The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-28
WAY Up IN THE AIR
THE ELEVATED TRACK QUESTION
EXTENSIVELY DISCUSSED.
Plans Suggested at the Commercial
Club Conference with City officials
Last Night Estimated Cost.

A conference was held at the Commercial
Club last night between the elevated rail-
road commission of the club and a number
of city officials. Among the latter who
were present were Mayor Denny. City
Attorney Scott, City Engineer Brown, The
members of the Board of Public Works,
and Councilmen Stein and Ryan. of the
Council railroad commission. II was the
first joint meeting of its kind. Colonel Lilly
called the meeting to order and reviewed
a few facts in which he stated that the
country had long ago passed that period
of civilization where it gave land away
for rights of way TO railroads. He said
that the time had come when 1t was moth
ing more than right that the railroads
should look to the interests and develop
ment of the city by so fixing their tracks
that the thoroughfares should not be OBJ.
structed. He believed that this end could
be accomplished by elevating the tracks.
at least through the most needed parts.
if not entirely. He then moved that Mayor
Denny act as chairman of the meeting
and also of any future joint meetings which
might be held. Mayor Denny was chosen.
and said he did not believe several weeks
the city of having its thoroughfares
blocked by railroad trains than by the
erection of viaducts However, he said if
it could be shown to him that the elevation
Of the tracks would answer all purposes
and that the cost of such change would
not be too great, he would be heartily in
favor of this plan. He said he was strongly
in favor of any method by which the thor
oh for Ha
endangered.
ter is its legality. City Attorney Scott
said he had not given the matter any
close investigation and could not give any
opinion. He said, however. that he would
be willing to investigate the question if
aid was given him, and A. L. Mason
and A. c. Ayres, members of the railroad
commission, were appointed informally and
offered to aid City Attorney Scott in the
matter. The attitude of the railroads to-
wards the proposed proposition was dis
cuSsed, and it was the general opinion
that they would offer great objection
if the cost of the change did not reach
an excessive amount. 1t was stated that
no definite information had been received
from the railroad officials and their exact
stand upon this question was not known.
Mayor Denny said he was willing to see
the officials Of the leading railroads and
ascertain what action they would take
upon the natter. He will call upon several
of the commission to aid him. City En-
gfneer Brown has prepared a brief outline
of what would be required If the proposed
In a drawing he suggested plan where
by the proposition could be accomplished
be reached His plan was to have the
tracks Of the Big Four and the Vandalia
to West street and the tracks of the Pan,
near State street elevated. This would
give a central line Of elevated traces
enter the city in these directions could
use the tracks of the above-named rail-
roads to the Belt in leaving the city, aud
respective tracks. He suggested that the
Monon. the l.. E. & W., the Cleveland and
the eastern division of the Peoria division
OF the Big -Four, as we'll AS the Cincinnati
of the Panhandle and the c., H. * u. on
the east in that manner. The l. & ", the
the Big Four could use the tracks Of the
Vandalia, and the st. Louis and the west
ern division Of the Peoria division of the
Big Four in the same manner on the west.
He thought that this would do away with
the tracks through the north and south
central portions of the city and leave only
one portion. from east to west, occupied by
railroads This would necessitate the rails
ing of the tracks at the Union Station
over Virginia avenue. The J., NJ. & /.
trains could go in either direction.
the abandoned lines would do came u ID
and Mr. Brown said that tracks from the
Belt railroad could still be used until
within several squares of the main cross
streets and the business portion Of the
city. He said that the majority of the
factories and other establishments now en-
jpying railroad facilities are away from
the business portion of the city. He sug-
gested that plan for those not within these
limits. For those within these boundaries,
elevate the tracks The cars would have
to be switched alongside these factories
at the second story, and the freight taken
off or put therefrom- Mr.. Brown said
ne thought the total cost for raising the
tracks within the above-stated boundaries
would not be over S1500,000 in case aver
age of four tracks was made He said he
thought in case six tracks were made the
cost would be, 3. 100000. These, however.
were only rough estimates and he did not
give them as authoritative. 1t was the
general opinion that the benefits arising
from the change would pay for the dam
age to property along the proposed route.
Councilman p J. Ryan in behalf of the
committee railroads. said the committee
was unanimous in favor of having some
committee whole favored the elevating
of the tracks entirely. but If this could not
be done. would heartily, favor the elevation
of such portion would give the greatest
relief.
The question of employing an engineer to
uTdWn plduS lOT the prOpOSeu proposition
then suggested and the railroad COM
mission unanimously offered to stand the
expense of paying for such work. 1t was
thought that the plans could be made with
in two months and the cost would not ex-
coed 1920 City Engineer Brown will en-
ploy engineer to do this work and will
have general charge of the matter. An
other meeting will be held as soon as
definite information be obtained, both
regarding the legal side of the proposition
and also as to the practicability OF 1t. The
meeting is subject to the call of Mayor