The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-19
John II. Pearson, However, Says 1t Is
Too Late Now to Get Enough
Meters by Winter.
LICENSING FORTUNE TELLERs
THEY MUST PAY 800 YEAR, IF
THIS ORDINANCE PASSES.
Affects Neither Thomas TagSart Nor
Weather FOrecaster blythe
Municipal Matters.

Inc ClIN OOu0Cll nSUl WIFI SccAllil6
unanimity voted to take the ordinance in
troduced by Councilman Holiday, provid-
ing for the sale of natural gas by meters
at the rate of % cents per 1000 cubic feet,
from the committee on contracts and fran
chises. The ordinance was referred to the
committee public health. which is COM
posed Of COuncilmen Mcfarland, Grail and
Warweg. Mr.. Mcfarland made the motion
to place the ordinance in the hands of
new committee. In making his motion Mr..
Mcfarland said: las this ordinance includes
a question that is important l move that
it be taken from the committee con-
tracts and franchises and sent to COM
mittee that will do some work"
Chairman Negley. of the contracts and
franchises committee, secured recognition.
He said the committee had been charged
with the consideration of all the interur-
ban franchises and had worked conscien-
tiously on the meter ordinance. He said he
had tried to obtain a report on the ordi-
nance several times, but could not do so.
He said he was willing for it to go to a
committee that would work. but he hoped
that committee would not do work it might
be glad to undo. President Haldeman put
the motion, and, while there were a few
noes" the ajority in favor of the
removal President Haldeman declared the
motion carried, and referred the ordinance
to the committee on public health.
Before this action was taken Mr.. Negley,
for the committee on judiciary. presented
a unanimous report favoring the employ
ment of additional counsel in the litigation
the city is to undertake to prevent the In
natural gas service on September 80 The
report set forth the Importance of litiga-
ton, the fact that the company would
tain the ablest counsel it could command
and that the questions involved were of the
greatest Importance. 1t therefore recon-
mended that Mayor Bookwalter's request
for additional counsel and his request for
authority to employ counsel be granted and
proper ordinances passed. Mr.. Grail moved
at once that the report be laid on the table.
Mr.. Negley attempted to make an explana-
ton, but Mr.. Berry raised a point that
motion to table was not debatable The
chair sustained Berry. Negley persisted and
the chairman suggested that he study the
book of rules. Mr.. Negley at once brought
forth the book. The vote showed that
the Council was contrara wise to the admin
istrations policy, for there were only few
noes and many ayes. The roll call was not
asked for and Chairman Haldeman de-
clared the motion to table carried. Then
Mr.. Negley reported that he found nothing
in the book that said a motion to table was
not debatable. Mr. Berry retorted that no
legislative body in the world tolerated de-
bate on motions TO table.
The point is settled said Councilman
Billingsley; what's the use of chewing
the rag about it?' Chairman Haldeman
raped and the chewing" ceased.
THINKS COMPANIES WOULD ACCEPT.
Before the Council meeting a discussion
of the meter ordinance took place between
Mr.. Cooper and Mr.. Mcfarland were
strongly in favor of taking the ordinance
from the committees hands. Mr.. Cooper
said he would move, but before the
order of business came he yielded that
privilege to Mr.. Mcfarland. who has been
a consistent supporter of the measure since
its Introduction last March
Mr.. Mcfarland said last night that he
would call a meeting of the committee
soon to take up the ordinance. Il have
not been told so by the officers of the gas
would accept the ordinance with the modi-
ficatiOnS that seem to be favored by near
ly every member of the Council. This mod
ifcation will restrict the sale of natural
gas for use for culinary and water heat
ing purposes, and for domestic purposes.
This will, think. reach the situation about
as directly as IL can be. 1t will retain the
use of this fuel directly as il can be-
1t will retain the use of this fuel at an
economical rate for all alike. L have
talked with most of the members of the
Council and they support me in this pol
icy
Mr.. Negley said after the Council meet
ing that he would not change his position.
He said he had been against the compul-
sorry of meters because the people of
his ward had made il plain to him that
they were against their introduction and
he could distinguish change in senti-
ment. Mr.. Negley was one of the first to
suggest the restriction Of meters for do
nestle culinary purposes. He, however
felt that he must vote as his constituency
voiced itself.
Mr. Moriarity. who has been the most ag-
gresSiVe antagonist of the present ordi-
nance said after the meeting that he did
not know what he should do when the or
dinance came up for passage, but that he
would vote for any plan that would keep
gas at reasonable rates. He said Nc
Farlands plan might be feasible. He said
the present high price of coal ought to be
considered by the Council, If there was a
way TO keep gas in use. If only for cooking
stoves, u should be done. Mr.. Moriarity
introduced an ordinance last winter Dro-
viding for "A 10-cent meter rate This or
dinance was strangled in the committee.
The ordinance introduced by Councilman n
Holiday has been in the hands of the com
mittee on contracts and franchises for Ave
months. The committee has not considered
il in any meeting since early in June
ACTION PROBABLY TOO LATE.
After the meeting many councilmen asked
Mr. Mcfarland to submit report at the
next regular meeting. When the committee
does meet il will likely also alter the Sec
tion requiring payment for meters so as
to require a deposit. As President Hast
ings OF the Indianapolis Gas Company. is
expected here within the next ten days
(and before another meeting of the Coun-
ciD the committee may ask him to come
before il and see If terms cannot be agreed
TO.
John r. Pearson. assistant 10 President
Hastings said last night that he doubted
very much II the action of the Council.