Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1932, Part 3

Author:
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: R.L. Polk
Number of Pages: 1668

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The Indianapolis Municipal Airport is owned, managed and operated by the City of Indianapolis. The field is for the use of any and all licensed operators of aircraft. Ac- tivity in all phases of aviation is encouraged.

Banks

During the year 1931 the bank clearings for 10 Indianapolis banking houses, members of the Indianapolis Clearing House Association, were $853,378,000. Debits, $1,884,722,000. Transactions, $2,735,417,000. Resources of all Indianapolis banks (total, 23) are $238,617,263.

INTRODUCTION

Building and Loan Associations

Total assets of the 58 building and loan associations in Indianapolis as of January, 1931, were $115,366,594. One hundred twenty-five thousand, or approximately 10% of the membership in the building and loan associations of the entire United States, is listed in Indianapolis. Service in the building of 2,234 homes, in the improvement of 1,521 homes, and in the outright purchase of 2,357 homes, was offered in the year 1929. One of the largest building and loan associations in the world is located in Indianapolis, with a capitalization of over $140,000,000, assets of over $60,500,000, and carrying more than 72,000 open accounts. Indiana ranks seventh as to building and loan company assets.

Churches

There are 290 churches in the city of Indianapolis, representing all denominations and nationalities.

Electricity

The local power company has over 125,000 customers. Direct current is available in the downtown business district, known as the "mile square." All other sections are sup- plied with alternating current. Energy rate runs 61/2 cents net per K.W.H. for the first 50 K.W.H. used per month, 6 cents for next 50 K.W.H., 5 cents for next 100 K.W.H., and 4 cents for excess of 200 K.W.H. Rates for industrial power are lower than those of many other cities.

Gas

One of the important requirements of industry is an adequate supply of a refined and controllable fuel. A gas service of excellent quality is furnished in Indianapolis. A total of 78,000 customers was being served with gas in December, 1931. There are 798 miles of gas mains in Indianapolis. Rates are: First 10,000 cubic feet, $1.05 per 1,000 cu. ft .; next 40,000 cu. ft., $1.00; next 15,000 cu. ft., $0.95, etc. Special schedule for consumers of larger quantities.

Water

The capacity of the water company's present facilities is 160,000,000 gallons a day. Pressure is maintained at from 55 to 62 pounds, but is raised to as high as 80 pounds at points of particular fire hazard. The sources of supply are White River and extensive deep wells, with Fall Creek as an available source in case of need. The water supply is passed through a sand and gravel filter bed and is finally thoroughly purified by chlorina- tion. The cost of water varies in accordance with consumption. 71,124 water meters were operating in December, 1931. -

Coal

A high grade of steam coal can be obtained from Indiana mines at an average haul of only ninety miles. This coal is quoted as low as $3.00 a ton delivered in Indianapolis. The freight rate is approximately $1.15 a ton. The rate on eastern Kentucky coal is $2.52, and on that from West Virginia, $2.62.

Factory Sites

Indianapolis has in reserve a vast area for industrial expansion. Many acres are avail- able. These districts are interwoven with a network of railroads, including the belt system, affording a great centralized industrial transportation system. Raw materials, transporta- tion, power, labor and market are available in this city.

Foreign Trade

A survey of foreign trade reveals that Indianapolis firms are doing business in every corner of the world and that the total volume of business, imports and exports runs into many millions of dollars. While Indianapolis exports a tremendous quantity of merchan- dise, manufactured articles and raw materials, certain articles predominate. Among these are automobile accessories, meat products, metal products and machinery, drugs and pharmaceuticals, food products, flour and grain. Imports come from many countries.

Building

New building construction in Indianapolis totaled $9,027,169 in value for 1931. During the year there were 4,727 permits issued. Living accommodations for 653 families were pro- vided in single-family homes and apartment buildings.

Assessed Valuation

The assessed valuation of property in Indianapolis on which taxes will be paid in 1932 is $674,461,890.

Taxes

In 1928 only four cities of the first thirty in population paid a smaller per capita amount of taxes for all state and local purposes than Indianapolis. The per capita here was $46.04. The average for the thirty cities was $55.20. The showing is all the more favor- able since the figure for this city includes practically the entire contribution for all state and local governmental purposes, while in many other cities the figure does not include such items as a state income tax, corporation taxes, special business licenses and many other licenses and fees. While local taxation increased from 19 to 30 per cent in each of the states surrounding Indiana between 1922 and 1926, the increase in Indiana was only 14 per cent. A system whereby taxpayers may have a voice in determining public expenditures is a strong factor in keeping the tax burden low in Indiana.

