The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-05
Marriage Licenses.
Edwin l.. Rankin and Clara Fultz.
Track. and Public Parks.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The Commercial Club has brought two
great public enterprises before the citizens
of Indianapoiis-elevated railroads through
the city and the public park question. An
elevated railroad commission has been or
ganized and is now at work on the various
considerations involved in the prosecution
of this undertaking., and il is hardly prob
able that the effort will be relaxed until
the problem is, in some way, solved. This
undertaking is one of considerable magni-
tude and will demand the best energies of
the Commercial Club, and it will bring
such great relief to the streets of the city
that IL demands an overwhelming public
sentiment In it's favor. which is almost in
dlspensable to the success of an undertake
ing that may cost the public some money.
While this beautiful city is rapidly ad-
vancing towards a brighter future and
higher rank among the larger cities of the
country, it would be very unwise to per-
nit il 10 remain as il is, divided into two
sections. because danger and delay attend
the streets by viaducts would be, if / do
not -misapprehenG the facts of a careful in
vestigation. a great mistake, The space
wasted in elevating streets on lowering the
roads would be one serious objection. The
great number of elevations that would have
TO be made would be cumbersome and I'M
slightly. The growth of the city and the
making of new streets would create a ne
cessity for more viaductS. The elevation OF
the tracks would obviate all of these diff
culties. All of the streets would be re-
lieved for all time. The space now occupied
by the railroads could be utilized, all of
the ground space would be unincumbered.
adopt this plan for the relief of their
streets. The railroads have been pleased
with e.evated tracks. as the space recov-
cred is very valuable. They have no flag
men TO pay for guarding the crossings,
but few. II any. damage suits to defend for
injuries TO persons on their tracks; besides,
thox- mn rpoLo hotfor time rIrnninO through
the city. These considerations increase the
value of their roads. Popular opinion will
demand such laws as will. in time not far
distant, compel the proper authorities TO
elevate or lower railroad tracks over all
crossings in country, town and city. This
is now done in most countries in Europe.
/ saw none that did not conform TO this
demand.
This correspondence is not intended to
argue the plan for the construction of the
work referred to. The writer thinks the
time has come TO bring this question be-
fore the people, that they may be prepared
TO take some part IN helping 10 forward the
work.
Public parks are an absolute necessity.
They have been too long neglected and
cannot be longer delayed without emitting
one OF the most important duties we owe
the future growth and prosperity of our
city. 1t has been said by many persons
who have looked over the city that it
might be made one of the most desirable
home cities in the country. Beaconsfield
said: "A great city whose image dwells in
the memory OF mar is the type OF some
great idea. Rome represents conquest; faith
hovers over Jerusalem, and Athens en-
bodies the pre-eminent quality of the an
tique world art" This city may. by wiss,v
directing the public enterprises connected
with its development be made one of the
most healthful and pleasant inland home
cities TO be found. Nothing will more con-
tribute to this end than a well-arranged
system OF public parks. indianapolis is so
situated that a belt of small parks and
places might be made around the city. Then
there should be two or more large parks,
one OF them containing four or five hum
dred acres. situated along some of the
streams hat flow towards the city, far
enough off to give native forest trees and
running water. Nothing so impresses me
with the inherent love OF parks as what /
observed in the rural districts OF the Old
country. Among the farmers almost every
neishborhood has a plat OF shady land
fixed up for n home park. where ali public
meetings are held and where the people
meet at night to sing and dance and enjoy
the pure fresh air. j.. w. H.
indianapolis, Oct. l.