The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-24
M'D0NALD WITH THE BOARD
Council Committee and Mr.. Hunter Also
Present at the Consultation.
Franchise Not Granted, but Things Look Fa-
vorable-The Bellefontaine- Street Route
Special Fares for Shop Workers.

r. 7. Mcdonald, the Fort Wayne CAPT.
talist. and c. r. Munson. who is associated
with him, had another secret conference
with the Board of Public Works yesterday
afternoon, to which the members of the
contract and francL Use committee of the
Council were invited. Chairman Ryan
and Messrs Gauss. Hallorsn and Cooper
responded, and . number of other members
of the Council loafed around the ante
rooms.
Joseph Hunter. Of the County Commits
sioners. who will have whaok at fran
chise- granting later. also lowered around
the outskirts of the crowd, asking ques-
tions as to what was going on. The con-
ference lasted some two hours. when Mr..
Mcdonald and Mr.. Munson retired, leaving
the board and Council committee in con-
sultatIon. The committee then withdrew
and the street-car magnates took its place.
remaining locked in with the board until
the afternoon was spent
Mr.. Mcdonald 81 omitted q proposition to
the board. which was in effect that he
would build and operate q line to Broad
and offered assurances Of his good faith in
the matter. He asked in return that he be
gwen twentyyear franchise over streets
to DO hereafter named. The route
practically agreed upon is the
same as the CITY granted the
ming at the corner of Delaware and w ash
lngton streets, north to New York. east to
East, north TO Cherry. east to Bellefon-
tame, and then north to the corporation
line. The old franchise carried the line
west on Fifteenth street from Bellefon-
tame to Central avenue, and then north.
but the necessity of doing that has been
obviated by the settlement of the Bruce
estate troubles, and the extension north Of
BellefOntalne street. under the name
way from the city limits out.
the granting of which lies with the Coun-
ty Commissioners, IS straight away and
with no obstacles The matter OF fare was
discussed. and it was urged strongly, on
the part of some of those present, that the
new company make cheap rate at certain
bours in the day for the benefit of working
men and q siX-tickets-for-a- quarter rate at
all times. The members of the Council
committee from the South Side were united
In favor of clause In the con-
tract making it compulsory for
the new road, when once established
to extend it's rapid transit lines to the
South Side. Mr.. Mcdonald did not CON-
init himself on the fare question, but sig
nitied his intention of extending the lines
as soon as possible. The question came up
OF how long time he should have to build
the road in, and what restrictions should
be placed in the contract In regard to il.
He said that if not Impeded In any way, he
would have It finished In less than six
months, but that in case he was enjoined
bv the ClLlzens' company from constructing
the line in the city he should not want the
franchise to be nollied without reimburse
ment. He said that he was perfectly will
ing to fight the case in the courts, If need
be. provided the city would stand back of
him.
From the members OF the board and
Council 1t was cleaned that ell were in
clned very favCrably toward Mr.. Melon
aids propositions, and that there was
very flatrering prospect of something being
completed toward line to Broad Ripple
after the many atortive attempts made at
1t.
Mr. Mcdonald was seen at the Bates
House after the conference andsaid: You
may depend on it that l am going to build
that line out there if can get franchise.
Every thing looks favorable for it now.
The board and the members of the Council
that have met give me reason TO believe
that will not be disappointed"
lis there any truth in the assertions that
you are connected in this deal with any
Eastern syndicate. or that other capitalists
than yourself are interested In itF was
asked.
Let me deny that again, as l have al.
ready done. 1t has been stated that l am
in collision with either the WIdener-
Elkins or the Vernon-McKee firms, but
DO not even know them, except by reputa-
ton. will build the road myself and
then / expect to sell my securities IL
these people buy them L am perfectly
willing that they should. but they will be
bidders in the market on the same footing
with anyOn else. The Thompson II custom
people are interested In it Just to that tent
that their apparatus will be used. as l con-
slider 1t the best made
Mr. Mcdonald was also asked in reference
TO syndicate of which Ex-Governor Chase
is said To be at the head, and which pro-
poses TO buy up land lying between
the State fair grounds and
Broad Ripple for the purpose of
n suburb. but he said that he knew nothing
of it. other than that one man had been to
see him on the subject.
Mr.. Will Taylor. attorney for Mr.. Nc.
Donald. said that he had endeavored to lind
some of the gentlemen purported to be in
terested In il, but was unable to do So and
said that he believed the scheme too Chi
merical to be put in practical operation.
Tho Board Of Public Works 10 expected -