The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-01
MAYORS CABINET MEETING.
Condition of City's Finances-BOnds
of

Before the monthly meeting of the may
or's cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon
City Attorney Curtis was complimented
for his share in executing the neat coup
by which the ~3-cent-fare law was carried
to the Supreme Court. There was some
oumen on the fact that Augustus L. Ma
son, president Of the company, gave the
cue that led TO this result when he tried
to bluff people to pay scent fares by
threatening to proceed against them under
an old city ordinance. But fol his calling
attention to it, it might never have been
thought of.
Some of the members of the boards were
a little slow in arriving and the mayor
led a conversation" with the Graeco-
Turkish war for a topic. The mayor was
unable to get anybody to consent to go to
Greece to arbitrate, and talked of sending
newspaper men as his representatives,
providing Controller Johnson would act as
a ehaperon. Mr.. Johnson could not make
up his mind to forego the pleasure of
roofing" for the home team. AS the
mayor is something of a fan himself, he
sympathized with Mr.. Johnson, and at
tempted 10 saddle the mission off on
Mart anderson, of the Board of Works,
all of which was amusing to President
Downing. Mr.. Anderson said that he never
navigated in Turkish waters. but had seen
them ''in pictures.3 None OF the members
of the Park Board or Board of Health APP
pearing, Controller Johnson was con-
strained to ask if they had seeded from
the city.
The Board of Park Commissioners is
having a meeting this afternoon, and L
suppose that is why the members are not
here" said the mayor. I'VE will have TO
proceed without them. AS we cannot do
anything without money, 1t is fitting that
we hear first as to the financial condition
OF the city. Mr.. Controller, what have
you to repOrt?'
Controller Johnson had a report showing
that there is a cash balance of sos, $50. 10,
with outstanding warrants unpaid aggre-
gazing S~4,o61.ZS, leaving available $54, 1bl.73.
IN the park Iund there is available a total
81 $5'3,o3O.ZO, including q principal of $780,
UO, a premium of $23, 4S5,. and accrued inter
est amounting 10 $345. 20.
Inc Board of Public Works had but lit
tie to report. M. A. Downing, president.
said that bids for garbage collection would
be received May II. He said that some dis
BrlgntWood water works plant, referring to
the fact that it had been reported that one
OF o. the MANS mad burst. Inc citizens of
bfiSntWood want some assurance tnaL they
VIII be cared for now that the plant is
owned by the city. The determination of
the board to repaVe South Delaware street
between South street and Madison avenue
al the expense OF the contractors was COM
mended.. President Downing said an APP
PACtA AZ " az LllC w VI MOulu Have 10 De
made, as the city will have to sue the con-
tractors, Fulmer & Seibert. Controller
johnson said that a demand had been made
on MIN Tor the surrender of the cash and
ponds held to guarantee the work, but he
had not needed it, following the advice of
the city attorney. While this subject was
being discussed it developed that the Minne-
haha Granite Company is not willing to re-
pair South Meridian street, and has notified
Mayor Taggart that If the balance held to
guarantee the work is not surrendered a
SUIT will be. brought next week. 1t seems
the contention of all the contractors is that
they cannot be held responsible where brick
and other pavementS wear out after they
nave been inspected and accepted by city
officials. City Attorney Curtis said that
this question was likely to come up con-
stantly, and that a test case ought to be
made. 1t was decided not to regard the de-
mandS of the Minnehaha Granite Company
unless 1t places the street in good repair.
1t is in about as bad a condition as South
Delaware street. The contractors do not
agree with the city engineer as to what re-
pairs are necessary, and an agreement can
not be reached. This firm also has the Col
lege avenue contract and has not made
satisfactory arrangements to repair that
street before the guaranty expires.
Charles Mcguire, president or the Board
for his department. Until the Council APP
propriates the money for the new station
house and substations nothing toward
e%quipping the police department can be
done, and it was not necessary at present
to make definite plans for the substations,
although the subject has been discussed.
He urged the necessity for a hospital for
sick horses, saying that two horses had
been lost by sickness recently. This would
be cheaper than sending them to the hos
pital of a veterinary surgeon and would
prevent the spread of diseases. He sug-
gested that a suitable stable. with four or
five stalls, could be built back of the Pros
pect-street house at little cost, where sick
animals could be cared for by the iremen.
He had been urged to keep the department
horses insured, but found this would cost
$500 or 500 a year, while the department
had lost but three horses from sickness or
accident in three years.
City Attorney Curtis reported that the
work of the law department was unusually
heavy and the respite he had hoped for
after the adjournment of the Legislature
was still delayed. Recently there has been
much demand from the Park Board, beside
which many important ordinances. includ-
ing those for annexation of the suburbs.
the contracts with the garbage company.
etc, as well as the usual routine Inquiries
from the different departments, have re-
ceiVed attention. Since the first of the
year seventeen cases have been settled to
the entire satisfaction of the city. besides
which arguments have been made in six
more that are still held under advisement
by the courts.~In only one case had a de-
cision adverse to the city been rendered
| That was tha 2-paOt-fnr q .caCa