The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-05
SLACK DELAYS
!. CITY HOSPITAL
!. Bull DING PLANS
Asks Health Board Session
to Employ Architect and
Engineer Held Up.

Selectlon OF an architect, power
engineer and hospital consultant for
the city hospital building program.
authorized by city council Monday
night, was delayed today by the
board of health pending action of
Mayor L. Ert Slack.
1t was understood Slack ordered
the health board to delay special
meeting to employ the experts.
: Slack is understood to have in
mind some applicants for the posts
ut looks like everything is whip
ping out in shape all right DR..
E. E. Padgett, health board presi-
dent, said after an hours closed
conference with the mayor.
DR.. William A. DoepperS, hospital
superintendent, attended the con-
ference.
Plan Separate Contracts
Although Slack declined to dis
bussed his plans, it was understood
he plans separate contracts for each
of the proposed units. 1t generally
is believed that the power plant unit
will be started first, the others fol-
lowing as the city council sees fit
to authorize expenditures.
Scherrer Bros, who designed other
city hall units, are mentioned in
connection with the new program
1t is probable that Slack will order
the legal department to prepare the |
contracts with the stipulation that
fees for services will hinge on coun-
ellis passage Of a bond issue at
later date.
Doubt as to legality of the ordi-
nance was expressed by some city
officials because. council provided no
means of paying the architect and
most attorneys hold that a munich
pal contract is illegal where there
is no money available to carry it
out.
The measure gives the board of
health authority to employ an
architect and conSultant to make a
study of the hospital building pro-
gram and draw plans and Specif1-
cations.
The ordinance specifically pro-
vides that the consultant and archi-
tect shall be selected after consulta-
ton with Mayor l.. Ert Slack and
that he shall approve all contracts.
Fear Contract Is Illegal
City Clerk William A. Boyce Jr.
and several other city officials eX-
pressed the belief that it would be
illegal for the board of health to
enter into a contract before money
is available to pay the architect and
consultant. The ordinance original |
ly authorized a 100000 bond issue to
pay fees but was amended to pro-
vide that the fees shall be paid by |
a bond issue to be authorized later. |
1t was the understanding that the
council amended the measure be-
cause it was feared the city could |
not sell the bonds even if they we're
passed by council because of pend
ing litigation which clouds the title
of Mayor Slack. Banks have re-
fused to buy municipal bonds.
Assistant City Attorney Smiley NJ
Chambers advised the council that
the board of health can employ the
consultant engineer and architect |
and proceed legally with the work
without the funds to pay fees, pro-
vided the contract stipulates that it
is subject to a bond issue to be |
passed later.
Strike Out Bond Program
On motion of John F. White, the
council voted to strike from its files
the 81, 100000 building program bond |
issue for city hospital.
Finance Chairman Edward Har-
ris explained that the council re-
fused to pass the bond issue until
detailed estimates Of costs were sub
mitted. The original bond ISSUE
asked a new power plant, servic2
building, contagious ward and
new ward unit for the hospital.
According to DR.. William A. Deep
pers, superintendent, the hospital
has been crowded since condemna-
ton of the old units by the State
fire marshal as a fire hazard nearly
two years ago. Since that time the
board of health has sought to OBJ
tain an emergency bond issue for
the hospital.
Plan Special Meeting
Several of the councilmen have
conferred with Mayor Slack and |
agree that the power plant should
be the first unit. 1t is believed that |
the council will refused to adopt |
the entire building program, insist
ing on passage of bonds for each