The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-11
FAILED TO AGREE ON A PLAN.

Mass Meeting Unable to Settle tho Street
Car Qcestion to Its Entire Satisfaction.
There was o variance o. opinion In the
mass meeting of citizens at the courthouse
last night that was alarming. There was
a unanImity of expression that some great
revolution was vitality needed in the man.
agement of the street railway system in
Indianapolis, but the convention was IN
decided as to whether q demand should be
made for rapid transit. city ownership or q
reduction In the fares now being charged.
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
Felix McWhirter in the Criminal Court
room, and was largely made up of the
element which has attended the former
meetings
Chairman Now hirter. as q preface to
the affairs of the evening. arose to warn
the people against certain prominent lob
byina citizens of this city. who are not of
the people. but agents of large corpora
tions. and, in speaking of things generally
ininical to the public. and especially the
lanoring man, Mr.. McWhirter took Occa-
sion TO point the whitening finger of scorn
at the awful duplicity of the press, which.
he lamented, had the pernicious habit Of
hrst suear-coating man and then most
urgently rubbing itlin. The gentleman's
timely speech was received shudderingly
by the audience.
G. A. Johnson, of the committee appoint.
ed TO confer with the Council and Board of
Public Works. stated that as yet the
bodies were not entertaining propositions
for franchises. and he thought there was
no cause for alarm on the part of the pub
lie. Mr.. McWhirter, chairman of the CON-
urdsy to use their influence in securing the
passage of the paving bill. reported that
their efforts were not entirely satisfactory.
The committee had learned that two Of
tors Wishard and MoHush, were with
them. but the other. Senator Kern, was
with the corporations. Senator McHugb,
of Tippecanoe. was ready to listen to their
prayer. but had politely Informed them
that they were too late. The committee
was also grieyed to relate that when John
Z. Frenzel came upon the scene they were
mot in it," that Dir. McWhlrter indignant
ly stated that the Senator from the Wea
RIaip T had de,S Sn left his side to Join
any pretense to sham. nudged each other.
and wInked In q manner Indicative of
crafty design. The report of the commit
tee was accepted, and the members dis
charged.
Cuthbert Vincent occupied some time in
an explanation of the statement he was
reported to have made as regarded other
cities operating their own street cars 1t
appears tnat B1r. v lnconCo remarke were
somewhat confused in the journal of last
Saturday. His statement should have
been to the effect that the city of Wheel
ing operates it's own gas and electric-lght
plant at . much lower rate than other
cities petronizing monopolies. On this
theory he thought indianapolis could
manage her car lines; and as an Illustra-
ton of tho results to be attained
By municipal control: he cited
q large number Of European
cities where the streetcar fare ranges from
to cents. As yet il seems no American
cities are operating their own lines The
speaker advised his audience to read up on
municipal corruption, and then mark we'll
the action of our own city officials. u. +.
Kennedy addressed the meeting and said
that he did not believe all this talk about
the people taking hold of the lines good
business Judgment. They were talking
about something that was Impracticable,
which would please Mr.. Frenzel only too
we'll. This idea created much discussion,
which closed with the adoption OF the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Resolved. That the granting OF publio fran
chises to private persons or corporations is