The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-29
City Officials Adopt Extraordinary
Measures for Relief of Strick-
EN- Sections.
BOND ISSUE PROPOSED
FreShet-Bound Districts Have Re-
covered from Inundation and
Reclamation Begins.
CARS RESUME SCHEDULE
Water Situation VIII Be Relieved
To-Day, Insuring Adequate Fire
Fighting Facilities.

Satisfied that the worst of the food situa-
tion was past and that little more was to
be feared from either White river Fail
creek city officials began yesterday TO de-
vote their attention TO counting the cost
and to devising means for immediate relief
from Damage inflicted by raging waters.
Several facts were noted yesterday by
citizens TO reassure them and to bring back
the feeling of security from further dam
ger that had been lacking before.
At 4:45 O'Clock yesterday afternoon the
city street-car system resumed a practi-
cally fun service. the waters that had
stopped the power machinery at the West
Washington-street power house having re-
ceded. At the same time the information
was given out that the north pumping sta
tion of the Indianapolis Water Company.
which was flooded by the break in the Fall
creek levee. would probably begin TO pump
water this morning with one pump. to be
followed tomorrow or Thursday by the
second pump.
This assures immediate relief from lack
of complete fire protection. At the same
time the general situation had so improved
in the flood district that the militia was
withdrawn from service early yesterday
morning
From the passing of the crest OF the flood.
at about O'Clock Sunday night, the waters
of White river began to recede steadilS.
until at o'clock last night the river was
less than thirteen feet above low water
mark. or more than five feet lower than
it had been at Sundays highest point.
While the river was not back in it's bed
by last night, conditions were so much
better as to bring much comfort to those
who had been driven from their homes by
the flood
Parts of the inundated districts again
emerged from water. while other sections
were in sight of the same relief.
The West Washington-street district was
dry, permitting the passage of vehicles.
The West New York-sireet district gained
much relief. Sections OF North India ne polls
that had been under water also emerged
from the flood. and residents began TO re-
turn to their abandoned homes
OFFICIALS CONFER OVER DAMAGE.
Mayor Holtzman, who returned TO Indian
apolis Sunday. took immediate steps to get
all possible relief from the food damage.
and called a meeting of the Board of Pub
lie Works, the City Council finance COM
mittee. the city engineer and the city at
torney, at the mayors office yesterday aft
ernoon to consider what could be dc.e
At this meeting IT was decided by the
city officials that a special meeting OF
Council should be called for this evening.
al which a bend issue will Se asked for
the exact amount Of which cannot be de-
termined until City Engineer Jeup can COM
plete his hastily made survey OF the dam
age done to city property by the flood
This issue is to cover the cost OF repairs
to streets and alleys, pavements, idges
and like public works.
At the same time the Council will be
asked to vote an appropriation of S25.01J
from the general fund for immediate re-
lief, this sum TO be paid later out Of the
money realized from the sale of the pro-
posed bond issue.
A third question to be taken UP at the
special meeting will be the passage OF
Councilman Fishback's ordinance taxing
natural gas companies operating IA tho
city the sum of 3 cents per lineal foot on
all their mains in city strcts and ailcys,
exclusive of service pipes. The measure
is advocated as a means of adding 5000
to the city's treasury.
Although the survey of damage by the
food made yesterday by Engineer Jeup
WAS necessarily hurried and incomplete. ne
said yesterday evening that in his iudg-
nlent the total amount of damage for which
the city might be liable would be between
100000 and $4,000 This includes pvery-
thing. Including damage TO bridges. AMI IL
is probable that the bond issue asked OF
the City Council this evening will therefore
be $50. 600.
There is some question as to the citv.s
liability for the block pavements which
were washed out by the overflow from
Pogue's run. as the repair bonds given by
the contractors are still In force. In in
believed that the city will make an effort
TO compel the contract DTS TO stand the COST
OF these repairs. but there is. at the same
courts would interpret their contracts an
covering such an extraordinary case as
damage by flood. City attorney Warrurn
would make no statement this point
yesterday.
BRIDGES MUST BE REBUILT
The final stage in the life OF several OF
the cty's bridges seems TO have been
reached without question : a result OF the
last terrific onslaught OF the waters Tho
Northwestern-avenue BRIDGE over Fan
creek, which has never before been closed
TO pedestrians. will be barricadcd by the
street commissioner. who said yesterday
afternoon that the bridge was I'm such a
condition that il might fall into the stream
at any time
Il feel sure. SAID street commissioners
Herpck. that in case any one was Injured
or any lives were lost a result OF tho
collapse OF this bridge. the city might be
held liable. and for that reason I think ~
best to barricade the bridge. station an Of
ficer at it and compel people 10 keep on
At the same time / am a; a loss 10 know
what the city can do 20 accommodate the
people of North Indianapolis. who will ne
put 10 the greatest possible Inconvenience
by the closing of this bridge. With one
half of the pier gone and the whole bridr.
resting on the other damaged portion of
IL the bridge might fall OF its own weight
at any time.
River bridges upon which repairs wers
about TO be commenced are now further
damaged. the old Washington-street bridge
probably beyond repair The Tenth-street
and Kentucky y-avenue bridges across White
river are the only ones in the city thar
can be crossed by vehicles.
The CapitOl-aVenue bridge over Fan
creek has been barricaded. and pedestrians
cross II at their own peril Pogue's rtu
and Pleasant run bridges are badly dam
aged several 20 such an extent that they
must be replaced. This Is the case at the
Ohio-street. Michigan-street. Tenth-street
and Highland-avenue bridges over Pogue's
run. and at the Barth-ayenue bridge on
Pleasant run.
Gangs of men from the street commission
er's department have been hard at work
repairing such damage as be now
looked after. while immense amount OF