Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 281, 17 August 1909 — Page 1

CHMOI FAIXABITJM SEcncn cms AND SUN-TELEGRAM; VOX. SSXTV. NO. 281. RICHMOND. IND., TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 17, 1909. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS.

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Rt Meeting Last Evening Councilman Leftwich Presented Resolution Favoring Control of the- Public Service Corporation by the City of Richmond and With Great Enthusiasm the "City Dads" Unanimously Adopted It, Marking Important Step in the Question That Is Now Under Consideration.

nninn nr mnnin iDunnu ur wunio WANT AUTHORITY v EMPLOY EIIG1IIEER tComnmmTcation to This Effect Was Presented to Council Last Niaht and Favorable at aw m Action Taken. IAN ORDINAN 1 PROHIBI R TERS This Mea sented By Co Council Passe Its Second Re Resolved, by the common council of the city of Richmond that it Is the ense of this council that the water tsupply for the city should be owned land controlled by the city and to that Und the city attorney be instructed to investigate and recommend the most lutMa'nliii ( tha nurnlnn of . the f 4UllnV J.,..., W mr ..... w...--.. - t iitMi be It further resolved. If it should be absolutely Impossible to own or control the-present water system, that every effort be given to a competitive company to put in a new plant. ; To the Mayor and Common Council: The importance of the pending water worka proposition Is generally understood by the citizens and the taxcavers of Richmond. Hence the Im' portance of full and accurate Inf orma- J Hon on the part of the representatives of the Asy must be admitted. The Board of Public Works believes such knowledoe to be so necessary as to 'lustifv the employment of a capable ! hydraulic engineer, who shall furnish j ouch Information to them and to the j common council and who shall advise them as an expert and represent the city throughout any negotiations lookIns aithar ta the renewal of the oresent water works contract, or to the municipalizing of this Important utility. We, therefore,, respectfully ask the co-operation of the council in the matter of the employment of euch expert engineer. JOHN HALLOWELL, President of the Board of Works. - .'An ordinance in relation to the sale, delivery and furnishing of water to persons .in the city of Richmond, for domestic use and other purposes, by persons, companies, and corporation, under franchises granted by said city. 8ection I.- Be it ordered by - the common council of the city of Richmond, in the state of Indiana, that It shall be hereafter unlawful for any person, company or corporation engaged In selling, delivering and furnishing water to the Inhabitants of the said city for domestic use or other purposes, under franchise granted by said city, to charge, receive or exact any compensation, in money or otherwise as meter rent or compensation for the use of a water meter, in measuring the water sold, delivered and furnished by them in the course of their business to any persons, company or corporation In said city. f Section II. Any person, company, or corporation violating the provisions of this ordinance shall forfeit and pay to said city the sum of $5 for each Violation thereof. The careful consideration of the question of either giving a new contract to the Richmond City Water Works company or municipalizing the 8 ame, caused last evening's session of council to be one of the most important that has been - held in many months. Council showed that it had the deepest Interest and sympathy in the public's demand for the municipalization of the Water Works company :, by the unanimous adoption of the resolution and also by concurring in Mr. Hallowell's communication ' to the council, by a unanimous vote. The ordinance was read the second time by title but, as is the usual custom in the consideration of matters of. much importance to the public, it was allowed to lay over for two weeks before final action is taken. . Views of Von Peln. Councilman Von Peln In speaking of the proposed municipalization of the Water Works company, said that he rored the plan suggested by R. O.

