The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-29
FRANCHISE IS GRANTED
GIVES RIGHT OF WAY OVER NATION
AL ROAD FOR FIFTY YEARS.
Secured by Promoters of nm Electric
Hallway to Run from Irving
ton to Greenfield.

A fifty years franchise over the National
road between the east line of Irvington and
the west line Of Hancock county for the
construction of an electric road, was yes
terday granted to Nathaniel n. Morris. John
J. Cooper and George c. Webster, the last
two Of whom represented a company that
had asked for this right of way after Nor
ris and a Greenfield company had applied
Tor 1t some weeks ago. The three parties
named were given the right OF way for
road to be operated by electricity or other
power than steam" after it was shown to
the commissioners that the companies had
consolidated. The Greenfield company, rep
resented by Elliott Black and others, has
the right Of way from the Hancock county
line into Greenfield, sixteen miles from
1rvington The company is to so construct
It's tracks that the north rail will be twelve
feet from the center line Of the present
travelled roadway 1t is to build its own
bridges, provide adequate crossings where
highways cross its tracks and is TO have
the tracks conform to the established grade
or the present road. 1t is to improve its
own roadway with pavement similar to
that already laid, and eighteen inches out
side OF the rails. The contract signed up
yesterday provides that the company shall
not charge over so cents for a round trip
rate between Indianapolis and Greenfield,
and shall not charge more than half as much
for freight traffic as is now charged by the
steam roads Attorney Charles NJ Cooper,
who represents the company, said last night
that the road would not run into Indian
apolts and some arrangements would be
made with the present company to carry
passengers from IrVington into the city at
the usual rate of five cents each way The
iaf IrTrin crfn
the contract, will have to be AZ cents for
Inc round trip, a little more than one cent a
inne, as the distance between the two points
- sixteen miles each way. me company
wanted permission TO charge ~ cents a
mile, put TO this the board would not con-
sent, nor would 1t consent that the COM
pdny should use bridges over streams.
tomorrow or on tuesday there will be
conference at 9. M. Cooper's office when the
pdFles VIII agree on articles of incorpora-
tlon, Xix the amount of capital stock, etc.
None or these details have yet been agreed
on MT Cooper said he was unable to state
Now much the company would be capitalized
Tor, or how much mile it would cost to
construct it. Engineers are now at work
making estimates those items. 1t is the
intention, Mr. Cooper said to begin work
on the road as soon as spring opens and the
weather will permit. The company is not
required to begin the construction before
september 1899 and has until Jan. ], 1901,
in which to complete the road.
There is an old statute in Indiana, a law
since the early '40s, when the National road
was laid in plank, which prohibits the use
OF the road by traction companies This is
believed by the attorneys TO be dead letter,
but Mr.. Cooper said that the company ex-
poets to ask the Legislature to repeal this
law The company hopes to be hauling pas
sengers to indianapolis before the next state
fair meets The present terminus of the
street-car company is three or four blocks
irgtons east line, but Mr.. Cooper is conf
dent the old company will gladly extend it's
tracks to the Greenfield feeder" The pro-
vision for electricity or "any power other
than steam" will permit the use of COM
pressed air or other motive power the COM
pany may desire. Trolley lines will be used
at first.