Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1911 — ABOUT THAT NEW DEPOT. [ARTICLE]

ABOUT THAT NEW DEPOT.

H. R. Kurrie Writes The Democrat Regarding Petition Now Before Council The Democrat is in receipt of the following letter from H. R. Kurrie, general solicitor for the Monon, explaining to the public the plans of the road for the extending its side-tracks and the location of its proposed new depot at Rensselaer. The petition for permit to extend, or, rather, connect its tracks over Main street, is now pending before the city council. Mr. Kurrie says: I am authorized by the General Manager of this company to make this statement with reference to the improvements which the company expects to make at Rensselaer during the; coming season: The company has in view a better arrangement of its facilities for handling freight in car load lots, as well as the construction of a new passenger station. The only practicable and convenient way to better the facilities for handling freight in car load lots is by extending the two side tracks now ending at the west side of Main sreet east across Main and Franklin streets, and extending one of them on east across Webster street, and connecting it with the passing track which now exists at that place. The ordinance before the council gives to the company the authority, if any, which it needs to extend these tracks across these public streets. In carrying out this plan, the site of the present depot will be occupied by side and team tracks. There will then be no point between Forest street, and the east end of the passing track where there will not be at least one track both north and south of the main track. This makes the location for the station immediately west of Forest street the only one which is available. However, aside from the necessity, the company is of the view that this is the most desirable location for the new station. In the extension of the facilities for handling freight and in locating and constructing its station the company does not intend, and has not been asked; to serve the interests of any particular individual. The company has in view giving to the business interests and the traveling public at Rensselaer accommodations which it believes will be the most satisfactory ’in view of all of the conditions which have to be encountered. If the ordinance pending before the council is passed without delay, the above plans for the extension of the tracks and the consrtuotion of the new station west of Forest street will be carried out. It is the belief and confident expectation of the managing officers of the company that when these improvements are completed, both the business intrests and the traveling public will agree that the problem has been worked out to the best interest of all concerned. H. R. KURRIE.