The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-07
COuncilmen Wynne, Expert and Shea
Named Upon the Request of
Mayor BOOkwalter.
WYNNE FAvORS WIDE LATITUDE
THINKS CITIZENS LEAGUE SHOULD
BE LET APPEAR.
Committee Also Named to Investigate
Grade Crossing QuestfOn-Busi-
ness of the Council.

The City Council last night authorized
its committee on investigation and i'm
peachment to investigate the charges in
reference to the sprinkling and sweeping
contracts. This committee is composed of
Councilmen Wynne and Expert, Repub-
licans, and Shea, Democrat. Mr. Spray is
member of the regular standing COM
mittee, but because of his business inter-
ests in connection with John H. Furnas,
one of the principal witnesses, asked to
be excused and the Council consented Mr..
Expert was named in his place.
The subject was brought up at the OPEN
ing of the meeting by communication
from Mayor Bookwalter. In this COM
munication the mayor said:
Gentlemen transmit to you herewith
for your consideration the following reso-
luton which / am notified by the Board
of Public Works was adopted by unani-
NOUS vote of such board at special meet
ing held on Saturday, April T. 1903:
Whereas, certain charges have been
publicly made in this city, rejecting upon
the official conduct and integrity of the
members of this board, and especially re-
6ecting upon Edwin d. Logsdon in re-
gard to the letting of certain contracts by
this board. the truth of which charges
each member of the board. for himself,
hereby expressly and unqualifiedly denies /:
and,
Whereas. 1t is the desire of each mem
ber of this board that full and complete
investigation of all such charges be at once
made now be ii
Resolved. That a copy of this resolu-
ton be transmitted to the Hon. Charles A.
Bookwalter, mayor of the city of Indian
apolis, with the request that he might
make or cause to be made thorough in
vestigation OF any and all charges reflect
ing upon this board or any member there
of in such manner as he may deem best
after careful investigation of the pro-
visions of the city charter covering the
consideration of questions raised in the
above resolution. have come to the con-
clusion that the only proper method of in
vestigating such charges is through the
medium of your honorable body, and
hereby recommend that such committee as
in your judgment may be demanded shall
at once be appointed to give full and COM
plete hearing of all such charges
II take this course believing that the best
interests of the people demand that the
utmost publicity be given to all of the
evidence affecting such charges and realiz-
ing that such investigation does not pre-
vent action by such other tribunals as have
Jurisdiction should the evidence submitted
warrant it's submission to such tribunal
CHARLES A. BooKwALTER.
Mayor"
After the reading of the communica ton
Mr. Holiday moved that il be spread of
record and suggested special committee
on investigation. President Billingsley said
a resolution covering the subject would
appear later. Mr.. Grail introduced this
resolution. II was to the effect that the
subject be referred to the COMMITTEES on in
vestigation and Impeachment which was
directed TO make thorough investigation.
Every councilman voted for this except
Mr.. Wheeler. who said he thought there
should be a special committee but he
favored investigation.
After the Council meeting Mr.. wynne.
chairman of the committee. said he ex-
pected TO start the investigation as early
as possible but could announce nothing
until the committee had met. He said he
personally favored an open, thorough in
vestigation. He said IL was a new work to
him. but that he would undertake IL mindful
OF mis- duty.
"will you permit the Citizens League
to be represented?
81 am in favor or an open investigation
yes. the Citizens League or any one else
who wishes to participate"
Mr.. Wynne may call the committee to-
gether to-day. Under the power conferred
on the committee by the charter II may
summon witnesses and require testimony.