Telephone Service

Indianapolis has 83,988 telephones and on account of its central location in the state and country as a whole, conservative long-distance tolls may be had. Residential phone rate, private line, is $4.50 and business phone, unlimited service, is $13.50.

Recreational Features

Indianapolis has a system of forest preserves which maintains, throughout the city, 25 parks, having a total area of 1,829 acres. Within the complete park system and forest preserves are located 45 playgrounds, 9 athletic fields, 5 municipal golf courses, 6 private golf courses, 5 swimming pools, including one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the country; 56 miles of boulevards, 5 field community houses, 57 tennis courts, 22 baseball diamonds and 10 football fields, and other facilities, such as saddle clubs, 10 miles of bridle paths, 6 aviation fields, 1 casting pool, 61 horseshoe courts and 3 roque courts. There are also 6 private country clubs and 6 private downtown clubs.

INTRODUCTION

Theatres and Amusements

Indianapolis has 80 motion picture houses, 2 legitimate theatres with a seating capacity of 3,500, 2 vaudeville houses and 1 burlesque theatre. Two large amusement parks afford lively entertainment in the summer months. A motor speedway and baseball park are amusements enjoyed by many thousands of persons.

Education

The educational facilities of Indianapolis provide excellent training in almost any line. With 85 public grade schools, 6 high schools and 27 parochial schools and academies, In- dianapolis offers splendid educational advantages to more than 63,000 students each semes- ter. Butler University, including Teachers College and College of Religion, Indiana Central College, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis College of Pharmacy, Indiana Law School, St. Agnes Academy, Boys' Prepara- tory School, Tudor Hall, St. John's Academy, Normal College of the North American Gym- nastics Union, John E. Herron Art Institute, Indiana State School for the Deaf, Board of In- dustrial Aid for the Blind, Indiana State School for the Blind, and other special schools in music, arts and business training are located in Indianapolis. Public schools include 14 for de- fectives, 1 for truants, 1 for the physically handicapped; 1 opportunity school and 1 fresh- air school. Twenty-three Catholic schools, 3 Lutheran, 1 Seventh Day Adventist, and 40 public kindergartens bring the total of elementary and secondary schools up to 168. The school city of Indianapolis is governed by a commission elected by the citizens. The com- mission elects a superintendent to have executive control over the school system, and a business director to have similar control of fiscal affairs. Indianapolis is the home of the largest extension branch of the State University, through which is offered training in practically every phase of university work. Butler University, with its present daily enroll- ment of approximately 1,820, likewise offers extension courses. This institution was re- cently installed in its new quarters, and promises to become one of the leading colleges in the Middle West. Indiana Central College provides the third distinct institution of higher learning in Indianapolis. The John E. Herron Art Institute ranks high among the coun- try's institutions for the development of the artistic spirit in the people, and holds a charm for the artistically inclined. Its art school is constantly training young artists to continue the work of Indiana's leaders-Adams, Forsythe and Steele. The Indianapolis Public Library contains over 500,000 volumes. Twenty branches are maintained at convenient locations throughout the city. The business branch, in the downtown district, gives special information service to business men. The Library of the State of Indiana is located in the State House in Indianapolis.

Labor

In a large measure Indianapolis labor is thoroughly American. The typical factory employee is reliable, capable and efficient. He is economical and thrifty. He owns his own home, sends his children to school and college, and is himself interested in education. In considering the supply of labor in Indianapolis, one should have regard not only for the supply afforded by the city proper, which is abundant, but also for that of the surrounding territory. On every side are suburbs and small towns with motorbus and interurban service at regular short intervals. Improved roads lead in from every direction. People from points 15 to 20 miles out, work in Indianapolis. The potential labor supply from these sources is great. The relations of employer and employees are strictly harmonious, and conditions are in every way conducive to economical operation. A population of 83.5% native white, 11% Negro, only 5.4% foreign-born, and 1.1 of other races, affords an abundant supply of skilled and unskilled workers, both male and female.

Indianapolis is generally about 95% open shop and non-union industrially and com- mercially. The main strength of union labor here is found in the building trades, printing trades, and among the motion picture operators, stage hands and musicians.

Out of a total city population now of approximately 400,000, less than 7,000 laboring people are said to belong to the allied central labor union and they are found mostly in the crafts indicated above.

Postal Receipts

The post-office receipts for 1931 were $3,963,059.

