02/1906 Board of Public Works Minutes

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377 Wednesday February 7th, 1906. The Board met in regular session at 10 A. M. Mr. Papezynski-,absent. To the Honorable Board of Public Works, South Bend, Indiana. Gentlemen: - I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 2nd inst., and note your request for a definite construction by this company as to.the term "competing lines", when applied to a possible entrance over its tracks, for the cars of the Indianapolis, Logansport & South Bend Traction Company, from an outlying terminus to the center of to,-n. In reply, I beg to say that as this company has' never been approached with negoat- ions of any kind by the company in question, it follows that no reference has been made in that connection, as to "competing lines". The policy of the Northern Indiana Railway Company does not oppose the entrance of the Indianapolis, Logansport & South Bend Traction Company into South Bend. We fail to see, however the necessity of a departure from the well and generally established custom of interurban cars using the tracks of the local companies instead of seeking an inde- pendent entrance.. The principle is now well recognized alike by railwaymen and bond investors, that an entrance over the local lines of a company is preferable, from every standpoint, to an independent entrance. In conclusion, -I beg to say that the fact that the company now proposing an entrance into South Bend would operate its cars through I141ishawaka, w )uld in no way affect its ability to negotiate an arrangement which would give them an antrance over the lines of this company to the center of the city, without reference to competition, substantially on the terms outlined in the statement heretofore made to your Honorable Board, which terms are the same as those made by this company in a number of cases, for entrance of its y.,interurban cars into other cities. Yours truly, (Signed) J. MCM. Smith Vice -Prey & Genl Mgr. Mak_'_ President.