The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-28
APPRAISAL BOARO'S
. SESSIONS GO OVER
TO May 8
Failure of the Committee of Fifty To
Secure Traction Expert To Pre-
sent It's Case Makes Another
Postponement Necessary.
Attorney Webster Says He and Eddy
offered To Resign If Bancroft
Would Take Up Work

Frankly confessing that Appraiser
Frederick T. Barcrofts attitude has
caused the committee of- hity great
embarrassment, Attorney clyde l.
Webster, representing the committee,
asked for time i'm which TO secure the
services OF another director of ap-
praisal To assist him in the arbitration
hearings. when the Detroit United
Railway arbitration commission recon.
vened In Judge Murfin's court room,
y "Wednesday morning. Accordingly, an
adjournment was taken until a week
from Monday. and II Judge Tayler
should be tied up with other work IN
his Cleveland court at that time, a
further postponement will be ordered.
Mr.. Webster gave the arbitrators
the name OF an appraiser he has IN
mind, the court suggesting that 1t
should have an opportunity to inves-
tfgate the standing the ffeff-the
committee proposes 10 employ. The
" attorney declined TO make public The
name Of this man, but from remark
he dropped in his statement TO the
n court the consultant will be someone
other than graduate engineer.
How about the engineers who as
sisted Mr.. Bancroft in making this ap-
praisal? VIII they take the same
stand he has taken?" inquired Judge
Murfin.
Il think they will appear" replied
Webster Il have talked with oOe.
Harry Russell, and he has expressed
his willingness TO appear whenever he
IS wanted"
Webster and Eddy Offered to Resign.
In telling OF the efforts that had
been made TO persuade Mr.. Bancroft
TO take part in the arbitration PRO
ceedings. Webster declared that botn
he and Chairman F. w. Eddy, the lat
ter OF whom Bancroft charges with
libeling him in a published interview,
had offered to resign. while the mayor
Webster said. had guaranteed that
Bancroft would be paid any price he
might demand.
1--WE have done all We could do ex'
cept crawl on our knees to him." re-
marked Attorney l.. C. Stanley. who
is associated with Webster as counsel
for the fifty" after the adjournment,
perhaps he is waiting for us 10 do
that. but. IL so, he will be disap-
pointed
Attorney c. ID. Joslyn, for the De-
troit United Railway, suggested that ii
the new director OF appraisal would
consult with the ID. U. r. experts Ue-
fore the arbitration board began its
I work and would go over the respective
figures. many points OF difference
could be settled out OF court and much
time saved, though this would mean
longer adjournment for the present"
To this Mr.. Webster would not agree,
however.
Il object to the purpose of this az
b!tration being changed he said.
I'VE have started out 10 arbitrate
the difference between the 'ffty's' APP
praisal and the company's claim and
think We should stick to that. Ny
position has not changed particle as
result OF the trouble with Mr. Bar
croft"
Judge Grant announced that the
board had decided 10 permit the com
mittee TO put in its proofs first, AS
suggested by MIR. Webster, and tnat
the burden would be on the ID. L. X. TO
show wherein this appraisal is not
correct
While the ID L. r. arbitration board
ire-convened promptly on schedule
time, "Wednesday morning. the attor
sneys representing the company and
the committee OF fifty were not 50
prompt. with the result that the SEES
sion was Is minutes late in starting
Attorney Webster opened proceed
ings by making a further statement 10
the court. citing the action taken by
the common council, Tuesday night.
Mr.. Websters Statement.
Il desire 10 follow out any sugges-
tions made by this board" ne said
and propose 10 do SO throughout this
n Investigation. In accordance with
this policy, and acting on the sugges
n ton made by the court last Monday.
a have taken the matter up with the
3 council"
Webster then told OF the action tax.
en- by the council Tuesday m2ht
:. -AAs-te NJ Bancroft, hrs atr1trrr =
places us in an embarrassing position
there Is no question about that. Web.
ster continued The position we take
is that after 10 months OF hard work
by the committee OF fifty. with the
people eager for settlement. no man
or no two men should be- allowed to
step In and hold up settlement by
refusing to appear before this body
And this court ought to assist us IN
preventing an attempt TO block this
settlement
/. MI Bancroft sought the appoint
ment as director OF appraisals We be
lieved he was competent and We he
Iieve SO yet He thought II would