The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-07-22
ROBBINS EXPLAINS
NEWSPAPER ATTACK
ON ADMINISTRATION
Mayor Defends Policies
Against What He Terms
Uncalled For Criticism of
Governments Acts.

'"The attacks by the Evening Item
on my administration have been quite
noticeable since the Item lost the city
advertisement contract the first of Ju-
ly, that contract going to the Palla.
dium, which was the only newspaper
to submit bid," said Mayor Robbins
today when asked for a statement con-
corning the numerous criticisms his
administration has been subjected to
in the news and editorial columns of
the Item recently 49,. e~
"a few days before the date set for
letting the advertising contract man
who said he was Mr.. Dodd, proprietor
of the Item, called me up and asked
If it were true that the contract was
to be let to the newspaper which
quoted the lowest rate in proportion to
its circulation" continued the mayor.
II told him that this was the basis de-
cided on by the board of public works
and he then told me that If such was
to be the boards policy the Item
would not submit bid, furthermore,
he intended to attack the administra-
ton whenever he had an opportunity
to do SO. Since that time the Item has
been constantly finding fault with the
conduct of city affairs. That is all the
/ nave W OACA lOA tAO az
titude the Item has recently assumed
toward the administration"
Bavis to Attack.
President Bavis, of the board of pub
lie works, who yesterday denounced
what he declared to be the unfair at
tacks made by the Item on.the admin
istration, and declared that.newspaper
reminded him of "sick baby" re-
turned to the attack today.
II failed to mention yesterday that
the Item had published an article in
which the statement was made that q
mass meeting of citizens was contem-
plated, which was to be in the nature
of an indignation meeting" said Mr..
Bavis. GAS a matter of fact, there is
a possibility of calling mass meeting
to consider the street lighting question,
but the proposal was never made to
hold such meeting for the purpose of
voicing public protest. This mass meet
ing plan was an idea of mine and Mr.
Charles Jordan of the Commercial club
and we discussed it last Monday when
the Commercial club was formally in
vited to attend the board meeting
Thursday when the bids for street
lamps are to be received. The club
will be represented, and we hope the
members of it's committee will assist
us in considering the best type OF
lamp for our new lighting system ~As
no contract will be let for at least ten
days after the bids have been opened
there will be plenty of time for holding
a mass meeting"
City officials admit that there is
truth in the assertion made by the
Item that there have been objections
offered to a suggested plan of attach
ing boulevard lamps to trolley poles
on Main street. They add, however,
that the Item has never explained that
what the board really desires to do
Is to have the trolley poles on Main
street removed, the wires being guyed
to buildings, and ornamental lighting
posts substitutedf for them. The city,
however, cannot order the street car
company to take such action, however,
because it has a franchise right to
maintain trolley poles on Main street,
SO in the event the company. would
refuse to make. such change the city
fears that the placing of ornamental
lighting posts between the trolley
poles might oongest the street.