Mail Service

There are 77 steam and interurban mail trains in, and 76 out of, Indianapolis every 24 hours. The Air Mail Service offers splendid advantages for those desiring quick com- munication. In the residential districts there are two to three mail deliveries and up to six collections daily. There are ten to fifteen collections daily in the business section, and four to six deliveries.

Parcel Post

Low-cost parcel post delivery can be had from Indianapolis. The first three or four zones, in which the rates are cheapest, cover the greatest concentrated business territory in the United States. The first three postal zones of Indianapolis embrace all of the states adjoining to Indiana except a small portion of northern Michigan. The fourth zone in- cludes nearly all of the next bordering states. The fifth zone extends from Maine to Colo- rado and from Canada to Florida.

Homes

Data compiled by the United States Bureau of the Census showed Indianapolis to have 228 homes per 1,000 population. This is an average of less than five persons per residential unit, and gives Indianapolis more homes per 1,000 than any other city over 200,000 popula- tion in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 40% of the families own their own homes. According to a recent post office survey there were 101,354 resi- dences and 13,761 apartment units in Indianapolis, a total of 115,115 living units.

The recent Census credits Indianapolis with 98,841 families as compared with 81.256 in 1920. Marion County is listed as having 113,285 families.

Streets

Streets of Indianapolis are wide, well-paved and level. All downtown streets are 90 feet wide, and Washington Street, which is the leading business street, is 120 feet wide. The movement of automobile traffic has been facilitated by the designation of preferential speedways for passenger cars only. Heavy traffic thoroughfares have been established also, though not for exclusive use. The purpose is to provide through trucking routes from one section of the city to another, and at the same time to divert this heavy traffic from the thoroughfares having passenger car congestion.

INTRODUCTION

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, located in the heart of the city, is recognized as one of the finest pieces of colossal sculpture in the United States. It was built in the years 1887-1901, at a cost of approximately $600,000. It is 284 feet high and is the second tallest monument in the United States. The Washington Monument in Washington, D. C., stands 555 feet.

WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING

War Memorial Plaza

The City of Indianapolis, Marion County, and the State of Indiana have joined hands to provide the wonderful Memorial Plaza, which includes five city blocks in the heart of our state capital. The memorial building proper has a base of 180 feet square, with a tower approximately 50 feet square rising to a height of 230 feet. This building-an everlasting tribute to those who gave to their country their services and to those who made the supreme sacrifice-has been constructed of Indiana limestone. The entire Plaza to cover five full city blocks when completed, will represent an expenditure of more than $10,000,000.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the foremost brick motor race-course in the world. The annual Decoration Day Sweepstakes attracts drivers and more than 125,000 spectators from all parts of America and Europe.

INTRODUCTION

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY HOME STRETCH

National Headquarters

More than forty organizations maintain national headquarters in Indianapolis. The American Legion, United Mine Workers of America, International Typograph.cal Union, Barbers' International Union, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Knights Templar, United Christian Missionary Society, National Retail Hardware Associa- tion and many others have chosen Indianapolis after an exhaustive investigation of cities of the United States. Twenty-three insurance companies serve their clients from Indian- apolis. Greek letter organizations realize the advantages of a central location and six are at this time serving their membership from this city.

General

Indianapolis is located in the center of both the corn and wheat belts of America. This fact has made Indianapolis the second largest corn market in the United States and also one of the leading wheat centers. The Indianapolis Board of Trade is one of the six largest grain markets in the country. More than 36,000 cars of grain were handled last year. The supervision of a business involving $55,000,000 a year is entrusted to this organization. The following were handled through Indianapolis in 1931: 5,263,000 bushels of wheat, 20,- 664,500 bushels of corn and 10,994,000 bushels of oats. The principal agricultural products of the territory surrounding Indianapolis, in addition to wheat, corn and oats, are dairy products, beef, mutton and pork, fruit, potatoes, poultry and eggs, hay, rye and canning vegetables. These products exceed $250,000,000 annual value. Produce and fruits are raised extensively in the districts surrounding Indianapolis, and furnish raw materials for can- ning factories and packing and preserving plants.

The Union Stock Yards in Indianapolis is one of the largest markets of its kind in the country. Following are stockyard receipts for the year 1931: Hogs, 1,578,106; cattle, 202,965; calves, 166,095; sheep, 345,107.

One of the largest army posts in the country, Fort Benjamin Harrison, covering 2,415 acres, is located six miles northeast of Indianapolis.

