The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-25
TO RAILROAD PRESIDENTS
GRADE CROSSING COMMISSION SENDS
CIRCULAR LETTERS.
cation Is Urged-Members POr-
ing Over Blue Prints.

Each member Of the grade crossing COM
mission took home blue print map of the
railroad lines of the city and the elevation
system prepared by former Engineer Jeup
and copy of Mr.. Jeup's report on the
plan yesterday. 1t is the purpose to spend
time between Saturday and Monday in
getting informed as to the geography and
topography of the city in relation to the
work in hand.
At yesterdays meeting Chairman Bennett
reported verbally the programme the board
would follow The first three or four days
are to be taken up with personal inspec-
tons of the railroad systems. Most of this
work will be done on foot with City En-
gineer Nelson pacemaker. The work is
new to the commissioners of the subcom-
mittee felt ample familiarity with the local
situation to be necessary to a proper be-
ginning. Thursday or Friday the commit
tee will be ready for the hearing of the
representatives of the Commercial Clubs
elevated track commission, the Board of
Trade, Merchants Association and other
organizations. Later on the Traction and
Terminal Company. the interurban roads,
the owners of private switches and the
railroads will take their turns. The South
Side Improvement Club and the Manufact-
cations to be invited The report of the
committee was approved.
DIR. JAMESON'S IDEA.
DIR. Jameson said that inasmuch as the
commission was understood to be an arbi-
tration commission it was important that
the two parties at interest be consulted
as to their probable reception of the find
ings of the commission. He said the ques-
ton seemed to divide itself between the city
and the many interests it represents on
one side and the railroads on the other
The commission had the assurance of
friendly feeling toward the commission on
the part OF each, but he felt that both
should Indicate their acqueisence in the
finding of the commission Otherwise he
thought the work of the commission might
not take the character that was necessary
to its success. fundamental idea, he
believed, was to ascertain from the rail-
road companies if they would respond to
the commissions demand for information
and to that end he offered the following
form of letter:
AT the request of the Hon. Charles A.
Bookwalter, mayor of indianapolis, H. w.
Bennett. E. M. Johnson. Scot Butler, c. f.
Coffin j. II. Enrich. c.. II. Buddenbaum
and H Jameson, citizens of indianapolis,
have agreed TO act as a commission to in
vestigate what is commonly spoken of as
the grade crossing problem. The commits
sion has organized with III. W. Bennett as
chairman.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
AT it's first meeting the commission
unanimously adopted the following reso-
luton:
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 il
! shall he meant for acceptance as an en-
| tirety and that work upon it shall not be
| postponed or interfered with by makeshifts
or changes, but that the meaning and in.
tent of this commissions recommendations
is full protection for all interests for all
! time under a plan that shall be regarded as
covenant in good faith, binding on ALL
| tine commission believes that with the
| cordial cooperation of all parties inter.
| ested and affected, ii may by patient in.
veStigation and unprecedented consideration
| be able to carry out the purpose of its
! being.
| ''Will you aid this commission at a time
| agreeable 10 you, when ii shall ask for in.
formation and suggestions?"
In that language circular letters were
sent to President McDcel, of the Monon
| President ingalls,. of the Big Four, Presi
| dent Newman, of the New York Central
| President McCrea, of the Union Railwa,
| Company. and President Woodford of tn,
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, yesterda,
| afternoon.
| The commission then spent some tim,
examining the drawings which City Engi
neer Nelson had at hand. Another meet
ing VIII be held Monday at $3.50 o'clock