The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-11-26
THE STREET RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Mr.. Shafer Says His Company Is Ready to
Come TO Terms with the City on e Fair Basis.

A reporter called on President J.. C..
Shaffer, of the Citizens Street-railroad
Company. yesterday morning. and found
him busy at his desk planning for the sew
eral departments of his road. The five or
six superintendent each have to have a
half hour or more each morning in con-
ference with him, and the needs of the
various departments under their super
vision have to be carefully gone over.
Just now time and thought are given to
the building of the new lines to Bright
wood and Irvington, which will. when
completed, add seven more miles to the
company's trackage. Three new barns are
in the course of construction. but in place
of rebuilding the one that was on West
street, o large and handsome brick build
ing for a barn and car-hOuse is being
erected on Shelby street, near the terminus
of Virginia avenue. The company. in adj
dition. IS building two new car barns. one
for the B~rightwOod and the other for the
I~rvinRton line. On the wall of the secre-
tary's Office hangs q large map of the city.
ON which are traced the several lines.
fifteen in all. This attracted the attention
of the reporter as he looked from
the Office of the president. and
supplied an appropriate beginning
for the conversation that followed. Yes"
said Mr.. Shaffer. that is O map Ofour lines.
No one need walk more than two blocks.
and in many placesnot more than one block,
to reach a street-car line. 1t is probable no
city in the country has as large a mileage of
street railroad routes in proportion teits
population as indianapolis. The company
has added more than 80 per cent. to the
mileage since it purchased the property In
May 1885," 60 !,
and published in Yesterdays JOurnai has
caused a good deal of discussion" the re-
line or suggest what the company is now
willing to do in regard to giving the city
rapid transit and improved streetsf" =
Yes. But first permit, me- to tell YOU
what the company has done; 1t has built
fOrty-seven miles of new track, n at least
twenty miles are operated at q loss. 1t has
purchased eighty new open cars, thirty-fve
new closed cars and over 600 horses and
mules since May. 1883. 1t has also built
four large brick barns. 1t has added aid
this new track, cars, ETC., without ever
having a resolution or request from the
Common COuncil or Board of Aldermen. or
a petition from the people. 1t has also paid
ont over $32..0O for the improvement of
its tracks aud road-bed on Washington
street between Alabama and Mississippi
streets. The total expenditure of thisc0iH-
pany for new tracks, cars, animals, road
bed, etc., has been $500. 900 in fifteen months.
1 think it is just and fair that these facts
should be given due consideration in con-
sidering the proposition the street-car CON-
pany may make to the city or the city may
make TO the street-car company" =
what will the company ask"
1.-TWO things. First. the right to. pse
electricity, cable or the Judson motor. Sec.
ond, an extension of the time of it's fran
chise Or license. There are three things
the city wants. rapid transit. good streets
and a revenue from the street-car compgny
for the use of the streets. 1t seems q little
hard that we are asked to pay for the paw
ing of the streets. keep them in good repair,
and pay for the use of what we have Just
paid for. but the court and jury seem to,be
against us. The city processes. however, it
Will treat us fairly. When it grants US onr
two requests, we will grant its three. We
will agree to build and operate at least
fifteen miles of electric street railroad next
year. and if that prove successful, other
lines will be equipped at once. We will
agree to pave between our tracks when the
balance of the street is improved. We Will
agree to pay a fair and reasonable license
on each car operated annually for each aud
every year added to the present term
Of our franchise -
How much will you be willing to pay on
each carr
II would not want to state any amount
until the city has agreed as to how much, Of
In extension it Will grant u.s." -