The Detroit times., 1911-03-29

more frequent operation or ears
upon Brush-st
on May ,, this report was adopt
ed Subsequent TO that time the
resolutions were prepared and sub
mitted 10 you. and you were salts
Ned with the wording or the reso-
made to the resolutions as you sug-
gested; and. thereafter. the resolu-
lions were passed by the common
council, and word was received
from the Detroit United railway
that IL would accept those resoiu-
tons Following this. however no
action OF any kind was taken. The
building season for the year 1910
was inaugurated. We are now APP
preaching the building season for
1911. Is IL at this time asking too
in Ien 20 of I the eompany wna VIM i
respect TO these and other needed
extensions OF street railway facili-
ties In this city9
i have said nothing TO the press
about this letter. and will not. un-
less IL becomes apparent that IL Is
the disposition OF the company 10
do nothing upon this subject
i will lbe glad TO confer with you
at any place that may be convent
ent for you. and at any time that
win suit the convenience or both
OF US.
on Feb.s. 1 received from Mr. Hutchins
a communication In which he acknowl-
edged the passage and acceptance or
the resolutions referred 10. and OF the
intention at the time or the railway
company to have proceeded with the
building OF those lines, but OF Its be-
ing unable TO get the money TO ac-
complish the work, on account or the
addition made 10 the so-called rental
plan. and the disposition evidenced by
interviews In the newspapers with GER
tain city officials 70 further increase
this apparent unfriendly attitude had
frightened investors and prevented the
securing OF the needed cash TO con-
struct the lines, but that he was will
ing and anxious TO confer and discuss
the matter at my convenience. and at
tempt, II possible, TO make such an ad-
justment as would lead, without furth-
er delay to the building or these
long -looked-for and long wished-for
extensions
Upon the receipt OF this letter. pro-
ceeded 10 make arrangements for a
conference. Ii was delayed a few days
city OF Mr.. Hally, but. on his return,
arrangements were made. and from
time to time thereafter conferences
were held between the officials of the
railway company and their attorneys,
the mayor OF the city and the corpora
tton counsel Mr.. Hally was present at
every conference. On behalf OF the
city we insisted that no term rights
were TO be granted In the streets; that
the company was TO receive a naked
permit TO enter upon the streets, and
necessary for the operation OF cars:
that the city was to forego no right
which IL now had where franchise
rights have expired. to. at its pleasure
erty from the street. and that the rail-
way company. by its acceptance OF the
permit. was 10 gain no additional
rights or take the position that the
81 ~ ~ "
In fact. that the positions OF the
parties as they exist today. were 10
remain unaltered the same as IL these
In addition 10 this. il was my de-
sire to reserve, In the event OF NUM-
cipal ownership. the right to purchase
at cost the extensions.
ture. and II seemed TO me but the part
OF wisdom TO make preparation for
any emergency IL the city shall de-
ssp the Of Of thsse %
not interfere with IL IL some other
shall be the city's determi-
nation. this proviso will not interfere
witty that. To this the company has
Most OF the other points were in
golved and covered by the resolutions
,f q year ago. ,
The company. on the other hand.
took the position that. on account Of
he condition OF the money market. and
he dispute existing between IL and the
,ity, as to the expiration OF franchise
tights, IL made IL impossible 60 secure
he necessary funds TO perform this
work. unless some addition was made
10 the old resolution which would sat-
sfy investors that no matter what
might be the future OF the street rail-
way situation in Detroit. the invest
ment for these additions would at least
be secure.
Thus far we have gone I see no
the company being willing TO
accede TO all the city's demands, why
the city should not frame resolution
which will be satisfactory to the COM
pany and consistent with the city's at
titude.
I therefore recommend that this COM
and this subject matter be
to the appropriate COMMITTEES.
and after hearing and conference
between the railway officials and all
others who may desire to be heard
upon the matter, you instruct the cor
poration counsel TO draft the necessary
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM B. THOMPSON,
Mayor.