The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-24
BOARD CALLS 1T OFF
ALL ACTION IN ELECTRIC LIGHT
NATTER R~EsCINDED.
Excuse Given that There Was an At
tempt to Make Political Capt.
tai Out of Ii.

The Board of Public Works yesterday de-
cided TO rescind all action taken in regard
to asking for bids for a new electric light
ing contract, and will let the matter OF a
new contract be settled by the Board OF
Works appointed by the next administra-
ton. The board explains its action in the
following statement:
THE board has decided to rescind all
action taken in regard to asking for bids
for a new electric lighting contract. Tn
specifications upon which bids were asked
were prepared by the legal department of
the city, with the assistance of Professor
GoldsborOugh, of Purdue University. When
completed, and before being adopted by the
board, they were submitted for inspection
10 the representatives of both the Indian
apoliS Light and Power Company and the
Home Heating and Lighting Company, they
being the only companies which, 10 our
knowledge. contemplated bidding. After ex-
aiming the specifications the representa-
tive of the Indianapolis Light and Power
Company stated that the only feature or
which his company could complain was
that relating TO the right of the city TO
purchase the plant. To meet this objection
this part of the specification was then
changed so as TO remove the Objectionable
feature. he also objected to the contract
being let for ten years.
las the specifications then stood. neither
of said companies objected to any part of
them as being unfair-the only objection
stated.
lie SpPClncdIlOnS were tnen duOpltu ny
the board and bids advertised for. Since
their adoption there has been an effort
made to make political capital out of the
matter by falsely charging the board with
trying TO favor one company.
1.-THE best interests of the city require
that the contract for electric, lighting
should be let free from political bias or
prejudice. and the sole object of the board
has been to let a contract whereby the city
might secure better electric lighting serv-
ice at a reduced cost. But since. for po-
litical purposes, the false charge Of IA
voritsm has been made. the board has
deemed it TO be for the best interest of
| the city to postpone the letting of the con-
tract until after the city election. thus re-
moving il, as far as possible. from political
prejudice and so that the next administra-
ton can take up the matter free from the
charge of political favoritism.'
HISTORY OF THE MATTER.
From the time first specifications for the
new lighting contract were drawn the
Board of Public Works has been charged
with trying TO favor the Home Heating and
Lighting Company. The representatives of
the indianapolis Light and Power Com
pany maintained that their company was
being Disseminated against and brought
suit before Judge Carter, of the Superior
Court. to enjoin the Board of Works from
letting the contract under the speciica-
tons.
Judge Carter granted the Indianapolis
| Light and Power Company a temporary in
junction and the Board of Works then
decided to draw up new specifications.
Prof. Goldsborough, of Purdue University,
assisted the legal department of the city.
These were submitted to the Indianapolis
! Light and Power Company and the Home
Heating and Lighting Company, and next
Monday was set as the date for receiving
bids on the contract. II was rumored that
the indianapolis Light and Power Company
would bring another suit to enjoin the
board from letting the contract under the
rev specifications, the chief objection being
the provision requiring the use of inclosed
arc lights. which would necessitate the In
dianapolis Light and Power Company eN-
pending about 100000 in changing its sys-
tenn.
c.. c.. Perry, secretary of the indianapolis
Light and Power Company, said last night
that he thought the Board of Works had
been very wise in not letting the contract
at this time. The members of the board. -
said Mr.. Perry, realized that under the
intense excitement of a campaign ii would
be very difficult. if not impossible. to have
any contract ratified by the City Council,
and wisely deferred taking any action in
the matter at the present time"