other city officials. While the
conference was on Mr.. Johnson was asked
what it was all about.
"They are discussing the White river in
terceptor."
What's the troube?"
80 l don't know much about it. 1t would
not be brought up just now if there was not
an election next week. They are talking
about a suit"
What has a suit got to do with the
election?"
There are allegations in it,
What kind OF allegations?'
"Oh, you know all about it, said Mr..
Johnson.
The conference lasted over an hour. Be
fore il ended a moment or two Mayor Tag
CART came down stairs with a jaunty air
He said that they had just been talking
matters over. He said that the first time
he had had the subject presented to him
officially was at the meeting. He said the