Indianapolis has three daily newspapers, one of which publishes a Sunday edition. In addition to this, a daily commercial newspaper, several weeklies and a number of regular neighborhood publications are published here.

Two radio stations carry the "Voice of Indianapolis" to the world. WFBM and WKBF are, from a civic standpoint, outstanding achievements for the city. The recent Census shows 46,524 radios in the city.

A large municipal market helps to reduce the cost of living in this most ideal residence city.

Funds for the maintenance of the city's charities are secured through the Community Fund.

The achievements of such Indianapolis personages as James Whitcomb Riley, Meredith Nicholson, Booth Tarkington, Thomas R. Marshall, Charles W. Fairbanks, Albert J. Bever- idge and Benjamin Harrison speak well for the city's culture and its spirit of endeavor. Indianapolis long will be remembered as the birthplace of many cherished poems known all over the United States as the work of James Whitcomb Riley, the great Hoosier poet.

Indianapolis is characteristically a city of sociability. Pervaded by the well-known spirit of Hoosier hospitality and culture, this city stands high as a social and cultural center.

INTRODUCTION

AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

Nine Indianapolis clubs own their own buildings. Four of these are conveniently located in the downtown district. Each of these serves a particular function the city's social life and is supported by a substantial membership.

Six country clubs, located in private estates, maintaining swimming pools, golf links and tennis courts, add to the social life of the city.

The slogan, "The Cross Roads of America," is appropriate. Within sixty miles, to the southwest, is the center of population of the United States. At a less distance, to the northeast, is the center of manufacture. The nation's east and west traffic must traverse the level plain extending from the Great Lakes on the north to the Ohio River on the south. A large volume of this through traffic, both automobile and rail, passes through Indianapolis. The National Road and the Dixie Highway cross here. Indianapolis is truly the crossroads.

General Population Figures

1930 population-city of Indianapolis 364,161

1930 population-Marion County 422,666

Population within 100 miles (estimated)

2,000,000

Population within 200 miles (estimated)

15,000,000

Classification of Manufacturing Industries (Estimated 1930)

Automobiles

$ 15,000,000

Meat Packing and Slaughtering

35,000,000

Metal Trades and Machine Shops

40,000,000

Automobile Accessories

28,000,000

Wearing Apparel

18,000,000

Canning

17,000,000

Printing and Publishing

12,500,000

Grain and Cereal Products

12,000,000

Biological Products

11,000,000

Foundry Products

6,500,000

Dairy Products

3,500,000

Bakery Products

6,000,000

Paper Boxes

6,000,000

Paints and Varnishes

6,000,000

Candy and Confectionery

4,000,000

Coffee Roasting

4,000,000

Furniture and Veneers

3,000,000

Wooden Boxes and Cooperage

3,000,000

* All other industries

14,000,000

Total

$244,500,000

*"All other industries" includes some whose value of production would equal or surpass some shown in the classifications, but which cannot be classified without disclosing in- dividual operation.

INTRODUCTION

Distances from Indianapolis to Surrounding Large Cities

Chicago 183 miles

Cincinnati

110 miles

Cleveland 285 miles

Columbus, Ohio

181 miles

Detroit

303 miles

Louisville

110 miles

St. Louis

248 miles

Miscellaneous Facts-Indianapolis (Latest Available Reports)

Airports

Altitude

739 feet 54.15 square miles

Area (33.625 acres)

Distance north and south, 13.06 miles; east and west, 11.38 miles. $674,461,890

Assessed Valuation

111,908

Banks-Number of (3 national, 12 state, 8 trust)

Bank Resources

$238,617,263

Bank Debits

$1,884,722,000

Bank Transactions

$2,735,417,000

Bank Clearings

$ 853,378,000

Boulevards-miles of

56 58

Building and Loan Associations-Number of Resources

$115,366,594

Building Permits-Number of Value Building Permits

$ 9,027,169 11

Bus Lines-passenger, in city

Carloadings (outgoing) carried by six railroads (1931) .

161,584

Carloadings (inbound) 1931

220,027

Churches, all denominations-number of

290

Climatic Data-Average January temperature Average July temperature

76 degrees

Clubs-Downtown

Clubs-Luncheon

Clubs-Country

Electric Service Meters

125,266

Families-Indianapolis

98,841

Marion County

113,285

Fire Hydrants-Number of

5,794

Gas Mains

797.98 miles

Gas Meters

Golf courses (18-hole) 5 municipal, 6 private.

