The Detroit times., 1910-05-04
NJ. j. R. SEEKS
FRANCHISE HERE
Asks for Grant on Three Cent Fare
Basis--May Be Frame-up With
the D. U. R.

An interesting complication was
added 10 the street railway situation
by the application TO the council, Tues
day night, Of the Michigan United
railways Tor franchise TO enter De-
troll with its system. The NJ L. IL.
covers the central portion Of the state,
as the -. L. II does the eastern, hay
ing the city lines in and the suburban
lines between Battle Creek. bahama
700. Lansing and Jackson.
What is proposed now is new line
from Jackson 10 this city, with CITY
system operated conformity a rate uI
fare Of eight tickets for quarter rs
offered. the city TO attend TO all pay
ing. The term OF the grant is for 80
years and the city line or lines are -
be completed within one year after
the vote is taken.
Whether the offer is a bona iide
competitive one or a friendly arrange
ment Intended to assist the d. L. X.
Is the first thing that Mayor Brett
never and the aldermen will try -
learn ON tho face OF the proposition
the NJ l.. Y. wishes 10 connect its big
system directly with Detroit. super
seding the present condition by which
the u. L. 4. controls electric interur-
ban business as far as Jackson.
There has been more or less of con
ference between the -. L. Il. and NJ
L. Il officials recently, however ~
was reported recently that the ID. l. x.
was about 70 purchase the Lansing
line OF the N L. r. II has been gen
orally understood that the two syS'
tens were not antagonisuc.
George c. Moore. of Detroit. IS the
principal figure in the NJ. L. r., whicl
already has an investment of Sl2,OOO,-
600 in it's lines A nadditional line
giving an entrance into Detroit would
cost $500 600.
Eventually. the NJ. L. r. proposal
includes through electric transporta-
ton TO Chicago j. p. Clark. OF Jack
son. vice-president of the VI. L. r., de-
clares that the proposal made to the
city is not in the nature of an attack
on the u. l.. r.. but simply business
necessity Of the NJ. Y. r. 10 get direct
entrance into Detroit. He declares
that il Will be made the best interur-
ban system i'm the country.
While the franchise sent 10 the
council outlines i - separate routes
which might be covered by the com
many. the evidence intention Of the
company is only 10 build three lines
in the city. all on'thc west side of the
city and looping through the business
district on Michigan. Monroe, Farmer,
Gratiot and Shelby. one line would
come into tie city from the western
limits al Southern-ave. and thence 5y
Junction. Military or Livernois-avcs.
10 Lafayette-blvd. or FOREST, and 81
downtown Another set of altcrna-
tives lines calls for an entrance on
Warrcn-ave or }uchanan-st., and
thence down town 10y way Of Michi
aan-avc.. while The third plan is for
line from the northwestern portion OF
the city and thence on such streets as
WilHs-avo. and Lvsanderst to Fourth
and Cass-avcs. and Park.st and Bag
ley-ave.
Practically every street and avenue
available for street railway purposes
on the west side of the city is includ-
I'd on these alteruatice routes offered
by the compana IL there Is any agree
ment between the ID. u. r. and the
NJ. L. r.. tho acceptance Of this fran
chise would result I'm tying mp TO n
considerable extent the situation I'm
tho western portion Of the city so
that the municipality-own competing
system could bc built in opposition ~
the remaining lines OF the ID. I. z.
in that portion Of tho city.
Tho conditions of the franchise are
more favorable than those of the pres
cnt thrce-ccnt lines OF the city, the
rate OF fare being lower and the city
being relieved OF the maintenance or
foundations under the tracks The
franchise was sent 10 the council by
Sanford W Ladd member of the
law firm of Merriam. Yerkcs. Simon
& I.add with Offices In the Ford build
ing
II il peculiarly drawn document,
Eeing SO drawn as 10 give an option
to the company to construct any of
tho y lines. At the same time, II
seems possible. from the wording OF
the first paragraphs that the meaning
mirht be- stretched 20 Include permits
zion 10 build all of the proposed lines.
although that would hardly be done
owing TO The fact that some OF the
lroutes outlined are almost Identical.
1t is proposed that the city receive