The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-25
SECRET CONFERENCE HELD
BY MAYOR AND BOARD OF SAFETY
TO THE SITUATION.
A Thorough Investigation to Be Made
Before n New Water Contract
Is Drawn.

the nay late Friday afternoon each wore
a serious expression, and it has leaked out
that there was just cause for them to look
worried after the secret conference, which
was no doubt the first of a series TO be
held by these gentlemen. with probably
the members of the Board of Works to be
included later. One Of the gentlemen who
was at the conference said yesterday that
there were facts laid before those present
concerning the water company's mains
that made the situation really a grave
one. The gentleman who talked with a
Journal reporter was reluctant to give all
that came out before the meeting, for, he
said, the condition was SO alarming that
there was no need Of exciting the general
public at this time.
The question Of lire Chief Barrett's
recommendations for the betterment of the
water supply brought out the startling in
formation that the Indianapolis Water
Company's mains are in a deplorable con-
dition and the necessity of making changes
and improvements is imperative. 1t was
brought out that when recently a sixteen
inch main was tapped in the heart Of the
city 1t was found that the pipe was as thin
as paper and really dangerous. This main
had been under ground for a number OF
years, and the officials of the water COM
pany claim that electrolysis is the cause
of the iron pipes being gradually eaten
away. The pipes are held in castings, as 1t
were, by the solid earth surrounding them,
but it is only a question Of time, and
maybe a very short time, until one of these
mains Will burst at a critical time unless
speedy changes are made.
A GRAVE SITUATION.
1.-The average citizen does not realize
the gravity of the situation" said the man
who was at the conference, land maybe
1t is for the best that the people do not
know, for 1T would cause no end Of worry.
Since / have been a city official / have
learned things about the condition of the
city that are really startling. When the
downtown streets were improved there
should have been some way of compelling
the water company and the gas companies
to lay new mains, for many of the mains
now under ground have been there for
years and are absolutely rotten and dan
gerous. In many Of the streets in the bust
ness districts where sixteen-inch water
mains should AVE been laid there are
merely six-inch mains that would not pro-
vide sufficient water in case of a big fire.
Suppose, for instance, a big fire like the
recent confiagrktion on South Meridian
street were to break out on a street where
one OF the rotten mains is laid and under
high pressure the main should burst. Can
you realize what would be the result? II
might mean hundreds Of thousands of dol
lars lost to the business people. Then in
case there should be another big fire at the
same time in another part of the city how
could II be fought? These questions cannot
be answered to the satisfaction of the peo-
pie under the present condition Of affairs.
Many nights l have gone home hoping ]
would not hear a fire alarm, fearing a dis
astrous confagration might be the result,
and the thought of the rotten
like a nightmare. Something must be
done and it must be accomplished quickly.
1t is true We discussed this matter briefly
at the secret conference. but the discussion
was only a preliminary one. We realize
that 1t has been great good luck that In
dianapolis has not suffered more destruc-
tive fires in the past and that the water
mains have not burst at critical times.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.
Just suppose that with the inadequate
fire department we nave and the condition
Of the water mains a big fire should break
out n a water main should burst. The
entire busines part of the city might be in
ruins in a few hours. The department is
too small TO battle with two big fires at
once. At the recent South M~eridian-street
fire the entire force was brought into use,
and that a disastrous thing 1t would have
been had another fire broken out in an
other part of the city.
Il might also say We discussed the neces-
sity of increasing the fire department OF
the city. Indianapolis has grown rapidly
in the past few years, but the fire and po-
lice departments have not been increased
TO keep pace with the other improvements
The question of politics enters into the
nnrA NJ ~0Aa-t% ~ 81
fire fighting force of the city has been ap-
parent for years, but the city administra.
tons would not take up the matter in the
proper spirit for fear of antagonizing the
taxpayers and meeting with defeat at the
next election. This, in my opinion, is q
very wrong idea, and IL is really worth
$4,000 a year to be mayor OF this city be-
cause of the responsibility of the position
IL the city were to be partially destroyed
by a big fire the mayor would be held re-
sponsible for not recommending and insist
ing on Improvements in the fire depart
ment. Were the entire city administration
including the Council, to be of the same
party and with the courage to take up the
matter and spend even $500,e00 on the bet
torment of the department, they would
each be known in future years as a patrio
who had served his fellow-citizens in Z
noble manner.
AN IMPORTANT NATTER.
1.-The fire question has come to such
DOAilI lhoI OAA 0AN ~
| will have to spend a great deal of money t
make the necessary changes and improve
| ments. The new contract with the Indian
apolis Water Company is a very importan
thing, and II Is really advantageous to tn
people that a contract was not made a
the expiration of the old one before tn
eyes of the officials who had a chance I
act were opened to the gravity of the stu
| alton. 1t is not at all unlikely hat afte
a thorough investigation the water com
pany will be called upon 10 lay new main
and the City Counci may be asked to pas
an ordinance providing for the changes Il
| the present system.
THE water and gas companies claim tn
street-car company, telephone and tele
graph companies should be held RESPONSE
BILE because the pipes and mains are in
/ weakened condition. saying the condition 1
/ due to electrolysis, but whatever the caus
and whoever is responsible there will b
changes demande in the new contract.
1.-THE recommendation OF Chief Barrel
| for the laying of an independent fire mai
in the mile square will do away with par
of the danger. but there are other i'm
prcvements needed from the water compa
ny and also the gas companies in regard {
new mains. l might say this question, to
gether with the betterment OF the fire de
partment. were the main topics of discus
sion at the conference in the mayors Office
and we realize the necessity of early &C
4 ffOn. Other meetings Eyili he held soon 4