The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-21
FUNDS ARE EXHAUSTED
BOARD OF SAFETY FINDS ITSELF IN
A SERIOUS CONDITION.
The Apparatus Fund Has Far More
Claims Against 1t than 1t
Can Meet.

At the meeting of the Board of Safety
yesterday morning it developed that there
is a serious condition in the financial af-
fairs of that department of the city govern
ment. There are not sufficient appropria-
tons to maintain the efficiency of the fire
and police forces. Unless the two depart
ments are to be allowed TO deteriorate in
the character of service given it will be
necessary to ask for new appropriations.
The immediate question to be solved by
the Board of Safety is how to provide funds
for the purchase of new apparatus. To
this fund but $1,000 was appropriated last
fall At that time Controller Johnson and
Mayor Taggart realized that the most strict
economy must prevail in city expenditures
unless the tax levy were increased. Other
wise the city would expend more than its
current receipts Appropriations were cut to
the bone. There is now a balance of but
$500 in the purchase of new apparatus fund
of the fire department There is outstand-
ing claim of $500 against this fund for new
nozzles. When the new fire truck is deliv-
cred next month a balance of $500 will have
to be paid from the same fund.- This means
that the fund has been overtaxed $500. All
the other funds available to the Depart
there is no means by which transfers Of
funds be made without creating the
necessity for additions to the various funds
in the future by new appropriations. The
Board of Safety will meet again in few
days to decide what course to pursue. 1t is
quite likely that the Council will be asked
to make new appropriations.
The board yesterday dropped two colored
firemen, Charles Floyd and Samuel Dor
sey, who have been stationed at the col
ored fire house, on old Seventh and Ash
streets. They were dropped for the alleged
'betterment of the service" on the recon-
mendation Of Chief Barrett.
Louis Rafert, a fireman who was injured
at the Bowen-Merrill fire, was retired to
the pension fund Rafert was retired once
before for disability. A few weeks ago, aft
er an examination, he was ordered back to
work. 1t has since been demonstrated that
his physical condition is not such as to
warrant his retention IN the service, accord
ing to Chief Barrett.
Joseph Richardson, formerly patrolman,
has lately been acting as a special police
man at the Phoenix Garden and at Mozart
Hall. Yesterday his powers were revoked
by the board on the recommendation of
Superintendent Quigley, who informed the
board in a written communication that
Richardson drinks too much and abuses his
family.
Horace Cramer, the patrolman detailed
for service to the Board of Health, is again
in difficulties. Prior to the Democratic con-
vention he was found guilty of dereliction
of duty. He was doing too much political
work and was fined ten days pay. Yes
terday claim for $3.50 on a Judgment
against him was presented to the Board Of
Safety. The judgment was taken in Justice
Searss court. The board directed that the
claim be investigated. III it is found that
it accrued while Cramer was an employee
of the board he must pay it before the next
board meeting. If this order is not COM
piled with, the board will take summary
ana fremen to pay their bills at peril of
dismissal. fH1 ttsEa
Chief Barrett was instructed to investi-
gate a gas bill of $3.50 presented by the In
dianapolis Gas Company for the current
quarter. During that time the fire depart
ment had to burn considerable coal because
the gas pressure was too low to furnish
sumed is to be deducted
The following .subfiremen were promoted
to service on the regular force: Conrad
Berger, Michael Murphy, Benjamin Foxlow
Flemming Davis, Peter "A. Lee, John Noun
tain and Harry Ballinger. The latter is to
begin work when his services are needed.
The others are to do service on the new
hook and ladder wagon, to which John M.
Miller has been promoted as captain from
hose company No. 4.