The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-04
0ENTTOT DIR. A. E. BUCHANAN
OAkS IAN 5z.33 When Building.
AN UNSIGHTLY BUILDING
COUNCIL INDORsES THE SCHERRER
POLICE-STATION PLANS.
Democrats, by the Aid of One Repub-
lican Vote, Carry the ordinance
ThrOugh-DOubt as to Legality.

Mayor Taggart occupied a seat with Pres
ident Costello at the meeting of the Council
last night and was an interested spectator
during the wrangle over the $50, 900 issue
of bonds for the new station house. The
mayor had been urging the finance commit
tee to report favorably on the ordinance
and before the meeting handed Mr., Dewar
a letter he had received from the Board
of Public Works for that purpose, announc-
ing that the plans of Architect Sherrer had
been approved by the Board of Health and
the Board of Safety and that they were
still subject TO further notifications. The
bond ordinance was taken up in an irreg-
ular way and Mr.. Payne raised a question
as to whether bond buyers would care to
purchase them if they were not authorized
in a strict legal way. After the vote was
taken, Mr.. Payne changed from AYE to
no and Immediately filed a written no.
tice that he would move to reconsider the
vote at the next meeting of the Council.
When the ordinance appropriating the $780,
600 was passed. Mr.. Woody, who had voted
aye" filed notice that he would move to
reconsider at the next meeting. This holds
up the whole matter until the next regular
meeting. under Rule 81 which says that
any member voting with the majority may
move a reconsideration "on the same or
next regular meeting providing written
notice has been given. Under this rule the
station house question must lay over two
weeks. An attempt ~ take ii up at a spe-
cial meeting might raise some question as
TO the validity of the bonds and the admin
istration does not care to face a situation
OF that kind after the experience with the
park bonds.
After the Improvement ordinances. re-
terred TO elsewhere, Mr.. Walcott, chairman
of the finance committee. moved that the
rules be suspended and that the Council re-
turn to the order Of committee reports.
Rule 10 of the Council provides that the roll
shall be called upon suspension of the rules.
This was not done, but a viva voce vote
taken, Mr.. Payne dissenting. Mr.. Walcott
submitted a report recommending the pas
sage of the ordinance appropriating 1856. 900
ana the ordinance for the issue of bonds.
lie moved that 1t be concurred in. This
was done. Then he moved a further sIs-
pension Of the rules and a return TO hills
on second reading. This was regarded as
irregular by the Republicans and they be-
was read and put upon its passage by mo-
ton OF Mr.. Walcott.
When the roll was called, Mr.. Allen arose
70 explain why ne. was opposed to the bond
ordinance. The plans of Mr.. Scherrer. he
SAID, were inadequate to the needs of the
police, department. No drillroom had been
provided for and the Police Court room was
poorly ventilated. He also considered tbe
action of the Board of Public Works i'm AL
lowing Mr.. Scherrer to alter his pIans as
being unfair to all other architects who had
not been given an opportunity 10 make
changes. Mr.. Allen said that the commiftee
had seen the plans of the other architectS
and that they were ali superior to those
adopted. 0
Mr.. Cooper said that for five or sly vaare
he had been urging that a new Staff
house be built. He was opposed 70 apn
such plans as those adopted. They were
inadequate, and would not come up 70 fi1
ture requirements. There was no ventila-
ton for. the Police Court room. The 0nar-
tiers for the City Dispensary were pooriv
planned. There was no side entrance To If
and the operating room was not lighted az
such a room ought TO be. He thought thai
IL was not fair for the board to allow Mr.
Sherrer TO alter his plans. MIR. cooner
thought that the entire subject ought To
be referred back TO the board with instruc-
tions to advertise for bids and with orders
10 conduct a fair competitive contest.
In explaining the position of the finance
Mr.. Dewar read the letter the
mayor had received from the board. 1t had
convinced the committee, he said, that an
OF the objections made by the different de-
partments had been removed.
For IN administration that has such a
handsome head, said Mr.. Payne, this new
station house would be al ugly monument.
judging from the plans. 1t Is a matter of
common comment that the plans are as
hideous, as far as the exterior is con-