The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-23
DEAL ABRUPTLY ENDED
MIR. PAYsON, HEAVIEST STOCKHOLM
Err IN WATER PLANT, DROPS DEAD.
Hord Scheme Thereby indefinitely
POstpOned-The Citizens Were
Becoming Aroused.

The new scheme of the city officials and
Attorney William B. Hord, of New York,
to sell the water works to the taxpayers
of Indianapolis lapsed into a state of coma
yesterday, shortly after a telegram was re-
ceived by Mr.. Hord announcing snat G.. Fl.
Payson, one of the heaviest stockholders in
the Indianapolis Water Company. fell dead
in Boston Wednesday night. The death. of
course, threw all calculations as to the trans
fer of the water plant at this time TO the
winds. There is no knowing what Mr. Pay
sons heirs may want to do in the matter.
Mr. Kimball, another Eastern capitalist,
who, it was said by, Mr.. Hord, was au-
thorized, with Mr.. Pa$son, to negotiate with
the city officials for the transfer Of the
water company, sent the telegram informing
Mr. Hord of Mr.. Paybon's death. Mr.. Pay
sons home was at Portland, Me
1t was sentiment like stone wall that
the new scheme ran up against yesterday.
The same citizens who had so much TO do
with the crushing OF the original water
works purchase" scheme stood solidly
against railroading fhe sale through the
Council before Jan. I. Mr.. Hord had said
at the conference of the city officials that
1t was necessary the ordinance for the pur-
chase of the water works be passed before
Jan. /. This was necessary he said. be-
cause the authority cf Messrs Payson and
Kimball TO make the contract did not ex-
tend beyond that time. The plan was to
pass the ordinance. appoint commission OF
nonresidents-two to be named by the city
officials, two by the water company and one
by the other four-ho2d a general election to
decide whether the people were satisfied with
the price settled on by the commission. and
Immediately make cash payment of $780,
eco. The rest of the price was TO be paid in
twenty-five yearly instalments. The ex-
pense of the commission must not be more
than $10000 and half of the expense must be
borne by the city and half by the water
company.
Citizens were up in arms against the
scheme which. apparently. would rush
through, almost in a few days, a purchase
which would probably amount to 50. 100000 or
more, and would leave on the cty's hands
a water plant of doubtful condition, as
shown by the report made by Expert Hill.
employed by the city administration at a
cost of $500 1t was asserted that before
long the direct-pressure system must give
way TO a reservoir system and when the
change becomes necessary it will Involve a
great expense. The general opinion was that
this new scheme so Unexpectedly sprung
no outsider knew anything about it until
the meeting was held day before yesterday
and the city officials decided to adopt it
was last and desperate attempt of the
water company to get rid of the plant by
laying it into the hands of the property own
ers much as stage baby Is placed into the
hands of the astonished bachelor, who stands
helpless with arms outstretched, ignorant of
the nature of that which is foisted upon him.
The Commercial Club directors met yeSter-
day and referred the new plan of the city
officials and Mr.. Hord to the original COM
mittee, of which John Fl. Holiday is chair
man, for consideration.
In view of all this, City Attorney Kern,
when asked yesterday afternoon when he
would have completed the proposed ordi-
nance, answered obviously that the ordinance
meant a great deal of work. He did not
know then that Mr.. Payson was dead. He
was asked If 1t We're possible that the ordi-
nance would be ready for the Council at a
special meeting proposed to be held Mon
day night. He doubted it. he said. and he
was not able to assure the questioner that
the Council would have time to pass the
ordinance before Jan. /. But the sudden
death of Mr.. Payson clears the whole matter
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