The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-04
ENORMOUS WATER BILLS.
Custodian Vest Wants a Plant for tn c
State Capitol.

"The Capitol building of Indiana" said
j. w. Vest, the custodian, yesterday, has
cost the State a very moderate sum for
maintenance compared to what other States
expend for the same purpose; but during
the short time / have been in Office / have
become convinced that a great saving can
be effected in several ways, and in man
ner, too, that will give those who use the
building better service.
The saving proposed to be effected by the
custodian is in the lighting and water ac-
counts. He believes that the State can put
in an electric plant of its own and also sup
ply the building with water independent of
the water company, at a cost that will re-
suit in materially reducing the expenses of
the building. He has most thoroughly con-
sidered the probable cost of lighting plant,
but in regard to the water problem he is
prepared to show that for an initial ex-
penditure of $1,000 reduction of $1,700 or
$500 can be made in the annual water
charge. The State paid $500 a year to the
water company for the first six years after
the completion of the building, and since
then the cost has been $4,000 a year.
by making the necessary additions to the
machinery said he, 1.-The water which is
used for the running of the elevators can
ing used once and then turned into the sew
er. The elevators can be run at better
speed and without regard TO the NUMBER OF
trips. Now we do not run them unless 1t
seems necessary. | am informed that with
the proposed changes the water cost or run
ming the elevators would not exceed 80
year, whereas now, it amounts to about $lOO
a month. You have no idea OF how mucn
water these elevators now require. During
the month of December, according to the
water company'S bill, the freight elevator
consumed 255, GOO gallons and the passenger
elevator 100000 gallons. By charging the
well beneath the building / think that SufH-
cient water could also be obtained to supply
the tanks that furnish the water throushout
the building"
vexatiouS, not only to the custodian, but
also to the state officials The deficiency IN
the lighting account has been CHROME INC 4 t0a
purpose is 81, 500, but it is always found nee
essary to supplement this sum by dehciency
appropriations that average about $1,000
There is a deficiency in the present ac-
count, left as an heirloom from the former
custodian. and Mr.. Vest has lately, peen
He has taken out one hundred incandescent
lights in the last month and placed drop
lights in the offices. The officials complain
of poor lighting in consequence The corri-
doris of the building are also kept IN almost
total darkness at night.
THE next legislature" says Mr.. vest,
Twill be called upon to make some eXpendl-
lures for reVarniShing and oll1ng the Woou-
work and for repairing the masonry. a
building like this should be kept in credi-
table shape. There has been practically
nothing expended in repairs since it was
constructed, and it is beginning to show the
neglect. I have reprinted some of the ma
sorry where 1 found it leaking, but this
work should be done by a skilled mechanic
in that line. The walks about the building,
which were designed, not for the use of pc
destrians, but as a protection to the foun-
dations, are in bad condition and must be
relaid. Other improvements are also neceS-
sary. The carpeting in the House chamber
and the Governors rooms has become dis
graceful, and, altogether, think that quite
an appropriation will be required to place
the structure in first-class shape again."