The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-11-25

executives began their effort to cut
down the cost of the new Short
ridge. Originally it had been planned
for $1,500, 900, and then cut to ST.
$50. 900, and now it was to be cut
to $1,250,000. We found it possible.
in our desire for economy, to go
even farther than we had promised,
and so we were able to say that the
new building would cost only ST.
100000. or $4,000 less than our
promise. So we began the bond is
sue proceedings, limiting the amount
of the bonds to $1,200000. The ar
chitects for the building have just
said that they were hopeful the cost
may stay within that figure, but it
will take every effort to hold to
that. AS we always do, we provided
in our bond resolution that if a sur
plus was left after the completion
Of Shortridge, from the $1,200,000
bond issue then that surplus should
be used for the purchase of real es-
tate, needed for schol expansion.
That was merely a proviso to take
care of possible, but not expected,
small surplus.
"Now the remonstrance comes
charging that we are intending to
issue bonds for more than the
amount needed and to use the sur
plus for other new buildings. That
is utterly wrong, and convinces us
that the directors of the association
have been misled by their secre-
tary, and gives US reason to request
the opportunity to give them the
true state Of affairs.
Breach of Faith
1.-THE remonstrance charges that
the cost Of the proposed building is
too high. Yet it is to be $4,000 less
than the Taxpayers Association,
whose directors and members large
ly comprise the list of demonstrators.
agreed to support. The remonstrance
further asserts that the bonds
should not be issued at all because
the present tax rate of the city is
too high Yet these directors
agreed to support the project. The
remonstrance further charges that
taxpayers would not have an OPP
portunity to check the bids and see
that the school city gets full value
for its money. Yet neither Mr..
Miesse, nor any one else. ever asked
for an opportunity to inspect bids
or check figures with us. The only
question he asked was when the
last day for filing a remonstrance.
Mr.. Miesse told some who signed
the remonstrance that the bonds
should not be sold until the bids for
the building were received. That
was our plan ind still is our way Of
doing business, as Mr.. Miesse could
have ascertained had he inquired or
asked us for information.
1.-THE plans for the high school
program We're begun two years ago,
and were being pushed through as
rapidly as possible. 1t was the ex-
pectation that bids would be received
and contracts let by the board before
the end Of this year.
Double Threat
The remonstrance has a double
threat. 1t not only threatens the
stopping Of the Shortridge project,
but if successful it means disrup-
ton of more than half of the grade
school program of next year. These
gentlemen urged us to use the pro-
ceeds of the sale Of old Shortridge,
instead Of taxes, for the greater part
Of this grade program. II we can
not build a new Shortridge, we can
not sell the old Shortridge. Our tax
levy already has been reduced by
us, and cannot be raised, so we are
without resources to care for more
than half Of the grade school pro-
gram of next year.
'The remonstrance in our opinion
is a breach of faith, and nothing
else. We are certain the remonstra.
tors will see, with us, that they
have been misled, and we know
they hold their plighted word high.
So do We"