The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-21
CITY ELECTION EXPENSES
CONTROLLER DUNN GROWING GRAY
IN SERVICE OF MUNICIPALITY.
The Claims Filed Are Considerably in
Excess of the Approprfation-The
miscellaneous Bills.

City Controller Dunn has a most difficult
problem on his hands-to figure out how 10
pay the expenses of the election last Tues
day. The appropriation for the election ex-
penses is s1l.S00. The expenses Of the cleo
ton, figuring on the basis Of one-day pay
ment TO the inspectors. judges and election
commissioners, VIII run to about $1,000
Mr.. Dunn says. 81, 400 more than the appro-
priation.
The city charter says expressly that all
election bills over and above the amount OF
the appropriation for these expenses shall
be void. But the last administration had to
ask for an appropriation of about $500 over
the regular appropriation TO pay the ex-
penses of the election two years ago. But
with the extra appropriation the total
amount appropriated for the expenses of
the election of 1901 was only a little more
than $1l,s00.
Controller Dunn sat at his desk more
than an hour yesterday afternoon smoking
big cigar and figuring on how to pay the
election expenses. And when he got
through he was no nearer conclusion or a
plan Of action than when he began. The
matter is all chaos to Mr.. Dunn. "Give it
Up.'' he said. resignedly. II don't know
what to do"
The redistricting of the fifteen wards a
few months ago. making thirty-five more
precincts than there were when the election
was held two years ago, has added between
81. 900 and 81, 500 to the expenses of the cleo
ton which was not contemplated in the APP
preparation OF $l1S00. This appropriation
was made in September 1902, along with
the appropriations for the city'S other eX-
penses in 1903.
MISCELLANEOUS BILLS
Miscellaneous election bills amounting to
$3.50 have been filed with the controller.
This leaves a little less than 5000 for the
payment of the inspectors. judges and cleo
! ton commissioners. Figuring the time these
| men put in on one-day basis brings this
| item Of the election expenses up TO SIPS
| Paying the men for two days work would
be much fairer than for one day." said Mr.
Dunn. If they are paid for two days work
| that will bring this item of the expenses ur
| to $4,000 1t il said that there will be q
large amount of wrath heaped upon the
| head of Controller Dunn If he allows the
\ inspectors, judges and commissioners pay
| for just one day.
Inasmuch as the budget of 1902 for the ex.
1 penses OF 1903 did not contemplate the
| changes In the precincts and added ex-
| penses for thirty-five more precincts thar
| there were when the election was held two
| years ago, II Is thought the city probably
| could get an extra appropriation ordinance
| through. Figuring the additional expenses
| for the thirty-five new precincts on the
basis of one-day pay for the judges, inspec
| tors and commissioners would make thi:
| expense something like $500 If the mer
were paid for two days work then the ex
| penses for the additional precincts woulC
| amount to more than 1850.
| Controller Dunn has received bill of &2
| from Levey Bros. & Co. for LOO maps o.
indianapolis showing the changes in th'
| precinct boundaries Mr.. Dunn says th,
redistricting of the wards has cost the cit,
about 1900 outside of this bill, and tina
the bill should not be included in the cleo
| ton expenses. He says most of the election
| printing bills are much too high.