The Detroit times., 1913-04-26
BLAIR PLEASED
with REPORT ON
PERE MARQUETTE
''Nothing to DO But Operate and
Make Best Showing Posi-
ble," He Says
LIKES SUGGESTION OF
PERMANENT COMMISSION
Committees Findings Agree in
Many Instances With AttOr-
ney Campbell's Brief

Il am very much pleased with the
report Of the legislative committee
that investigated the affairs OF the
Pere Marquette railroad" said Frank
w. Blair. president OF the Union
Trust Co.. and one OF the three re-
ceivers for the road Friday morning.
1T IL very able report, for the
limited time the investigators had at
their disposal. Their task was q
large one. and do not wonder that
they hesitate In coming to definite
Ic1nclusions on some points. After
had studied the situation for two
eeks. after being appointed a re-
ceiver, ! began to think that | was a
real railroad man, but as new matters
rkept coming up. day after day. be-
gan to see the magnitude OF the prob
lem involved.
There is nothing for us to do but
TO continue operating the road to the
best OF our ability. While the com
mittee recommends that the road be
allowed to charge high enough rates
| on Its divisions that are now operated
at loss to cover the expense Of oper-
alton, II also recommends that the re-
ceivers be allowed TO see what can be
+ dozen with the road; so It is our task
to do as well as We can. and then dis
cover what further remedies may be
required.
THE recommendation for perman-
ent commission OF experts to study not
only the AFFAIRS Of the Pere Marquette,
but those OF all the railroads OF the
ISlAte seems to me excellent"
The report OF the committee agrees
closely with the brief fled by Attor-
ney Henry M. Campbell in behalf OF
the receivers In great many respect.
Mr.. CampbelIs claim that every dollar
raised on bonds was paid into the
company's treasury, was acknowl-
edged by the committee. Mr.. Camp
bells contention that the Chicago
terminal was necessary. but perhaps
more expensive than 1t should have
been, was not quite accepted by the
committee. which found that 1T is a
serious question whether 1t was ad-
Eisable. The testimony on this point
ls conflicting"
Mr. Campbell admitted that the pur-
Chase Of the Steele roads was not ad-
kantageous, q the committee finds,
ts.At the consolidation with the c. n.
80 ~. wan III AWiSC, duO tldt tuc hCQull-
ng Of stocQ in the Toledo Terminal
Go. and the isuing Of large amount
{pf bonds In payment therefore was
Entirely unnecessary and probably
MAS made In the interests OF someone
who had his won, rather than the ad-
Vantage Of the company. at heart" /"
The committees findings in these re-
CARDS were discounted by Mr. Camp
BELLS admissions.
The committee agreed with Mr..
Campbell that changed economic con-
iitions" are partly to blame for the
roads poor howing, but declined to
place the same emphasis on this
tause as did Mr.. Campbell in his
brief
The three requests made by the re-
teivers-that the state cease to adopt
additional Oppressive legislation in
Eolving expense. that 1t provide a
more equitable law relating to pas
bepger rates, and that the committee
assist in creating a public sentiment
favorable to the company. appear to
rave been granted by the committee
Insofar as 1t lay in its power, SO there
little wonder that the receivers are
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