The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-30
Mayor Bookwalter Has Ascertained
that There Would Only BE One
Bidder This Year.
NOT READY FOR THE COURTS
MAYORS STATEMENT TO CONNER
CIAL CLUB COMMITTEE.
1t Is Probable the General Assembly y
VIII BE Asked to Enact Some Re-
medal Legislation.

Developments of the last forty-eight
hours seem to make ii impossible for the
city to receive bids for the new electric
lighting contract Mayor Bookwalter has
ascertained that If bids were advertised for
under the new specifications which City
Engineer Nelson has been preparing and
which it was expected would be adopted
this week, there would be only one bidder
volve the whole question, including the
citys interests. in litigation. Because of
this discovery it is likely that Mayor Book
walter will order a cessation of all work
on the lighting plans, and will suspend the
work until after relief, by special legisla-
ton, has been secured from the Legisla-
ture.
The mayor met yesterday afternoon with
Former Mayor Denny and Theodore p.
Davis, who were members of the CONNER
cial Clubs subcommittee that nvesti-
gated the light question, and he told them
that he had learned that there would be
only one bidder for the contract, and that
he deemed 1t unwise to proceed with that
fact in view. While he did not name the
one company, ii is understood that il is the
Home Heating and Lighting Company, of
which Samuel z. Rauh is the owner. Mr.
Rauh said last night that he had not al
tered his mind and that if specifications
were adopted and bids asked he should
bid The mayor told his conferees that
he had talked with the officers of the Mer-
chants Heating and Lighting Company,
which has only had its franchise one week.
and that they said they could not bid un-
til they had more time to prepare for work.
This company will put conduits in the mile
square for its heating and lighting service
and this would make 1T prepared bidder.
1t has been understood all along that the
Indianapolis Light and Power Company,
which has the present contract, holds that
any attempt to make a contract for a
longer period than one year is illegal and
that should the city attempt to let con-
tract for a longer period the company
would ask the Intervention of the courts.
This intervention would be based on Sec
ton 81 of the charter which forbids the
making of any contract for which no
money has been appropriated. AS appro-
priations are for one year only the In
dianapolis company has held that a new
contract for a ten-year period, as proposed
by the city, would be illegal Authority
for this is found in the Supreme Court s
decision of the Sun Vapor light case, which
had a hve-year contract that was held
invalid
MAYORS EXPLANATION.
committee several weeks ago that he would
adopt specifications in July and receive bids
in August. Yesterday he explained that he
had since then learned of the situation in
regard 10 there being only one bidder and
that he felt he ought to explain why he be-
lieved nothing should be attempted. The
members of the committee. speaking per-
sonally, said If that was the situation the
| course he indicated was doubtless the wis
est. but that they would prefer to have the
| subject presented to the whole committee.
| The other members are William Hauiesen.
! ]. E. Mccullough, Secretary Hunt and John
/ H Holiday. Mr.. Hunt is out of the city
| and Mr. Holiday in Europe. The mayor
| said he would see Mr.. Haueisen and Mr..
/ Mccullough and learn their views.
The termination OF the light contract
/ plans in abrupt failure is not surprising
/ and most of those interested say the course
/ the mayor indicates he will take is the only
! safe one Any attempt TO receive bids
would bring about litigation that would
/ not settle the practical questions but would
/ hurt the citys interests. AS IL is IL the
| successful bidder is not ready TO begin his
| made with the Indianapolis Light and
! Power Company TO continue its present
contract until the successful bidder is
ready. In the meantime the Legislature
/ may be asked 10 amend the city charter
! so that unmstakeable authority will be
vested in the Board OF Public Works to
| make contracts for period or not more
| than ten years.
| II is known that the city administration
| has been loath 10 enter upon another DELAY
/ in the lighting matter because Of a number
/ OF other contracts, some Of which do not
/ expire for several years. that are open tc
| the same legal objections. Among these
/ are the water contract. the sweeping con-
| tract and the contracts for the removal OF
| garbage and the destruction of night soil
/ When remedial legislation is asked il will
| doubtless be OF a character 10 legalize the
| act of the Board OF Public Works in max
ing these contracts.