The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-21
FOR TRACKS ELEVATION
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARS
ANOTHER SIDE OF CASE.
COunciImen and others Insist the
People Want the Proposed
Safeguard.

after the adjournment Of the House., held an
open meeting on the proposed amendment
to Senator Hugg's bill which would author
tze the City Council to provide for the ele-
walton of railroad tracks in this city. The
room was well filed, and at this meeting a
large number of friends of the proposed
amendment were present. Chairman Noel,
in calling the to order, stated
that there had been a Misrepresentation re-
garding the meeting of last Saturday, and
the committee felt keenly the criticisms
that had been made in the papers. He de-
sired 10 say that the committee had notified
both sides to the controversy and that due
notice had been sent to. Mr.. Kern, which,
through some misunderstanding in his own
office, had not reached him. The reason
why the notices had not reached the other
gentlemen was in no way the fault of the
committee. as the committee had sent every
notice. as it had promised to do. He stated
that the committee was there to hear every
side of the question, and the criticisms made
were uncaled for and unjust.
City Attorney Kern was the first speaker.
He stated that he had not received the no
tice, through a mistake in his own office,
and he expressed good feeling toward every
body. He judged from the newspaper ac-
NONAiIS u 1AC d 4AoA bI0AA
that there was a misconception as TO the
intent of the amendment. He said that it
does not mean that the tracks shall be ele-
waited at once. but it simply gives to the city
the right to say that it shall be done when
it is deemed best to do so. He stated that
attorneys differ as to whether or not the
city has that right under the present char
ter, and hence they came to the Legislature.
and if iS tho 6t1tN OP the TooicIa fIrra 70
free the situation from that element of
doubt. He agreed to withdraw his amend
ment If the attorneys for the railroad COM
panies would sit down at the table there
and in writing make the statement that the
city has such powers under the existing
charter. He said that if there was no senti-
ment for this change no Council would dare
to pass an ordinance providing for it, and
the proposed amendment merely gives the
Council the right to pass such an ordinance
If 1t so elects and strengthens the position
of the city. He was we'll aware that ltiga-
ton would follow such an ordinance and
that the railroad companies would fight such
a proposition through all the courts, and he
does not want the contention of the city to
rest on a doubtful basis.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT SPEAKS.
President MahOney, Of the Council, said
that the people of the South Side desire the
elevation of the tracks and he gave a brief
history of the election of 1897 when this
very question was the issue. The result was
an overwhelming victory for the elevation
of the tracks. He also read remarks made
at an indignation meeting, held on the
South Side when the Pennsylvania Com
pany proposed to lay additional tracks
across Delaware street, to show the senti-
mpnt in that mart of fh9 civ
William Fortune said that the growth of
the city has been forced north in a re-
stricted space by reason of the tracks. He
stated that the South Side is just as beauti-
full naturally as the North Side, but prop
erty has steadily deprecated in that sec
tlon because of the necessity of crossing
the tracks. He stated that elevation is the
only solution of the problem. Track depres-
sion is impossible, because 1t would cut the
sewers. Viaducts are not the best plan. and
elevated tracks make the only solution. He
said that the elevation of tracks is not in
tended to affect shipping, and in the dis
trict through which it is proposed to ele-
Vate the tracks but few factories would be
affected. He told the committee that If it
believed the power of the Council to order
1t done under the present charter is suffi-
cient, the committee should have no objec-
ton to saying so and making it more def
mite and certain. In some cities, said he, the
railroad companies have borne all the eX-
pense, in some places it has been divided,
oiu y "oulu naHe nv CDJeCtIoi a an I an
amendment which would provide for d di-
vision of the cost. He wanted to see the
South Side opened up to the North Side.
Mr.. G.. w. Calkins appeared for the
wholesale grocers, to protest against the
amendment. He said that it was prompt
shipping that enabled men in his business
to hold their trade and this would be i'm
possible under this change. He acknowl-
edged that he did not know that the intent
power on the Council to order this done,
but his impression was that this ordered
the tracks up at once. He stated that he
would be willing to leave 1t In the hands Of
the Council.
DR.. Moffet urged that the amendment be
adopted and said that the city is growing
the more deaths there will be at the cross
tngs. He urged that the cost be left to arbi-
tration. Councilman Little said that this
power should be given to the City Council.
He did not believe that the amendment
should provide for a division Of the cost,
but Thought that should be left to the Coun-
ell as all such matters are left with it I'M
der the present charter.
Mr.. c. c. Foster reiterated that it is not
contemplated that these improvements shall
be made at once, but the idea is to have the
power vested in the Council beyond a doubt.
to order it done when it shall be demanded
of them. Mr.. Huey, who opposed the amend
ment on Saturday. said that he would not
oppose it at all If it should be left to a
vote of the people as to whether or not
this Improvement was to be made. He
thought this action should be taken.
Councilman knight favored the amend
ment and said that he knew that the people
of the South Side desired to have the
tracks elevated. Councilman Golfer raised
the point that all opposed to the amend
ment are personally interested and that the
only arguments against it have been on
that basis. Councilman Bernauer spoke
briefly in favor of the amendment.
j. Q. Van Wrinkle, Of the Big -Four. said
that if this power was conferred on the
Council, the Improvement would he ordered
at once and he did not anticipate that there
would be any delay about IT. ]. s. Gordon
said that he heard no sentiment in favor of
track elevation. He charged that this agiti-
ton resulted from a commission of the Com
maFcia1 CllJh and hp1ipya6 that Tbn m iOTitV
of members would be against +. He eX-
pressed himself as in favor of anything for
the city that was approved by the majority,
and if this question was submitted and the
majority of those who took enough interest
In 1t TO vote should declare for it, he
would take off his coat and go to work as
hard as any one. He told Mr.. Fortune that
bred members of the Commercial C1up, at
least four hundred are against it and Re
urged that we have the members vote on
the question and see where the club stands.
Mr.. Fortune attempted 70 reply Ia hpn and
told him he was mistaken, but Ch0 'rInan
Noel raped on the table and, for a mo-
ment. Mr.. Gordon. Mr.. Fortune and Mr..
rapping came out on top and when Mr.. {
don had nnisheu AIr. fortune stated that
the club has already 'Oted on this and the
majority is in favor of It.
It was nearly Z o'clock by this time and
the committee went into executive session.
Mr.. Eichhorn will probably prescott q report
favoring the amendment. If the others stand
by the first decision 10 indefinitely postpone
It. but the other members CT the committee
are, as yet. undecided what report TO make.
What FffzSfmmonS saws