The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-22
JUbILANT MERCHANTS
COUNCIL APPROVES HEATING AND
LIGHTING CONTRACT.
The Only Vote Against the Ordinance
Cast by Councilman Berry,
Democrat.
SOME EXPLANATIONS MADE
LARGE DELEGATION OF BUSINESS
MEN IN ATTENDANCE.
Other Matters Before the City Fathers
Mr.. TnEgart's Invitation Ac-
ceDted Quickly.

A crowd In front Of the police station last
night attracted much attention. There
were men who came on foot. in buggies and
I'm automobiles. The number was about
one hundred, and included many Of the best
business men Of the retail and wholesale
streets. The majority Of the members of
the Merchants Association were in the
crowd. They came 10 attend the meeting of
the City Council and 10 lend the influence
Of their presence in favor Of the passage
Of the Merchants heating and lighting
contract. They came because there was
fear that the ordinance would not pass,
but they found 10 their joy that only one
councilman-Berry, of the Thirteenth ward
was against it. They applauded frequent
Iy and needed not the admOnitions OF Pres
ident Halderman that the sergeant-at-arms
would clear the room if applause was re-
peated.
After some minor business Councilman
Negley. chairman OF the committee con-
tracts, called up the ordinance for passage.
Four members OF the committee, all Re-
publicans, had signed the report in favor
of passage. They were Councilmen Neg
ley. SourbIer. Holiday and Mcfarland.
Councilman Cooper was absent from the
city. Councilmen VAIL and Meyer. Demo-
cratic members. did not sign.
1t required half an hour for Clerk Elliott
to read the ordinance. The contract. te-
dious array of legal phraseology, was set
out in full. At the conclusion Mr.. Negley
moved the engrossment OF the ordinance,
its third reading and passage. which was
ordered and then Mr.. Negley explained
that the committee in recommending the
ordinance felt 1t was project that needed
all the assistance the city could give IL. He
smoke nuisance and that the project had
met with universal appreciation. Mr.. VAIL
explained that he had not signed the re-
port because, he declared, the committee
had practically never held a meeting to
consider it. but that the report was pre-
pared without reading. He said he had
never antagonized the ordinance and would
not now, but he did feel that the committee
should have proceeded formally with it.
CHEAPER PUBLIC LIGHTING.
Mr.. Biningsley. whose opposition to the
ordinance has been known. said he had
often said he would never vote for another
mercantile electric lighting franchise.
Doing this he said he was hurting the effort
of the city TO get cheaper public lighting
division of the commercial field, which
was the cream of the business. left the
city at the mercy of the companies. How
ever, he said the city administration had
pledged it's word TO him that the specif-
cations for public lighting would be pushed
and because or that assurance he would
vote for the ordinance.
Councilman MOriarity explained that he
had been opposed TO the ordinance because
IL offered nothing in the way of reduced
hsht charges lie mad made an effort with
many business men he said to induce them
10 support Councilman Shea's ordinance
reducing commercial and domestic rates,
but they had refused TO join. He said the
merchants were all for themselves and not
for the rest of the city" However. he
would vote for the ordinance because he
had haa hat he nffv~ ,f,,f-4
specifications.
Mr.. Shea explained that he would sup
port the ordinance because of it's purpose
to abate smoke.
The vote was called for and resulted I'm
nineteen in favor ana One-Berry-against
with Mr. Cooper the one absent member
The Merchants Association appauded
loudly and at the adjournment surrounded
the members, congratulating them.
COMPANY'S PLANS
W. c. Bobbs president of the Merchants
Company, said after the meeting that the
company would proceed rapidly with its
plans. He said he could not yet disclose
the site. as there were several advan-
tageous property offers before the com
pany which had not been passed on He
said the Council was TO be commended for
its unanimity in supporting what was
largely public-spirited enterprise of the
ctty's business men.
letter from the Board OF Trade was
read at the meeting urging the Council
IN order 10 preserve and multiply the fac
tory industries here. TO pass the T.. G At
kins switch ordinance without delay The
ordinance was not called up, however
Controller Breunig recommended an ap-
preparation of $2.065 10 pay the salaries of
six additional policemen needed on account
or the annexation Of Irvington, Tuxedo and
territory north OF the city. He also recon-
mended the transfer of 5000 from the funds
appropriated for street sprinkling To the
brldgc fund of the Board of Public Works.
as that fund Is almost depleted and many
brldSe repairs are necessary. He also
recommended an additional appropriation
OF SZ,U0 Tor the use Of the Board of Health
IN nghting smallpox. Ordinances to carry
the recommendations into effect were re-
ferred 10 the finance committee
The Council passed the ordinance chang
Ing the name of the first alley north of
North street between Pennsylvania street
and Fort Wayne avenue 10 Bye street and
an ordinance appropriating $500 to pay IT,
terest on the lrvingtOn bonded debt
Councilman Expert introduced an ordi-
nance changing the name of Dewey avenus
TO Andrews avenue. The original name of
the street was Andrews street