The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-16
CITY OFFICIALS MEET
MANAGERS OF RAILROADS
Mayor Hoffman Calls Conference
to Discuss Elimination of
Grade Crossings.
BIG FOUR HAS A PLAN
Relief for the Massachusetts-Ave-
nue OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Chief Engineer at Work.

That the Big Four and other railroads
crossing Massachusetts avenue have a plan
ready to present to the city for eliminat-
ing the grade crossing at that point was
the only definite thing learned by city
officials yesterday afternoon in their con-
ference with railroad representatives in
Mayor Holtzman's office. The meeting had
been called by the mayor for n considera-
ton of the grade-crOssing problem in the
entire city. but the only promise made by
railroad representatives was that plan
for the general elimination of grade cross
ings in Indianapolis might be ready TO be
submitted to the city within four months
The men who appeared at the conference
for the railroads entering the city probably
formed as representative party on such
interests as has ever gathered In Indian
apolis. They included John 7. Dye, general
counsel for the Big Four; j. G. Schaff, gen.
eraI manager of the Big Four; ]. @. Van
Wrinkle, general superintendent of the Big
Four; v. T. Malott. receiver for the Van
dalia lines in Indiana: Thomas Rodd. jr.,
chief engineer of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road; NJ. w. Mansfield superintendent OF
the 1. & V. Railroad; Edward Daniels, gem
eral counsel for the Union Railway Com
pany; C. A. Wilson, superintendent of the
c., H. & d. Railroad; John S. Lazarus, su-
perintendent of the l., ID. & w. Railroad.
John B. Cockrum. general counsel
for the L. z. & w. Railroad,
and w. c. Cushing. The city officials pres
ent were Mayor Holtzman. City Attorney
warrum, City Engineer Jeup. NJ. A Down
ing. David Wallace and Jacob Woessner,
members of the Board of Public Works,
and ]. Clyde Power. superintendent of
parks.
MAYOR OUTLINES PURPOSE.
In calling the meeting to order, Mayor
Hoffman stated the purpose for which it
had been called. and said that already for
ty-fve days had passed since the city had
been promised something definite on the
grade-crossing proposition, and that the
city is entitled 10 hear of some definite
plans soon.
The plan which the different roads have
been expecting to follow has been to have
the Pennsylvania system, through Thomas
H. Johnson, of Pittsburg. expert engineer.
prepare plans for the elimination of grade
crossings for all the roads in the city.
These plans, Mr.. Rodd. speaking for the
Pennsylvania, said Mr.. Johnson has been
working on, but by reason of several de-
lays he has not yet completed them. Mr..
Rodd set the time for their completion
at some time within the next two months.
When that point is reached the plans will
have to be submitted to the different roads
interested and approved by them before
they can be presented to the city for con-
sideration and acceptance. This whole
process, ii was stated, will consume from
four 10 six months, so that indianapolis
has yet some time to wait before it can
contemplate plan for the abolishment of
grade crossings.
Other railroad representatives besides
Mr.. Rood also spoke, but the general trend
OF their remarks was simply TO confirm
what he had said as to the necessity for
further time and TO affirm that the roads
are willing TO do the right thing In the
matter. provided the city bears It's proper
tionate share of the expense attached 10
the work. This was placed by one railroad
man, at 80 per cent, but II is not probable
that the railroads either expect or will In
sist upon the city bearing such proportion
of the expense.
In the course of the discussion of the
general proposition Mr.. Schan, speaking
for the Big Four, stated that his road has
completed plnns for the separation OF
grades at Massachusetts avenue, for which
the consent of the other roads at that point
has been secured and that these plans are
ready for submission to the city authori-
ties within a few days. 1t is understood
that the plans will provide for both a slight
elevation of the railroad tracks and slight
depression of the roadway OF Massachu-
Setts avenue.
Speaking of the conference after it's close
yesterday afternoon Mayor HOltZman had
the following to say: Il am very much dis
appointed at not having some general plan
for the elimination of grade crossings pre-
sented at this meeting. and while but little
progress has been made | was much graf
flied at the expressions OF the railroad rep
resentatives that they willing to do
something To relieve the situation and TO
hurry the matter along.