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dium. He said he had found public sentiment favored the project. ' Not being a lawyer and therefore not understanding what authority the city would have to purchase the plant by the refunding plan, he felt that legal advice should be rendered on the subject. He expressed hope that the plant might be bought by the city, if the refunding plan was adopted without Involving the city In any legal tangle. : This plan was also discussed favorably by a number of other councilmen. As to Meter Rents. The proposed ordinance to make it a violation, punishable by a $5 fine for each and every offense, for a per son, company or corporation charging meter rent, was the first of a chain of three links on the water works ques tion, considered by council. The question of passing such an ordinance did not meet altogether with the approval of the councilmen. They thought that if the meter rents were discontinued the company would then raise Its rates and more than equalize the amount lost by taking away the meter rent revenue. However In the event the ordinance is passed and strenuous effort will be made by City Attorney T. J. Study to have it pass ed the semi-annual collection of such rents will not be made In October. Mr. Study defended the ordinance with an impassioned plea and answered all arguments of councilmen who feared to legislate against meter rentals. Mr. Study says the city can go even farther than it proposes, because the city, by implied right, has the power to regulate the exercise of any franchise, and, furthermore, can go so far as to compel the company to put a meter. In every residence, .where the consumer so desires, free of cost to the latter. Argue Pro and Con. Mr. Von Peln was one of the councilmen who spoke against annuling. the meter rent. He said that It was , a personal matter with him as lie paid meter rent for, five different places and in no case was his water bill as much as it would be if the company exercised a minimum rate clause. By the terms of the ordinance the company has the right to charge what it pieases ior water, according to air. Von' Peln. Other councilmen said that the company would probably raise the price. This was the view of Oliver Leftwich, H. H. Englebert and Henry Deuker. Mr. Englebert and Mr. Leftwich referred to the fact that the previous administration had made an effort to pass an ordinance making it unlawful to charge meter rent. A committee of which Mr. Leftwich was a member visited the officials of the company and they told the commit tee that If the company was forced to give free meter service that it would have to raise its water prices. None of the councilmen expressed themselves as being against the ordinance if it could be passed and the water rates remain the same. The council adopted the resolution which was presented by Oliver Leftwich without much debate. Caused Discussion. The question, however, of employing an expert to advise the administration and citizens relative to the municipalization of the water works caused much discussion. Councilman Bartel raised a , kick because of the cost. He felt that this should be investigated before council took action. However, Mr. Barters contention was soon overruled by his associates, who felt that the proceeding advised by the board was a very wise ono. ; Councilman McMataan said that it was a particularly good method and would, thereby, do much in keeping the skirts of the city clean. In taking up the matter he said he thought the administration should do everything in its power to protect itself from the suggestion of graft, which usually is made when a big proposition is considered. The water works officials have refused to give the information desired by the city, but by employing an ex pert, Mr. Deuker said, be did not think the administration would be casting any reflections on the company. y v O'Neal's Statement. v Watson P. O'Neal then spoke on the subject and said that the Water Works company had employed an expert, according to his understanding. This expert has pronounced the main from the pumping station to the city as satisfactory and safe and sufficiently large and strong to supply water for 30,000 Inhabitants. Mr. O'Neal said that he believed an additional main should be extertled from the pumping station to the river at the west end of North A street The company has consented to put in another main if the contract which it submitted to the board is accepted. Relative to the proposed contract which the company ibmitted last week to the board for its approval, City Attorney T. J. Study in a very sarcastic tone of voice said, "Well they will not get the kind of an ordinance which, they propose, Mr. Engle-

