The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-29
THERE'S A REASON

Announcement that the Chamber of Commerce
in take look at the proposal to spend several
billions of dollars of the peoples money by the pres
he city administration will be than welcome
those who pay the money.
The plea of improvements is popular, always
d there should always be improvements. NO
can grow without them
Fine streets and we'll kept streets are sign OF
terprise and faith in the city and it's future.
The building of a great coliseum would I'M
btedly draw many visitors to this city, and cities
e to some extent upon the men who come from
her places to spend, to invest, to purchase.
But experience in many cities has shown there
times to spend money and that 1t is best spent
hen there is complete confidence in the wisdom
d other qualifications OF those who plan and spend
The coliseum project, for example, meritorious
it NAV be- is one which will require unusual
rutiny
1.-THE law provides for alternative plans for its con-
ruction and operation. The sudden change Of
iinion by the mayor as to the better Of the two
yograms Immediately after he had ousted one board
public works and replaced it with membership
ON his close personal and business associates
lould at least be a signal for examination, discus
on and reason.
If the mayor was ill advised in his first position,
It is Just possible that his reversal may be equally
erroneous.
IN Among the needed projects under contemplation
one that will run into millions of expense, is
ID of flood prevention.
& " The board of public works which was uncere-
oniously cast aside had appraised the value of
Ids which must be used for this purpose. 1t was
out half the cost of former appraisal made for
Se present city engineer who was put into office
st before the board of works which made that
yer appraisal went out of power.
Upon this the advice and counsel of a business
ganization such as the Chamber Of Commerce
Ay be valuable
Street improvement projects under contempa-
Dn mean more millions. If the city is ready to
end this money at this time, it wishes of course
be assured that the improvements made
lder a business administration. Perhaps the new
ard Of public works better able to drive bargains
In contractors than was the old The Cham
committee may be able to find out.
Of course the appointment of the Chamber
mmittee suggests that there is purpose to inject
pre of business judgment and perhaps business
actice into these matters. 1t may be the fore
inner of a determination by the men who pay the
taxes in this city to get real business administra-
ton of all affairs such as is offered by the City
form of government.
That Mayor Duvall believed that the people were
eager for just such administration of the public
business may be inferred from the fact that tho
political machine of which he has beer part and
10 which he is indebted for office, forced through
the legislature a measure to prevent the people
from relieving him of power for another two years
An administration that relied upon public con-
fidence hardly needs act Of legislature to protect
it from public opinion 1t must be remembered that
when Mayor Duvall elected, he accepted Office
under the laws of this State which would permit the
adoption Of the City Manager government at any
time The legislature protected him from that part
bf the contract with the people
There is reason, of course, for the determ
Ration of the Chamber of Commerce to take an
active part in the spending of millions of money