The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-10-15
At Council Meeting on Mon
day Evening, Most Import
ant Step for Good Water
Franchise to Be Taken.
ClTYLEGAL FORCE
HAS MADE ITS PLANS
Supt. Dill Non Communica-
tive About Probable Action
of Company Towards Sur
rendering Records.

The water works question will again
be taken up at The meeting of the city
council tomorrow evening. The attor-
neys for the city, who are A. NJ. Gar
dener. II. u. Johnson and Wilfred Jes-
sup, have been busy investigating the
scope of the law relative to the act
passed by the 1909 legislature, which
gives the city council the right to ex.
anime the books Of the Richmond City
Water Works company before making
contract with it to supply water to
the city. The attorneys have been
making an individual investigation
and will meet Monday evening to de-
termine the exact plans for future ac-
ton.
The resolution will be prepared and
presented to council tomorrow night,
which will set the date for the pre-
sentation of the books Of the com.
pany. Council has already gone on
record unanimously in favor of the
investigation. and unless very strong
pressure is brought to bear on some
OF the councilmen the resolution will
be passed unanimously tomorrow
night setting a date for the examina-
ton OF the books. 1t is understood
that the water works company is try
ing to head of the investigation and
has made personal calls on some of
the councilmen, asking for their sup
port for q modified bid before any
investigation is made.
Investigating Laws.
I'VE have nothing to say at this
time" said Attorney Gardner last
evening, "other than the fact that the
attorneys for the city will hold
meeting before Monday evening and
arrange our side Of the case We are
now busy studying laws on the sub
ject."
From Mr.. Gardner's statement it is
gathered that a report Of some nature
will be made to the city council at its
regular session Monday. evening.
Howard Dill. superintendent of the
Richmond City Water Works compa-
ny, was asked last evening as to
whether the company would fight the
attempt Of the city to investigate the
books.
"Our bid Is in and we are now await
ing the decision Of the CITY," answered
Mr.. Dill. 1--WE will say nothing until
the city serves notice on u.s."
Rights Of Council.
The city will base its argument upon
the act passed in 1909 by the state leg
islature, which reads. the common
council of every city shall have the
power to supervise and investigate the
affairs Of any corporation. firm or per-
son In which the city may be interest
ed or with which it may have entered
into a contract or may be about to do.
Such common council shall have the
power Of access to all records pertain
ing to any such investigation
and power to compel the attendance
OF witnesses and the production of
books. papers and other evidence at
any meeting OF the council or of any
committee thereof .and for that pur-
pose such council or committee may
issue subpocnas and attachments in
any case OF inquiry. investigation or
Impeachment. and cause the same to
be served and executed in any part
OF the county where such city is To-
Gated. II any witness shall refuse to
testify as to any fact within his knQwl-
edge, or to produce any books or pa
pers within his possession or under
his control required to be used as evil
dence In any such case the clerk of the
body by whose authority such witness
was subpoenaed. II so directed by the
body or committee holding the inves-
tigation. shall forthwith report in writ
ing to the circuit court of such coun-
ty or the judge thereof in vacation
Of the facts relating to such refusal
And all questions arising upon such
refusal and also upon any new evi.
dence not included in such first report
which new evidence may be offered in
behalf Of or against such witness,
shall be heard by such court or the
Judge thereof in vacation. If the
court determine that the testimony or
evidence required Of such witness is
competent, relevant and material and
to be given or produced by the wit
ness, the court shall make an order
requiring the witness to testify or to
produce books and papers or both. In
case of a refusal to comply with such
order the court shall have the power
to commit the witness or otherwise
punish him for contempt. as provided
by law In case Of contempt OF court" "
The report Of the attorneys for the
city and the probable action by the
city council tomorrow night ia awaited
with interest. AZ such action will mark
the next step In the negotiations for
asw contract for water supply.
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