The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-13
SHIPPERS ALL FAVOR IT
WHAT TRACK ELEVATION HAS DONE
FOR THEM ELSEWHERE.
Commercial Club Commissions Let
ters Answer the Contention of
Railroad officers.

A meeting OF the track elevation commits
sion Of the Commercial Club was held last
evening TO hear the replies of shippers to
the objections raised to eevating the tracks
as adduced by the railroad companies at the
last meeting. No shippers responded to the
invitation, and as a result Chairman For
tune was directed to send ghe following
communication to Mayor Taggart:
In the conference on Nov. Is between Of
ncial representatives of the city of lndlan-
dponS, interested railroad companies ana the
elevated railroad commission of the COM
mercial Club, held for the purpose OF aScer-
tanning il the railroad companies would CO.
operate in efforts to provide relief from the
inconvenience and dangers OF railroad
crossings at grade in this city, the proposed
elevation of tracks the best solution OF
the problem was discouraged by the repre-
sentatiVes of the railroad companies. The
objections suggested were, hrst, that tne
elevation of tracks would cause 1nconVen-
ience to local shippers, and, second, that
1t would increase freight costs. For the
purpose of ascertaining if these suggestions
are well founded we have gathered intor-
nation from other cities bearing directly
upon the points stated. Letters were sent
to many OF the largest shippers IN ENGAGE enc,
curing
whether track elevation in these cities
has been either serious Inconvenience or
an advantage to shippers, and
Has there been either an increase or
reduction in freight rates in these cities
Replies. were received to about sixty of
the seventy-fve letters which were mailed.
other cities has resulted in no such disad-
vantages to the local shipper as were sug-
gested at the conference on Nov. 10; 1t IS
evident from the information which has
been gathered that the proposed system of
track elevation in Indianapolis should
cause no inconvenience or Increased eX-
pense to local shippers; 1t would, on the
contrary, be of great benefit to the public.
The delays at the principal crossings, based
on a careful census of travel taken here
tofore under the direction of this commits
sion, indicate that on a most conservative
calculation, the surface tracks are costing
the people who must cross them fully a
quarter of q, million dollars annually. The
depreciation Of property, winch can pc
reached only by crossing tracks, and their
effect in retarding the expansion OF the
city cannot be measured or estimated,
but it constitutes one of the greatest bur
dens resting upon a large proportion OF the
city. In other cities, millions of dollars are
being spent for relief from hardships similar
to those which prevail in indianapolis. An
estimated expenditure OF less than TWO mil
lion dollars will largely remove from this
city the unfortunate conditions from which
1t now so greatly suffers.
REUNITE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES.
1.-THE information gathered from other
cities, which we herewith submit instead
of supporting the objections suggested by
the railroad companies, strengthens the de-
mand for track elevation in indianapolis
The railroad companies, through their rep
resentatives, have stated that they would
not cooperate in devising plans for the de-
sired relief, taking the position that the
city authorities should determine what they
wanted the railroads to do, and with this
definite understanding Of what may be ex-
pected from them, they could more salts
factorily decide what they would undertake
to do. We, therefore, urge you, in the inter-
est of the public, to have plans at once pre-
pared for a system of track elevation. An
elevation of the tracks from White river
to State street will give relief to the South
Side, and will unite the two sections of the
city in closer relations. 1t Will restore to all
property south of the present surface tracks
it's true value. 1t will restore to the people
their right to the unhindered and safe use
of the thoroughfares connecting the North
and South Sides, where now the railroads
constitute lines of separation between the
North and South Sides. The accomplish
ment Of this great project WILL 1t Is be-
lieved, mark the beginning of a new era OF
development in Indianapolis, and Will result
in greater public benefits than anything else
that can be done by the municipal govern
ment. The officers who accomplish it Will
earn lasting gratitude as benefactors of the
city. They are vested with the power to do
II. You have shown gratifying interest in
the efforts to provide the desired relief. We
trust you will proceed without delay to
render this great service to the public, in
accordance with the laws which afford the
means of providing relief. Such co-opera-
ton as may be desired from this commits
sion will be given most heartily
COMM on THE REpTJES