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bert." It was in reply to that council man's question as to the possibility of the board favoring the submitted contract y Continuing on this same subject, he said the company would make no improvements unless they received extra compensation. Of this he felt certain. That before any kind of proposed contract would be considered seriously by the board of works the Water Works company would have to coma way down in its demands. Mr. Study laid especial emphasis on the point that it was just as essential that the "common people" be protected in this matter as the manufacturer, and that the board would see that their rights were protected as well as were those of the wealthier citizens. Extra Main Needed. In reply to a statement by E. G. MeMaban that the essential point was that the water works -system should be safe and that an extra main should be laid from the pumping station to the city for this reason. City Controller Webster Parry, gave council the opinion of T. A. Taylor, who superintended the construction of the plant Mr. Taylor is now superintendent of a water works company at Alton, 111: Recently he was in the city and went over the ground with Mr. Parry. When the question of the supply main came up he expressed surprise to Mr. Parry that the company did not have an extra main, merely as a matter of precaution. Mr. Taylor said that it was his belief the main was stronger at the present time than it was when it was installed. However, he admitted, the probability of tfie main breaking at any time when extra heavy pressure was a constant source of danger. PHELPS IS li Young Factory Employe Gets Left Arm Caught in A Cutter. IS SEVERELY LACERATED Cleveland ; Phelps, aged about .25. was severely injured last evening at the Richmond Fence factory, where he is employed. Phelps was engaged in cutting wire and in some peculiar manner his left arm became entangled in the cutter and before it could be extricated, was badly lacerated. The city ambulance was called and the young man was removed to his home, 218 North 18thstreet, . where medical attention was given him. While no bones were broken and the Injury is not thought to be of a serious nature, it Is very painful and it will be some time before the complete use of . the member will be restored. The acci dent occurred about 7 o'clock. . ORDER STRIKERS TO VACATE HOMES Three Hundred and Fifty Men Are Affected by the rder Today IMPORT STRIKE BREAKERS CLASHES BETWEEN THEM AND THE PICKETS OF THE STRIK ERS NUMEROUS BUT NO ONE SERIOUSLY HURT. Pittsburg, Aug. 17. Three hundred and fifty strikers residing in company tenements have been ordered by the Pressed Steel Car company to vacate today or return to work. If the mea refuse to return their household goods will be set out on the streets by the sheriff and his deputies. Two hundred or so strikebreakers have been brought in by rail " and water during the last twenty-four hours and clashes between them and the pickets have been frequent but no one was seriously injured. Cut Out Socialists. The strikers have decided to cut oat the socialistic speakers who have been taking advantage of the trouble to push their doctrine to the front Several steam launches have been placed at the disposal of the striking workmen and maintain a constant patrol along the south bank of the Ohio bat beyond the reporting the arrival of strikebreakers make little effort to prevent their landing. - The Hudson river workmen - who were with the full consent of the strikers finishing some work; for their company In the car plant, and who all quit when the first batch of strikebreakers arrived, have had a clash with the new men who used the same tools aa the Hudson rvrer aeeaw

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A GREAT DEMAND FOR RESIDENCES HOT YET HEEDED People Besieging Real Estate Agents for Houses, But the Urgent Calls Cannot Be Responded To. HOUSES AT MODERATE PRICES MUCH NEEDED William F; Bockhoff, Head of New Beallview Factory, Is ' Wondering Where He Will Quarter Workmen. Not for a period of twenty years, it is said, has there been such a scarcity of houses to rent in Richmond. It is absolutely impossible to supply the demand. One real estate agent stated this morning that he had had at least fifty calls within the last month for small houses to rent and he could not furnish them, and practically every real estate dealer in the city has had & similar experience. At present there is not a vacant house in the city for rent and it is doubtful if there is a city in the state where like conditions exist, v Houses can not be bulrt fast enough and contractors are working overtime in an effort to meet the increasing demand. While many houses are being built they are : mostly private dwellings it is said and the campaign . wages merrily on. Perhaps nothing more clearly llustrates- the fact that Richmond is "on the boom" and In an exceedingly prosperous condition than this shortage of renting houses. Richmond's reputation as "a "panic proof city" has resulted in an Influx this summer of strangers who desire to make this city their permanent residence, the like of which has never been seen before. Bockhoffs Statement. It is stated by William P. Bockhoff, president of the Automatic Tool Company, which will locate in this city, that unless more houses are erected within the course of the next . two months it will be difficult for him to provide quarters for his skilled workmen. He declared t hat it will be necessary for him to bring to the city at least sixty workmen, almost , all of whom - have families. Seventy-five bouses renting for $8. $10 and $12 a month would be good Investments for those who would erect them. According to Adolph Bllckwedel, president of the South Side Improvement association the matter is rapidly assuming serious proportions and some action Is imperative. - There will be a meeting of the South Side Improvement association this evening at the No. 4 ttoee house on South. Ninth and B street. where the matter will be discussed more fully, and an effort to arouse more In the sale of lots and the construction of houses will be made. PECK LEAVES TOWN. Roy EL Peck left Sunday for Columbus, O.. where he joined Vogel's minstrels. He is a cut-up- according to the advertising matter of the minstrels.. y.y THE , WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANAContinued eteeaJy and pce-

