The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-09
MESSAGE OF MAYOR


CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
city which are now in a dangerous condi-
ton shall be replaced with permanent
structures of concrete or stone. thus SET
Ting forever this item of expense Tor the
taxpayers.
PUBLIC LIGHTING.
In recommending an increase OF SlI,'W
In the item of electric, gas and vapor
lights. 1 feel that amount would be wholly
inadequate were II not for the fact that
commencing with July 1. 1903. a new elec-
trio lighting contract will become opera
tive, under which contract / confidently ex-
pect to make a saving of from $40 to Sl5
per light over the present contract. This
reduction will become operative on the
date mentioned. arrangements having been
made with the indianapolis Light ana
Power Company that should new oldoer
be successful under the bids TO De ASKED
for in February next. that such Ignt anu
power company will on and after July i,
19O3 until such time as the new contractor
can install the necessary plant, 1urhish n
light to the city at the rate named IN .he
bid of such Indianapolis company. BY the
saving thus effected l estimate that the
increased expenditure for light VIII De
ample, not only to adequately provloe lot
tory. but to permit the placing of many
lights In other sections of the city not
now provided for.
The increase OF s26,5OO provided for IN
the item of public buildings and repairs Is
intended to provide for the construction OF
an adequate engine house in Irvington and
one additional house in the southern part
of the city; also the construction of an
additional building at Kenwood avenue
and Thirtieth street to accommodate :
new ladder company on the north side, tne
rapid growth of that portion of the city
north of Fall creek rendering such IN
crease in the department absolutely neces-
sary; In addition to which necessary re-
pairs will be made to Tomlinson Han
Which Which at the present time is not In con-
shelter should be provided over the market
| place. by which not only the market gar
deners can be protected, but protection also
| given to the people of Indianapolis wht
| patronize such market.
REPAIRING IMPROVED STREETS.
1 most heartily recommend an increase Of
$4,000 in the item Repair of permanently
improved Streets" believing that it is bu
fair to the property owners. who. havins
once paid for a permanent street, that th'
| subsequent expense of caring for sucf
pavement, for at least a reasonable term o.
years, should be paid from the genera
fund. / do not look with favor upon th'
proposition that property owners shoult
be compelled, no sooner have they dis
charged one set of Barrett bonds, to as
| sumo the obligation for new set RENDERED
| necessary by resurfacing the streets upol
| which their property abuts. i favor the In
auguration of new system OF repairs %.
which breaks In permanently improved
| streets may be attended to at once, thu
| protecting the balance of the pavement. an
| for this reason / believe that this increas
| will meet with the general approval of tn
people. BY the Inauguration of this system
| the conditions which prevail on Virgins
chusetts avenue and South Delaware street
streets which have been neglected 10
years, would be rendered impossible, an
| property owners would not be subject to tn
new burden of resurfacing, as they hav
been during the present year. owing to tn
| absolute lack of funds with which to plac
such streets in safe condition.
The burden Of property cleaning, sweep
ing and caring for the permanently i'm
proved streets increases with each year
growth Of the city. The appropriation 70
| the present year was fixed at $50, 900. Thi
amount has proved to be wholly In
adequate as did the appropriation for 100
and at the present time the number c
sweepings upon various streets have bee
curtailed, owing to the rapid exhaustion G
the amount appropriated in the last levy
To meet the increased amount of work an
/ to better provide for the care of sue
streets l recommend the increase of $20,0 OK
In such item, believing that this departmer
of the city work more directly affects tn
health and comfort of all our people tha
any other.
CLEANING POGUE'S RUN.
/ recommend the item of 5000 for clear
ing Pogue's Run, believing that such wor
is absolutely necessary to protect the pee
pie of the city of Indianapolis against 81
rious epidemics Nothing has been expenC
ed on this waterway for more than fy
years and complaints are being made dali
to the health department against its fo1
condition. 1t has always been my ide
that this waterway should be converte
into a storm water sewer. but even shou
such change be determined upon. it WI
be necessary that something be done du
ing the early spring toward placing II
channel of this stream In sanitary col
purpose to remove entirely the dirt take
from its channel and not permit the san
to be piled upon the banks to be washt
back by the first rain.
1t will be observed from an examinatiC
of the estimates above given that no pr
vision has been made for an increase
salaries OF city employees. L am of OpiniC
that certain classes of city employees a
cannot bring myself to favor an increa
in this item of public expenditure, esp
cially at time when we find 1t necessal
for the other uses OF the city TO place Il
tax levy at it's present rate; but shou
changing conditions warrant L would fav
at the earliest possible moment the re,
, |
, of the city government to which are /
trusted the safety and welfare of the liv
and property of the people. L do not f
vor an increase in any other departments
NECESSITY FOR LEVY.
In fixing the tax levy at Sc cents, tn
securing the additional revenue which
consider absolutely essential at this tin
L do not expect in the future to devia
5 from the policy which has governed r
: since assuming my present position. 7
utmost economy shall continue to be pra
e ticed in every department and if possit
! | by the most careful management to sa
any money from the amounts appropriat
to the various departments, such sav
;. shall be made 1t is my purpose TO so CO
S | duct the financial affairs of the city of
S | dianapolis that at the expiration of r
v term of office | shall not only have plac
S the city in the physical condition In whi
$ il should be found at all times. but tn
e there shall be a material change in [
4 condition of the city treasury. Ii has be
. we'll said that a deficit is more difficl
S to handle than surplus. and 1t is my pl
pose TO leave my successor a surplus
v stead of the large deficit with which I
nreSant adn1iniStra ton was faced