The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-08
Mayor BOokwaIter Will Sign the
Necessary Papers rs Soon ns
They Reach Him.
PROBABLE TOWN BOARD ACTION
THAT BODY MAY PASS WATER
WORKS FRANCHISE TONIGHT.
Tests of Smoke Consuming Devices
Proposition to safety Board
Municipal Affairs.

part Of the city of Indianapolis. At a spe-
cial meeting OF Council last night the an
nexation ordinance, introduced some time
ago by Councilman Berry. Democrat, was
passed by a vote Of eighteen TO two. Pres
ident Haldeman, of the Council. and James
II. Billingsley were the only members who
cast their votes against the measure. Halde-
man did not attend the Republican caucus
in the afternoon and came to the meeting
with the idea that a number OF the Repub-
hcans would oppose the ordinance. When
he found that they were practically unani-
nous in its support he refused TO change
his own views, simply stating that he saw
no good in the proposition either for the
town or for the city. Councilman Billings
ley voted against the ordinance simply as
a protest against the city's putting itself
in a position where 1t must afford costly
Improvements to a new section of territory
when it has not been able as yet TO take
care of parts of the city, such as Bright
wood. long in the fold. Billingsley, however,
would have voted for the ordinance had
there been any danger OF its defeat.
ORDINANCE AMENDED.
The ordinance was not passed as it was
first introduced by Mr.. Berry. BY IN
amendment made yesterday by the COM
mittee on ordinances. at the suggestion of
the Republican caucus, an additional strip
of territory was included. Instead of the
north boundary of the new addition being
Michigan street, the north boundary to
Emerson avenue in Irvington will be the
first alley north of Michigan street. The
amendment was made for the purpose Of
taking in rows of lots and residence prop
erty in Tuxedo Park which, under the old
draft of the ordinance, would have been
left out of the city. Tuxedo of course is
south boundary Of the territory annexed is
the right of way of the Cincinnati, Hamil-
ton < Dayton Railroad.
Mayor announced yesterday
at the caucus of Republican members Of
Council that he would sign the measure
when it was presented to him. He said that
1t might have been better perhaps If ac-
ton had been delayed for some time, but
that the reasons for delay were not weighty
enough for him TO refuse TO give approval
to the measure if passed at once. He told
the councilmen that while Irvington would
be fairly dealt with II must not expect cost
~ improvements at once, since there are
other parts OF the city that have prece-
dence. Several prominent citizens of Irv-
ington had talked on the subject with him
he said and had expressed themselves as
satisfied with the future course of the ad-
ministration regarding the suburb. He
stated that fire protection would be pro-
vided within the near future; that an en-
CINE house and fire cisterns would be con-
Structed and that fire hydrants in suf-
ficient number would be put in. Three pa
trolmen, he said, would be sufficient TO look
after the peace and safety of the suburb
since 1T has got along in the past with a
single officer, the town marshal. 1t had
been the recommendation OF Superintend-
ent Tafe that six patrolmen, with a SER
geant in command, be stationed In Irving
ton, but the mayor said he intended asking
Council for only three additional patrolmen.
The prominent a~nnexationists OF Irving
| n fnndA NnNrnaf1 IN u hnIN and laD~a
the formal action of the Council with anxi-
ETY. until the safety of the ordinance was
assured. Then they displayed their de-
light in enthusiastic congratulations TO the
councilmen and I'm taking every opportunity
to address each other as Citizen" Among
those who were present at the winning Of
the battle were Sylvester Johnson, founder
of the town and one of it's heaviest prop
erty holders, Attorney Charles Clark and
Attorney James L. K~ingsbury. Samuel f.
McGaughey. Mr.. Stevenson and Mr.. Gist.
They declared that the action Of Council
would be hailed with glee in Irvington
and that there would not be found fifty
people who would protest.
IRVINGTON TOWN BOARD.
A majority of the members of the Town
Board hold different views, and the meet
ing of the board to-night will probably
call forth some vocal pyrotechnics. At
the meeting the board committee, which
has under consideration the franchise pre-
scented by the City Water Company OF
Irvington, will present it's report; and il
is understood that it will favor granting
the thirty years franchise asked for to
the water company. John Elstun. a mem
Der of the board, said 10 the Journal last
night:
L do not understand that Irvington is
yet a part of Indianapolis or can be posi-
bly, for at least two weeks. Therefore, IL
strikes me that the Town Board has a
legal right to do as it pleases. The action
OF the Council, l may say, will have no
effect on the action of the board tonight.
Don't think for a minute that we intend to
lay down on this franchise proposition.
Ny impression is that the board will pass
ii. and then if the citizens of IrVinRton
wish to rescind the action Of the board by
taking advantage of the referendum law
they have the right
Mr.. Elstun was considerably agitated at
what he intimated was the treachery of a
very prominent citizen of Irvington. He
came to the meeting OF the Town Board
last Saturday night said Mr.. Elstun,
and made an earnest plea with US not TO
grant the franchise at that time. He said
il might hasten the action Of Council. He
we would not regret it because Council
would not act on the annexation ordinance
until We had been given a fair show. Now
see where we are?'
The question as TO what may result If
the Town Board decides tonight TO give
the water company a franchise is arousing
speculation and interest. Such action OF
the board may open W legal complications
that would involve the city Of indianapolis
in an awkward tangle. Ii is held generally.
however, that If the citizens Of the suburb
take advantage of the referendum law and
thereby rescinded any action OF the board
il would he sufficient 10 nullify any fran
chise granted. Mayor and the
members OF COuncll say II makes no diff
ference TO them what action the board
takes. as il can have no possible legal
standing against the action of Council to-