The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-04
THE SOUTH SIDE VIADUCT.
What Is Thought of the Proposed Measure
by Various individuals.

Now that Indianapolis has lapsed once more
questions of local interest are again receiving the
usual amount of attention. Not the least i'm
portant of these is the proposed Virginia avenue
viaduct Journal reporters yesterday heard the
following expressions concerning the matter:
Caleb S. Denny want viaduct sooner or
later, and che sooner the better. The question
is how to get it. I think if the matter is prop
erly handled the railroads may be induced to
contribute literally. There is not sufficient rev.
enue to build it out of city funds. In order to
get anything like permanent and satisfactory
vladuct, we shall have to depend upon outside
assistance, and that assistance must come from
those who cause the obstruction to travel, and
who will be interested in having the obstacles
to travel and the dangers that threaten human
life removed
Mayor McMaster-I do not exactly know
what form the structure should take, but there
certainly ought to be some relief from the peril
persons undergo in crossing those tracks. There
is no doubt Of the necessity OF something to
facilitate the crossing of the Union and Big Four
tracks, and to make such crossing one of safety
to foot passengers and vehicles it is merely a
question as to how the funds are to be raised
to provide such safety A part Of the saloon
license. or all of it, as as the market house
is completed, might be set apart for the purpose.
The important thing is to devise some plan that
will meet the need of raising the money.
The form OF the structure can then be
readily determined. We need more
special taxes 1t is pity that the
law does not give us saloon license of $500 a
year instead of 500. I have always believed
there ought to be a special license tax on We
hicles. Real estate bears undue proportion
of the burdens of taxation. Most of the real
estate in this city is now appraised at its full
market value, and those who own it could not
go out and sell it at its apprasement. Real
estate is assessed to make every new street that
is made; it makes all the sidewalks. 1t is not
only on the duplicate listed at its full value for
general taxation, but it is specially taxed for these
improvements. There is no reason why some
other species of property should not be specially
taxed, especially that species which occasions the
greatest wear to the streets. have wandered
little from the subject of the viaduct, but as it
is matter of taxation, all these things depend
upon each other.
Preston Trusler: l think the best way
to allow travel to the railroad tracks in
safety would be reached by sinking the roadway
of Virginia avenue from Maryland street to
South street and make two short tunnels, one
under the Union tracks and the other under the
Big Four track This could pe done at much
less cost than the building of viaduct, and
would cause less damage to adjacent property
holders.
A Southsider: No project that contemplates a
tunnel, long or short, will be accepted. When
ever the word tunnel is mentioned just think of
the lllnois-street tunnel In cutting down Vir-
GINA avenue to go under the railroad tracks,
Pogues run and its annual overhows is not to be
lost sight of.
George Bruenig: recognize the necessity for
a viaduct, either upon Virginia avenue. or Della
ware street, and have for long time. How to
get at 1t is the question. / believe that the way
to get it started is to determine on some definite
plan and afterwards look to the means 1 be-
leve whenever anything is done it should be
permanent great deal of money was squan
dered on the Delaware street viaduct, and that
folly must not be repeated. 1 do not suppose
the railroad companies under existing laws,
could be made to bear any of the expense, but
perhaps the next Legislature might attend to
that do not think the citizens should be made
to pay the entire expense.