The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-28
HARD WORK is WEAPON
TO FIGHT COMPLAINTS
Crippled by Fire and Flood, Car
Service Is Restored by Mighty
Efforts.
PATRONS WALLS HEARD
Completion of Bridge VIII Per
form Twofold Service to Trac-
ton and Terminal Company.

With complaints of unsatisfactory street
car service from all sides. under an avail
anche of criticism, the Indianapolis Trac-
ton & Terminal Company succeeded in
clearing its entire system and by yesterday
afternoon the last line, that on West Mich
igan street, was cleared of snow and in reg
ular operation. The service is still crippled
and will be for some time, as not one bridge
across the river is yet in use. but cars now
run on lines across the bridges that were
blockaded by heavy snowfall. thus relieving
the situation and silencing a great deal of
criticism.
1t is thought that the line across the new
Washington-street bridge will be in oper-
alton to-day. 1t was expected that the line
across the new bridge would be completed
Monday but it was delayed by the cold
weather. When il is opened the situation
will be relieved in two ways. Patrons Nv
ing on West Washington street and at
Mount Jackson will have service without
crossing the river and cars now out of use
will then be run to the West Washington
street shops for repairs. Recent floods have
prevented an examination OF the bridges to
determine their exact damage.
MORE LINES OPENED.
City Engineer Jeup declared to the Board
of Public Works yesterday that he thought
this inspection could be made to-day.
The Indianapolis 81 Northwestern Trac-
ton Company officials announced last night
that traffic over the Northwestern-avenue
bridge and across Fall creek will be re-
sumed this evening. Engineer M. A. Mans
field, OF Mansfield & Morris, says that he
expects the work TO be completed Tonight.
City lines can then be opened to continu-
Gus traffic.
1t was reported last night that the In
dianapOis Traction q. Terminal Company
Ill hot ~irrlNf
been put in to lie in their barns, while
people were forced to walk for lack of
street-car accommodation. This en-
phatically denied by Assistant General Man
ager Jones.
such a report" said he, sis absurd We
are as eager to give the people good service
as they are to be served. Some cars have
been kept in the barns, 1t is true, but this
is because they are in need of repairs. We
cannot make repairs until we can get the
cars to the shop at our West Washington
street barns When the new line is in
operation, and that will be done Thursday,
we can repair the cars"
DISCUSSED SITUATION.
The Board of Public Works discussed
the street situation yesterday, and it
was decided that the company had
troubles of its own without adding of
fetal complaints TO the list. President
Downing, of the Board, cited the inabil-
ity of the street car company to use the
bridges, and of the fire that destroyed a
number of the company's cars, in explain
ing the delay.
Complaints of the car service. however,
that are made to the board in writing will
be referred to the company.
Mayor Hoffman said he thought that
any criticism of the street car company at
this time would be like jumping on a
cripple and that he would like to give the
company time to recuperate from it's pres
ent disabled condition before he takes up
with it several matters that he has had in
mind for some time.