The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-13
In Addition to the $4,000 Asked For
Provision VIII he Made for West
indianapolis.
TEMPORARY LOAN OF $4,000
FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL FAVOR
THE APPROPRIATION.
These Important Decisions Made in
the Absence OF the Chairman
Municipal Affairs.

Vice Chairman Wheeler, OF the finance
committee of the City Council, presided at
a meeting of the committee last night in
the city clerks Office in the absence OF
Chairman Megrew James w. McGrew
was the only other member of the commit
tee absent. Members of the special COM
mittee who investigated the needs of the
fire department were present and presented
their views to the finance committee on the
ordinance providing for bond issue of
$4,000 to improve the fire department and
the CITY Hospital. After considerable dis
custom the committee decided to refer the
bond ordinance back to City Controller
Johnson with a recommendation that he
Increase the amount to provide for a chem
ical company in West Indianapolis. The
committee also considered the temporary
loan ordinance introduced at the last meet
ing of the Council providing for a loan
OF s147. 600, and decided to make favorable
report on it to the Council next Monday
night.
As soon as the meeting Of the committee
was called to order by Mr.. Wheeler a dis
cussion arose over the ordinance for the
improvement of the fire department. The
ordinance provides that the bonds shall not
be sold until March i. 1901. but the mem
bers of the committee said that the leading
contractors in the city would bid on the
three new engine houses provided for in
the ordinance and also for the improve
ment of other houses as soon as the
ordinance was passed. using their own
money TO complete the work until the
bonds were sold on March l. 1t was said,
however. that the smaller contractors may
be prevented from bidding on the work in
view Of the fact that IL the work began
at once they would not have the capital to
buy material and pay their labor until
they were reimbursed by the city after
the sale of the bonds
FOR WEST INDIANAPOLIS.
The members Of the committee all said
the Improvement Of the fire department
and City Hospital, but Chairmen Dick
son and Wheeler insisted that a provision
be made for more fire fighting facilities in
West Indianapolis before final action was
taken on the ordinance. Mr.. Dickson was
in favor of an engine company for that
suburb, but 1t was finally agreed that the
ordinance should be sent back to the city
controller with a recommendation for
chemical company for West indianapolis.
Mr.. Wheeler said West indianapolis pos
sessed a good chemical engine and team
or horses until the suburb was annexed
TO the city. He said he would hold out for
improvements in the West Indianapolis
company. Members of the committee called
Fire Chief Barrett by telephone and he
said a chemical engine and equipment
could be placed in West Indianapolis at
cost OF about $500, and this extra
amount will have to be provided for in
The committee considered the cost of
the new fire alarm system. There was
some question as TO whether ii would cost
$50 900 or $65, 600, and ii was agreed that the
figures OF the superintendent of the fire
telegraph system, placing the cost at 500
000 should be accepted.
After dispOsing of the ordinance for the
Improvement of the fire department and
the City Hospital, the ordinance providing
for temporary loan of $4,000 TO meet the
city's expenses for unpaid November bills
and for December, representing the def
cit caused by the 59-cent tax levy. was
taken up. Councilman Daller remarked
that temporary loans had become regular
thing and would probably continue as long
as the present councilmen were members of
the finance committee. He said the COM
mittee had also reached point where it
accepted City Controller Johnson's figures
on the amounts necessary 10 pay deficits
without questioning them.
METER MEASUREMENT.
On investigating the itemized statement
it was found that there was an item call
ing for $50 for natural gas by meter for the
police station. Councilman Evans sug-
gested that the city administration was evil
IDENTIFY endeavoring to establish a precedent
in using natural gas meters in order to
force such a measure through the Council.
The committee decided to report favorably
on the temporary loan. The amount OF
the deficit estimated is S147, 67249 but
the ordinance only provides for loan of
$141,000 payable May /, 1901.
During the meeting a question arose as
to the right Of the Board of Works to
add $500 to the appropriation for 1900 for
vapOr lights. Councilman Daller said he
had spoken TO members of the board about
the matter and they had replied that they
should have consulted the Council about
committee said they were in favor of
eliminating all the vapor lights and in
staling electric lights with a provision
that they burn every night in the year
instead Of on dark nights" This express
sion. however, had nothing to do with the
matter before the committee.
The water contract was discussed by the
acted. Councilman Daller told of the trip
10 the water works plant several weeks
ago, when the company desired to get a
switch ordinance through the Council. He
said Vice President Davis remarked that
the Council should give the water COM
pany anything IL desired as the company
was a part of the city government Coun-
Davis was about right as 1.-The water COM
pany has the city where 1t wants IL and
the only way 10 settle the question is for
the city to purchase the water plant"