The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-03-18
QUESTION Of CAR
FARE BOOST SENT
BACK TO MAYOR
Council Refuses to Make
Recommendations on Pro-
posed Increase,

Attitude of the city administration
toward increased car fare reverted TO
Mayor Shank and TIE legal depart
nent today. following adoption Il a
resolution Monday night in which
council refused TO take action or
make any recommendation
The resolution passed with three
dissenting votes. Councilmen Ben H.
Thompson and John E King. Repub-
leans and HeydOn W. Buchanan,
Democrat, voting no" They pointed
out lack Of jurisdiction. The resolution
provided that the mayor and the
legal department work out a plan
with the Indianapolis Street Railway
Company and the public service com
mission
Although the council believes that
the city needs and must have better
car service, new cars. extension Of
lines" the resolution, land that pub
tic interest demands that the street
railway company be asked to supply
these needs, the council has no
recommendation and believes that
The matter should be referred to the
city legal department and the mayor
10 take up the public service commits
sion. which has Jurisdiction
The Yesolu eion pointed out that the
report Of Benjamin Perk, city utility
expert, showed earnings Of the com
pany inadequate to purchase new cars,
make repairs and extend lines.
Safety Measure Passed
Action was formulated at g Repub-
Hcan caucus late Monday.
An ordinance prohibiting transporta-
ton of motion picture films or ex-
plosives on street cars or any other
kind OF vehicle in the city limits IN
less in proper metal containers, passed
unanimously.
Bitter opposition to an ordinance
requiring elevator shafts in all build
ings four stories or more in height to
be incased. was registered. Letters
from the Grand Lodge Hall Associa-
ton and the W. 7. Holiday Com
pany pointed out that the measure
would involve the expenditure OF mil
lion OF dollars and would boost rents
20 per cent. The letters were referred
to the council safety committee, which
has the ordinance. Another measure,
requiring smoke tower fire escapes on
all new buildings three stories or moro
in height, also went to the safety COM
mittee.
Dreams Of abolishing city-owned au-
tOmobiles We're jolted when Council
man John E. King submitted a report
on bids Of taxi compares for auto
service for the building department.
The Don Herr Cab Company asked
SS1.5o0 a year for furnishing seven
inclosed fve-p passenger cars six hours
a day for 800 days. The Indiana Cab
Company submitted a bid OF $40 day
for each Ford furnished, and SIS
cay for taxicabs. A measure to ap-
propriate $4,000 to buy four new
cars for building inspectors then was
introduced.
No Action on Police
No action was taken on Police Chief
Rikhoff's request for 100 additional
policemen. Councilman King said he
had placed Leonard V. Harrison,
budget expert for the Chamber Of
Commerce. in charge Of a survey to
be conducted of other cities. Presi-
dent Walter W. Wise also Is investi-
eating conditions in other cities.
The council received an offer to buy
the Castle Hall, Just west of city hall,
across a tenfoot alley. for 1910, 900.
The board Of works has had the same
offer under consideration. but the price
IS regarded as too high. It has been
suggested the building would relieve
crowded conditions at city hall.
Other ordinances passed:
Authorizing sale of discarded motor
equipment from the police, fire, cleo
trical and building departments. Nine
ayes.
Providing permits and fees for test
ing building material in the Iabora-
tories OF the city hall. Six ayes.
noes.
Otl er ordinances introduced:
Authorizing payment Of ss,412.72
for judgment against the city re
Gently affirmed by the Supreme Court
Ratifying a contract Of the Acme
Evans Company TO lay a railroad
switch across Blackford st. near Mar
ket St
Prohibiting driving or operating
any vehicle on or across any improved
sidewalk.
Public hearings were held on
changing territory at Station and
Twenty Fifth SITS. from residential to
business and for a similar change at
Noble and Washington SITS.