Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-17

In fact, DR.. Fur Mss is one of the most
regular callers Oh the mayor. If there
IL such a thing as an administration
leader left IN the council 1t is DR.. Fur
Mss, whose following consists of DE-.
sumner A. Furniss. 1t is presumed, how
ever, by those who watch the city's af-
fairs closely that DR.. Furniss is con-
suited by the mayor, not for his control
of DR.. Sumner A Furniss In the council,
but because he is the representative OF
the negro vote, the balance of political
power in Marion County.
EVEN FURNIss
Is COOLING.
Even Or. Furniss is not such an ar
dent supporter OF the mayors designs
as might be expected from their fire.
Quent conferences. It has been an
nounced both by Mr.. Jewett and Cor
poration Counsel Ashby that the admin
istratiOn opposes the granting Of the
right to charge > cents for transfers to
the Indianapolis Street Railway Com
pany. In the early days Of the Jewett
tenure this would have been the law
for everybody in the City Hall, but DR..
Furniss apparently is unimpressed. A
survey OF the opinion Of city officials on
the 2-cent transfer charge was being
made and DR.. Furniss was asked what
he thought Of the matter.
well. don't like to express an opin-
ion without giving the matter some
thought I'll have to give that matter
considera ton ne replied.
Mr.. Ashby and the mayor do not even
have the president Of the most important
board with them in their stand on the
street railway eompany's petition for re-
lief. George W. Lemaux, president OF
the board OF public works, has stated
for publication on several occasions that
he believes the company should have at
least l cent a transfer increase In fare,
asserting that the company must have
mora money In order to carry out the
nrogran of improvements and extensions
which rhe board has IN mind for IL next
year.
CLASH on
OVER GAS CASE.
II Is no secret also that in the negotia-
tons which resulted in the agreement De-
tween the board of works and the Clh-
zens Gas Company, consummated Monday,
by which the gas company binds ITSELF
to make 50 10000 worth of plant exter'
sions and improvements Of 1t can sell its
securities) and to ration gas during
periods Of shortage so as to give COOK
stoves the preference, Mr.. Lemsux fire.
ouentlv clashed with Mr.. Ashby. In fact
Mr.. Lemaux was more Inclined to side
with Mr.. Schmidt and Mr.. Wilson OF the
council than with Mr.. Asnby. The diff
culties were ironed out, but not before
Mr.. Lemaux had his say.
This serves to recall that Mr.. Ashby
was the sole real representative OF the
administration mind IN the negotiations
with the gas company, and IN the oppo-
sition to the street r1ilway's new plan
hall folk as further evidence that Mr..
Ashby Is the power TO see. Mr.. Jewett
has turned almost everything over to
Mr.. Ashby. they believe. while he raises
hogs and scouts about the country for
new blood for his pedigreed droves.
MAYOR NOT AT
CONFERENCE
Mayor Jewett never attended any of the
gas conferences to which reporters were
admitted. He his never issued a single
statement Of bis views on the amend
ments 10 the gas franchise. His only In
dication Of interest IN the street railway
situation came not along ago when. 10
response to a question put by newspa-
rermen. he said his Views are reflected
correctly by Mr. Ashby.
one Of the most Independent OF de-
Partment heads is Dwight s. Ritter. city
purchasing agent, who was picked for
the Job out Of a big business Institution
with the public declaration By the mayor
that be was being chosen because Of his
ability as a purchasing agent He is
the important official IN the administra-
ton picked especially because be knows
his Job.
Mr.. Ritter has been found blocking
moves Of the administration which he
did not subscribe 10 on several occa-
siOns Now Mr.. Ritter has a proposal
Of his own and the administration IS
said 10 be opposing Il. BY the word ad-
ministration, Corporation Counsel Ash
by is meant In this instance.
HAS NEW SYSTEM
FOR BUYING
The purchasing agent desires a new
system Of public purchase. which be says
viii save the city thousands on thousands
OF dollars. To put this system by which
the purchasing agent would be cInpow-
cred to buy articles needed by city de-
partments in large quantities and pay for
them direct out Of funds under his con-
troll. into effect VIII require new legsla-
ton and the construction Of storehouse
for the surplus stocks. The various de-
partments would draw their supplies as
needed from this warehouse.
The corporation counsel, II Is said, op
poses the new system. which has the In
dOrsement Of various governmental re-
bodfae all over the crunfrV and