The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-21
II. w. Bennett, Chairman, E. VI. John
son, Vice Chairman, and +. B. Ross,
Secretary, Are the Officers.
MAYOR MAKES STATEMENT
NO PLAN AND CITY OFFICIALS LIKE
OTHER WITNESSES.
DIR. JamesOn's Resolution Declaring
that Result Must Bring Permanent
Relief Is Unanimously Passed.

Mayor Bookwalter's embarrassing COM
mission OF seven met in his private Office
yesterday, pursuant to the mayors invita-
ton, and organized. Mayor Bookwalter met
with them and committed the subject to
them in a speech which reiterated his pub
lie utterances heretofore on the subject
The entire membership of the commits
sion-Henry w. Bennett, John Ii. Enrich,
DR.. Henry Jameson, Scot Butler. Eudorus
NJ. johnson, Charles E. Coffin and Charles
II. Buddenbaum-was present. and Mr..
Bennett was unanimously chosen chairman,
Mr.. Johnson vice chairman and Frank B.
Ross secretary and official stenographer.
Mr.. Ross will be paid by the Board OF
Public Works.
The mayor in committing the subject to
the commission said he wanted to re-em-
phasize his declarations that he had no
preconceived plan, no scheme, nor any
thing whatever that would SAVIOR of pre-
consideration of the subject. He told the
commission of the steps that had led to the
appointment of it. These steps included
suggestion from Mr.. McDoel president of
the Monon, several months ago, repeated
efforts to secure a conference with railroad
officials. which was finally successful in
November in Cincinnati, and out of which
came the suggestion of James McCrea,
president of the Union Railway Company,
that commission be appointed to make
recommendations on the subject. The duty
of the commission, he said, was to evolve
a plan for relief from danger at grade
crossings that would be of permanent and
complete benefit, having in mind at all
times the interests of the city in it's various
elements.
STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE.
He said the commission should find
strength and confidence in the fact that it's
duty was outside of and wholly removed
| from, political considerations. He thanked
| the members for their public interest in the
subject and their generous acceptance of a
| duty which, however well done, might re-
ceive criticism.
This subject is in your hands alone"
| he concluded. 1.-THE executive department
| the Board of Public Works and every off,
| Ger of this administration are at your serv-
ice to assist you. and all the incidental
| expense of the commission will be paid by
| the Board of Public Works. / also wish
| 10 add that the statements of the city Off
| Gals before you are expected to receive no
| more consideration from you than those
| of the other individuals whom you may
/ hear"
The mayor said the Board of Public
| Works had rendered the use of it's private
| office for the sessions of the commission.
| AT the suggestion of Mr. Coffin the mayor
| remained in the room long enough to put
| the motion electing Mr.. Bennett chairman
The commission discussed the method by
/ which it should proceed, but il was agreed
| that each member should take time TO pre-
| pare himself for such an important discus
| sion and the commission adjourned to meet
| tomorrow afternoon at the Office of the
| Board of Public Works at $3.50
| DIR. JAMESON'S RESOLUTION.
Before adjournment was taken DR.. Jane
son introduced the following resolution
which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That whatever plan this com
| mission recommends shall look not merely
| TO present relief, but to permanent settle
| ment
| Resolved. That such plan shall contem.
| plate alike the needs of the manufacturers
the shipping interests, the railroads and
the people of the whole community; that II
| shall be meant for acceptance as an en-
tirety and that work upon it shall not b'
| postponed or interfered with by makeshift:
| or changes but that the meaning and in
| tent of this commissions recommendation:
is full protection for all interests for al
time under plan that shall be regarded a.
a covenant in good faith, binding on ALL"
| DIR. Jameson's resolution commits tn,
commission to the purpose of devising per
manent relief, which, If accepted by boil
the city and the railroads, shall be agreed
to for all time; in other words, If the com
mission should decide on a systematic
method of alterations to remove grade
crossing dangers 1t should be carried out II
good faith by both parties. This would re
move the question from politics and III,
| uncertainties of changing administrations
| II would be a definite programme which
which would become a matter of contrac
| between the city and the railroads ant
| would be completed an entirety.
| DIR. Jameson said last night: 1.-THE pur
| pose is to provide a broad, comprehensive
plan, If one is proposed by the commission
which will show full consideration for TIL
| shippers, the railroads and the public, AM
which when entered upon will be carrie,
| out"
| The commission has decided to hold il
| sessions from $3.50 to $50 each Afternoon
| and to meet daily after tomorrow after
| noon.
The commission will probably secure tn
| attendance of the presidents of the trun
| lines coming in here. Mayor Bookwalte
said he would make efforts to have Pres
| ident ingalls,, of the Big Four: Vice Pres
| ident McCrea, of the P, c.. c. & st. l..
| President McDoel, of the Monon; Presiden
Newman. of the New York Central. an
President Woodford, of the c., III. & ID
| attend sessions to discuss the situatio
| with the commission. The engineers of a
these roads will be in attendance at differen
| times. City Engineer Nelson will be at tn
service of the board. with his force, to per
form any engineering services or furnis
data that may be required. The commits
sion will probably begin with a persona
inspection of the trackage and switches |
the city, and in so doing will systematic
| the use of such data the engineers dc
, | partment is now Drepared TO furnish