The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-02-24
at an early date.
Get at Facts.


But the discussion developed some
interesting facts. it developed. ac-
cording to Mr.. Drum, the fact that it
would cost $4,000 to make the expert
Inent of running the cars around the
proposed loop It developed the fact
that it costs $50 day to run car and
that each car must carry 900 people a
day to make expenses. This cost in
cludes everything from the salary of
the crew to interest on the bonds OF the
company.
Hammond" said Mr.. Drum. lis just
growing to the size when IL has ex-
banded beyond the one-mile walking
limit. He said that very little bust
ness is done in city like Hammond
until people living outside of the one
mile radius from the business district
of the city"
Mr. Drum declared that he had made
count of the number OF people who
walk and who ride on the Hammond
East Chicago cars. He said that on
the day the count was made. which was
an average day, that 1900 people rode
and SEQ walked outside OF certain
radius. He said that If all of the peo-
pie rode that the extra revenue would
not warrant the company in putting on
extra cars
VIII Appreciate Service.
But even though Mr.. Drum was able
to demonstrate the fact that the pres
ent business that is. done by his com
pany would not warrant 1t in putting
on more frequent service. he did not
take that as an opportunity TO eva6>
his responsibilities to the people.
He was informed that If he pro-
vded better service that the people
would appreciate 1t to the extent that
they would back him up in his efforts
to secure franchise extensions
lie was promised the support of the
Hammond Manufacturers association.
which President W. b. Conkey in
formed him never went out after any
thing 1t did not get. in any fair trac-
tion extension projects that it might
develop, providing he would do some
thing to improve the service in Ham
mond
Mr.. Drum made it plain that the
larger his system in the Calumet re-
gion becomes, the more his company
| will he warranted in improving the
service in the centers of population.
Loss Is $500.
Mr. Drum said that his company was
ready and willing to build the Indiana
| Harbor extension. which the people of
| Hammond and East Chicago are now so
insistently demanding. two years ago,
| but the Hammond city council would
not grant him the necessary fran
/ chises.
| He said that 100000 was set aside
| for the purpose and that this money
/ lay in the bank for six months, en-
| failing a loss in interest alone of 81 500
| He said that his people had the mon
! ey to spend for these extensions, but
that IL he Is compelled to go to them
| and inform them that the people de-
| manded universal transfers and eight
! rides for a quarter that they will in
form him that none of their money
Will go into a street car project on that
| basis.
| He said that universal transfers
would make the thirty miles of his
Lake county system merely feeders for
| the Gary & Interurban line, with its
three or four miles of track in North
township. and that It would not be a
business proposition to grant such a
concession.
| In the matter of granting eight rides
| for a quarter. or any concessions from
| the regular fve-cent fare, Mr.. Drum
| said that the region is too sparseiy set
tied to make such a plan feasible.
The Hammond Manufacturers asso-
citation was very well pleased with the
| results of the first conference. for the
reason that they believe an improve.
ment in the service will result JUS
| what that will be remains to be seer
when Mr.. Drum is ready to make hi!
recommendations.