Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-24
GIVES
CREDIT TO HIS
SUBORDINATES
Praises Department Heads for
Success of His Admins
tratiOn.
CITES CROSSTOWN LINE

NAyOT 1ndTl6B W. JeWeLL
gift TO his official family at the city hall
today was q statement laying at their
feet credit for his administration. He
praised the heads of departments indi-
vidually and their subordinates collec-
lively, citing instances of what he re-
garded as work well done by the ad-
ministration.
The mayor based his statement upon
reports OF department heads which have
begun to come In to him.
IT am proud of the men with whom I
have been associated and the work they
have done" says the statement. ITO
them belongs the great credit for what
ever has been accomplished.
1.-The reports OF the departments are
very gratifying" said the mayor. "They
disclose a splendid program of work, eff
fectively carried out. Tbs success of the
administration has been due to the con-
scientious, honest and efficient services
rendered by the boards and their subordi-
mates, together with the heads of the
other departments.
Robert H Brysons service as city con-
troller in carrying out the financial pro-
gram during the past four years is
marked with good Judgment and excellent
ability. He has had a very difficult task.
Four years ago the city owed in current
bills, both liquidated and later liquidates
in round numbers. $205, 900. There were
light bills. water bills, gas bills and bills
Of numerous descriptions in all depart
ments left unpaid. Aside from this the
health department had a deficit OF some
thing like $4,000. At the beginning of
the administration the operation of the
prohibition law Immediately reduced our
revenues approximately $500, 900; the in
creased cost OF labor and materials occa-
stoned by the war set in about the same
time; common labor increased from %
cents an hour to As and 80 cents. The
wages Of fremen and policemen were
necessarily increased something like $780,
0O0 Materials increased in cost from 80
to 800 per cent.
ADMINISTRATION
INHERITs BILLS.
ITO meet thesc costly changed condi-
lions and these huge deficits. he had left
to US there was only $50 900 in the treas
ury and a city pay roll to be met within
less than ten days after we took office.
On Jan. 2 when the administration goes
out of office, we will leave no unpaid
bills. except a few emergency ones con-
tracted in the latter part Of December.
We will leave almost q half a million
dollars worth of new equipment, mostly
motor in the departments in excellent
condition, the debts of the health board
paid up out Of the general funds Of the
city and approximately $125,000 in the
treasury"
"Mr. Bryson and his assistants deserve
great credit for the efficient manner in
which the city finances have been con-
ducted.'
Mentioning President Mark H. Miller,
III.
ard A. Shirley and former presidents,
Schuyler A. Haas and the late George
Lemaux, Mayor Jewett declared that the
board OF public works has rendered ex-
cellent service. He said tha board de-
serves credit for revolutionizing of
steet- cleaning methods along modern
street flushing lines, motorization of the
garbage and ash collection departments,
until they are regarded as a model for
other cities, the comprehensive street pro-
gram which will result in paving or re-
surfacing seventy eight miles of streets.
Modernizing of the street repair depart
ments with equipment and methods Is
praised by the mayor.
BOARD OF WORKS
LEAVES PLANS.
1.-The board has on file now plans and
resolutions for q vast amount Of public
work that will be carried to completion
by the incoming administration. Plans
should be carried forward for compile
ton of the food prevention work on the
east side of White River The market
house should be Immediately improved.
There should be new units to the city
hospital. Delaware street should be
Strengthened and widened, and bridge
constructed over Fall Creek, making 1t
possible to confine traffic on Meridian and
Delaware streets to one-way movement,
relieving the congestion on Meridian
street.
1.-THE board also has plans for widening
and Strengthening Of Michigan street
near the Technical High School, with the
idea of connecting the East Michigan
and West Michigan car line, thus per-
fecting the second downtown crosstown
car line Had this plan not been OBJ
structed by legal proceedings the elimi-
nation Of the jog would have been fin
ished.
1.-THE first crosstown car line was COM
pleted by the board Of public works on
South street connecting Virginia avenue
with Kentucky avenue"
Paving and plans to pave connecting
link streets and the passage OF the law
which makes this possible were cited as
accomplishments by the mayor.
PRAISES WORK OF
SAFETY BOARD.
1.-THE board of public safety, with A.
L. Taggart as chairman and Felix M.
and Henry L. Dithmer as
members have completely revolutionized