The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-26
DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF
COUNTY COUNCIL BLOCK
PLAN FOR NEW BRIDGES
Body Split Over Needed Improve
mentS, and Project Is at a
StandStill.
COMPROMISE REJECTED
Attitude of Nonresidents Prevents
Consideration of Question from
Standpoint of Expediency.

Three Democratic members of the County
Council have put a complete stop to the
movement for supplying the imperative
needs of the city for adequate bridge facili-
ties. The three members are Walter s.
Johnson, Samuel Pfender and Charles H..
Pierson, the only Democrats in the County
Council, and all representing districts out
side the city.
By the high water and destructive ice
jams of several weeks ago. four of the city's
bridges across White river were rendered
absolutely unsafe for any other than We
hicle traffic.
The city has no money with which TO
build them. The city could only turn to
the county for help in the emergency.
The County Commissioners were willing
to help, but had no funds. and called spe-
cial meeting of the County Council to fur
nish the funds. This meeting was held
yesterday. and a resolution was presented
to it providing for the issue OF $4,000 of
bonds to furnish funds for building new
bridges that should be strong. entirely ade-
quate and permanent. across the river at
Emrichsviile, West Michigan street. Morris
street and River avenue, beside one across
Fall creek at Delaware street. The four
Republican members OF the Council voted
to pass this resolution, but the three DEM
ocratic members opposed it.
AS in a special meeting two-thirds vote
of the members is necessary, the resolution
failed AS a consequence the bridges can
not be built
What will be done Immediately is not
known. The suggestion made yester-
day afternoon that the unsafe bridges be
condemned and closed TO the public. This
would then speedily express public views
on the subject so as to compel attention.
Other sugg stions were for the establish
ment of ferry routes, for resort TO az al
navigation to cross the river, or that the
people who have to cross it should swim
In any event the Democratic ideals of
economy, as interpreted through the actions
of the three Democratic county cOuncilmen,
would be satisfied.
SUGGESTS PONTOON BRIDGES.
1--WE might build pontoon bridges" said
City Engineer Jeup, who. with almost every
other man in the City Hall and the court
house, expressed his disgust at the action
of the minority that had held UP public
improvements
The County Council was in session from
10 a. m. to about 1 D. M, and from 2:45
to 3:45 o. m yesterday At the end of the
afternoon meeting the question was no
nearer settlement than at the beginning of
the morning session.
In the morning session the Democratic
members objected to the proposed bond
issue because they did not want to build
bridges for the street car company" They
insisted that the Indianapolis Traction and
Terminal Company should be compelled to
help pay for the bridges. 1t was explained
TO them by Mayor Hoffman and by County
Attorney Martin Hugg that this, while de-
sirable, was impossible under the company's
franchise with the city. This answer, while
satisfactory to some members of the board
seemed to make no difference to the Demo-
Gratis.
The Republican members of the board in
sisted that the city interests demanded
immediate action and that the taxpayers
of the city were in favor of such positive
and immediate measures would insure
the most adequate bridge facilities possi-
CONTINUED. ON PAGE s, COL. II