Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-26
50 MORE CARS,
LEMAUX SAYS,
SOLVEPROBLEM
Safety Board Head Comments
on Street Railway Plans
for Purchase.
END CROSSING DELAYS

Railway found a solution of the traffic
meeting of the executive committee yes
terday afternoon to purchase fifty new
ears, according to George Lemaux, pres
ldent of the board of safety.
Mr.. Lemaux said today that with the
purchase of fifty more ears, in addition
TO the thirty five now on the way here,
the transportation problems of the city
viii be solved next winter.
''The logical thing to do right now is
to make preparations for the operation of
street car lines next fall" said Mr.. be-
maux. 'The present congestion soon will
be relieved with a break in the weather
as summer cars can be brought into serv-
ice and there are enough of them to
handle the traffic here. What we must
have is more cars for next winter. Elk
tensions, cross-town lines and the like
are not nearly so essential as is proper
number of cars to cover the present
trackage."
Members of he executive committee of
the street railway company met. yester-
day in the offices Of the terminal trac-
ton company Robert I. Todd, president
of the company, was authorized to pro-
coed Immediately to purchase new cars
to be delivered as soon as possible. Close
attention to schedules was also promised
by the executive committee Delay in
operation caused by distractions at street
crossings was taken up by the board and
a letter was written asking for as
sistance in relieving this condition.
DELAYS AT CROSSINGS
EXPLAINED IN LETTER.
The following statement was issued in
regard to serious traffic delays at rail-
road crossings:
zone of the factors which is a serious
disturbing element in the maintenance Of
good schedules is the detention OF the
company's cars at various railroad cross
ings. The attention of the board OF
works and the council will be called to
this, asking their friendly cooperation
in clearing, as far as possible, such OBJ
structions of street crossings; also IL is
desirable to attain a higher standard OF
cleanliness In the cars. The company is
assured OF the friendly cooperation OF
the board Of health in the enforcement Of
the various ordinances relating to spit
ting and other matters coming under
their control, and 1t is desirable that the
company should, at this time, and CON
tfnuously for the future, improve the
conditions IN this respect. 1t is obvious
that this viii entail some additional ex-
penditure, but such expenditure will be
trivial as compared with the added com
fort and convenience which is afforded the
public"
This matter was taken up with the
board Of works several weeks ago and at
that time the legal department of the
city advised that it was incumbent on
the board Of safety to enforce regula-
lions at railroad crossings. As re-
suit policemen were notified to make ar
rests in cases where railroads disregarded
traffic regulations. The board also re-
quested that a daily report of delays
be submitted by the superintendent OF
the street railway. On receiving these
reports they have been turned over to
the police department. Seven arrests
have been made since that time.
THREE BELT CROSSINGS
PROVE TROUBLESOME. .
The greatest trouble from this source
has been noted at the Belt railroad
crossings of Morris, Michigan and Shelby
streets and Kentucky avenue, according
TO Mr.. Lemaux. A letter was written
to the railroad officials concerning the
matter, but it has generally been disre-
garded, according to Mr. Lemaux.
II was stated following the meeting
OF yesterday that the executive commit
tee fully appreciated the difficulties 5t
operation encountered during the last
few months, due to a scarcity of Iabo,
enhanced by the influenza epidemic. A
shortage of cars and various other cir
cumstances have brought about adverse
conditions, 1t was said, but it was also
maintained that the greatest amount of
zeal and untiring efforts were exercised
10 keep the service to a point which
was tolerable
DR.. Henry Jameson, chairman Of the
executive committee, wrote letter to
the board of health assuring members
that the street railway company is max
Ing an extraordinary effort to improve
conditions as to the cleanliness of it's
cars. In pursuance with this policy the
friendly cooperation Of health autbor,.
ties was requested, especially in so far
as the ordinance regulating splitting "a
concerned.