The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-09
After that a Great Mass Meeting VIII
BE Held in TomIinson Hall to
Discuss the Question.
WILL MAKE HASTE SLOWLY
MAYOR BOOKwALTER REITERATEs
POSITION on METERS.
Viewed from Standpoint of Present
Information, He Is Against Them
-COmmittee May Junket.

The people will be given every oppor-
tunity to express their opinion Of the gas
meter ordinance. Mayor Bookwalter and
several members of Council yesterday sug
gested plan by which public opinion might
be definitely expressed. The mayor thinks
that councilmen would do well TO call meet
ings in their respective wards in the near
future at which the provisions of the ordi-
nance may be discussed thoroughly by adj
vocates and opponents. When local ward
sentiment has been ascertained in general
way the mayor suggests that mass meet
ing Of citizens be called in Tomlinson Hall.
Councilman Negley. of the First ward,
has announced his intention OF hiring a hall
in his ward to bring his constituents to-
gether on the question. Councilman McFar-
land viii endeavor to get the views of the
people of the South Side. Councilman Ep-
pert. of the Fourth ward, will hold mass
meeting of the citizens he represents. Coun-
Gilman wahI, of the Fifth ward. favors a
mass meeting. Others who agree that the
idea is feasible and conducive to expedition
in disposing of the question are Council
man Rhodes, of the Sixth ward. Council
man Shea, of the Ninth ward, Councilman
Wolsiffer, of the Fifteenth ward. and
COuncllIne0-aI-ldTBe anu w
AGAINST HASTY ACTION.
The committee on contracts and fran
chises. which will recommend eventually
either that the measure be passed or de-
feated. will take no hasty action. Chair
man Negley yesterday stated that the men,
bers of the committee would proceed at
once TO inform themselves thoroughly on
all details involved in the consideration OF
the meter question before a meeting of
the committee will be called. 1t would
lead TO nothing, he said. to hold a COM
mittee meeting before the members had
had an opportunity to study the problem
from all points of view. Mr.. Negley indi-
Gated that first of all the committee would
endeavor to ascertain whether meters at
any price would be cheaper for the con-
sumner than the present contract system.
After that. he said, the committee would
look into the question of rate. Mr.. Neg
ley thinks it would be wise to obtain from
cities where the meter system is in use
facts and figures showing how the meter
has worked; to obtain comparison Of rates
and accurate statements of the cost to
consumers monthly at rates from 10 TO %
cents per 1000 cubic feet.
a member of Council suggested yesterday
that President Haldeman, of the body, be
empowered TO appoint "A special investi-
eating committee, the members of which
might go to cities where meters are in use
TO secure first-hand information. Not much
dependence is TO be placed, he said, in let
ters rom other cities for the reason that
the communications are written usually by
people who either strongly in favor
or strongly opposed TO meters. A motion
may be made in the next Council meet
ing for the appointment of such a commit
tee.
CITY ATTORNEY WILL ACT.
City Attorney Joss will act in all prob
ability with the committee on contracts
and franchises in determining several ques-
tions He will probably be requested to
give an opinion TO Council as to whether
the gas companies have a legal right to
throw up their contracts and 10 turn the
supply into other markets. Mr.. Joss would
not say yesterday whether he had been re-
quested TO render an opinion on the point.
To an inquiry yesterday as to whether
he had anything further to say regarding
his attitude on the meter question Mayor
Bookwalter said: THE language OF my
communication TO Council is clear TO any
one who may read. l say there that 1 am
opposed to meters at any price, and GER
tainly at the rate proposed, but that / am
not prepared to say that / am going TO OPP
pose meters if the people show that they
want them. This is a question which Is
up to the public more than most questions
are for the reason that ii is the people
who are concerned individually.
Looking at the whole question as / do
now in the light Of present information
repeat that 1 am not In favor of meters at
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