The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-14

THE III LIEBER COMPANY.
"a West Washington Street.
LOBBYING In CITY HALL
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HAVE THEIR
ATTENTION OCCUPIED.
The Water Contract and n Inter
urban Franchise the Impor-
tant Questions.

There is more lobbying among the MEM
bers Of the City Council at this time than
there has ever been since the present coun-
Gil was installed, more than a year ago.
Two momentous questions are now before
that body-the ratification of the contract
with the Indianapolis Water Company and
the franchise to be awarded interurban
companies-and these two ordinances are
the cause OF all the quiet lobbying that Is
being carried on by various members Of
the council. The most noticeable feature
about the quiet work being carried on is
the absence Of partisan sympathies. Re-
publicans and Democrats are working in
groups for and against the two ordinances.
xxx
AS has been published. IL is more than
likely that both the water contract and the
interurban franchise will be amended be-
fore they pass the Council. The contracts
and franchise committee amended the in
terurban franchise and sent it back to the
Board Of Works to be changed before it
was sent to the Council. Chairman Sahm,
Of the board. held out for certain conditions
in the franchise, as did one or two Re-
publican members OF the committee, but
the majority being in favor of the amend
ments as recommended by the committee,
1t was agreed at a joint conference a few
1@J1 - 80 80
Council as amended, providing for scent
fares. no transfers, and a tax of 2 cents
on each car for the first ten years, and 3
on each car the remainder OF the term. One
OF the prominent Republican members OF
the committee was opposed TO such amend
before the joint conference. he says he will
fight the franchise when IL is brought be-
fore the Council for ratification; It was
mitted 10 the Council last Monday, night,
but one OF the sections pertaining to the
rasi'r c6a ou IIei sn the mas board oSr pi and t the eity
attorney. In the last week ii is almost
an open secret that the Republican member
of the committee who Is opposed to the
franchise as 1t will be sent 70 the Council
has been lobbying against 1T, and he will,
he claims, have enough Republicans, with
the aid of a few Democrats, to make some
radical changes in IL.
Judging from the expressions of those
VINO are opposed to the ran nc tne I'm most st
q reduction in the fare, SO that Indianap-
oils people using the interurban cars may
pay Indianapolis Street-railway tickets for
their fares Instead OF a straight scent fare.
The transfer question Will also be bitterly
contested, and before the franchise Is rati-
fed there seems to be no doubt but that II
will provide for transfers from the incom-
Ing interurban cars to the Indianapolis
company claims this would be a violation
of the agreement, but the councilmen who
are working for such a section will hold out
also probably be assailed, but not so per-
sistently as the fare and transfer clauses.
x x
The copies of the water contract will
reach the members of the councilmanic
committee on contracts and franchises carly
this week. and a meeting will probably be
held the latter part of the week. This
committee will probably tear to pieces the
contract and offer several amendments, as
several member OF the committee are
opposed 10 the contract as IL was agreed
upon by the Board OF Works.
Another question before the Council is the
resolution for the investigation of the Con-
sumers' Gas Trust Company. which was
introduced last fall by Councilman Mortar
fty. and since that time the special commit
tee appointed by President Grail to carry on
the investigation has examined the books OF
the gas company. and last week made a
trip to the pumping station near Mobiles
vile. The committee will hold another
meeting tonight in the council chamber
and several men VIII be examined by the
committee for the purpose OF securing any
available information against the company.
The will leave tomorrow morn
ing for a two days trip to the gas field,
and this will probably complete the work.
A report may be made TO the Council next
Monday night. and il Is not expected that
the report will be at all sensational.