The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-05
OPPOSED TO FRANCHISE
CoUNCILMEN NEVER y sOURBIER
VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS.
Former Wants Tracks Elevated and
Latter Against a Double Track
-COmmittee Meeting.

At a meeting of the Council committee
on contracts and franchises last night I'M
expected opposition 70 the franchise re-
quest OF the Indianapolis Southern Rail-
road Company developed. Two council
men. Edward Sourbier, Republican, and
Gustave j. T. Meyer. Democrat, fatty re-
fused TO sign a committee report recon-
mending that the ordinance be passed.
Their action was a direct surprise, and Mr..
Sourbier's attitude prevented any action
being taken, as in the absence of Council
men Holiday and Cooper. the members of
the committee favoring the franchise or
dinance could do nothing but twist their
thumbs. There is now a possibility that
the Council will not act on the ordinance
next Monday night, although Chairman
Negley declares that if ne can get four
members of the committee to sign a report
he will present the ordinance at Monday
nights meeting for action. Mr.. Negley,
Mr.. Mcfarland, Mr.. Cooper and Mr.. Holli-
cay favor the adoption of the contract as
IL is expressed in the ordinance and will
probably sign a committee report Monday
night.
The fight in the committee meeting last
night arose when the discussion fell on
the question of requiring the Southern to
elevate its tracks. Councilman Meyer.
from the Fourteenth Ward. declared that
the road should not be permitted 10 come
In at all unless IL promised to elevate its
tracks between the city limits and Nc
Carly street. He said that the people Of
the South Side are tremendously inter-
ested in that question and are holding
meetings weekly TO discuss it. Councilman
at large Mcfarland said that track eleva-
ton would be unjust not only 10 the South
ern. but to manufacturing interests who
will he served nv II III Is necessary. as
every one knows, TO have switches and
side tracks on the ground he said. IF
we were 10 compel the road TO elevate We
would, / firmly believe. work irreparable
injury to many factories. More than that.
we should take no action with the South
ern until IL has been settled what the city
ts going 70 reouire from other railroads in
this matter of track elevation" Mr.. Nc
Farland said that he believes public senti-
tracks. and If II came to a vote with him
on the whole question he would vote 10
preserve the present grades rather than
TO make railroads elevate.
We'll. all l have 20 say replied Mr..
Meyer. rs that we will fight this thing TO
the bitter end. and that l will never sign
vote on the ordinance in the Council unless
a change is made in accordance with our
ideas"
AGAINST DOUBLE TRACK.
Sourbier's contention was that the pro-
vision giving the Southern the right to
construct double tracks through a part of
the South Side should be eliminated from
the ordinance. cit doubles the danger TO
pedestrians" he said. land the road could
get along as we'll with a single track as
with two" Engineer Hazelrigg, of the
Southern. who was present. replied that
the ordinance also provided that in the
event another coal road wished 10 enter
the city over the tracks of the Southern his
road was bound to give them that con-
venience. At hat time, he said, double
tracks would be an absolute necessity. IL
was not proposed. he said also. TO build
double tracks at once, but only to construct
them II circumstances demanded.
Councilman Meyer, seeming an opportu-
nifty TO win Sourbier to stand with him or
the track elevation proposition and in OPP
position to the franchise. agreed with Sour
bier that double tracks would be a bad
thing and wholly unnecessary. His ruse
worked well. for when Chairman Negley
asked for a vote on the matter of a com
mittee report SOurbier refused to support
Meyer. I'VE will beat them yet"
Councilman VAIL raised the point as to
whether the Southern could not be com
PEELED to carry passengers for ? cents a
mile. IF they are going 10 carry coal
cheap they Nigh as we'll agree TO carry
people cheap. too he said. Both Mr.. Neg
ley and Engineer Hazelrigg reminded him
hat State law regulates rates which rail-
roads shall charge for passenger transpor-
tation. and that II Is a matter out OF the
Jurisdiction OF the committee Mr.. Wahl
did not press his point.
James ID. Moriarity. not a member of the
committee. dropped in 20 stiffen the back
bones OF the malcontents. He objected
holly to about every section that was read.
Mr.. Moriarity offered TO bet Engineer Haz-
elrigg a hat that the road would not be
built within the lifetime of any of those
present at the meeting. but as Mr.. Hazel
rieg raised the obvious point that there
would be too long a time to wait before the
bet could be settled the wager was not
made. Hazelrigg then offered to bet Mort
arity a silk hat that a good part of the
road would be built within a year. but
Moriarity would not take him up.
Mr.. Negley. after making a few forceful
observations on the necessity for expedi-
tion In important public business. nd
journed the meeting until Monday night
before the session Of Council.