Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-01
ADDS NEW DATA
ON AUTO BUSES
FOR USE HERE
Pryor Says Street Car Lines
Will Soon Pass Into
Times Discard.
REVIEWS LARGER CITIES

The value of the motor bus as means
Of solving the traffic problem in Indian
apolis is pointed out in a statement TO
the Times by Frank Shonts Pryor OF
Frankfort, who was formerly associated
with Theodore p. Shonts in the Fifth
Avenue Coach Company IN New York
Mr. Pryor believes the motor bus would
be practical in Indianapolis.
His statement follows;
For a period of two years / was as
sociated with my late uncle, Theodore
p. Shonts, a railroad manager in New
York City, and was assigned to special
duty with the Fifth Avenue Coach Com
pany, in which he was a director he hav-
ing been responsible for the Introduction
Of the omnibus in this country as a
mode of rapid transportation.
HAS MADE THOROUGH
STUDY OF PROBLEM.
I made a thorough, exhaustive and
practical study Of the science of trans
porting large numbers through city
streets over established routes on fixed
schedules by means of modern, high
powered commodious and attractive mo-
tor vehicles, analyzing the inception, de-
velopment, present Importance and great
future possibilities of motor bus trans
portation.
There is no such thing, and never was,
IS an absolute individual right to do
anything in conflict with the law Of pub,
lie necessity.
There is a necessity for immediate
action, for there is not a minute to
spare to solve the serious and danger
Gus congestion problem now being ex-
perienced in indianapolis and the future
development of bigger and better
hn fut
ton to prevent this congestion in years
to come.
The surface car lines in Indianapolis
are becoming more and more inadequate
to handle the congestion that is increas-
ing each day.
Since the amount Of traffic a street
car viii hold is limited by the tracks
they run on. it will be impossible for
them to keep pace with the growing
needs of transportation in Indianapolis
unless new tracks are laid.
This, however. is prohibited by the in
creasing congestion of privately owned
vehicles on the streets where the trolley
cars run.
In the heart of the business district
II Indianapolis it is out Of the question
70 lay more tracks for surface car lines
20 relieve the congestion; there is no
room for them.
SEES USE OF BUSES
sONNER OR LATER.
1t must, therefore. be only logical to
assume that motor buses must be used
as they would be free to operate on any
route without tracks.
The traffic in indianapolis will Increase
instead of diminish on account of the
purchase of so great a number of pri-
rate automobiles, and to such an extent
that the streets will be unable to hold It
The increasing population OF Indianapo-
lis. on one hand, demands more rapid and
less congestive public SERVICE transporta-
don; the rapid increasing number OF pri-
eately owned passenger and commercial
vehicles, on the other hand, demands net
Ter highway facilities.
Can one factor be satisfied except at
she expense OF the otherl
The only answer can be: Discontinue
the surface car lines and substitute the
modern motor bus
The present serious financial condition
az the public utility corporation OF In
dianapolis is bound 10 mean an increase
in fare and an extra charge for trans
fer which. heretofore. has been free, and
the burden imposed upon the street car
company is bound to bring about more
congestion in the heart Of the business
SecuoU.
An uD-to-date motor bus system in In
dianapolis will not only solve the serious
traffic congestion problem which Is now
becoming serious and dangerous. hut
win also provide a flexible, satisfactory
mode of transportation. and in the long
run at a lower cost.
Buses would not block traf1c. being
flexible and capable OF moving about In
congested traffic
Surface cars do block traffic.
The less thickly populated sections
would also be benefited by motor buses
in indianapolis.
As far as they are concerned there is
eeerv indication TO believe that future
develoSc1ent of the transportation faclli-
les wiiA favor the motor bus.
Why kThe laying OF tracks for sur
z9ace ear line represents huge initial
Sexpense for ght-of-way, grading, rails,
poles. trolley wires, power houses, etc,
etc
If such line, after a few months trial
proves to be Improbable to the surface
EAR company it can not be diverted.
The fexibility of the motor bus system
does not confne it to any one fixed
route.
street car companies everywhere are
gradually losing the faith OF the in
veStors.