The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-31
indianapolis. LOganspOrt & Chicago
VIII Elevate Tracks IL the other
Roads Do.
STAND OF COMMERCIAL CLUB
1T URGES THE BOARD TO HOLD OUT
FOR ELEVATION
Property Owners for and Against the
Franchise Speak at the Confer
ence-AnOther Meeting.

steps in the fight 1t is thought the company
will make against track elevation. Before
the Board of Public Works. during the hear
ing OF those who are concerned in the grant
ing of franchise to the road to enter In
dianapolis Attorney Charles n. Thompson
stated that the Indianapolis, Logansport &
Chicago Railroad is willing to let contracts
for the elevation of tracks when the other
railroads are required to do so. The new
roads stand is that it should not be required
to elevate it's tracks unless all the other
roads In the city are required to do so.
Neither of the representatives of the road
who addressed the board said the company
would object seriously to elevating its
tracks. If it is required to do before
other roads are. but it is thought that the
company will put up strong fight against
spending hundreds of thousands of dollars
to elevate its tracks before track elevation
is required of all roads.
The Commercial Club yesterday sent
communication TO the Board of Works
signed by William Fortune, in which
strong stand is taken for refusing the new
road franchise unless it agrees to elevate
its tracks at once. The additional expense
for this would be about 100000, the COM
munication says. and. as the franchise asked
would be worth something like LOCO, 900. the
company should not stand out against track
elevation at once. Mr.. Thompson told the
board he thought none of the roads will
elevate their tracks until they are compelled
to do so after a long fight in the courts.
FOR AND AGAINST.
From the statements Of property owners
who appeared before the board and spoke
for and against the granting of franchise
to the new road the sentiment of property
owners south of Fall creek and east of the
river seems to be in favor of granting a
franchise, with the exception of some of the
West Washington-street property owners.
Property owners in Cerealinetown and other
districts north of Fall creek, including GER
tain property owners near Riverside Park,
are against the admission of the new road.
Those people who own property in the vi
entity or the park and are opposing the
grant say railroad in that vicinity would
injure their property and endanger the lives
OF their children. Owners of property all
along the route of the proposed new road
favor the grant because. they say, the ROAD
would make their property available for
factory sites and general Industrial pur-
poses. and would, therefore, increase its
value.
Representing the road at the hearing We're
Quincy A. Myers. of Logansport, secretary
OF the company; L. n. Richie, of this city,
who is SECURING options for the company;
Attorney Charles n. Thompson, Frederick
Gale. of Chicago, president of the company.
and Mr.. Soule, president of the construction
company which will build the road. ]. Clyde
Power, representing the Park Board, was
present. Among the others who had opin-
ions TO express upon the grant were the
Rev. Francis Gavisk, Francis NJ. Lucas,
representing property owners along mill
race, and G. A. Efroymson, representing the
Star store. Mayor Bookwalter was present
at most Of the hearing.
Q. A. MYERS HEARD.
Quincy Myers, who was the first speaker
at the hearing, after reviewing the pre-
vious efforts of the road to get a franchise
in this city, which would have been grant
ed if the road had agreed not to cross
Washington street, he said the road does
not want to elevate its tracks until all
the roads do, because it wishes to compete
on even grounds with the Big Four. He
said that If the new road has elevated
tracks IL cannot furnish equal freight IA
cilities with the Big Four. The road has
already spent $500 near Fall creek, from
Indiana avenue TO Flora street and al
ready owns property In indianapolis on
which it is paying taxes, he said. He
thought that if the city wants new rail-
road it cannot find route other than the
one proposed by the Indianapolis, Logans-
port x Chicago to which there would be less
objection.
Mr.. Lucas said property along Mill Race
avenue would be damaged by the new road
rights of these property owners. G. A.
Efroymson said he does not oppose or
favor the new road, but wants to know
more about what ii proposes to do Jacob
Wachstetter who owns property on West
Washington street said he is opposed to
the new road closing up West Court street
II. T.. Bruner. an owner OF property near
Riverside Park, said he did not think it
would be benefit to have lot of factories
near Riverside, the best part in town "
While the road would benefit property be-
erty north OF the creek. he said. He said a
petition opposing the grant has been start
ed, but is not yet completed and ready to
bring to the board.
FAVORS TRACK ELEVATION.
Mr.. Efroymson. speaking directly upon
track elevation, said he thought the new
road should be required to elevate its
tracks when they are first built, and '1et
the factories build their switches up to
them"
Harry Hinesley, representing Cerealine-
town property owners, said the people of
that district are opposed to the present
route of the new road and that If il is
built over the present route Cerealinetown
property will be greatly damaged. Mrs.
John Steele, Sixteenth and Milburn streets,
said all the property in that vicinity would
be damaged by the new road.
l. ~ Richie, who is securing options on
the proposed right of way in INDIANAPOLIS
presented petition from property owners
south of FAN creek favoring the admittance
OF the new road Mr.. Richie thought fac
tories would soon be located on that land
south of the creek If the franchise is grant
ed He said IL is almost impossible since
the Indianapolis. LOgansport Chicago
road had asked for franchise to get op-
lions on West Washin gton-street property
Mr.. Richie spoke against the new road
being required to elevate its tracks be-
Tore all the other railroads do. He thought
that the new road. having its tracks ele-
waited before the Big Four and the Belt
line. especially. would greatly handicap its
business both in and out OF the city
Thomas Mcdonald made a general talk
i'm opposition to the new road for the resi-
dents and property owners of Cerealine-
town.
The Board of Works will have another
hearing next Wednesday al o clock when
the members OF the Council will be invited
TO be present. A member OF the Board of
Works said yesterday afternoon that il
is probable that IL will be decided next
week, perhaps. whether the road Will be
given franchise over the proposed route