Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1911 — CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY. [ARTICLE]

CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Indiana Northwestern Traction Company Bringing Suits to Condemn Land for Interurban Road. The Indiana Northwestern Traction Company has begun right-of-way condemnation proceedings in the circuit court against St Joseph’s College and the Precious Blood Society for the proposed electric road. The law provides that in proceedings of this kind three disinterested appraisers shall be appointed, who shall put a valuation on the land, which the railroad is required to pay before work can be commenced. The petition asks that the appraisers be appointed next Saturday afternoon, which the court can do in vacation. Other condemnation papers are being prepared in the law office of J. A. Dunlap and will be filed at once, it is said, against Tom Cain and the Jay Makeever estate, so that appraisers can be appointed for these lands at the same time that they are for' the college lands. Mr. Purtelle states that condemnation s&its will be filed as soon as the papers can be prepared against all the lands in the township through which the road is to pass, which he is unable to secure from the owners direct*, He also states that the contract for the construction of the road through the township will be let just as soon as the land can be appraised, and that the company has- the money to pay for the right-of-way. Elections for the purpose of voting subsidies will be held in Newton township and Remington and Carpenter township next Saturday. * Purtelle’s action in bringing the suit seems characteristic of his entire proceeding in connection with his promotion work. The college peop'care desirous of a road and would as soon Purtelle would build It as auy one, but they are not in sympathy with his method of proceedure and he will accomplish nothing by his action seeking to foree a condemnation. The college authorities have said all the time that they are willing to give the right-of-way and to lend further assistance whenever they see that it will lead to the establishment of the road, but they are opposed to having their land damaged by the cutting of trees and by grading when it all appears to be a bluff. What Purtelle says about his financial backing is beybnd doubt all wind.. That is all that it has been up to this time and his dishonest dealing with labor and his frequent bluffs about what he proposed to do in the way of building have come to be a joke of such huge dimensions tbat no one believes them. Purtelle could have had aid from many quarters if he had shown any honor in his transactions and he could have had the friendly and enthusiastic support of the college if he had been fair with them. But his tactics are not only shady but they exhibit such lack of business sagacity and tact that it is doubtful if the court will pay any attention whatever to his suit to have appraisers appointed. The editor of The Republican is in favor of the railroad, of any railroad, but he is not in favor of giving to any bluffer or any adventurer a particle of encouragement. Purtelle should be set down on effectually, once and for alf, and this is the proper time to do it.