Grain Receipts, Bushels-Wheat, 5,263,000; corn, 20,664,500; oats 10,994,000. 9

Hospitals (major) 1 state, 1 city, 7 general

Others-providing 5,500 rooms 70

Interurban Lines entering city 13

Interurban Station-largest in the world-cars in and out per day .. 175

Latitude .39 degrees, 46 minutes, 10 seconds

Library-500,000 volumes-20 branches and one business branch.

Live Stock Receipts-Hogs, 1,578,106; cattle, 202,965; calves, 166,095; sheep, 345,107.

Longitude 86 degrees, 09 minutes, 45 seconds

Manufactured Products-Value (estimated 1930) $244,500,000

Manufacturing Establishments (estimated for 1931) 800

Metropolitan District Population 417.685

Monument-Soldiers' and Sailors'-Begun 1887; completed, 1901, cost, $600,000-284 feet 6 inches in height.

Motion Picture Houses 80

Parks

Post-office Receipts (1931)

$3,963,059

Radio Broadcasting Stations-WFBM and WKBF

Radio Sets (1930 Census)-47.1% of total number of families.

46,524

Railroads-6 lines

16 divisions

Residences-Number of (101,354 houses; 13,761 apartment units) 115,115

Retail Stores-Estimated number of 4,920

Schools-public and parochial (including kindergartens) 168

Sewers

. 615.84 miles

Sidewalks

663.22 miles

Street Car Lines-miles of

165

Street Lights-number of

7,955

Streets

196.84 miles

Tax Levy

$2.79

Telephones

83,988

Theatres (legitimate, vaudeville, etc.) ..

Tourist Camp-6 acres, wooded grounds-cost per night

25c

Trains-passenger, entering city daily

175

Transient Population (estimated)

25,000

Union Station-all tracks elevated, covers 7 acres.

Vital Statistics (1931)-births, 6,779; deaths, 5,177.

45,752

Water Mains

.641.41 miles

Water Meters

71,124

Wholesalers and Jobbers-estimated number of

449

Automobiles-passenger

4,727

Bus Lines-passenger, entering city

28 degrees

77,700 11

Hotels-providing 2,500 rooms-first-class

Wage Earners Salaried Employes

10,429

INTRODUCTION

FACTS ABOUT INDIANA

Indiana in 1816 became the nineteenth state.

Area: 36,045 suare miles; ranks 37th in area in the United States.

State Flower: Zinnia.

State Tree: Tulip Tree.

State House built 1878-1888, at a cost of $1,980,969.

Population (1930): 3,238,503; ranks 11th in United States.

Distribution: Males, 1,640,061; females, 1,598,442; native whites, 2,981,002; foreign-born whites, 135,134; Negroes, 111,982.

Number of Families (1930 Census), 844,463.

Industry: Number of establishments, 5,074; number of wage-earners, 313,829; value of products, $2,534,716,550.

Products: Iron and steel products, automobiles, automobile bodies and parts, railroad cars, foundry and machine shop products, etc.

Assessed Valuation of Taxable Property (1930) : $5,161,073,098.

Wealth Per Capita: $2,786.

Roads: 73,000 miles of roads (4,752 miles in the State Highway System, of which 2,218 miles are paved).

Agriculture: Number of farms, 181,570; acreage, 21,063,332.

Center of population of United States is near Linton, Greene County, Indiana.

Prominent Indiana Statesmen: President Benjamin Harrison, Vice-President Thomas R.

Marshall, Charles W. Fairbanks, Thomas A. Hendricks and Schuyler Colfax, and Sena- tor Albert J. Beveridge.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The one organization in a community which upholds the ideals of good citizenship, right living and active co-operation among individuals and organizations making up the city's life is the Chamber of Commerce. It surveys the community with a telescope to see the whole at once, and, at the same time, with a microscope, to search out the details. In encourages and co-ordinates individual efforts, and takes its prominent place in all worth-while community activities. It spells its mission in life, "Give," not "Get." The Chamber of Commerce is the guide, philosopher and friend of the home city and the community. With this background in mind, any community must thoroughly realize that the efforts of community upbuilding tend toward evolution. It, therefore, becomes of the utmost importance to each of us to realize that the Chamber of Commerce is an organ- ization through which public-spirited citizens in a community may express themselves collectively on questions of community welfare and through which they may make their collective desires effective. Cities do not happen-co-operation builds them. In business, as in life, he gets most out of it who gives most to it. The dividends are based on the investment.

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Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1932, Part 3

Author: Publication date: 1932 Publisher: R.L. Polk Number of Pages: 1668

Author:
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: R.L. Polk
Number of Pages: 1668