The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-17
Another Meeting VIII BE Held This
Morning Preliminary to Confer
ence with City OmciaIs.
WILL BE LARGE UNDERTAKING
PRESIDENT MCGOWAN SAYS CAUTION
" Il BE OBSERVED.
Mr.. McCuIIoch Talks of an Independ-
ent TerminaI-Meeting of the
safety BOard-City Affairs.

Representatives of the eight interurban
roads that will terminate in indianapolis
were in conference with President McGow-
an, of the indianapolis Street-railway Com
pany, yesterday They met early in the
afternoon and remained in session five
hours, returning in the evening and keep
ing together behind closed doors until near
ly midnight. When they left it was with
the intention of resuming the conference
this morning and attempting solution of
the terminal station question on an equita-
BILE basis.
After adjournment last night Mr.. Meow
an said he was hopeful of being able to
submit a definite proposition to the city
this afternoon at the hour fixed by Mayor
Bookwalter in his letter requesting def
mite proposition at that time. The time
fixed for this proposal was o'clock at the
office of the Board of Public Works. Mr..
MCGOWAN said the interurban representa-
tives and himself would keep at the sub
ject with the firm intention of settling 1t.
when you consider" said Mr.. McGow-
an, that these men are tying up their for
tunes in an uncertain proposition for thirty
one years you will understand that they.
any myself. intend 10 be extremely eau
tious. The more the question is discussed
the more involved and important it be
comes. What seems a good working basis
to start with will, when followed up by
the men who are individually affected, be
found either inadequate or inequtable.'
The principal point of discussion among
the interurbans is the fixed charges. Pres
ident McCulloch, of the Union Traction
Company. said last night that this question
was of course holding back the settlement
of the question. so far as are all con-
cerned, ne said. I'VE are all working with
the end of establishing a union terminal.
This responds to the demand of public
sentiment and our own ideas. In estab-
fishing union station the same plan
and basis as the present steam-road Union
Station we would be making Indianapolis
the pioneer in this and undoubtedly adding
to the city's reputation as a transportation
center. But the ability of the companies TO
sustain the fixed charges necessary to pro-
vide and maintain such a station, with its
track system, is uncertain and necessarily
causes differences of opinion and requires
much discussion to make clear So far as
the Union Traction Company is concerned,
we have an option a terminal site, and
If this terminal question is not settled soon
/
establish an independent terminal.
1t is understood the interurban men have
! discussed the terminal question from both
sides. The fixed charges that the roads can
! sustain have been used as a basis for an
| investment in a terminal station. Also an
| investment has been considered that would
| provide amply for all and then the neceS-
| sary charges for maintenance and interest
! charges calculated. 1t is conceded that
| the terminal scheme will require an outlay
/ of at least 100000 Mr.. McCulloch believes
/ II will be more than that. Mr.. MCGOWAN
/ has three sites for the terminal in mind, but
| their location has not been disclosed Their
/ area varies and the transit of cars through
them would be an engineering problem that
may not be considered at the present time
! 1t Is thought the proposal before the
board this afternoon will not be conclusive
/ but VIII be in the nature of an assurance
! that terminal plan, satisfact Glory TO all, has
been agreed upon, but that more time will
/ be required 10 perfect it. The interurban
! roads are deeply interested in the repeal OF
/ the car tax proviso in the city's standard
/ franchise and the indications are that the
/ city administration considers this favora-
/ bly,. So far as the business and mercantile
| elements have expressed themselves they
! have favored this course in the interest OF
assisting the expansion of the city's trade
| II Is likely, however, that the discussion be-
! forefore the board this afternoon will re-
| late almost wholly TO the terminal question
| instead OF the car-taX or freight-rate cues.
| tions.