The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-19
Railroad Men Heard and Action De-
ferred Until President Ingalls, Shall
Appear Next Week.
FIVE HUNDRED FOR AN EXPERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK WILL
BE INVESTIGATED.
No Report on the Ordinance Regu1at-
ing Speed of Electric Cars-Con-
tagfous Disease Fund.

No report was made to the Council by the
committee on railroads on the Grail ordi-
nance fixing the speed of railroad trains
at four miles an hour and requiring all
trains TO stop before crossing street rail-
way track last night. A meeting Of the
committee was held in the afternoon to
discuss the ordinance. and while the MEM
bers of the committee did not formally
commit themselves they all seemed favor
able to the ordinance.
The railroads were represented by NJ. w.
Mansfield, superintendent of the i. & ",
and speaking for the Pennsylvania Com
panys interests, and Charles r. Myers.
representing the Big Four. Mr.. Mansfelds
argument against the ordinance was that
Il practically drove through trains out of
the city and I'm addition opened the way for
accidents and fatalities more numerous
than would result from grade crossings In
their present condition. If the through
trains were required TO stop at every street.
railway intersection and must run at a
speed no greater than four miles an hour
each would lose from an hour to an hour
and half in passing through Indianapolis.
This would be such a loss of time in the
schedule between ST. Louis and New York
that the roads now running through this
city must seek another route If they tried
TO compete with the through lines that ira
verse the State now without touching In
dianapolis.
NEITHER PARTY WANTS 1T.
This. Mr.. Mansfield said, the railroads did
not want and the city did not want. Indi-
annapolis was one of the established points
of Importance. and the railroads would not
go around it unless legislation became SO
odious that they were forced to.
Another feature that he dwelt on was the
stopping of the trains. He pictured how
passengers would be getting on and off at
all points, and this would increase danger
10 life and limb. Crowded trains, when
stopped, always brought passengers to the
they would meet with accident. In fact,
Mr.. Mansfield thought the danger OF acct
dent from that method was greater than as
at present
Chairman Expert asked. Mr.. Mansfield
what the railroads would do to make the
crossings secure. He said the railroads
would be willing to erect safety gates. and.
II necessary, erect them at every crossing
in the city. Safety gates and watchmen. he
thought, would amply protect the public
from danger at crossings.
Mr. Expert submitted the letter of Presi-
dent Ingalls,. of the Big Four. to the COM
mittee, In which he requested postponement
OF action until he could come here and dis
cuss the ordinance with them. The COM
mittee decided TO defer action until some
date next week. when it Will be convenient
Tor Mr.. ingalls, 20 appear. In his letter he
unable TO come report will be prepared
and submitted to the next Council meeting.
SPEED OF ELECTRIC CARS
The Council had no report from the COM
mittee on public safety and comfort on the
Billingsley ordinance limiting the speed of
electric cars TO eight miles an hour. Chair
man Sourbier says the committee will sure
ly report al the next meeting OF The
Council.
The ordinance requiring the L. E. & w.
and a watch tower at Thirteenth street street
and the tracks of both companies was
unanimously passed Councilman Negley
introduced this ordinance two weeks ago
and IL was reported favorably by the COM
mittee. 1t Is intended to minimize the dan
ger from accident at this crossing, which
has been the scene of several street car
wrecks and two deaths.
Under a suspension of the rules the
Council appropriated 500 for the use of
the special committee appointed TO investi-
gate the office OF the city clerk. The money
IS to defray the expense or an expert ex-
animation OF the accounts of the office
and was asked for by the committe unani-
mously. While the vote was pending Mr..
Holiday asked IL the committee intended
10 extend the investigation beyond the
time OF the present incumbent. Chairman
Negley said the committee had not con-
sidered that phase of the question He said
the committee desired that the work OF
investigation begin promptly.
The Council also appropriated SGD for the
use OF the Health Board In paying the sal
aries of milk inspectors and $500 for the
use OF the Memorial day committee.
BOULEVARD COMPROMISE.
Controller Breunig recommended the ap-
preparation of the 100000 borrowed for the
construction of boulevards for the use OF
the Park Board. He recommended that the
ordinance appropriating $4,000 of this
amount for use on a South Side boulevard
and $1,000 for the Fall creek boulevard be
passed The controller. at the request OF
City Sanitarian Buehier, recommended an
other appropriation of 5000 for the con-
Health DR.. Buehler reported that new
cases or smallpox had developed. and that
there were indications Of others, and that
the money would be needed The Council
appropriated $500 at a special meeting last
week.
Mr.. Mcfarland introduced an ordinance
making II misdemeanor for any person
to maliciously and falsely summon the fire
department. police force or city ambulance
Any person so offending may be punished
by a fine Of $50. The ordinance Is intended
TO reach those persons who have been an
noying the police and fire forces with
fake calls by telephone.
A petition was presented asking that the
name OF Marlowe avenue. between Dormar
and State streets. be changed TO New York
street. 1t was referred TO the committee
on sewers. streets and alleys. A reso
luton granting the Gentry dog show the
right 10 exhibit without written permission
from residents within one block of the
show grounds-Capitol avenue and Six.
teenth streets-was passed.
FIRE AND POLICE FORCES.