The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-21
AN ERA OF PROSPERITY.
Brilliant Prospects, for Indiasapoiiiis
Predicted by Judge Martindale.
Some Of the Important Improvements To Be
Made in the City with the
Opening Of Spring.

Yesterday afternoon o Journal reporter
cornered Judge E. B. Martindale and asked him
a few questions concerning the signs of the
times in regard to the business outlook in
Indianapolis.
''We have had q hard experience during the
five years past, said the Judge, 'but l think we
can now see the first rosy CLEANS of Aurora
as she heralds the rising sun Of better times.
Seriously and prosacally. believe indianapolis
is at the turn of the tide, and the coming
twelve months are going to be prosperous
ones if we choose to have it so. AS a city, we
occupy pivotal position. We can raise up our
chins and go on, or by naction fail to obtain and
occupy the position we should. There needs to
be an effort on the part of our citizens all alike,
to interest themselves in the growth and bust
ness prosperity of indianapolis. There are i'm
provements that can be made at once. There is
the construction of the new union depot which
can and believe will. be begun this year.
There are no serious objections to the bill now
before the Legislature, and the railway men
have promised that if it passes they will go on
with the depot without the least delay.
Another thing: Citizens should move upon
compel the cons truction of a market house.
There is no law or decision of any court that
should interfere with the construction of a mar
kethouse like the Washington house, one that
would be creditabe and elevate and improve our
market supplies One of the most important
things that can be done for the city will be the
construction of this market-house The failure
to have done SO before now is all the more an
noying from the fact that the money is all
in the Tomlinson fund, and requires no increased
taxation. We need no building for city Offices.
The court house furnishes us Offices upon terms
that would make it folly in us to build, and the
accommodations there will be ample for many
years to come do not believe in the advan-
tages that are attributed to large hall
structed as that city hall would be. 1t certainly
would be no source of profit to the city CON-
mensurate with it's cost But the market-house
can be built so as to pay 10 per cent. profit on
it's cost.
"A new Board of Trade building should be
erected this year 1t will be done, unless pre-
vented through obstinacy on the part of certain
persons. To put up the kind of building
needed will require the expenditure of $50, 900
or sec. COO
''The work that has been done in the last few
days toward securing the removal of the Oliver
chilled plow works from South Bend to this
place has been well done, and / believe, unless
some serious mistake is made. that the divers
will remove those works to Indianapolis. 1t may
not be generally understood that they have
twelve acres under roof at South Bend and, with
a capital stock of 100000 really have
nearly or quite million dollars invested
in their business. They have become
so hampered through the socialistic and striking
elements that they are forced to the acknowlede-
ment that 1t would be impossible to start up and
run with peace and profit at South Bend. They
were highly pleased with their visit to this city
and with the spirit in which they we're received.
While they do not give positive assurance that
they will remove to Indianapolis, yet believe
that will be the result OF further investiga-
ton. That factory alone will furnishempl oyment
for one thousand men. The fact chat the divers
for the most part do not required skilled labor is
all the better, as it will open new industry to
class OF laborerS which, as has frequently been
shown here, needs more opportunities.
THE Big Four road should, and believe will
begin the construction of its new shops this
year. Mr.. ingalls, gave the positive assurance
to the City Council that he would build the
shops before this time, but the unfortunate
floods and washouts on the line consumed the
means which were to have been put into the
shops The Panhandle shops which are about
completed are more extensive than citizens
who have not visited them, can have any idea
of, and will furnish employment for an in
creased number of men.
'The stopping of our rolling mills was one of
the most damaging set backs our city has met
with. Were the proper effort made the old mill
might be converted into a merchant iron mill
and give profitable employment to the same
number of men that the rollngmill had before
it closed. An improved demand for steel rails
will enable the new steel rail plant which cost
very large sum of money, to start up.
1.-THE encaustic tile works is one of
the most important industries we have,
and there is no reason why it
should lapse into neglect go out of business
The creditors are clamoring for its sale, and the
court will no doubt very soon order it sold. Cap
italists will then doubt take it and make it to
prosper These enterprises, to go forward, sue
coed and benefit us all, require concentration
of effort 1t is the duty of every citizen not to
obstruct, but to give whatever aid he can to help
them on. With the proper spirit and the proper
effort Indianapolis would in short time assume
the place her location indicates sine should have
among the great cities of the West
There are many other proposed improvements
which have not mentioned For instance Mr.
Claypool proposes to partially rebuild the Bates
House, at a cost of from $40. 900 to $50, 600
possibly more. Contractors tell me that they
have already received more work to be COM
menced this spring than they have during any
spring for years. have been surprised to learn
of the number or small houses, both resi-
dences and for business purposes, that
are to be built this spring. / firmly
and honestly believe that this is to be the most
prosperous season, in a general way, that Indian
apolis has had in great many years and that
the opening up of good weather will be marked
by the beginning of an era of building and bust
ness prosperity that will result in the greatest
benefit to the city"
Representatives. of the Journal have recently
talked with number of prominent contractors
whose reports fully sustain the rather alluring
picture presented by Judge Martindale
Reversed by the Supreme Court.