The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-28
CLUB MEMBERS SMOKE
AND LISTEN TO TALKS
Large Gathering Present to Give
Heed to Matters of Cur
rent Interest.
ARE OF BACKWARDS
Louis H. Gibson Represents I'm
provement observation-disclosures
c. Brown on Bridges.

The Commercial Clubs smoker last night
was largely attended and some important
matters looking toward the identifying of
the city were discussed. Those present took
great interest in the plans under discus
sion.
Louis H. Gibson, a member of the Indi-
annapolis Civic Improvement Association.
read very interesting paper on the plans
of the association, the condition of the
city and what is to be gained by beauti-
flying the yards and public parks and by
cleaning up the streets and alleys. Mr..
Gibson said beautiful city could not be
secured by legislation but was largely de-
pendent upon public sentiment and sup
port. He said there were but few people
in indianapolis who knew that there were
thirteen parks in the city which comprised
more than 1900 acres. 'It is this lack of
knowledge" said Mr.. Gibson, (which has
made the work OF the park board uncer-
tain. The park system is dependent upon
the support of the people,"
CARE OF BACKWARDS.
In speaking of the matter of identifying
the yards Mr.. Gibson said local citizens
had lost an opportunity in not attending
particularly to backwards. He deplored
the use of alley fences, saying they were
ugly, and advocated the use of hedges in
stead, as they would be more of a protec-
ton than tight board fences. He also ad-
vocated gardens in backwards and the
planting of flowers, shrubs and ferns. Mr..
Gibsons paper was warmly received and
when he had concluded President Gavin
suggested that every man could help the
work of the association by going home and
cleaning his backyard.
President Gavin next introduced Charles
c. Brown, a prominent engineer of the
city and editor of Municipal Engineering,
who spoke at some length on the necessity
of building durable bridges in the city and
county.
Mr.. Brown in opening his remarks said
the recent floods have developed the weak
neSSeS of the old bridges. Ten years ago
an inspection of the bridges was made by
an engineer who reported that almost all
of them needed repairs and some were
propped up but the recent floods had carried
the props away. These bridges were put
up before the city expanded and were used
by the country people who drove nght
wagons. But with the advent of heavy
street cars and the interurbans the bridges
were overloaded and could not stand the
strain.
Mr. Brown thought the county should
build the bridges as il could raise the
money much more easily than could the
city. He also thought il advisable TO have
the assistance of an expert engineer in
their construction, because an expert would
make a study of the probable growth of
the city and would build the bridges ac-
cOrdingly. The fee paid such expert for
his services, Mr.. Brown thought could be
saved over and over again by the con-
structiOn of durable bridges.
VARIOUS KINDS OF BRIDGES.
Mr.. Brown then spoke of the different
kinds of bridges and thought the arch
bridge was in many points vastly superior
to the rectangular truss style which for
merly spanned Illinois and Meridian streets,
as it is more beautiful to the eye and much
stronger. However, he said an arch bridge
reduces the waterway and this is an i'm
| portant item i'm time of floods. He said this
| could be remedied by raising the arch and
/ grading the streets up to it. He thought
| that a concrete arch was more durable than
i either a steel or stone arch as ii would
stand the elements much better. a steel
! arch would cOrode and a stone arch would
| crack and crumble away, while a concrete
| arch would expand in warm weather and
| contract in cold without wasting away.
| Mr.. Brown also said concrete could be
| dressed so as to be pleasing TO the eye.
The business meeting was followed by a
! smoker and refreshments. The regular an
/ nual meeting OF the club will be held Feb.
| s, at which time the annual reports of the
| officers will be read and the election of di-
| recfOrS will take Mace.