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| Unite to Resist the
Union Loop.
Business Men Form Permanent Organization and Engage an Attorney. Streets Made Too Dark Excessive Noise and Advertising on Platforms and in Cars Also Opposed. Source: Chicago Daily Tribune, 3 November 1903, pg. 3. Organized opposition to the encroachments of the Union Loop, together with demands for a better service, are the features of a movement initiated yesterday by property owners in the four streets occupied by the loop. A permanent organization employing an attorney has been formed to accomplish the reforms which business men have been urging for a year or more. The body is called the Loop Protective Association. At a meeting yesterday of the twenty-five firms which are the charter members of the association, Chairman J. F. Bowers of Lyon & Healy was instructed to inform every business house along the l oop by letter of the objects of the organization. These, as outlined by Mr. Bowers, are: The prevention of any further encroachment over the streets, such as the extension of platforms. The removal of all signs on platforms and in cars. The removal of disused stairways along the loop. The lessening of the noise on the loop. Fight on Platforms Begun. The fight on the extension of the platforms is already on. The corporation counsel ordered this work to be suspended, and the Union Loop company then applied to Judge Tuley for an injunction to restrain the city from interfering with the plans. Attorney Clarence N. Goodwin, representing the Loop Protective association then appeared before Judge Tuley and asked a stay of proceedings until the property owners could be consulted. This plea was granted and the injunction has not yet issued. The members of the protective body declare that the loop has injured their business by darkening the street and creating the nuisance of constant noise. They were from the first strenuous advocates of the removal of the signboards at the stations because of their darkening effect, and now the association is on the alert to see that the late council order abolishing the signs is carried out. Ordinance to Abate Noise. Attorney Goodwin is engaged in drawing up an ordinance compelling the loop company to take measures for abating the noise caused by the running of trains. The city council will be asked to pass this ordinance, and an active campaign among the aldermen will be in progress before the end of the week. The association has secured a detailed account of the device adopted in Germany, which has produced a comparatively noiseless service. The German engineers imbedded the supports of the L structure in caisons of sand, thereby deadening the vibrations. "We do not wish to make any unfair demands on the loop company," said Chairman Bowers yesterday, "but we believe that we have rights, and we are going to insist on them. The noise certainly can be done away with. It will cost the company money, but it can afford it, and Chicago should compel the reform. "It would be to our interest not to have the platforms extended, but if the courts decide to allow it we shall insist on hoods or coverings which do not exclude the light. The removal of signboards will be a great improvement, and we are going further than that-- we are going to ask the council to compel the removal of the unsightly advertisements in the cars themselves." Members of the Association. Among the charter members of the association are: Aldis, Aldis & Northcote. A.H. Revell & Co. A.C. McClurg & Co. Lyon & Healy. Kennedy Furniture company. Rialto Building company. Chicago Mercantile company. Heywood Bros. & Wakefield. William McCoy. Thomas A. Hall. W.P. Nelson company. Charles A. Stevens & Bros. F. Madlener. Irwin, Green & Co. Thomas Cavanaugh estate. W.W. Kimball comapny. W& R.A. Pinkerton. Rockwell-Wabash company. G.W. Marks Other firms are expected to join the association. Commissioner Block during the day sent an order to the elevated roads giving them three days in which to remove the signs and billboards from their station platforms failing which the city will do the work and charge it to the roads. |
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Page authored: 14
April 2002 -
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