The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-08
Mayor BookwaIter Sends a Communi.
cation to City Fathers, Along
with Other Documents.
SOUTHERN FRANCHISE GRANT
ROUTE SELECTED BY THE BOARD OF
WORKS INDORSED.
One of the Most Important Sessions
of the Council This Year-Rec-
ord of Smaller Affairs.

Last nights Council meeting will prob
ably go down in municipal history as one
of the busiest and most important of the
year. Ordinances great and small were
passed and others of great public interest
were brought to the attention of the body
for the first time. From voting on the
question of admitting a big railroad to
laughing down a motion to compel the
president of Council to cease smoking
during the proceedings the members of the
body were not permitted to doze from roll
call to adjournment.
Among the more important of the acts
of the session were the grant of fran
chse to the Indianapolis Southern Rail-
road Company; the introduction of the
much-talked-of meter ordinace providing
that natural gas shall be burned by meter
only at a rate of % cents per 1000 cubic
feet; the appropriation of an additional
$500 for the use of the Board of Public
Health; the introduction of a measure pro-
viding that at the call of any consumer
the city engineer shall inspect illuminating
gas meters to see if they recording ac-
curately and to examine the quality of
illuminating gas to see if it is according to
a specified standard; the passing of meas
ure combining a dozen and more crooked
cross streets into one improved avenue for
the benefit of Brightwood particularly, and
the whole city in general; appropriating
$751; to pay old court judgments against
the city, and the introduction of several
switch ordinances for the benefit of manu-
featuring institutions.
THE METER ORDINANCE.
The meter ordinance was the center of
interest, not only for the members of Coun-
cil but for the score or more visitors who
waited, curious to see what councilman
would introduce il. The measure was
brought to the attention of Council by
Jacquelin S. Holiday, councilman-at-large
In introducing il he made short speech
explaining his attitude on the question of
rate. With the ordinance there were re-
ferred 10 the committee on contracts and
franchises the communications from the
indianapolis Gas Company and the Con-
sumers' Gas Trust Company. which have
been published; letter to Council from
Mayor BOokwalter, setting out in a general
way the mayors present stand on the
meter question. and copies of resolutions
passed by labor organizations condemning
compulsory meters at the . cent rate.
After referring in a whereas" to the
ordinance of June q, 1887, by which the
gas companies were authorized TO use the
streets and alleys of the city and were
enfranchised. Section 1 sets out that Gus
toners of the gas companies shall pay to
any company, firm or individual furnish
ing gas for public consumption 81 and no
more for each month in which his con-
sumption does not exceed 1000 cubic feet
and 25 cents and no more for each 1000
cubic feet Of such gas supplied in each
month 10 such consumer in excess of 1000
feet. Such gas shall be exclusively supplied
by meter measurement. and il shall be the
duty OF any company. firm or individual
now or hereafter engaged In supplying
natural gas 10 said city. 10 furnish on (date
left blank. in proper working order, suit
able and accurate meters without expense
to the consumer. Provided. that deposit
which shall not exceed the amount reason
ably estimated of one months maximum
gas bill may be required 10 secure the
payment of gas bills.
In the same section il is provided that
until the ordinance shall he IN force con-
sumers shall continue 10 pay for their gas