The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-11
The Old Time Bitterness
Against Gary and Inter
urban is Revived.
BOARD BETWEEN TWO FIRES
Want to Please People and at the
Same Time Give Company
Fair Shake.

All OF the old time bitterness which
was prevalent in Gary at the time that
the street car franchise was granted
to the Gary and Interurban, has been
revived and is the central topic of dis
cussion throughout the city. The three
parties which are directly concerned
in the matter are business men. the
board of trustees. aud the promoters
of the street railway.
The opinion existing among the bust
ness men is that they are being i'm
posed upon, that the line is neither be-
ing constructed fast enough nor with
the proper facilities and modern meth
DDS. The Gavit interests feel that they
have also been imposed upon by the
citizens of the town, have been grossly
misrepresented Between the two fac
lions stands the board endeavoring on
the one hand to give the people what
they want, immediate and proper street
car transportation, and at the same
time to deal fairly and justly with the
company to which they have already
given the franchise.
Business Men Aroused.
The Ire of the business men as ex-
pressed at the recent meeting of the
Gary Commercial club has bee nfully
aroused. They are not mincing their
words in open and determined con-
domination of the road. On all sides.
among individuals and organizations
wall of protest has been raised which
is dainty gaining in volume and Bit
terness Most of the business men
seem satisfied in their own minds that
the Gary and Interurban have no in
tention of completing the line in a
reasonable time, If at all. They feel
that the manner in which the rails
are laid. the quality of the rails them
selves, would be a most disappointing
feature in the attempt to make Gary a
model city.
The board of trustees are in a guam
dry over the situation. They are far
from satisfied that the road is being
constructed in a proper manner and
yet are compelled to admit that they
are not in a position TO Judge In
| lieu of this fact, therefore, they are
about to appoint, it is understood, an
impartial, competent judge in the con-
struction OF street railways. Upon
their decision will be based the action
of the board in the future.
Knots Talks.
President Thomas Z. Knots stated
this morning that the question had
4
ion must be taken. II feel that it is
the duty of the board to at once de-
termine the true status of affairs and
act accordingly" said Mr.. Knots.
Now that the franchise has been
granted to the Gary Interurban. we
are compelled to recognize their legal
/ and moral rights. We wish to act
fairly and impartially in the matter
and while protecting the interests of
the city we do not propose to intrude
on the rights of the road"
Mr.. Knots also stated with fervor
that he believed that much of the crit
icism heard in the city was partial
Gnfair and based upon an insufficient
knowledge of the situation. He said
that he believed that the uncomprom-
fsing attiture of antagonism, borne by
the officials of the steel company had
much to do with the sentiment of the
people, and he did not see how the
steel company could treat the matter
impartially
Rails Criticised.
It is the consensus of opinion that
the rails which are neither heavy
enough nor high enough. 1t is also
thought that the sand upon which they
are laid is an improper ballast and
Win the tive QeIecLlOnS Will surely
cause a sagging of the pavement Mr.
Gavit promises, however, that If the
rails do not prove satisfactory that ir
the course of two years he will replace
them and forfeit a reasonable bono
which may be posted to insure sat
isfactory results by their usage.
The recent trip to Michigan City
lseemed to partly satisfy the board tina
there is a possibility that the sixty
pound, low rail can be used success
fully. There, is is understood tha
these rails have been used for si1
years and the property owners seen
to be we'll satisfied. There is SOM
rnn1rnrthnloSc oh