The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-04
Mr.. Expert, Undaunted by Jests, In
PRODUCES Measure to Prevent
Chickens Running at Large.
TOO BRILLIANT
NEW MEASURE AFFECTS INTERUR-
BAN CARS IN CITY LIMITS.
Screens to Reduce Brilliancy COntem-
plated by the ordinnnce-Two
Measures Passed.

If the city fathers do not laugh Experts
chicken ordinance to death the day of the
buccaneering fowl in Indianapolis will be
over. No more will spring fries scratch
themselves to fairness on forbidden ground.
No more will Neighbor Jones's lordy roos-
ter lead a harem of admiring hens to
feast of good things in Neighbor Smiths
garden. The embargo will be- complete and
rigid.
The chicken ordinance was introduced in
Council last night. Mr.. Expert, foreseeing
the fire of joke and jest TO which he was
exposing himself, stated apologetically that
the measure was introduced "by request,
but that did not exempt him. Even the
fast-falling gavel of President Billingsley
could not stop the grilling of the genial
Expert until his colleagues had had their
way. Before the ordinance was referred to
the committee on public safety and COM
fort for action several of the members vol
unteered suggestions to President Billings
ley. Mr.. Cooper thought the matter should
morals. Mr.. Wynne suggested the commit
tee on sewers, streets and alleys as the
proper body: Mr. Grail held that the com
matter up Finally the members got
through with Expert and routine went on.
HAS A SERIOUS SIDE.
1t appears, however, that the matter has
n serious side. Councilman Negley, who
has been investigating the rights and priv
ileges of chickens to a certain extent, has
discovered that there is not an ordinance
son the citys statute books which would
prevent in any way depredations of law
less fowls. A man with fine garden, or
a priced flower bed must take the law in
his own hands, Negley finds, or be without
recourse. Negley thinks the chicken ordl-
nance is a good thing and is urging its
passage.
The ordinance provides that 'it shall be
unlawful for the owner of any chickens
at large, or go unconfined within the cor
porate limits of the City of indianapolis
between the first day of April and the first
day of October of any year" A fine of
SIS may be assessed upon conviction.
A new measure of considerable interest
was brought forward by Mr.. Negley. There
has beer Il great deal of complaint from
iremen in the past two or three years to
the effect that the headlights of the inter-
urban cars are so brilliant that running to
fires is frequently attended with much dam
ger to men and horses. They complained
that while going to fire at full speed an
interUrban car would come rapidly down
a street or around a corner with power
full light shining directly in the faces OF
the horses. These, more unused to such
things than other kinds of horses. often
became frightened The ordinance provides
headlights with screens, which may be
dropped over the headlights when the cars
enter the city limits. The ordinance pro-
vides that the brilliancy Of these aights
must be reduced fifty per cent. The penalty
for violating the measure is $50 for each
offense.
TWO ORDINANCES PASSED.
Council passed two ordinances. One
transfers 81 $50 from the fund for sprinkling
unimproved streets to the Brightwood
waterworks fund. The money will be used
for repairs and improvements. The other
measure permits Aldag, Coonse & Co. to
run a switch across the first alley south OF
Moore avenue, the first alley east of La
sale street and Olney street.
The patched-up precinct ordinance was
not introduced. The changes which have
been found necessary in order to correct
mistakes made when the precinct bound
aries were rearranged were difficult to
handle and the corrections had not been
completed when Council convened. 1t will
be brought up ut the next regular meeting
in all probability.