The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-19
COUNCILS OTHER BUSINESS.
An Ordinance Licensing Fortune Tell
ers at 800 Year.

Although the Council was in session but
three-quarters of hour last evening.
its record will show a very busy meeting
Mr.. Negley proved to be no drone at any
stage. His busiest enterprise was an ordi-
nance that threatens the 'fortune-tellng
manor woman. This ordinance, accord
ing to some of Mr.. Negeys colleagues,
has special reference to the genial Thomas
Taggart, although its enforcement at
French Lick is doubtful, for it provides
that one may practice ''fortune-teIling.
palmistry, astroogy, or assume to fore
cast future events (other than weather
forecasting) without having first procured
a license" Mr.. Taggart is noted as a po-
litical fortune teller. but Negley disclaims
any consideration of him in the prepara-
ton of the ordinance Neither does the
ordinance intend to forster any fortune
telling monopoly, nor is it a crusade against
the black art, according to the way the
ordinance is understood. It's inspiration is
it is understood further, because the city
needs the money and gypsy queens and
seventh daughters are multiplying. The
exclusion of weather forecasts is not to be
mistaken, either, as a population of the
city's faith in Forecast officer Blythe.
The ordinance was read by title and
heard with smiles. 1t was referred to the
committee on fees and salaries II pro-
vides that each of the individuals dealing
in the occult sciences must pay 800 year
for license (no deduction for fractions,
either or be fined from $40 TO $50 for each
day without a license
Chairman Billingsley. of the committee
on judiciary, submitted a unanimous re-
port recommending the passage of the
h nf MI pm
bers Of the FIRE department, after amend
ments suggested by the committee. AS
amended the ordinance provides the fol-
lowing salaries: Chief. $1,000: first assist
ant chief, 81 400; second assistant chief,
$1,000; superintendent fire alarm telegraph,
$1,000; assistant superintendent, 81, 200 cap
tains, $1,000; heutenants, engineers and
chief telephone operator, 1925; all other
members, $3.50 a day. The amended ordi-
nance also provides that after Jan. l, 1903,
the ordinary members Of the department
first grade TO receive 81 a day, the second
| 81 and the third $3.50 The ordinance al
provides that substitutes. not to ex-
ceed ten in number, shall be paid at the
rate of $40 a month AS none of the Coun-
| ell except the committee was familiar with
! the amendments Mr.. Billingsley explained
! that he would not press the passage of the
| ordinance until il was thoroughly under
stood. The new scale of salaries increases
| every member of the fire force except the
| chief. number of firemen were present
| during the Council session.
The finance committee. through Mr.
/ Wynne, reported unanimously in favor OF
/ three appropriation ordinances. One ap-
| propriated 2.065 TO be credited TO the pay
/ roll fund OF the Board of Public Safety fOI
/ additional patrolmen for Irvinston, Tux
| edo and North Side additions by annexa.
| ton. The others transfer 5000 from the
/ sprinkling fund of the Board of Public
! Works TO the bridge fund and 5000 from
! the same fund 10 the bridge payroll fund
An ordinance requiring a hagman at th'
! Big Four crossing Of East North street
was introduced by Mr.. Warweg and an
| other requiring one at the Big Four cross
| ing at Fletcher avenue was passed.
| The franchise, similar 70 all the othel
| interurban franchises. OF the Lafayette &
| Indianapolis Rapid Railway Company wa
| introduced and referred 10 the committe,
| on contracts. The contract with the Grown
| Hill Association. by which IL is TO pay S24
600 for its share Of the cost OF the North