The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-02
TALKING ABOUT PARKS
PREPARING TO HAVE THE WORKS
hoard TAKE UP THE MATTER.
Further Bond Issue Discussed-City
Authorities Talk of This Years
Street Improvements.

Members of the Council are as mysterious
and noncommittal with regard to what po-
sition they will assume when it comes to
making another park appropriation and
authorizing the issue of bonds to the ex-
tent Of 100000 as "Sir Oracle" Don't AK
me- is the universal reply to questions as
to their position on this subject. While
they are not talking now for publication
they have been talking a good deal among
themselves Their attitude seems to be
negative on the proposition. The city has
left to 1t debt-creating power of but
$S2400O, in round figures, according to the
annual statement of Controller Johnson,
and the members of the Democratic ma
jority are looking askant at the proposition
to increase the city's debt not so much be-
cause they hate debt making, but more
particularly because the city's limit under
the Constitution would be so nearly ex-
hausted. If bonds to the extent of $200O
more are issued the city would be in such
predicament that only $14,000 could be
raised to meet calamitous circumstances,
such as an earthquake or cyclone, an out
break of smallpox or anything of that sort.
In discussing this question, always in a
vague sort of way, some of the council
men have said that no one can tell at what
moment the city might be called on to bor-
row large sum of money to meet some
dire calamity. 1t is admitted that there is
no reason TO apprehend any such thing, but
the claim is made that something might
happen" Taking the ordinary annual
growth of the city at $2.500,O00 or $3000,0OO
in taxable property, year hence the debt
making power would be but $4,000 or $50, 900
greater than it is now. Democrats in the
Council, some of them, say that they do
not want to have the credit of plunging the
city in debt any more up to its eyes than
the last Council did.
On the other hand some city officials are
urging that the plans outlined at the recent
public conference be carried out. that steps
be taken at once to purchase the land that
is contemplated. that an ordinance be intro
duced authorizing the borrowing of money
to mako improvements, and that the work
of building driveways and bicycle paths
proceed as rapidly as possible. There are
some members of the Council who were dis
appointed at the small numbers that at
tended the public conference There were
less than a score of citizens there, although
the Commercial Club and Board of Trade
had been asked to turn out in numbers.
The presidents and members of the park
committees of both bodies, however, were
present. While little was said about it at
the time the city officials were disappointed
because more citizens did not appear. Coun-
cilmen say that the expressions heard that
night may have voiced the sentiment of the
two commercial organizations the sub
ject of another park loan, but that they
have doubts whether it voiced the senti-
ment of the city at large.
City Attorney Kern has, by written
opinion, placed additional responsibility on
49, all.
yesterday sent the Board of Works a writ
ten opinion in which he held that to avoid
any legal questions and to be on the safe
side it would probably be safer to have the
park fund, amounting to something over
$S60OOO reappropriated to the use of the
Board of Public Works. Heretofore he ex-
pressed the opinion orally that the money
need not revert to the general fund, as ii
had been appropriated for the specific pur-
pose of buying 100000 worth of land and
employing labor to the extent of $50 co.,
Since the charter became operative it has
been held that all funds reverted to the
treasury. that remained unexpended at the
end of the year. Now that he has decided
be used by the Board of Public Works the
Council will be in position to dictate terms
to the administration before authorizing the
purchase of parks. The temper displayed
at the public meeting by the majority
especially the members from the South
Side, indicates quite clearly that the diff
ferent councilInen will insist on getting a
slice of the money for their respective con-
stituencies, in other words, on having parks
in their respective sections of the city. Some
of them will be amenable to suggestions
but the most of them cannot be curbed and
will insist on what they term the rights"
of their wards.
City Attorney Kern is preparing ordi-
nance for introduction in Council reappro-
pI1ating the money to the use of the Board
of Public Works When this is introduced
the board will be about ready for con-
ference with the Council, as by that time
the surveys will be completed and every
thing ready to lay the entire matter be-
fore the Council. Some interesting develop
mentS are expected.
There is already talk of politics in the
park work. A year ago Mayor Taggart ex-
pressed himself in favor of having the work
of making excavations, building driveways,
etc, done by the city directly instead of by
private contract. This would mean the en-
ployment of large army Of men. There
is to be campaign in this county and
State next fall, and with $26c, 900 to expend
in public improvements-$60OO 900 already
available for labor and 100000 more to
be borrowed-the Democratic machine
would have at it's disposal a campaign fund
that would cause the "Pogue'S run cam
paign fund of the municipal campaign of
last fall to pale into insigniticance.