Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1910 — PURTELLE WANTS SUBSIDY VOTED [ARTICLE]

PURTELLE WANTS SUBSIDY VOTED

• _ _• • * In Marion Tp., and Oensselaer for His Traction Line. SAYS HE WILL PUT UP BOND Guaranteeing the Expense of the Election and Also That He Will Begin Work Here iWthin 30 Days If the Election Carries.—Petition Filed Monday Asking for the Election.

Eugene Purtelle, former proprietor of the Rensselaer, et al. string of "board of trade” shops, now chief promotor of the Indiana Northwestern Traction Co., was' in Rensselaer Friday and paid The Democrat a call. He asserts that his company is goiig right ahead in grading and constructing bridges for its lines and that the right-of-way has all been secured between Dyer and Chicago Heights with the exception, of about 1-4 mile, and all between Hammond and Lowell. He says the contract for construction of the road has been let. and the line will take in Dyer. St. John, Crown Point and Cedar Lake. He also says that he has expended of his own personal means SIOO,OOO in carrying the matter along to its present stage.

He wants a subsidy voted in Rensselaer and 'Marion tp., of IJ4 per cent, and said that he would put up. a SIO,OOO indemnity bond, guaranteeing to pay the expense of- the election if the same should fail to carry and that his company would- begin the work of grading here within 30 days. Asked how much work they would do he replied that he didn't know; that it depended on the weather and other circuni - stances, and left the impression that a single shoveful of earth moved would comply with the agreement.

He received some encouragement here and as a result a petition for an election, containing 39 names was filed with the commissioners Monday praying so» such election, but no action was taken on the same in time for us to report in this issue. The election will likely be called, however. '

The Democrat’s position on subsidies is well known, and if we are to have another election / to vote aid for this road we suggest that Mr. Purtelle be made to pay all the expense of holding same, no matter whether the proposition carries or not. The road would probably be of considerable benefit to Rensselaer. especially that part connecting us with Remington. As it is to parallel the Monon north we can see but little benefit to be derived from that part of the proposed road, as we now have excellent service on the Monon.