Enjoying "Camping Out"

yt A C0I1DEMIIATI0II CASE COMPLETED: E Special Judge Paulas in Circuit Court Hears Arguments In Suit of the Greatest Importance. IMPROVEMENT PLANS HINGE ON THE RESULT Pennsylvania Railroad Fighting to Obtain Land for Its Double Track A Vigorous Defense. In the circuit court yesterday af ternoon following the completion of oral argument and the submitting of Driers ana a lists or authorities on which both sides base their claims,' Judge Paulas of Marion, who acted as special judge in the case of the Penn sylvania railroad company against Mrs. Margaret McCaffery for the appropriation of real estate, announced that he would return to this city in a few days and render his decision. The Pennsylvania company wants Mrs. McCaffery's land located in Jackson township appraised In order that about 100 feet adjoining the company land may be purchased for the purpose of carrying on the plans of double tracking the system between this city and Indianapolis. John I Rupe appeared for the Pennsylvania company while Shiveley & Shiveley represented Mrs. McCaffery. Objections Made. By a bill of objections, the defend ant's attorneys averred that the Penn sylvania company has no- power un der the Indiana statutes to appropriate land for the purpose of double track ing. Mrs. McCaffrey's attorneys claim that the law providing for the condemnation of land for the purpose of building a railroad does not apply in this case becauses the railroad has already been built Mr. Rupe admitted that there were no recent laws which gave his company the privilege of acquiring additional land for the purpose of double tracking, but he also said that by . the terms of the charter granted the Indiana Railroad company In 1847 such provision was made.- - The defense also object to the incompleteness of the complaint .as it did not specify what kind of Improvement would be made by the railroad adjoining the land. As a matter of fact,' the improvement will be a high fill, probably ten feet high, which will shut Mrs.' McCaffrey's farm . entirely off . from Interurban facilities, which she now posesses. The defense claims that her farm will be damaged to the extent of $15 an acre in selling value as a result of the improvement. This is the first of several similar cases filed in the circuit court by the railroad , company. consequently Judge Paulas decision will be a very important one. The point raised by the defense make the conditions of the case much different from the ordinary condemnation proceedings. y , MRS. PENNY ILL. Harry R Penny, coraty clerk called to East eGrmantown last evening owing to his mother's fllneaa. His mother la reported as

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4 EXPECTED LARGE INCREASE III THE VALUATION FAILS Property in Various Counties In the State Listed for Tax ation Does Not Come to Expectation. SLIGHT INCREASE FOR THE NEXT YEAR State's Income for 1910, I Has Been Estimated, Wi! Only be $4,800 More Than Present Year. Indianapolis, Ink. August 17 The expected large increase in the valuation of property, in the various counties of the state for taxation has not been realized. The Auditor of State has made an abstract of the valuations In all of the counties, for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of taxes which will be collected by the state In the year 1910. and the figures show that the state taxes will amount next year to only $4,803.79 more than they1 did for this year. This year the state taxes amounted to total of $6,187.354.20. Next year they will be $6,192,158. Aseeeeed Valuation. The total assessed valuation of property of all kinds in the state on which 1909 taxes were assessed was $1,767,815,487. The total assessed valuation of all property in the state as fixed this year and on which the taxes for 1910 will be assessed, is $1,769,188,001. The increase is $1,372,514. The state tax rate is 35 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation. Marion county, of course, leads In the total amount of - taxables. The state auditor's report shows this to be $210,455,910. Allen county stands second, with $57,076,520; Vigo county third, with $48,743,736; Lake county fourth, with $48,561,485; St Joseph county sixth, with $45,106,300. In Wayne County. The counties having between $30,000,000 and $40,000,000 worth of taxables are as follows: Delaware, $31,623,855; Grant, $31,392,135; Laporte, $31,106,949; Madison, $35,619.080; Tippecanoe. $34,386,350; Wayne, $32,375,644. Brown county has the smallest amount or. laxaoie property of any county in the state, $2,021,340. Next comes Ohio with $2,036,450; Crawford. $2,554,790; Scott. $3,607,325; Switzer land. 13.618,825. The taxables of the city of Port I wayne amount to $31,055,780: of South Bend. $24,00760. It had been expected all along that the increase In the state taxes In 1910 over 1909 would be a substantially large amount. During the legislature last winter, when the Legislature was trying to pile np a big appropriations bill, with appropriations for nearly everything in sight, however. Governor Marshall 'opposed the Increase In appropriations, on the grounds that the legislature . would appropriate money than the state would collect in taxes. The legislators, democrats and republicans alike, who were fighting ror large appropriations for purposes wntcn they favored, went back at him with the statement that there would be an enormous increase in the val nation of property in the state for the next year. The figures, however. show that the expected bis increase! has sot shown op. - v -1

