The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-04-28
B. B. Johnson States Project
to Permit Fre,Qht Cars on
Principal Streets Is an Un-
wise Move.
EXISTING PLAN is
SATISFACTORY ONE
Johnson Says Project Fos-
tered by the Mayor Would
Turn the City Over to the
Traction Company.

B. Il. Johnson, former member OF
the board OF public works. today fired
the first broadside against the project
promoted by Mayor Zimmerman to-
give the Terre Haute, Indianapolis &
Eastern traction company a new fran
chise which requires the company to
remove its tracks from Glen Miller
and permits 1t to operate freight cars
on Main street, North Twentieth
street. North Il street and Ft. Wayne
ave. MIR. Johnson. probably reflect
ing the opinion OF many Main street
property owners, especially in the res
idential district. objects to having the
freigh cars operated on Main street.
When this project was up a few
years ago, when Mr.. Johnson was a
board member. property owners on
Main street and other east end streets
where 1t was proposed to allow freight
cars to be operated, SO bitterly con-
tested the plan that. as q compromise.
the traction company was given a
franchise which permitted the opera
tion of freight cars through Glen Mil
ler. Now that the same question is
again up 1t il quite probable that hos
tilities will be renewed. Mr.. Johnson
has sent the following communication
to the Palladium.
-. Johnson's Statement.
Editor Palladium:
notice q statement in the city pap
ers that the Board OF Works has fin
ally decided to. permit the interuEhan
freight cars to again run on Main
street. 1t seems to be that this Is a
step backward. Other cities are seek
In any and every possible way to
prevent the running of freight trains
through their principal streets. Most
of these cities had, before they realiz-
ed the magnitude of the evil, given
the interurbans wide open, unrestrict-
ed franchises: but after they saw. by
experience. what detriment the In
terurban freight cars were to proper
ty, to local traffic, and to public safe
~. they have sought in every way. by
hook or crook. to get them off the
principal streets.
BY piece of eood fortune-the over
sight Of those prepared the interur-
ban ranhcise-Richmond did not sur
render the control of all the city
streets to the traction company. By
express provision in that franchise the
latter acquired no interurban rights
on North Tenth street, North "A"
street, or on any street on which the
rails of the city street railway COM
pany's tracks were then laid. Thus.
Main street, except west of West
Third, was exempt from traction con-
troll and remained absolutely under
control of the city; giving the peo-
pie of Richmond full power in regula-
ting both the interurban passenger
and freight traffic on Main street.
Power Was Exercised.
That power was exercised by per-
mitting traction passenger cars to run
on Main street under proper regula-
tions. and providing another route for
tho freight trains. In pursuance OF
this arrangement, the traction COM
pany has erected it freight depot in
the north part of the city, near the
Wholesale and manufacturing district.
and the change has worked well for
both the traction company and the
shippers, and the people at large; and
the city has been much congratulated
over the happy solution Of the vexed
question by persons from other cities
where they had through ignorance or
over-eagerness. surrendered control of
the freight traffic to the traction COM
panies. and we're suffering greatly as
a consequence.
Would 1t not be folly-in view of
the rapid growth of the interurban
freight business, In view of the inevi-
table congestion of cars and vehicles
on Main street, and in view of the sat.
isfactory existing conditions, which
cost many thousands of dollars to es-
tablish-to give up all these advan-
tages, and voluntarily. with our eyes
open. put ourselves in the hands of
the traction company, and permit the
freight traffice to again use Main
street!
10 Il Good Plan?
Is 1t sensible proposition from any
point Of view for Richmond to hold up
her crossed hands to the traction off,
cials, an6 beg them to tie us good and
tight. like most other cities, merely
to keep the latter company in their
misery? Would not such course be
about the height of folly? II such a
course be taken by our Board of
works and approved by our city coun.
Gil, the day will not be far distant
when every man who favored 1t will
bitterly regret his action.
The interurban freight business is
J fCnnfinnaA nm PsNa Eizhf \