The Detroit times., 1911-04-22

ing after the FIVE great cities, three
on the Atlantic coast and two at the
gateways into the great west thai
seem TO DO established forever as the
great cities of the country.
Detroit, however, is destined TO be
tho gateway into another territory
fully as rich as the great American
West and having the same wonderful
future possibilities. This great field
is the Dominion OF Canada, TO which
Detroit offers unparalleled facilities
for access when once the gate is open
ed by a broad treaty OF reciprocity
This Ia a development TO which De
troit can look forward; II is part OF
the future that is In store for the city
of the straits.
Automobile Great Factor.
The main factor in advertising De-
troit has been the automobile. Ten
years ago the automobile was an eX.
pertinent, a more or less interesting
and expensive toy. People stopped in
the street to watch one go by and
owners We'd with one another in Sc
lecting terrifying names with which
to brighten people who talked about
their machines. Those days are al
most forgotten now. Automobiles
have long since ceased to be desig-
mated by names. they are all num-
bered and license tags are getting
longer every year. II you stop in the
streets TO look at one automobile you
stand a very good chance OF being hit
by four more coming from as many
directions. The automobile, especial
~ the Detroit-made automobile, has
become a part OF modern civilization.
In the popularization OF the auto
mobile Detroit has had more to do
than any other city In the world. Ten
years ago the automobile factories OF
the city were two or three little exper-
mental shops that turned out few
hundred cars year. Today there is
more than $40,000.000 invested In
plants for the manufacture OF automo-
biles and parts in Detroit. Workmen
by the thousands are employed in big
new plants all over the city and the
weekly payroll runs into hundreds OF
thousands. With the automobile es-
tablished as one OF the necessities Of
modern civilization and the unparalleled
facilities for that industry that have
been built up in Detroit, the future OF
the city seems to look ever brighter
than the past.
Other Lines Expand.
The growth in population, due.
largely, TO the wonderful expansion OF
the automobile trade. has forced an
expansion in every other line that
touches the public or commercial life.
One of the vital parts OF a modern
city is It's transportation system. The
reports OF the Detroit United Rail-
way for the past 10 years. show what
has been done along this line. The
mileage Of the system mas increased
from 1876 miles OF track TO 755 miles
now in operation. There will be add
ell TO this within the near future sew
eral much needed additions to take
care of the increased traflc.
. The mileage given above includes
the suburban lines which are under
the control OF the Detroit United.
These radiate out from Detroit In all
directions. and give the city quick
and convenient communication with
all the adjacent country, including the
many hustling little cities located
within 100 miles OF Detroit. Arrange
ments have recently been completed
by which electric service Is extended
still farther into the state, through
cars running TO Kalamazoo, Lansing
and Battle Creek. opening UP the