The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-26
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County Engineer Thomas Views on
the Indian Street Question.

County Engineer Thomas Views on
the Indian Street Question.
The city council will receive the report
Of the special COMMITTEES on the Bay street ex-
tension tonight County Engineer Thomas
was seen yesterday in reference to the
proposed closing up Of Indian street. The
committee from the board of county COM
missioDers appointed TO confer with the
city council has a map made by Mr.. Thomas
showing the line Of the proposed street ex-
tensions.
ssYes, made a map Mr.. Thomas said
''for drainage purposes Of that portion Of
the county west of the city, comprising the
Vale Royal tract, the Central railroad
wharves, and as far west as McAlpin
avenue, in which is shown Bay and Indian
streets extended. Our citizens accustomed
to see Bay street running parallel with the
river, suppose that when Bay street is ex-
tended, it will continue along the river
bank, not knowing that after you pass
West Broad street the river defects Co the
north some so degrees, and that when
Bay street is extended half a mile
west from Wadlcy street, namely, to the
water works road, it is three-quarters of a
mile from the river The water works road
is the avenue which the Central railroad
proposes to widen in lieu of shutting up
Indian street, and at this road the distance
between the centers of the two streets
Bay and Indians 1897 feet, and to the
river three-quarters of mile. At Whit
aker street the river is only about 800 feet
from Bay street. Bay street extended will
be of no more use to the river front mer-
chants than is Gwinnett street now Of use
to them. You have only 10 look at the city
map to convince yourself of this factn
what DO you think, then. OF extending
Bay streetr
by all means open up Bay street. as it
gives to the countrymen who bring chick
ems and eggs into the market and to the
large community beyond the three mile
post on the road direct route TO this city,
and besides, makes a safe drive for citizens
giving them a road that is not, as now,
made very dangerous TO travel by reason Of
engines and trains of cars constantly pass
ing and repassing."
''Well, If Bay street is to be extended,
what is the use of opening Indian streetTn
you might just as well ask me what is
the use of having road to Charleston, as
you are going TO have one to Augusta. Bay
street and Indian street do not lead to the
same point I've already ted you the rea-
son for extending Bay street. Indian street
is even more important to the needs of the
people. 1t is well-known fact that the
future of Savannah depends upon its wharf
privileges, IdLIOdQb duQ OLUof enter
prises, and where must we seek these
privileges if not on the property west of the
Central railroad wharves, where large ferti-
lizer and lumber interests are now located
Shall the city of Savannah allow access to
these places cut OFF, If it is SO very
necessary for the Central railroad to
occupy the grounds through which Indian
street runs, then let the city grant it, but
under one of these two conditions: either
that the railroad, as is the custom in other
cities, bridge the street for vehicles
and pedestrians, as, in Chicago, St
Louis and Kansas City, where
the water fronts are lined with net
works of railroads, and yet the citizens
enjoy all the privileges of passing on prop
erly constructed bridges. If the little Belt
Line city railway can construct a bridge
ZOO feet long for the accommoda-
ton of the Savannah, Florida and
Western railway, why cannot the great
Central railroad build bridge one, three,
or six times as long, for the accommo-
dation of the entire community Or,
secondly, IL it must close Indian street.
and objects to the bridge project,
let it open another street from the south
end of Wadley street direct to the water
works tract, taking somewhat the same
line as the water mains are now laid. This
proposed street will be away from the
yard tracks of the Central railroad, and
will parallel the river front, but by all
means the'council must not close Indian
street without one of these two conditions.
If it does it will forever shut out vast posi-
bilities Of the future"