South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-06

Committee Approves 0rdi-
nanCe-CurfeW Measure
Appears to be Lost.

the committee Of the whole at the
regular meeting Tuesday night on
the ordinances for the elevation Of
the Lake Shore tracks. for the light
ing Of the down town streets with
the cluster lighting system and on
the turning over Of Corby st. TO the
park board, but the ordinance 10
provide for the ringing OF a curfew
was probably lost by an unfavorable
vote in the committee.
IL was brought out in the consid-
Grafton OF the curfew ordinance TO
provide for the blowing of the
whistle of the north side pumping
station at 9 o'clock nightly as a
curfew for all children under the
age Of 1 3 years that such an Ordi-
nance could not be enforced with
out an addition 10 the police force
of the city. 1t was pointed out
that the arresting of a few offenders
and the prosecution Of a few cases
would necessarily be an injustice
and that the ordinance could not
be enforced with any regularity
About a year ago a similar ordi-
nance that had been in the legisla-
ton Of the city for many years was
revoked as il had not been enforced
for a long time. ANY new ordinance
that might be placed on the books
would be destined, on account of
the inability of the police depart
ment. TO the same fate The pro-
posed ordinance was tabled indef-
nitely. Should the police depart
ment any time in the future be suf-
hciently enlarged TO cope with the
situation. it may be taken up and a
favorable report given.
Mayor Keller explained before the
meeting the reasons that led the
board Of public works 20 pass the
limited resolution calling for the
elevation of the tracks of the New
York Central only between Chaplin
and Michigan SITS. He called 10 mind
the difficulties that had confronted
other cities in handling this ques-
ton and mentioned that they fol-
lowed the plan Of eleyating only a
portion of a right of way at one
time. City Atty Seebirt showed that
under the present laws of the state
il would be utterly impossible for
the city to pay its portion of any
more extensive program of eleva-
ton since South Bend could issue
bonds for only about SIS. 600 more
than those outstanding at the present
time.
Right OF Way i Rub.
Providing the city buys a new
right Of way through the city. Grand
Trunk officials have told me that
they would be perfectly willing 70
make the change from Division St,
declared Mayor Keller in touching
upon the much mOoted question. He
went even further in saying that he
thought that the Grand Trunk would
even be willing TO stand some of the
expense of the purchase OF new
right of way. According TO his re-
port. however. the Lake Shore COM
pany will refuse 10 consider the Civ
ing up of any part of its land in
the city, since IL maintains that il
is even now cramped for room.
south Bend has made as good a
start as any city of is size in the
provision for Fairgrounds and civic
work and by some authorities is
pointed out as a shining example
of what can be accomplished IL this
direction" declared J. T.. La hrop.
expert on city planning. who. upon
the invitation of Mayor Keller,
81, IL
this plimentary statement as a
part of his argument, showing the
necessity of a consideration of traf-
fc problems Of the city. In passing
he mentioned as necessary parts of
a full city planning program, a hOus-
ing survey. a sanitary survey, and a
survey OF the social activities of the
city as expressed in the parks, play
grounds and civic clubs
Discusses Transportation.
The city is principally big
transportation system" ne declared
in showing that one of the greatest
problems that confronts any city
OF size is its traffic problems. He
spent some time showing that the
big question Of the day the country
over. is the problem of adequate
transportation and showed that the
individual city should not consider
itself apart from the world in solv-
ing its difficulty for itself.
The present cry OF car short
age has missed the point" ne
maintained. According 10 his state
ments and demonstrations the prin-
cipal difficulty is not a lack OF the
proper number OF cars. but the lack
Of proper terminal facilities. Thou
sands Of cars are being held up every
day. according TO Mr.. Lathrop, Ow-
ing 10 the inability of the railroads
20 handle the business FLOWING
through their terminals
The average daily haul. counting
the time from the shipping room to
the receivers residence or storej. is
less than IS miles per day. AMI the
best record esta blished by any large
railway system covering a period OF
a year was a little over IS miles per
day. are the facts cleaned from the
mastery statements 81 Mr. Lathrop
He went on e. show that these facts
show conclusively that tie problem
is not more cars. nor greater speed.
larger engines. longer trains. or bis
ger cars. but that they are a power
full argument for greater terminal