The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-21
Stewards Bill Provides Board
OF Works Be Composed of
Mayor, Clerk and the Street
Commissioner.
METROPOLITAN POLICE
COMMISSIONERS TO GO
Provides That Office of Judge
OF City Court Be Optional
With the CounciI-Other
Changes.

II is INTENDED 10 reuuce the cost or
conducting the government of cities
of the fourth class. which includes
into the next Legislature by III. H.
Stewart. representative from Howard
county. General dissatisfaction has
resulted from the cities and towns act
of 1905. Departments of government
We're provided for that have required
additional offices and stipulated salar-
les. In some cities the maintenance
of such offices has been found bur-
densome and il is claimed the offices
are in some instances quite unneces-
sary.
The following is a synopsis of the
proposed measure:
>offices Abolished or Created.
The board of metropolitan police
commissioners, in all cities OF the
fourth class where such l.oards now
exist. are abolished, and the whole
metropolitan police. system repealed,
and the police system of the cities
and towns law by which each city
through the board of public works
The office of city treasurer in all
county seat cities is abolished at the
expiration of the term of office of the
present incumbents, and the duties of
the office of city treasurer are trans
ferred to the office of the county
| treasurer.
The office of city controller is abol-
ished in all cities of the third and
fourth class, unless the city council
shall by ordinance otherwise provide,
and the duties of city controller are
| transferred to the city clerk.
The office of Judge of the city court,
In all cities of the third and fourth
class, is abolished. except such judge
may be retained by ordinance in any
city to take effect at the expiration
of the term of the present city judges,
and the duties of Judge of the city
| court are transferred to the mayor.
The board of works as now consti-
tuted in all cities of the third and
fourth class is abolished to take ef-
feet at the expiration of the term of
office of the present incumbents, and
the duties thereof imposed upon the
| board of public works in such cities
composed of the mayor. the city civil
engineer and street commissioner
| Under the present statute the cre-
alton of the office of street commits
sioner is optional with the city coun-
ell, but this bill proposes to make
such officer to be elected by the COM
mon council necessary in each city. to
serve as a member OF the board OF
public works and to perform the du-
ties heretofore required by law OF
street commissioners.
Changes in Duties-Board Of Public
Works.
| The board of public works is given
exclusive Jurisdiction of the opening
of streets and alleys, and the city
council exclusive jurisdiction OF
changing the boundaries OF cities and
the Act of 1907 giving circuit or su-
perior courts concurrent Jurisdiction
TO vacate alleys and streets and dis
annex territory from cities and towns
is expressly repealed.
The board of works Is specifically
required to do what ii is now permit
ted to do in opening streets and alleys
and in improving plats to require suit
able and permanent monuments to be
placed at all street and alley corners
so as to avoid the confusion which
now exists as to the true lines of the
streets and alleys in many places.
The section as to contracts for pub
lie utilities such as gas. water and
Electricity, Is so amended as to re-
lquire twelve months notice of the
letting of contract to be given in
stead of three months as the present
law requires, as II is thought that
three months is entirely too short q
time in which TO install a water plant,
electric light plant or gas plant in any
city.
One of the Marked Chanaea
The most radical change. perhaps.
is in the sections in regard to street
improvements. the present law has
directory provision TO the effect that
notice by mail shall be given to the
owners of property on every street
and alley of a proposed improvement
This section is amended in the pro.
posed bill so as TO make IL mandatory
upon the board of public works to no.
tify by mail every property owner on
every street and alley improved of
, such proposed Improvement imme-
diately upon the passage of the oi ig.
inaI resolution for such Improvement
Assessments Would be Different.
A radical change is also made In the
method of collection of municipal as