The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-21
COMMERCIAL CLUB PROTESTS.
Railroad Commission Presents a Me-
mortal to the Council.


The Commercial Club elevated-railroad
commission, created over four years ago
fCt permanent service, or until the solution
of the grade-crossing problem in Indianapo-
lis yesterday afternoon held its first meet
ing in over a year. The elevation of rail-
road tracks running east and west through
the city, on plan. similar to that in several
OF the large cities, was project in which
Colonel Lilly was greatly interested and as
chairman of the Commercial Club commits
sion he did all in his power to advance it,
confidently believing that it would ultimate
ly be adopted and would have a great influ-
ence on the growth and prosperity of In
dianapolis. The vacancy on the commission
caused by Colonel Lilly's death has been
filled by the appointment of William For
tune as chairman, and the first meeting of
the commission was held in the assembly
room of the Commercial Club yesterday aft
ernoon to consider the proposed laying of
additional surface tracks across South New
Jersey street.
The commission long ago determined to
oppose any additional surface tracks as the
first step toward bringing about the abolish
ment of all grade crossings, and it is be-
lieved by the members that the city should
strictly adhere to this policy until the rail-
for complete solution of the problem. 1t
was cited that in other cities it has been
the policy of the railroad companies to re-
sist all efforts toward elevating or depress-
ing their tracks until forced to action by
municipalities, and as ehis seems to be the
policy that is to be pursued in Indianapolis,
the commission feels that the city should
be as firm as the railroad companies, and
should grant no rights calculated to further
delay or obstruct the plan for a complete
solution of the problem. 1t is claimed that
the conditions in Indianapolis are so favor
able for the proposed system of elevation
that almost complete relief can be afforded
for traffic between the North and South
Sides at an expense of not more, than ST..
OO0,OoO, and, besides the great benefit to prop
erty throughout the southern half of the
city, would remove all of the inconveniences
and dangers now existing at railroad cross
ings between the river and East street.
The commission adopted the following pro-
test against additional tracks. and ordered
it's presentation to the Common Council at
it's meeting last night:
''Gentlemen-The elevated railroad COM
mission of the Commercial Club appeals to
the Common Council of the city of Indian
apolis to grant no rights to railroad COM
panies for the laying of additional tracks
at surface grade across streets in this city
We make this appeal in the interest of the
public as the least that can be done by the
Council at this time toward aiding the solu-
ton of the grade crossing problem, which
is now generally recognized as one of the
most serious confronting American munich
palities. In other large cities, where the
public demand for relief has been unyield-
ing, railroad companies are either elevating
their tracks or are cooperating with the
municipalities in abolishing grade crossings
Aside from the interruption of street traffic
n w ha
public, the railroad tracks in Indianapolis
constitute sectional lines which divide the
city and seriously affect all property that
must be reached by crossing them. The
hardships which they entail fall upon a very
large proportion of the population. The
present conditions place upon the public all
Inconvenience. The time is at hand in In
dlanapollS, as in other large and growing
cities, when it is important to take steps
toward restoring public rights on streets. 1t
has been the endeavor of this commission
during the last four years to induce the
railroad companies to cooperate in bring
ing about "A solution of the problem which
would be adequate and at the same time
cause the least possible hardship to all con-
cerned, but it is a cause. of sincere regret
to us that they have shown no willingness
to do this-no willingness 10 do anything
that will advance the movement. While it
would be more satisfactory and doubtless
better for the railroad companies to proceed
tremendously and in cooperation with the
public to provide relief from the present
c cor their unWillingness to give this
AID makes 1t important that there should
be no additional grants permitting grade
crossings.
Public rights should be firmly protected
by those who have been intrusted with this
DUTY and If this is done we believe it will
hasten the complete solution of the problem
or providing adequate facilities for the rail-
roads in indianapolis, while at the same
time relieving the public from the inconveni-
ence, dangers and great hardshipS of grade
crossings. We appeal to the members of the
Council as the official representatives of
the city, TO stand as firmly for public rights
unyieiding in promoting their own inter-
ests."
The protest was signed by William For
er, J: w. Hervey, John h. Holiday, J. n
Richie, A. M. Ogle, Thos. c. Day, A G.
Ayres, c. c. Foster.