The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-13
ROAD WANTS A SLICE
OF PLUMMER AVENUE
Michigan Central Says il
Has Not Enough Plat
form Room.
SUBMITS NEW DEPOT PLANS
Board of Public Works VIII Not
Hear of Proposition-Company
May Condemn.

Whether Intentionally or not the
Michigan Central railroad company
evidently has found another stumbling
block which will for a time longer. de-
lay construction work on the pas
senger depot at Oakley and Plummer
avenues. Messrs. c. c. Hill. division
engineer; f. c. Susemihl. the companys
architect, and Walter H. Jacob. its
attorney. appeared before board of pub
lie works this morning 20 ask for
slice of Plummer avenue. The request
had no sooner been uttered when every
member of the board jumped on 1t with
both feet. The railroad committee
came armed with plans. profiles and
blueprints in order to show to the
board that one OF three things had to
be done in order that Hammond would
get the depot for which ii had been
waiting for years. 1t was explained
to the board that If Hammond really
wanted a depot it would have to give
the company a little more right of way
on which to build and which right Of
way should come out of Plummer ave-
nue.. or else accept depot of somewhat
smaller dimensions and less presentable,
or accept the proposed, but submit the
passengers of Hammond to the incon-
venience of a very narrow platform.
Since the plans of the proposed depot
have been accepted months ago, the
board of public works is naturally not
in favor of any changes or alterations.
especially not when they are to be
made at a disadvantage TO the city OF
Hammond. In the event OF the board
insisting on the original depot. the
platform space between the building
and the tracks would. however, be SO
narrow that 1t would seem undesirable
| to carry out the plans
AS the board fatty refuses to grant
any more right of way to be cut OF
| Plummer avenue. 1t almost finds itseli
in position to accept plans for q
4 depot that viii be narrower and les.
presentable in appearance While tn,
board did not give its formal approva
of an awning over the Plummer ave
nue. sidewalk it nevertheless gave as
surance of ratification when the plans
! come up in a formal manner.
While the railroad representatives
| tried to create the impression that they
were asking for the additional slice IN
order to give the people better accommo.
| dation. there seems to be a deeper
reason for their request. The Michigan
Central Railroad company, like al
| other companies traversing the CITY OF
Hammond knows that IN the course ot
time they will have to elevate thei1
tracks through the city and 1t is pos.
sible that the Michigan Central Rail
| road company fears this move, know
ing that a platform which might b,
wide enough now will not be so, ono,
the tracks are elevated
The board wishing to work il
harmony with the city council on an,
possible changes asked that the rail
road representatives appear before tn,
city council next Tuesday evening
While the company did not make an,
definite statements as to it's course ii
the event, the board and council shoul,
insist on the depot originally planned
it is possible that 1t may begin con
demnation proceedings which would de
lay the building for number 0
months.