The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-24
DEFEATED BY ONE VOTE
COUNCIL KILLS THE SO-CALLED UN-
DERTAKERS' ORDINANCE.
The North Meridian-Street Residents
VIII Now Seek Relief by In
junction Proceedings.

At "a special meeting of the Council last
night the ordinance prohibiting the estaD-
lishment and maintenance of undertaking
establishments and morgues in residence
portions of the city was defeated by vote
of 10 to 9, Messrs Bowser, Golfer, Grail,
knight, McGrew, Rauch, Scanlon, Shaffer,
Smith and Won Spreckelsen voting against
it and Messrs. Bernauer Clark, Costello,
Higgins Little, Madden, Merrick, Moffett
and President Mahoney supporting it. 1t
was evident before the Council met that
the ordinance would be defeated, several
councilmen expressing the idea that 1t
would be establishing q precedent that
might lead to similar legislation against
other business. One councilmanS declara-
ton that three saloons had been opened
near his house against his wish, and that
he had no remedy by the passage Of an or
dinance, was regarded by two or three per-
sons as being good reason.
Residents of North Meridian street will
not cease efforts TO prevent c. I. Whitsett
from conducting an undertaking establish
ment on that street between Michigan and
North streets, but will bring an injunction
suit to prevent it's establishment on the
grounds of its being nuisance. Mr.. Whit
sett was out of the city when the commit
tee met Wednesday night to consider the
ordinance, and was not heard at that time.
Last night he was present with drawings
of his proposed building and OF similar
buildings in other cities. A communication
giving his views was read Arthur ".
Brown, v. T. Malott VIM. H. Brown, G.
NJ Ballard and others who were interested
in the ordinance were present DR.. Moffett,
chairman of the committee that had the or
dinance in charge, handed up written
opinion from City Attorney Kern, who said
that the Council undoubtedly had the right
to pass such an ordinance Chicago and
other cities have such regulations, he said.
Opposition to 1t was too strong, however,
and the arguments advanced by those who
do not want TO live next door to a morgue
were unavailing.
Commodore" Higgins's ordinance for the
abatement of the stables of the garbage
company passed with but four adverse
votes, after it had been amended. as indi-
Gated yesterday. AS amended the ordinance
prohibits any garbage company from per-
hitting more than three garbage wagons,
empty or loaded. from standing together in
any ward of the city. Mr.. Higgins wanted
the wagons banished from the city entirely,
but Dr. Moffett suggested that each ward
ought to take charge of its own garbage
wagons. AS amended the company has the
right to keep a garbage stable located i'll
each ward. An amendment proposed by
Mr.. Golfer, prohibiting loaded wagons from
standing in the city, was tabled. S. 4.
RaVh, of the garbage company, said last
night that he did not know what steps
would be taken. There is nothing in the
contract for removing garbage that pre-
vents the location of a stable in the city.
Repeatedly the Board of Health has said
that the stable Is not nuisance and that
extreme care is taken by the company to
keep ii in sanitary condition. The COM
pany is given until March l, 1898, TO comply
with the ordinance
An effort was made to call up the ordi-
nance providing for the appointment Of q
plumbing Inspector, but as DR.. Moffett,
chairman of the committee, had left the
original ordinance at home, nothing could
be done with it.
Mr. Golfer introduced resolution provid-
| ing that the sessions of the Council shall
be held in the Police Court room in the new
station house after it is completed, in order
to be convenient to the city clerks office. 1t
was adopted. The Board of Works was
anxious for this change, in order 10 estab-
lish the park bureau in the present Coun-
ell chamber. This will the city $40 a
month now paid out for rent In the Indiana
Trust building. Portable desks will be
procured to use in Police Court nights when
the Council meets.