The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
Mr.. FORTUNE IS HEARD
HE MAKES A PLEA FOR AN ELE-
WAITED TRACK SYSTEM.
ForcefuI Argument Presented to the
Grade-Cros.fng OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
to He Heard Tuesday.

Wlinam fortune, presioent Oh tnc Jun
mercial Clubs elevated track commission.
occupied the entire time OF the grade cross
ing commission at It's session yesterday
afternoon. His speech was comprehen-
sive review of the advocacy Of track ele-
walton in this city and in other cities OF
the country and a presentation OF the po-
stion of the Commercial Clubs commits
sion. Members of the Commercial Clubs
commission who were present were Sec
rotary George E. Hunt, Theodore e Grif-'
fths, A. A. Barnes, John III. Holiday,
Charles Carroll Brown. city engineer I'M
der the last administration of Mayor Den
ny, and Thomas c. Day. James l.. Reach
was also an interested spectator. He was
one of the leaders Of the South Side agi-
tation for track elevation four years ago
and has been identified with Ii since
Mr. Fortunes address was carefully pre-
pared and was informing along many lines
of the commissions inquiry. 1t was an
argument for track elevation, but stopped
there. At the conclusion of his remarks
Mr.. Fortune said whenever the commission
determined that it would solve the grade
crossing problem by adopting elevation then
the commission of the Commercial Club
would be ready to appear again and state
its position with reference TO whatever
local plan might be in mind. He said the
Jeup plans were prepared to answer OBJ
Jections and in this they were successful,
but the commission regarded them as very
deficient in many ways.
HISTORY TRACED.
He traced the history of the elevated
track movement here since the agitation of
a Kentucky viaduct in 1894. He
gave the railroads credit for their great and
important share in the advancement of In
dianapolis, but expressed the belief that
they had not been as progressive as the
citizens, who had contributed millions for
sewers and streets in the last decade, and
during which period the city had doubled
in population and business The new
transportation facilities reaching Indianap-
oils were such that it now had for trading
purposes a population of 100000. The
growth of the city northward was likely
TO carry the business district in that di-
rection, the railroads which restricted
the development of the South Side
being the cause The business por-
ton could grow in all directions
proportionally if grade crossings were
made safe. 1t would be the beginning of
the end of 4 one-sided town.
Mr.. Fortune figured the loss of time in
the delays caused by the crossings repre-
scented to the city of indianapolis at $4oo.oo0
year. Estimating that the loss of time
in running 40 trains daily in the city
amounted to $4,000 a year, $4,000 for
watchmen and $4,000 for deaths and acct
of 100000. This was an economic
loss annually of 100000 or per
cent, if capitalized on S4OOO,OOO.
The elevation of all the tracks in
which would represent a cost of 100000
year if capitalized on the same basis.
Protected crossings he said had been
shown to have greater per cent. of acct
dents than unprotected ones; by protected
he meant those crossings at grade that
are equipped with watchmen and safety
gates. Depression was Impractical here
because of the poor drainage. Viaducts
were expensive Oen of them would almost
cost as much as the entire elevated track
scheme) and would afford no permanent
solution of the question and would be a
constant source of expense, new ones be-
ing always in demand, beside entailing
large sums in consequential damages to
contiguous property 1t was because of
these reasons that the Commercial Clubs
commission advocated track elevation.
Mr.. Fortune read letters from Chicago
Philadelphia and Jersey City shippers
showing that elevation had been of advan-
tage and had not affected shipping rates.
In answer to Chairman Bennett, Mr.. For
tune said the commission of which he was
president had received no letters condemn
ing elevation. He also read letters from
the engineers of the Illinois Central, Chi
kee * St. Paul. all favorable to the success
of elevation in Chicago.
Fifty cities had practiced elevation in the
past four years Chicagos system has cost
5000 10000; ST. Louis is to have SS5, 600 900
spent for elevation. and it has been recent
ly announced that the great railroads of the
country are TO spend $500 900, 900 this year in
physical improvements. In view of these
facts he thought the expense at Indianap-
oils was trivial.
SECURITY OF HUMAN LIFE
He concluded by abiding to what he
termed the most important phase of the
whole problem-the security of human life
''In the last six years." said he. there
have been killed at the grade crossings
here forty-seven people, and fifty-nine have
been seriously injured. That is the price in
blood that has been paid in six years. If
any other institution of Indianapolis had
made such a record, there would be pub
lie uprising and an immediate abatement
of the danger. In this respect 1 want to
say that / have no patience, in considering
this subject, with the man who pleads his
/ dollars against the security of human life
| If the abatement of Embarrassing dangers
/ Is for the whole people. then private sacri-
/ fees should not influence the solution of the
| problem. This commission has received
/ from the railroads the most important as
surances of cooperation that have ever
been received here. 1t shows the roads are
/ recognizing the necessity of action. In this
/ work the commission has the opportunity
/ of doing the greatest single thing in the
/ history Of the city, and no man could ask a
greater monument TO his memory than to
/ have aided in solving this problem ade-
quately."
/ Chairman Bennett read a letter from
John Il. Cockrum. general attorney for the
/ Lake Erie * Western, in which he assured
/ the commission full cooperation in sow
/ ing the problem
The commission will hear from the Mer-
i chants Association and the Board of Trade
Tuesday. Members of the commission SAY
/ the suggested excursion to Chicago and
/ Cleveland has never been discussed by the
commission. and there is nothing now to