Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-01-20
AFTER BETTER SERVICE

| ~ LOUIS, MICH Jan. D, lSlU.
Mr.. II. F. Moeller. q. p. A.. Pm. R.R.
Mr. A. Patriarche. 7. NJ. p. M. II. X.
Detroit, Mich.
Gentlemen We wish to call your
attention to the conditions of passenger
traffic on this branch of YOUR line and
to the fact that it's patrons are not
getting the service that the amount
of traffic warrants or which the people
living along this line are entitled to.
We will not quote statistics for YOU
have them at your command but will
point out some facts that YOUR
statistics will prove
First. that on this line between
Saginaw and Grand Rapids are six
prosperous growing towns OF two to
eight Thousand inhabitants each, and
terminals at each end of cities of one
hundred and fifty and fifty thousand
inhabitants each
Second, that this line has three
! junction points with other good feed
! ing lines, adding much to the traffic
Third. that through the country
traversed there are no competing
steam, electric or boat lines aid tne
passenger business of this territory
is all YOURS.
Fourth, that the passenger husin ess
of this division is the most profitable
of any division of your system. This
we believe is without question
Fifth, that you are giving the
poorest passenger service here of any
one of your main lines Even the
Traverse City division. which does
not yield one-half the revenue. has
better train service than this line
Sixth. that the addition of a limited
! TRAN woull Increase revenue suf-
fcIentlv to make it a profitable FIX
pendlture to YOUR COMPANY You are
not getting the through business be-
tween Saginaw and Grand Rapids that
/ YOU should. for the reason that the
I Grand Trunk runs more convenient
ana faster trains Connections at
Saginaw with the Bad Axe and Port
Huron division require several hours
wait at Saginaw, also there is no op-
portunity for parties living at the
towns On this line near Saginaw or
Grand Rapids TO spend an evening in
these cities with ont losing an entire
dav and remaining over night MANY
times social parties worl1 attend
theatres AMI other entertainments in
these, cities had they more con-
genient train service
As the trains now run the fastest
train between Bay CITY and Grand
Rapids requires tive hours and twenty
minutes TO 90 distance of one hundred
forty III lies or only twentv-seven and
one half miles per hour. The evening
train east makes only about twenty
four miles per hour and then during
the winter season is more often late
than on time These Trains ara very
often crowded. badly ventilated. and
the frequent stops at every cross road
on the line makes the trip tedious
ore and expensive To one whose time
is valsble
We would suggest train leaving
Grand Rapids at :45 D. IN. after the
arrival of the Chicago train and ar
irving IN Saginaw in time TO connect
with the Detroit. Port Huron and Bad
Axe trains A train west leav ing
Saginaw about one O'Clock and arriv-
ing in Grand Rapids in time 90 con-
meet with the p NJ trains in Chicago
and Traverse civ, and q. r. x l.
To make only seven stops between
Sainaw and Grand Rapids instead Of
twenry-six or twenty seven as does
our fastest train now.
We also request that the short line
mileage be allowed frOD points or this
line to stations on the Petoskev divis-
ion north Of Baldwin via either
Saginaw o. Grand Rapids
We believe. gentlemen. that when
YOU have given this due consideration
You will decide that the increased
traffic and pleased patronage will
amplv repav the expenditure for the
Improvement.
We respectfully submit this as vOic-
ing the sentiment OF our own rnenber-
shin and the wishes of the travelling
public on TINS line
The Commercial Club of
ST. Louis Michigan