ASPHALT TRUST

IS INTRODUCED IIITO RICHMOIID Union National Bank Crowd Stands Its Sponsor and First Deal Is Already Wei1 In Progress. EIGHTH STREET WILL . BE ENTERING WEDGE Proposed Deal Will, It Is As serted, Be in Opposition to The Wishes of the Largest Property Owners. TECHNICALITY IS USED LOOPHOLE IN STATE LAW QIVM SMALL CLIQUE OF MEN OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW TRUST TO FASTEN FANGS IN CITY. One of the alickeat little propoaltlons ever pulled off In the city of Richmond as far as street Improve ment Is concerned. Is beginning to ap pear from under the surface of the proposed paving of Eighth street from North A to South A. Taking advantage of the state law the 8. S. Saxton Asphalt company has roped in the proposed improvement In such a way that It seems likely that they will get about what they want. The affair Is managed by the Interests hinging; around the Union National Bank and the Richmond City Water Works company and it is quite easy to account for the whole transaction. In the Eighth street Improvement there seems to be the entering wedg of tho nnaratlnni nt tho A .nVah which has been notorious in every city in which it has carried on Its operations. One of the most slgulflcent things about the whole proposition is the way it has been handled by a little clique of men. with the aame financial Interests an the way through. In fact Benjamin F. Harris, the attorney for the Union National bank, has taken a great part In the whole transaction. as has Ed Cates of the Union National bank. Elgar Hibberd and 8. 8. Saxton of the S. S. Saxton company have naturally busied themselves in the accumulation of the petitioning names and S. S. Saxton's name appears frequently as a witness to the proceedings. What Law Provides. Under the law all improvements ordered the board must advertise for bids. Then the board designates the kind of paving which la to be used. This the board did and designated brick. Then the 8. 8. 8axton company acting under the powers of the law filed a remonstrance within ten days after the above order, asserting that a majority of freeholder residents on the street desired that the street be paved with asphalt. This is held to fix the kind of paving to be used. For the law provides as follows: That the board of public works, after new bids have been received and said preliminary order designating, the kind of paving to be used, shall name the Und designated by any majority pet tlon filed, within the ten day limit." tangle is yet to be seen. , Those Desiring Brick. There is however a great amount of opposition to the asphalting of the street and there Is a petition submit ted which favors bricking of the street signed by the following name: Feet. E. G. Vaughan ICS Odd Fellows 1C5 Jos. Hassenbnsch 78 Interurban Co. ...70 J. J. Harrington If John D. Vaughan .............. 65 John D. Vaughan 174 Cain it Brown 45 R. R. Van Sant ................ 20 J. M. Little 2$ J. M. Westoott Estate 15 J. G. Leeds ................ 23 These Favoring Asphalt. Those who are in favor of the 8v 8. Saxton Asphalt company are: Dickinson Trust, by Edgar Hlatt. a warm personal friend of Mr. Cates; Elks lodge, signed by Ed Cates. trustee; Richmond City Water Works, signed by Elgar HIberd, affiliated with Mr. Cates through the Water Works, one of the Incorporators and stockholders in ' his son-in-laWs property. the 8. S. Saxton Co.. and G. It Knotlenberg's Interest Is also traced to his eohneetion with the Union bank. The affair seems to center around the Union National bank, for Benjamin Haris. the attorney, who filed some of the papers and who has been working hard to line np the resident freehoIJ era. Is attorney for the bank. The majority of freeholders acqnlrod bv th MBMw sad the m in terests represented is as follows: B. T.. Haris, who filed the supplemental pav pers. Mary uempsey, enry swraer. I Bramksmp,, Mayor-. en Pass ex.).