The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-08-31

site of 400 acres with the idea of
building a mammoth plant as soon as
the bridge for which the appropria-
ton is to be asked, is built, will in
short time pay for the improvement.
The bridge may therefore be regarded
in the light OF a self paying invest
ment instead of a burden to the
county.
While there is little doubt that the
county council will view the matter
In this light, it may not be amiss to
call the members attention to a few
facts before the meeting. In the first
place, the building Of the Schlesinger
factory depends upon the installing of
the bridge at Forsyth avenue. Sec
ond, the taking over of the west
branch of the canal by the govern
ment is dependent upon it las the gov
eminent will accept no portion of the
canal so long as 1t is encountered with
a stationary bridge. The B. & o. Co.
has agreed to construct a bascule
bridge at its crossing over the west
branch of the canal, SO this impede
ment is disposed of, leaving only the
present stationary bridge at Forsyth
avenue to be done away with, in
order to make the west branch of the
canal acceptable to the government in
the matter of bridges.
When the Schlesinger people of
Milwaukee bought the vast tract they
now own, it was on condition that a.
number of things be done. The East
Chicago company was to dredge the
west branch of the canal through to
Lake George; the B. C o. Chicago
terminal was to erect a bascule bridge
where it crosses the canal with it's
right of way, the city of Hammond
was TO make certain changes in it's
streets, to conform with the plans of
the Schlesinger people, and the coun-
lty was to erect bascule bridge at
Forsyth avenue. Inasmuch as tie
East Chicago company was willing to
spend $250,000 in fulfillment of it's
obligation, the railroad company
SIS, 900 for bridge, and the city of
Hammond was willing to do what it
was up to it to do In order to comply
with the requirements. the Schles-
niger people took a chance on the
county doing its share on the assur-
ance of substantial business men that
the county would do what was right.
The East Chicago company is spend
ing it's quarter of a million as an in
vestment, and in the same light may
the expenditure of $4,000 by the
county for a bridge at Forsyth ave
nue., be regarded.
The bridge is more necessary right
now than any other Improvement
that could possibly be asked for De-
lay in this matter means a whole
years setback as the county council
meets only once year, and action
must be taken at this meeting or the
entire matter must go over for twelve
months. If the bridge is built 1t
AutdHS the CDulpleIlOn OF the canal as
far as Lake George and it's acceptance
by the government by the time the
bridge is completed, the construction
of the Schlesinger plant without de-
lay, the improvement of land now
alueless and revenueless to a point
where it will become the source OF
large revenues to the county, and the
disposing for years to come of the
question of how traffic from Chicago
will enter Lake county for direct
routes through to the southern and
eastern districts of the county.
The bridge must be built soon any
how as the present structure is in
adequate for the traffic imposed unou
it, and the Appropriation might Just as
well be made at once, and the invest.
Iment begin at once to yield its
lrevenue.
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i MAN in Cincinnati named Shor-