Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1905 — THAI PROJECTED ELECTRIC ROAD. [ARTICLE]

THAI PROJECTED ELECTRIC ROAD.

LtOKS VERY MUCH LIKE k WILD CAT SCHEME We have previously mentioned the projected eleotrio railroad beween Indianapolis and Indiana Harbor, and of the proposed line of whioh about 21 miles are in Jasper county, passing through CfiUam, Walker, Wheatfi-ld, and the northeast oorner of Keener Tp. in a nearly due northwest and southeast direotioD; and though the projeotors are said to have laid down the rule to keep as far as possible from present steam and eleotrio roads, yet this line runs almost astride of Uncle Ben Cliffords road, as obstructed and proposed for 40 or 50 miles. So far as cow known, there is no one with big capital and establisi ed reputation for railroad building baok of this scheme, and it locks ■tuoh like someone was working a game of getting free franchises, rights of way and perhaps bonuses voted in order to have something to sell or trade. Crown Puint is the largest town this proposed line touches, between the lake and and Indianapolis, and the following are some comments regarding it from the Crown Point Register, When one gets down to a careful

investigation of the matter there doe* not seem to be enough sub* stance in the propos tion to warrant the establishment of anything greater than a few air oastles, nd the promoters of the scheme are to come in and ask for a franchise or two through the oonnty our commission ers should grant it—only after a thorough investigation and when they are satisfied that the men behind the projeot mean business, and are able to carry out any agreement they may make. In the first place the proposit on to establish a line between Indianap. ohs and Indiana Harbor secure franchises and right-of-way, sell the bonds, let the oontraot, finish the construction and have it in operation by next summer, and the route not even surveyed yet, looks too good to be true; and we fear it is. In the second place, where is the capital ooming from to build such a road. To construct and equip the line properly will require ten millions of dollars, ny man, or any syndicate with this sum of n oney can find betr opportunities for investment than suoh a line with a terminal at

Indiana Harbor would be. And if j the road is to be bonded, can the 'bends be sold. It takes time to sell bonds, it also takes t me to secure a right-of-way, and the necessary franchise. It is safe t- assume that under the most favorable c roumstances such a line could not be put in operation under two years time This should dispose of the idea that it will be built the ooming summer. The proposed t ine to us does not look feasible. An elect no line, ‘o prove profitable should tun through a thickly populated territory and should have good terminal facilities Its field of revenue is necessarily confined to the limits of passeuger ttaffio and light freight A line with Indiana Harbor as a terminus does not at present offer any great pro raise in these lines There is little passenger traffio between Indiana Harbor and the southern points, and consequently little demand for better transportation fao lities, . The Register is ready and willing to approve and further by every means in its power any projeot that will insure Crown Point an Eleoino line, but we must see something more feasable than the present scheme before ws give our approval to the granting es valuable franchi ses, the voting of any subsidies or showing any great enthusiasm. If the promotors of the sobeme mean business, show us a little of the i'c and not so muob smoke.