The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-24
GOOD THINGS IN SIGHT.

erence to Indianapolis as mo mean city
has had many echoes and much influence
since it was made. 1t has called attention
at home and abroad to the progress the
city has made in right directions. to it's adj
vantages and possibilities. and has stimu-
lated civic pride 10 unwonted activity and
contributed 10 advertising the city's attrac-
lions among people who travel and talk,
and whose good opinion is therefore worth
having. But this only imposes new obliga-
tions on the people. The very fact that In
dianapolis is universally admitted to be
one of the most beautiful, prosperous, pro-
gressive and enterprising cities OF the coun-
try makes 1t incumbent on those who live
here to keep it so. In this strenuous age
city that is not progressing is retrograd-
ing. Untiring energy is as truly the price
Of municipal progress as eternal vigilance
is OF liberty. A city that has gained first
or second place in the race or in public esti-
nation must fight TO retain 1t lest others,
pressing close behind, overcome its percent
age of advantage and get ahead. The race
is never won. or IL won this year must be
renewed the next and continued as long as
competition lasts The moral Of this is that
every opportunity of adding to the city's
attractions or prestige should be embraced
and pushed with the utmost energy.
Just now. in addition to the ordinary i'm
provements and betterments of the city,
which always demand intelligent oversight.
there are some things that call for special
government and the people. First in i'm
portance is the settlement of the interurban
road system on a basis that will insure its
future growth and friendly cooperation
for the welfare of the city. From its adj
vantageous location Indianapolis has every
facility for becoming the greatest electric
railroad center In the United States, and it
will do so if the question is wisely handled.
1t is probable the most optimistic predic-
lions of the future benefits of these roads
TO the city fall far short OF the truth.
When they are all completed and in sue
cessful operation they will bring TO the city
millions of passengers every year and an
enormous trade. To secure these advan-
tages the city should go as far as 1t posi-
bly, can without making improper conces-
sions. The Journal believes it could well
afford to surrender the proposed car tax in
order to secure terminal union station
such as it is proposed to build. The car tax
would not yield a large revenue and it
would be a perpetual bar to any reduction
in the rate OF fare. A terminal station Of
the kind 1t is proposed to build would be
an ornament to the city and a new adver-
tisement for it. In the long run. by en-
couraging and facilitating interurban traf-
fc, It would conduce to the prosperity OF
the city far more than car tax would.
This is only one feature of a generally lib
eral policy that should be pursued towards
the interurban roads.
Another matter that calls for prompt and
united action is the proposed purchase of
the arsenal grounds and establishment of a
national technical school. including at the
same time the establishment OF an army
| post near the city. Both of these estab-
lishments would be permanent additions to
! the attractions Of the city, would bring a
large number of people and large amount
of money here every year, and would be a
new reminder to the outside world that In
dianapolis is mo mean city" Very few
cities in the land have a technical institute
such as the promoters say this one would
be, still fewer have an army post, and not
one has both. Such an opportunity will
never occur again, and the utmost effort
| should be made to utilize it.
1t Is probably safe to assume the mer-
chants lighting and heating enterprise as a
/ fixed fact. The only point of doubt was
the action of the Council, and. that re-
moved, the character of the men at the
head of the enterprise insures its being car
ried out. Besides contributing to the clean
illness and comfort of the city by minimiz-
! ing the smoke nuisance, this will advertise
the town as among the foremost in original
ideas and progressive movements 1t is
greatly to the credit of our business mer
that they took the initiative in this matter
and insisted on the Council allowing them
to inaugurate an enterprise which viii
benefit the whole community as well as
themselves.
These are some of the matters now un.
der consideration that call for prompt ac
ton and cooperation by the city govern
ment and the people to insure their sue
cess and the continuous progress of the
city.