The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10
IEGsS,

III
There are lots Of people here
ISlyEGI who would be glad to know, or
even get an inklng of it's approx
mate condition in another decade Of growth.
1t is an interesting study. even though it
does partake of the spirit of prophecy, or
guess work, as you have a mind TO take it.
When one considers how phenomenal has
been the growth Of this city in the last few
years, and the future looks exceedingly
bright, everyone contends that in the ten
years TO come the growth will be even
greater. 1t is generally prophesied that
this city, during that period will rank as
great metropolis of the West. number
Of leading citizens were interviewed as to
what Indianapolis would be in the next
ten years, and they were all very optimistic
in their views and contended that there
was no limit to what the city might be
in that period. They say If one will con-
slider the improvements that have taken
place here since 1884, together with the
growth in population, and understand that
both are now increasing faster at the pres
ent time than ever before, there are no
possibilities to which this city may not
reach. Mr. Frank L. Gavin, in speaking
of the future of Indianapolis In the next
ten years. said:
Indianapolis promises to be in the next
ten years the great business point of the
central West. Now many may think that
1 am rather optimistic in my prophecy.
but to me everything indicates this. We
of course have no waterway, thing which
helps city considerably in business, but
our railroad facilities overcome this OBJ
stacle very easily. AS IL is, the manufac-
turing concerns located here. well the
other lines of business, make it possible
for all points, both east. west. north and
south, to be reached with little trouble.
Then there must be taken into considera-
ton the quickness of transportation and
in what short time all of the principal cities
can be reached, which. of course. greatly
aids all lines of business, no matter whether
wholesale or retail.
IF all of this is true now, what will 1t be
in the next decade, for everything is stead
lily tending toward Improvement? Another
thing that is going to increase this city
from a business standpoint is the building
of interurban railroads. These traction
roads which cover the outlying districts
will lead TO a spreading out of the urban
population. And for this reason Indianap-
district. This city, so far. has been free
from such a thing, but IL the population
increased as 1t has in the last few years,
tenement houses. with their overcrowded
mass Of humanity, would be inevitable. The
traction companies will, however, over
come this, and outlying settlements OF small
homes will spring up. In these villages will
live most of the working population.
1T will cost no more 10 come TO work
then than 1t does now, and II will not take
much longer. Homecoming will be more
general, and this will elevate the masses.
There are signs of this already, for all
through the country settlements are SPRING
ing up everywhere there is a traction line.
THE interurban lines are going to be a
great factor in the growth of this city, and
also in the whole State. They bring both
city and State In close proximity with the
neighboring States, and they also connect
the city directly with the coal fields. In
the near future the people of indianapolis
will enjoy the benefits of coal rates that will
compare with those OF any city in the coun-
try. There are two new railroads now being
built that run directly to the coal fields,
and think that il will be only a short time
before the traction lines will also commence
hauling coal, and IL seems 10 me that this
will be the solution of the coal problem in
this city. Had il not been for the two new
railroads that are pushing their way
through the State as fast as possible, the
Commercial Club would have taken the
matter up and tried to push the electrical
| roads to hauling coal TO the city.
1.-The future of the whole State looks ex-
ceedingly bright TO me. It's great oil and
! coal fields. both of which are yielding large
quantities of their products. together with
the fertility OF the soil OF the farming
area, are bound TO support a great city
and that city will be Indianapolis.
with all Of these business interests there
is no reason why this city should not main
tain It's place as home city. With the
abundant territory that is easily available
| by rapid transit the homes will become
more numerous. 1 think with the general
| increase in the next ten years Indianapolis
will maintain its eminence as a city OF
| homes. Its citizens are OF a high class
now. and this standard will be kept ur
through the whole life of the city. anc