The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-07
MAYORS VETO REPORTED
REASO WHY HE DISAPPROyED
FIREMEN's ORDINANCE.
An Explanatory Communication Sent
to the COuncil-Defeat of n
Switch Ordinance.

The principal business at last nights
Council session was the message of Mayor
Bookwalter reporting that he had approved
of the ordinance fixing the appropriations
for 1903, as amended by the Council, and
also approving the ordinance fixing the
tax levy at IS cents for the same year. He
also sent his disapproval of the ordinance
increasing the pay of members of the Fire
Department and providing for their regrad-
ing. AS to the last the mayor sent a COM
munication setting forth his reasons for not
approving ii. In this he said:
Il am constrained for reasons hereina fter
given to disapprove of this ordinance, even
though L recognize the fact that the mem
pers OF the Fire Department should be
graded in accordance with the length Of
time of service rendered the city, and that
IN almost every instance the amount of
compensation heretofore fixed is inadequate
when the hours demanded of such EMPLOYEES
are taken into consideration.
The city of Indianapolis is at present in
such a physical condition that 1 have found
1t necessary to to your honora-
Die body. which recommendation Won have
approved and Endorsed in part. a material
inc r IN the rate of taxation, by which
increase barely sufficient money will be Sc
Sureu from the taxpayers TO meet the abso-
Iu.e necessary operating expenses of the
oily government and make necessary i'm
proVements and repairs to city property. 7
take 1t that 1T would be an unjustiiabIe ACT
10 lay upon the people the burden of this
increased tax levy, rendered necessary by
same time add a further burden to the tax-
payers by increasing the salaries of citv
employees, ever though such EMPLOYEES are.
III my underpaid.
A SAUCY SLAP.
In the recommendation made to your
hohoraple Dody of a tax levy of Sc
cents Tor city purposes an effort was made
TO reduce the amount asked for to a basis
OF the absolute requirements of each de-
partment. In order. as 1 take it. to nro-
VIDE a method by which the necessary
FUNDS could be raised to provide for the
increase OF salaries called for in this or
uinance' your honorable body made certain
reductions in the items granted to the vari-
GUS departments, but in fixing the tax levy
MADE a corresponding reduction i'm the rate
ana oy the adoption of such a rate rem,
dered 1t impossible for the necessary funds
~ ~ secured with which to pay these in
creased salaries had / felt inclined or will
ing 70 approve this ordinance.
Wnen the subject of regarding the en-
Pl1yes OF the hre department and estab-
nrst presented to me, 1 agreed on the
proposition that the members of the fire
department. were not properly paid and ex-
a Willingness for a reimbursement Of
salaries at the earliest possible moment
put Tor the reasons above given T feel
that II would not be wise business policy |
10 attempt such readjustment of salaries
at THIS time. especially when we take into
consideration the fact that, during the en-.
nscal year at least, every dollar de-
rIVed from taxation and other sources will
De required TO place city property i'm that
conoltlon which the people have the right
10 expect 1t at all times to be maintained"
Inc only other business Transacted was
the motion of Mr.. Negley to reconsider
me action taken at the last regular meet
ing, by which the ordinance permitting q
switch across the first alley east of Rural
street, running north from Roosevelt ave
was defeated. Under the rules Mr.
had to make his motion last night.
as ne mad given notice at the last meet,
The absence of four Republican mem
oers caused the defeat of the motion. All
me Republicans except Sourbier voted for
me reconsideration, and all the Democrats
except Wahl voted against IL. The switch
vas TO benefit a coal firm in Mr.. Neglev's
ward, both members of which are Demo
rats. They were present and much dis
susted with their party members.