The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-18
CITY OFFICIALS
STAGE BATTLE
OVER AIRPORT
Superintendent Report Is
Cause OF WrangIe in
Back Room Session.
HELD 'UNSUBSTANTIAL'
Henry Declares Council Is
Being Kept in Ignorance
of What's Going On.

First lightning flashes in the long
brewing storm among city officials
in charge of construction and oper-
alton of the new 100000 municipal
airport, south of Ben Davis, came
Monday night in a Darkroom ses-
sion of the city council.
Scheduled for completion in July.
delays have brought series of al-
tercationS and now airport construc4
ton is in the hands of the Conn
monwealth Casualty Company and
is being finished under the direction
OF this firm and Louis Brandt, works
board member.
The work is being rushed for cons
pletion by Dec. 1, as Transcontinen-
tai and Western Air, Inc, officials
are demanding use of the field bv
that date.
The opening bolt in the discussion.
which resulted in inSinuations be-
ing cast generally among several
council members, came from George
A. Henry, father of the recent reso-
luton requiring a monthly report
on airport activities by Paul H.
Moore, superintendent.
Second mot Substantiatedo
Henry declared he found the first
report submitted to the council
satisfactory, but that the second
was not "a substantial statement Of
activities"
He said he was at loss to know
what has been done at the airport
for the last month, and had to adj
NIT his ignorance of these matters
when asked about them by Of
f1cials and individuals.
From notes in his hand, Henry.
directing his questions at Moore.
asked what had been done about the
airport we'll
Its polluted" Moore said. The
Times six weeks ago revealed that
city health board tests showed the
we'll was polluted.
Moore then recited from a state
ment written by James Hensley. well
contractor, in which the latter said
the we'll had been driven 513 feet.
but the water was coming from a
depth of 1877 feet. through a screen
in the line.
Not in His Hauds,
Under questioning by Henry,
Moore admitted he did not make
personal investigation of the depth
and said the matter was not in his
hands. Henry charged he had been
on the field during the well driv-
ing and had not found any one in
charge of the job or any inspectors
there.
Moore, said two inspectors had
been employed and were now re-
tanned to do odd jobs at the field.
81 don't believe we should pay
out money for we'll that shows
polluted water" Henry said I'm
here to find out what is going on.
What's going to be done?"
After long discussion of the we'll
problem, Moore explained the water
tests he had obtained and declared
another test will be made soon after
temporary pumps are placed on
the well.
Asks About Operations
Henry then asked about opera
tions at the field, equipment for
plane service and declared he was
not aware of the status Of the
| Transcontinental and Western Air,
Inc. contract or gasoline contracts.
He turned to Charles E. Cox, as
sistant superintendent, and asked
him for report on the service
equipment and whether he had been
preparing a set of field regulations.
Cox replied that these matters had
been turned over to the works board.
and how about pay?" Henry
asked. "Our budget provides for an
airport superintendent, assistant
superintendent and stenographer.
Is there money to pay a publicity
MANI"
H. Gene Haynes, former news
paper man, is the airport publicity
man. Francis Coleman, deputy con-
troller, told Henry there is no provi-
sion to pay Haynes next year and
now he is being paid out Of bond
| funds.
Asks for Explanation
Leo WEIGH, member of the airport
committee, then interrupted Henry
with whats behind these ques-
tons, George?"
Il want to know what's going ON
Henry answered.
"Oh, I see," WEIGH replied.
Nov, Moore" WEIGH said. you
said the water is polluted. A test
is going to be made, isn't it. Why
not say so? I don't understand
such loose statements on your part.
NFT" OTTTD