The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-06
Business Men Asking When Lower
Coal Rates May Be Secured
from This Source.
MR.. PARRY AvERSE TO TALKING
HE DECLARES, HOWEVER, THAT
THE ROAD WILL BE BUILT.


The energetic protest of Indianapolis
business men against the high freight rates
on coal. voiced at the Board Of Trade meet
ing Monday night, has led to the query.
What has become of the Indianapolis
Southern"
d. NJ. Parry and others interested in the
proposed railroad declared a year ago that
with the running of trains over the new
line from the Indiana coal fields the soft
coal problem, so far as this city is con-
cerned, would be solved, but during the
past few months little has been heard of
the Southern, and in view of the critical
nature OF matters at present. business men
generally are anxious to know what the
prospects are for relief of the nature pro-
posed by the promoters of the Southern.
Mr.. Parry, in answer to questions as to
the definite plans for the immediate future,
noncommittal last night and averse
to discussing the coal rate question.
PARRY NoNCOMMITTAL.
"All have to say is that our complete
survey will be ready in about ten days."
Mr.. Parry stated. Further than that do
not care to go at this time. fear that dis
cussion of our plans would be injurious
rather than beneficial. The road, however
will be built. and in good time"
When application was made to the Board
of Public Works and to the Council for a
franchise Mr.. Parry. Henry Rauh and
others associated In the road's affairs
stated the Southern would be prepared to
transport any amount of fuel to this city
from the Indiana fields for 30 cents O. ton
and that II could be done with reasonable
amount of profit. The declaration was well
come to consumers at that time and they
have continued to hold 1t as beacon light
for the future.
There is a strong sentiment, however
that Indianapolis should not depend on the
building of this road to secure relief from
onerous co5diti0nsi In the Commercial
its own coal road has been discussed win
favor.
Frank z. Gavin, president Of the Conn
mercial Club said last night: II shall con-
tinue to believe the Southern will be built
until am convinced that the project has
come TO nothing, but / still hold TO il that
the city would be paid by building a road
vestment directly and would be of service
to individual consumers in the comparative
ly low rates that could be secured
WILL LEND ASSISTANCE.
Mr.. Gavin left the inference that the prof.
ect will be brought before the Commercial
Club In a new form in the near future. He
says the Commercial Club will put its shout
der to the wheel in the effort to secure
fairer treatment from the collaborating
roads and will lend the Board of Trade
all the assistance in its power.
1.-The matter probably will come up at
the next meeting OF the board of directors
said Mr. Gavin last night. 81 think we shall
wait until something develops from the
conference of the Board of Trade Commit
tee and the railroad officials before taking
definite steps in any way. but wish to saw
that the Commercial Club realizes fully the
gravity of the situation and the need for
lower rates.
lone of our principal arguments in the
endeavor to secure new factories for In
danapolis," said Mr.. Gavin, has been the
prevalence of cheap fuel. That argument
has been nullified largely by actual condi-
tions forced on us by the railroads. |
agree that the danger of retarding the
growth of the city is pressing, and ii we
desire to secure industrial recruits we
must take steps TO make our most effective
inducement bona fide one. have heard of
several manufacturing institutions that
would have come here IL the opportunities
for getting cheap fuel had been more IA
vorable."
II Is probable that conference between
the Board OF Trade committee and the rail-
road officials interested will be had within
a few days.