The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-23
RAILROAD MATTERS.
PROSPECTS OF THE EXTENSION OF THE
T., A. A. & N. M.

y
Ann Arbor & North Michigan rail-
road, accompanied by the Messrs.
Greenough, of New York. was in
town this week, and Tribune re-
porter interviewed him in reference
to the present condition and future
prospects of his road.
Mr.. Ashley stated that while the
majority of the railways having their
terminus at Toledo have been losing
money of late, and are practically
bankrupt, his road has been increas.
ing its earnings and improving its
credit. He looked to the future with
renewed hope and confidence in the
ultimate triumph and prosperity of
his cherished railway enterprise.
At present, the principle source of
revenue for the railway is the coal
traffic. They are carrying north
about IT'S car loads of Ohio soft coal
each day, and as the road extends,
this lucrative business is sure to in.
crease. At present one serious loss of
revenue to the road, is the fact that
while the cars going north are heavily
loaded they return to Toledo empty,
and it is to overcome this undesr-
able state OF affairs that Mr.. Ashley
is so anxious to extend the road
north at as early date as possible.
When once the railway taps the vast
timber regions OF Northern Michigan
the cars which come north loaded
with coal and other merchandise, will
go back heavily freighted with timber
lumber, and other products OF the
forest, which will prove source of
immense revenue to the road for
many years to come.
Eastern capitalists can scarcely
realize that Northern Michigan pos
sesses such an immease quantity of
valuable timber awaiting facilities to
reach market, and for the purpose
Of impressing upon them the mag
nificent resources Of wealth at our
command, and the vas, volume of
traffic awaiting a trunk line of rail-
way that will tap our undeveloped
country, Mr.. Ashley prevailed upon
them to send representatives to in
vestigate the inducements offered for
the extention of the Toledo road.
The Messrs. Greenough represent
those eastern capitalists, and, in com.
pany with Mr.. Ashley, they drove
north to Cadillac to examine the re-
sources of the country along the pro-
posed route of the railway. On the
report of the gentlemen will depend
Mr.. Ashley's ability to procure all
the money for the extension of the
road. II their report should be favor.
able, he can procure all the money
required for the immediate prosecu-
ton Of the work, at once; but, should
their report be unfavorable the pros.
pect is not so cheering. The Tribune
may state, however. that when here
the Messrs. Greenough we're highly
impressed with the resources of our
country and the excellent induce.
ments presented for the extension Of
that railway, and that this favorable
opinion was inter siied as they pro-
ceeded north, can scarcely be doubt
ed
Mr.. Ashley appears very solicitous
about the extension of his road. He
stated that he is more anxious to con.
struct railway that will pay its
debts, the interest on its bonds, ETC.,
without going INTO the hands Of
receiver and thereby swindling its
creditors, than he is to make money
for himself. He appeared quite con-
fident that operations will common
&c on the northern extension as sson
as the weather permits, and The
Tribune is of the opinion that his
confidence is we'll founded. The
present indications lead to the belief
that the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North
Michigan railway will reach Mt.
Pleasant early in the coming summer.
North Western Tribune.