The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-01-02
Only Solution, Holds Off
cials, After Hearing Trac-
ton Mems Explanation.
CITY REQUESTS C. & o.
TO MAKE CHANGES
West Siders to Garry Con-
tention to New Board
and Council.

Raising the c. & o. bridge over Main
street and paving the hill is the only
present solution to the grade problem
connected with the Main street bridge
and grade. This was the opinion
formed by the board of public works
today after conference with G. X
Jeffries of indianapolis and A. Cor
don, local superintendent of the I. H..
IT, & E traction company.
City Engineer Charles was instruct
ed to notify Superintendent w. b.
Hudson of the c. & o. that the city
proposed to pave the street, and would
make an c, ,"ort to have the company
raise it's bridge at least eighteen Inch
es. The city is also preparing to take
the question of raising the bridge be-
fore the public utilities commission, II
necessary. City Attorney Bond is in
vestigating to see what jurisdiction
the commission would have over the
case.
Needs Sixteen Feet.
Presenting the attitude and needs
of the traction company Mr.. Jeffr1eS
said the roads modern equipment re-
quired a clearance of sixteen feet un-
der the bridge. In reply to the sug
sestion that the traction cars enter
the city over the DOran bridge, he
said that would mean ten minutes ad-
ded to the schedule between here and
/ indianapolis. The company Is trying
at present to decrease the running
time between the two cities as much
as possible.
| If the c. & o. raised its bridge
eighteen inches, Mr.. Jeffries said the
/ interurban cars would have a suffi-
cient clearance. This would also do
away with the necessity of removing
the trolly when the cars pass under
the crossing and coasting down the
| hill.
| Present Other Alternative.
II the board found it impossible to
| secure the raising Of the bridge, he
asked if it would be possible TO slope
! the street to the car tracks.
/ That the utilities commission might
! have authority TO order the railroad
| company to raise the bridge was the
opinion of City Attorney Bond. MI.
! Jeffrics said he believed from his ex-
perienCe. the commission would have
! power 10 OIutI SNNu tliCl do ~
deemed necessary for the good of the
city and traffic in general In case
the railroad company refuses to con
4 slider making any changes. Mr.. BOND
will prepare complaint and ask
! the commission to decide the ques-
! ton.
| City Engineer Charles. following the
boards order. took the matter of rails
/ ing the crossing up with Superinten-
dent Hudson of the c. & O., by mail
J today.
Haas Makes Suggestion.
The position of the traction com
nany's cars at one side of the street
under the bridge was objected TO by
! Postmaster Haas who attended the
board meeting Members of the board
and Mr.. Jeffries We're of the opinion
/ that because of the narrownesS OF
the passage under the bridge, traffic
was safer with the present location
: of the tracks. than if they were IN
the center of the street.
The roadway is wide enough for cars
and wagons, while the passage on
either side of the tracks, would not
be if they were placed in the center.
The West Richmond Improvement
association plans for eliminating the
grade and raising the Main street
bridge, compelling the c. & o. TO go
under the street, was considered I'M
practicable. The board looked upon
a grade crossing as out of the Ques-
tion entirely.
Further action will be taken when
the West Richmond association ap,
= nears before the board at the final
hearing on the paving of Main street
hill Monday morning.