The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-01-06
SULLIVAN IS
INAUGURATED
AS CITY Chief
Brief Rites Mark Opening
of New indianapolis
Administration.
OATH GIVEN BY FATHER
Council Organizes at First
Session; Ropkey Named
President.

Other Inauguration News on Page Two.
With brief, simple inaugural
ceremony, Reginald H. Sullivan, SO,
Democratic attorney, today became
the twenty-fourth mayor of Indian
apolis.
The oath of office was admin
istered by Thomas L. Sullivan,
83-year-old father of the city's new
chief executive, who was granted a
special notary public commission to
qualify him to administer the oath.
City council chamber on the
fourth floor of city hall was the
scene of the official change of adj
miniStrations. Members of the in
coming council we're in their seats,
with scores Of friends of city Of
ficials as onlookers. Police Chief
Jerry Kinney, Sullivans appointee,
assigned police squad to handle
the crowd.
L. Ert Slack, who was elected in
1927 following bribery scandals at
city hall, opened the Inauguration
ceremony with brief speech. 1t
was the first time in the city's his
tory that Democratic mayor
turned over the reins of govern
ment to member of his party.
Mayors Father Acts
The participation of Thomas L.
Sullivan, who served the city as its
fifteenth mayor from 1890-189S,
added color to the occasion, appro-
priately linking the present with the
"old days"
The mayor of forty years ago was
inaugurated in small room in the
basement of the present courthouse,
All city offices being housed there
before erection Of the present city
hall at Alabama and Ohio streets.
I'VE accept the responsibility
placed upon us and must not fail in
the fulfillment of our trust" Sulli-
van said in q brief speech. I'VE
must do our utmost to give an hon
est and efficient administration of
public affairs"
The new chef executive pleaded
for complete harmony" among the
several branches of government,
that the best results might be
obtained"
Sullivan commended the work Of
Slack and the councilmen who
brought order out of chaos and re-
stored the confidence of the people
of Indianapolis.
Slack will return to his private
law practice.
After the ceremony, Sullivan re-
tired to the mayors Office on the
second floor, to receive congratula-
tons and greetings from friends.
Relatives Are Present
Mrs. Slack, Mrs. Mary L. Sullivan
and Mrs. John E. Hewlett, sisters
of Sullivan, and DR.. Thomas L.
Sullivan Jr., brother of the new
mayor, occupied special seats at the
ceremony.
The council chamber and ball
cony were damned with spectators
and many were forced to remain
outside in corridors. The mayors
Office was filled with floral tributes.
After he swore in his son as
mayor, Thomas L. Sullivan was in
troduced and made a brief speech.
To-day eliminates jubilee sea-
son for Indianapolis" he said. ut
is the duty henceforth of the city
governing family to preserve and
increase the goodwill of citizens to-
ward the administration"
The incoming council held its
first official session at noon to-
day to organize. City Clerk Henry
o. Goett, Democrat, administered
the oath of Office to the new adj
members.
Ernest c. Ropkey, % North Al-
dubon road, Democrat, and presi-
dent of the Indianapolis Engraving
Company, was elected president of
the council.
The Rev. Carl Hildebrand was
elected president pro TEN.
Business Session Tonight
The first business session Is sched-
uled for tonight, following a dinner
at the indianapolis Athletic Club at
which the councilmen will be guests
Of the retiring aldermen.
New coIncilmen are Ropkey,
Leo WEIGH, Charles Morgan, the
Rev. Carl A. Hildebrand, James A.
Houck and Clarence I. Wheatley.
Democrats, and George Henry, Fred
G. Gardner and Maurice E. Ten
nant, Republicans.
Organization conferences were
held by several new boards following
the Inauguration. Police Chief Jerry
Kinney, who was promoted by Sui
Ivan from detective chief to head
of the department, was given the
chiefs badge by Claude NJ Worley,
retiring chief.
Struck by Hit-Run Driver