The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-01
THE BOARDS In SESSION
CONSIDERING THE ESTIMATES FOR
NEW IMPROVEMENTS.
The Mayors Cabinet Also Wrestles
with the PropOsition-Other
Municipal Affairs.

Chairman Roth ana commissioner HYDE,
of the Board of Safety, met in the office of
the board yesterday afternoon, and for sew
eral hours tried TO look wise while they
pondered over a large list Of improvements
deemed necessary in the fire department.
When Commissioner Hyde was asked what
he thought would be necessary to make the
improvements he said he could not make
even a rough guess. He declined to state
whether it would be nearer $500, 900 than
500, 900. All afternoon these two men went
over the list of improvements that have
been recommended in the fire department,
and as evening drew near they claimed they
did not know where they stood in the mat
ter. After having conferred with Mayor
Taggart. Chief Barrett and other city OIL
Gals they thought it necessary to cut down
the original list of improvements as dis
cussed at the meeting of councilmen and
city officials held at the Grand Hotel last
week.
The list was carefully gone over, and
when the apparatus and equipment neces-
sary for the proposed Improvement were
listed it was found they would cost s9s,654.79.
The members of the board then figured on
the additional salaries of the increased fire
force, and found that the pay roll of the
city would be increased 500. IS. This will
mean an additional expense to the city for
the first year of sl2S, O2S.54. This includes a
new fire house. with equipment. at Wood
side, which was found TO be necessary after
the discussion at the Grand Hotel the other
evening. The figures are just a triie higher
than the members of the board hoped to
make them when the time came for asking
for the improvements. They may be gone
over again and a few Of the items cut from
the list.
The Board of Health met yesterday morn
ing and took up the improvements at the
City Hospital. The aproximated cost and
the ideas submitted by Architect Moore
were gone over. The furnishing of the pro-
posed new wing was estimated to cost So
4S7, but after emitting a few items from the
list it was found it would cost s6.566.5o. max
ing the. entire cost of improvements at the
City Hospital $32, 422.50.
The members Of the various. boards met
with Mayor Taggart yesterday morning at
his regular Cabinet meeting, and the pro.
posed improvements of the fire department
and City Hospital were discussed. Mayor
Taggart asked the members OF the various
boards to make a list OF the Improvements
dDSOlutcly utCccSdfy did cChu thO W
him. These lists and amount will be con-
s:dered by him before being sent to City
Controller Johnson, who Will prepare a
recommendation to go before the Council
rext Monday night. asking that an ordi-
nance be passed which will provide for the
issuance of bonds necessary TO make the
improvements. While the total amount or
improvements as now figured in the fire
department and at the City Hospital Is over
$50, 900, II is thought that the bond issue
will not exceed S150,0OO.
City Controller Johnson was asked yes
terday afternoon what would be his recon-
mendation as to the amount necessary for
improvements. He said the stfmates as
prepared by the various boards would de-
ermin this question. but he thought the
amount would not be above Sl5O,OoO. He SAID
he had a new plan Of paying OF such an IN
6ebtedness, which, he believed, is not only
practical. owing TO. the lack of a sinking
fund, but will also be expedient. His idea
is to borrow, say at least $4,000: and pay
the bonds on the installment plan. as IT
were. The next assessment will be made
In 1903. and then a 1-cent levy can be made
each year to pay off one-tenth, or $1,000
worth of the bonds. and in this manner 1t
would take just ten years to pay on the
Indebtedness. Mr.. Johnson cl1ims IL some
such plan is not adopted the ten years Will
roll by and the city will still have the bonds
on hand unpaid.