The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-02
Magnates and Their Friends Jour-
neyed from Hoosier Capital to
Lafayette Yesterday.
TRIP WAS GREAT SUCCESS
GENERAL MANAGER REYNOLDS SAYS
ROAD is IN SPLENDID SHAPE.
People Along the Route Delighted
May Have Trouble at Lafayette.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
LAFAYETTE, Ind, Dec Lafayette to-
day welcomed the advent of the interurban.
the indianapolis & Northwestern Traction
Company sending its first car to the city
direct from Indianapolis. When the hand
some car containing the magnates and some
friends entered the city from the East this
afternoon a large crowd gathered. and
General Manager Reynolds stated that the
trip was great success, the entire line
being in fine condition. 1t is the companys
intention to maintain a regular schedule
hereafter between Lafayette and the capital
city, this city being the terminus of the
system. The line to Lafayette was given
its finishing touches yesterday and this
morning and now every foot of rail and
wire is IN place. The company's construc-
ton car was sent over the line from Frank
fort to Dayton, six miles east of Lafayette,
yesterday and the high tension wire
cleared of all distractions. The entire line
was found to be in excellent condition, and
the officials decided to run the first car
from Frankfort to Lafayette to-day Atnoon
to-day the car left Frankfort, w. c. Reed.
of the TownsendReed Company, the build
ers, being aboard. With him were General
Manager Reynolds and several trolley mag
mates and other capitalists. AS the car
passed through Mulberry and Dayton the
townspeople cheered and showed their de-
light at the arrival of the much-heralded
tnterurban. "A general overhauling of the
local trolley system has been necessitated
by the coming of the interurDan cars. New
tracks have been laid along the street that
the big coaches will traverse and additional
power will be provided by the street-rail-
way electric plant for the use of the in
terurban while on the city system.
An obstacle in the path of the interurban
company has developed in the city, and
although as yet 1t is not formidable, there
Influence
ment that may cause the Northwestern
Company some trouble. George p Hay
is also attorney for the Consolidated Trac-
ton Company. which is opposing the
Northwestern at every town. AT the last
Council meeting Haywood called the at
the interurban company was planning to
operate cars in the city without fran
chise. Later morning paper contained an
attack on the policy of the interurban. The
article, which was evidently inspired,
stated that the city was being duped by
the interurban promoters. An ORGANIZED
entering the city without a franchise is
now said to have been formed and com
mttee appointed to work among members
of the Council with view to influencing
them to vote in favor OF requiring fran
chiSe.
Inasmuch as the interurban cars will rur
only on the tracks of the Lafayette Street
Railway there is little likelihood that the
franchise will amount to much, nor viii
the public ccuntenance such a plan. The
interurban cars will be governed in the city
limits by the ordinance which governs the
Lafayette Street Railway. The franchise
| movement is not taken seriously here.
A street-car line has been laid around
| the courthouse square, and the interurbans
| will use this for a loop. The car which
| entered Lafayette came only to the city
| limits, but tomorrow it is the company's
| intention to run another car direct to the
| square. site for station but half 9
block from the square has been secured.