Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-31

a large increase in business when con-
ditions are again on the upgrade, which
they confidently expect will not be long
delayed"
The task of solving the transportation
problem is just as definitely the task
Of the city of indianapolis as it is that
of the Indianapolis Street Railway Com
pany, according to DR.. Henry Jameson,
chairman of the board Of directors. The
problem, he says, is one that must be
solved correctly and at an early date I'M
less the city is to suffer as the COM
pany has suffered.
indianapolis is on the eve Of won
derful growth" said DR.. Jameson. in con-
versation with Robert l. Todd president
Of the company, and the writer in the
company offices a few days ago. 1.-THE
city is undertaking great things, such as
the plaza project 1t would be a shame
to let one of the fundamental factors IN
this growth Ianguish and deteriorate until
It becomes factor to retard this prom
Ised development.
1.-THE re-esta blishment OF the city trans
portation system or a basis of efficiency
Is an economic question. not question
OF sentiment or popularity. The city
cannot grow and expand as it promises
to do, unless transportation facilities are
adequate at all times"
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
IN THREE CLASSES.
Mr.. Todd pointed out that elect tic rail
ways Of the United States find themselves
now in one Of three classes. The first
class consists of companies that were
wrecked by lack Of revenue TO meet
war costs; the second class consists OF
companies that managed to struggle
through the war period without increased
revenues. sacrificing dividends. main
tenance and depreciation In order to do
so; and the third class consists Of CON-
panies which were granted sufficient
rates of fare TO enable them 10 pay in
terest on borrowed money. keep up their
property and provide good service. The
company IN indianapolis. he said, is in
the second class.
"Of course Il is possible" said Mr..
Todd. for a street railway company to
20 along for a time without repairing its
racks. keeping its power supply ade
luate and renewing fits rolling stock. It
s possible provided the city in which
he company operates stands absolutely
still I'm population. Ii is possible TO
struggle along from day TO day using
every makeshift. letting the properly run
down and waving dividends But IL
the city is to grow and expand. then II Is
NOT possible for street railway company
70 operate without paying dividends.
maintaining its tracks. increasing the
power facilities and keeping up its
rolling stock.
In Indianapolis we have kept up serv-
ice on what is probably the lowest fare
in the United States. through the war
and postwar period. Now. we must have
money 10 put our equipment in conditio>
The immediate thing IS TO get the com
Pany I'm shape 10 serve indianapolis to-
day The next thing is to prepare to
serve the city OF tomorrow
Or. Jameson made the point that the
cost of suspended service for one month
would be ten times what 1t would cost to
rehabilltate the street car system. As an
Illustration OF thu cost 20 the city % in
adequate street car equipment he men
toned two factories which sent repre-
sentatives to indianapolis seeking loca-
ton here One Of them decided upon q
site on the Belt railroad All arrange
m-utS were satisfactory until the repre-
sentative called On the street car company
TO learn whether IL would build an OK
tension 20 certain line 10 get the com
Tauv's employees 10 and from work. The
street railway company was forced 10
say that it could not undertake 10 build
the extension, having no mony with
which 10 do so, and being without credit
because If has not been permitted 70 earn
q return on ITS investment. Another fac
tory sent n representative to Indiauap-
oils. but saw the jitney buses operating
and left town without making further
inquiries He said his factory would nor
locate in n city that permitted the jitney
10 operate.
INDIANAPOLIS
MOVING FORWARD.
Increased power consumption IS proof
indianapolis IS going forward, according
10 Charles OB-ien Murphy, vice presl-
dent and general manager of tho Mer-
chants Heat and Light Company. Mr..
Murphy says:
"a recent very careful canvas OF the
indus q power consumers of the Mcr-
chants Heat and Light Company dis
closes the cheering fact that power in the
aggregate used by Indianapolis indus
tries today shows an increase Of 9Ia per
cent over the same period OF 1890. This
does not mean that the industries re-