The Detroit times., 1912-08-16
AID. VERNON COMES OUT
STRONGLY AGAINST PLAN
TO CLOSE PART OF CASS-AvE,
Wouldn't Do it for Concern
Twice as Big as Cadillac
Company" He Says
TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARING
Committee Defers Action Until
All Interested Have Chance
To Be Heard
TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARING

The council committee OH street
openings deferred action, Thursday
on the petition or the Cadillac Motor
Car Co. and the Briscoe Manufacture
ing Co. for the closing OF Cass-ave
from Amsterdam-a TO Baltimore
ave, and public hearing on the
question will De neld in the council
chamber Thursday, Aug. 30 In the
meantime the committee will visit the
Cadillac plant and look over the
ground, making the trip next Thurs
day morning
James ). Holden, the real estate
agent for the Cadillac company, ex-
planned the proposition 10 the com.
mittee, stating that the company held
all the frontage OH Cass-ave. for, three
blocks south OF the railroad, and one
block north, and that there are no
objections from the contiguous prop
erty holders.
than square deal" said Mr.. Holden
I'VE are not asking something for
nothing. and the situation was very
fairly explained in an rticle in The
Times few days ago. We are CIV
ing the city full value for everything
that we are asking for
The Cadillac company does not
want the street for additional factory
space for that could be bought cheap
er somewhere else, but II does not
want its factory cut in two by the
street, and the present difficulties will
be UNNECESSARILY increased in case OF
grade separation.
This committee should consider
what il would do II a concern OF the
magnitude OF the Cadillac company
should propose TO come TO Detroit and
occupy this space The proposition
should not be ruthlessly turned Own. .
so far as | am concerned" broke
in Aid Vernon, who is chairman OF
the committee, Il should oppose the
closing Of Cass.ave If concern twice
the size of the Cadillac wanted TO
come here on condition that We close
that street Cass-ave. Is the first
street on the west side than can re-
lieye Woodward-ave. We have want.
ed a diaduct at that point for % years,
and now that We are about TO get It.,
along comes this proposition to close
the street. hear nothing but opposi-
ton TO the plan wherever go"
W. c. Leland, vice-president and
manager or the Cadillac company
followed Mr.. Holden. He stated that
inasmuch as Cass-ave. runs only to
the Boulevard there would be very
few Inconvenience by the closing.
Traffic could go over to Second.
ave. or Woodward-ave by Amsterdam
ave. as well as by the, Boulevard. ="
said Mr. Leland Even if the grade
separation should be completed be-
lieve that you would find that you had
spent your money to very little pur-
pose, for with the constantly increas
ing business OF the Cadillac company
our trucks bringing material to the
factory would use the street at that
point TO such an extent that IL would
be highly inconyenient for general
traffic.
I'VE have under consideration plans
for building upon Woodward-ave. and
undermining our factory buildings so
that we can carry on manufacturing
at a reasonable cost. We have re-
Gently purchased from the railroads
additional land which can be used for
our tracks and relieve the congestion
from which we suffered so severely
last winter We are carrying a heavy
handicap as IL is. but if the railroad
tracks are raised, as they will have to
be for separation OF the grades, and
the street entrance 10 our factories is
blocked. II will be utterly useless 10
attempt to carry out our plans for
building.
THE injury we would suffer from
separation of the grades, would be
almost incalculable, and while it may
look on paper as If we are asking a
great deal, | believe that If you will
visit the plant and see just how
things are, you will find that We do
not really interfere with the rights
of the citizens of Detroit in closing
Cass-ave."
Mr.. Holden invited the aldermen to
make the trip to the Cadillac plant in
cars furnished by the company
Not on your life replied Chair
man Vernon, with broad smile. I'VE
have car OF our own for that pur-
pose, and furthermore, If there is
any member OF your party who is not
personally known to every member OF
the committee, We will refuse to
make the trip"
Aid Heating, Hindle. Knapp and
Lynch were present in the meeting.