The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-20
THEY ARE INDIGNANT
FRIENDS OF THE PLAN To ELEVATE
RAILROAD TRACKS IN THIS CITY.
Action of House Committee on Affairs
of indianapolis Criticised-Mr.
Fortunes Statement.

The summary action of the House COM
mittae on affairs of the city of Indianapolis
late Saturday afternoon in voting to kill the
amendments to the city charter proposed
by City Attorney Kern relating to track
elevation has caused much Indignation. The
action was wholly unexpected by those in
terested in the track elevation movement,
as it had been stated that the amendments
would not be considered until tonight,
when opportunity would be given to both
sides to be heard. In consequence the track
elevation advocates were not present at the
committee meeting on Saturday, though the
railroads were represented in force by their
attorneys and others.
The movement for track elevation as the
best means of relief from the dangers and
inconvenience of grade crossings in In
dianapolis originated in the Commercial
Club, and was one of the great projects
which lay nearest the heart of the late Col.
Lilly, who, from the time of its creation un-
til his death, was chairman of the CONNER
cial Club elevated railroad commission. He
was succeeded by William Fortune, who
has since been vigorously pushing the
movement, and the steps that have been
taken in the last few months have seemed
to assure tangible results at an early day.
4 AG ~ A4AN1lN GINGAACCA IA v
the movement at a recent conference with
railroad representatives were shown to be
without foundation by evidence gathered
from other cities, and when the city au-
thorities were urged to no longer delay ac-
ton a resolution was adopted unanimously
by the City Council declaring itself in ia
vor of track elevation. The city attorney
was asked by resolution to take the neces-
co ~ CLANS in chic dfpanffnn In an nnfnfnn
submitted to the Council a short time ago
the city attorney said that the charter
vested the Council with power to elevate
tracks, but advised that some further legis-
lation be- sought, and it was the amend
ments prepared by Mr.. Kern that were
killed by the House committee in the man
ner reported in the Journal yesterday.
Mr.. Fortune, the chairman of the commits
sion, said to a Journal reporter yesterday
that the commission had not been advised
OF the House committees meeting. My
first formation regarding it," he said,
was obtained from the newspapers after
the meeting had been held, and, so far as /
have learned, no one known to be in favor
OF track elevation was aware that the mat
ter was to be considered yesterday, al
though it seems that the railroad attorneys
and several opponents of the proposition
were advised and were present. Inc pro-
ceeding was unworthy fair and honorable
men. The triumph that they may think they
have achieved Is a very poor one. They
will find that the people cannot be tricked
out of their right in this manner. The de-
mand for relief from the danger of grade
crossings cannot be s~quelched by the snap
Judgment of one-sided meetings. The right
Oh the puDllc TO protection from grade
crossings is well recognized everywhere.
There are three methods of providing this
protect1on-by viaducts, track depression
and track elevation. In other cities one of
these three methods is followed No city
suffers more from grade crossings than In
dlanapolis, and yet nothing has been done
here Tor the Tehef OF the public except to
construct one vIaduct. If the viaduct sys-
tenn is to be followed here there are over
nifty streets that are entitled to this pro-
tectlon, and as the city grows the number
VIII increase. If the Vladuct system is fol-
lowed 1t means that hills are TO be erected
IN a level city to cover the railroad tracks,
that the pubic is to suffer all the incon-
ventences of travel instead of the rail-
roads, when it is the public that is entitled
to the level surface; it means that the prop
erty adjacent to every viaduct will be dam
aged as 1t has been along the Virginia-aVe-
nue. Viaduct.
this: is 1t better to build viaducts or to ele-
Vate the tracks? Five or six Viaducts will
cost as much as the proposed system of
track elevation. The conditions here are
more favorable to track elevation than any
other solution OF the problem. 1t is in the
interest OF the railroads as much as the
bupnc, II they adopt any thorough means
or providing relief, as should be required.
Nothing TO the disadvantage Of pubic in
ICAColS - OeSITSus nUInlng lmpractlCable IS
advocated. All proper considerations are to
pc taken into account in solving the prob
lem The action of the House committee
means that 1t believes the city should not
nave the right to solve the problem, or that
the city is now vested with power to aolve
H. The city attorney expresses the opinion
that the city already has this power. but
sought some further provisions which he
thought might be desirable. Our commis-
sion has not taken any steps in regard 10
the proposed amendments, because we be-
lleVe that the power already exists. and at
the right time Will be prepared to show
What further steps will now be taken bv
the commission?' Mr.. Fortune was asked.
The resolutions under which the commits
sion was created require it 30 continue its
eMorts until II succeeds in it's undertaking
we are relying now upon Mayor Taggart
ana the Council. The present adminfstra-
uon was elected upon a pledge to bring
ABOUT track elevation. Mayor Taggart has
repeatedly given the assurance that this
promise will be fulfilled, and 1 rely on his
Word. The next step is for the City Council
TO pass an ordinance providing for the ele-
yatlon OF the tracks which Separate the
North and South Sides-Which really make
a North and South Side. The time for do
ing This is at hanG If the Council fails TO
act, then 1t will be necessary for the peo-
pie, TO take matters into their own hands.
and, L know enough about the sentiment
BACK OF TINS movement to say that they will