The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-04-20
PUT QUIETUS ON
A WILD REPORT
G. & o. Not to Resume Op-
erations on Abandoned
Line

There was a Wild report current on
the streets this morning 70 the effect
that the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad
was about 70 resume operations on its
abandoned line through the south side
residential section of the city.
The report was 10 the effect that a man
whose father lived in Peru. Ind knew
some c. & 0. officials who said that the
G. & o. now had as its president an Il
| linots Central man who intended running
Into Chicago over the Illinois Central
instead Of the Western Indiana and
: that the old line was TO be used to make
connection with the Illinois Central.
The story sounded fishy but Roscoe
E. Woods. president Of the Hammond &
Suburban Realty Co. called Horny c.
Starr, general counsel Of the c. & o. of
I. AZ Richmond Ind, to see what basis
there was for the story.
The facts as stated by Mr.. starr are
as follows;
The board OF directors did not meet IN
Peru.
The new president Of the road has not
been with tho Illinois Central for Is
years. He comes from tho Seeboard
Air Line.
So far as he knows the Hammond sit
uation remains unchanged.
The talk was characterized as sand
house" gossip.
The c. & O. of I. has no connection
! with The Illinois Central whatsoever
Some time ago, a similar report was
circulated and run down by NJ. Woods
This report was to the effect that on
account Of the need of some additional
freight house facilities that the c. < O.
would reopen it's abandoned line and
start operating again.
A. S. Kent. the chief engineer Of the
Monon was called on The phone at his
Chicago office and asked whether or not
he had heard anything about plans 70
reopen the c. & Q. crossing at Kenwood
avenue. Mr.. Kent said that not only
was there no talk Of re-opening this
,rosslng but that the Monon would not
permit a crossing at this point again
Then \. N. DeWeese was asked If he
had heard anything OF a report that tho
c. & o. of I. had taken steps to cancel
its lease over the Erie. Mr.. DeWeese
who Is the local agent Of the Erie and
in close touch with all matters affecting
Hammond, said that the story had posi-
lively no foundation in fact.
lie said ne did not believe there was
any possible chance that the G. < O.
of I. was contemplating another route
into Chicago
Thus tho story at this time does not
seem to have any foundation in fact
Along the route OF his road are hundreds
OF thousands Of dollars worth Of fine
homes which would be greatly depreci-
ated in value were tho road 70 be op-
ened for traffic again
According to the property owners in
this section. tho rumors do emphasize
the necessity for making a permanent
solution Of the c. & o. menace: q solu-
ton that will preclude its use at any
time for railroad purposes.
Tearing up the rails. as has been fire.
quently suggested. would not solve the
problem. The right-of-way must be
acquired by local property owners and
converted 70 private uses.
The railroad by years OF sta11ing has
been able to preserve a semblance of
right to the property it holds between
Hammond and Calumet Park These
rights. If valid, must be purchased; if
Invalid must be terminated.