The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-05
INDIANAPOLIS, g.

contractors simply presented their claim
against the city and he had advised them
to lay it before the Board of Public Works,
as that was the proper body to discuss and
determine it.
''Was there any talk Of a suit to compel
the city to accept the sewerT'
mot particle"
Mr.. Hollis name was not mentioned, it
is asserted.
Mr. Fulmer and Mr. Jeup suddenly dis
appeared while reporters were talking to
the mayor and the attorneys of the con-
tractor. Mr.. Robinson went home alone.
JUDGE M'BRIDE'S GUARDED TALK.
Judge Mcbride said no agreement had
been reached as to the acceptance of the
work and the allowance Of the claim He
was informed what Mayor Taggart said
about presenting the subjects to the Board
of Public Works. Mr. Mcbride said that the
mayor had so advised.
''Will you go before the board?"
After a moments hesitation he said that
that course would probably be pursued,
perhaps at to-morrows meeting
what is the amount of your cle mr.
"Our clients have something like $3.50, 900
tied up in the work. The work has been
completed for three months, and our ell
ents are paying interest at the rate of about
$1,000 a month on account of the delay. All
we ask is that they trke some action
either accept the work or reject it. Then
we would be in a position to proceed in
the course that the circumstances de-
manded"
what is the claim for cxtras?"
"Some 1900"
''What is it for?"
"There is one item of 81 900 for pipe that
the contractors were required to place be-
meath the main sewer This was not in
cluded in the specifications, but there was
note saying that it might be required by
the city engineer. Our position is that the
inference would be that If it were required
the contractors would be entitled to rea-
scnable compensation for it,"
What is the other $6.009 Of the thirteen
thousand-dollar claim for?'
"Oh, various things that the engineer re-
quired. Our clients kept an itemized state
ment."
rs part of this $4,000 claim for money
advanced"
"Oh, no." said he, smiling. There was
nothing sensational in what was done to-
night at ALL We are simply asking what
is right and just for our clients"
You are keeping in mind the statute on
compounding felony?'
There is no felony involved. If / go to
you," explained he, and say to you that
/ need your influence and am willing to pay
you 5000 for your persuasive powers, that
is not felony. If, on the other hand, go
to you and offer you $4,000, telling you to
divide it with city official you take the
money with that understanding and use it
as directed, then you, the city official and
/ would all three be guilty of felony and
could be sent to the peaitentiary."
Judge Mcbride said that he and Mr..
Denny were at the conference with their
clients on the invitation of a man who took
10 part in the conference. He did not care
10 say whom.
How about the claim that the work has
not been completed-that there is plastering
that has not been done?'
The plastering that has not been done
cannot be done. 1t is physical impossible
ity on account of the water. man cannot
be compelled to do things that are impos-
sibl>
Was there any talk of a suit to-nightY'
NO there was not 1t was simply a
meeting 10 present OF sairn. 1 would have
advised our clients against reaching any
agreement last night A settlement must
be made at the regular meeting of the
board, not a, midnight meetings at the
Grand Hotel"
The attorney insisted that the conference
had not ended with the understanding that
Mr. Jeup would recommend the board to
accept the work tomorrow morning. He de-
clined to say anything about the bringing
of a suit.
do you know anything of affidavits
about money having been advanced?"
Il know nothing about that"
MIR. DOWNING PLEADS IGNORANCE.
NJ. A. Downing, president of the Board of
Public Works, said last night that he had
never conferred with the contractors about
the acceptance Of the work and that most
of his information was second-handed, as
he got it from the city engineer. AS he
understood it the engineer was ready to ac-
cept the work as soon as it was completed
What remains to be done?'
There is some plastering.
"How much does that amount TOT"
II really do not know. The engineer told
me that the city would be safe if $4,000 were
deducted"
Mr.. Jeup said that $1,000 would cover the
work to a Journal reporter Mr. Downing
said that he had not been at the afternoon
meeting. All he knew about it was that he
had seen the engineer during the afternoon
and the latter informed him that there was
to be a conference at o'clock. Mr.. Down
ing said that the questions involved were of
a legal Mature and that the board would
have no part in the acceptance of the work
until after it had been recommended by the
engineer He did not see what reason there
bo rlr fr ba Cd 10 MI
as it had been hanging fire for long time.
Mr.. Downing was evidently expecting some
thing to explode.
If the Board of Public Works accepts the
work and orders the allowance of the claim
of $4,000 that amount will have to be added
to the assessment rolls and will be paid by
the property owners who have already been
assessed for the work