The Detroit times., 1913-05-29

Frank w. Brooks, general manager
\ Of the Detroit United railway. in an
interview with The Times, Wednes-
day morning, reiterated his state
ment that the local street railway
system cannot be successfully oper.
ated on q threecent fare basis, either
by . private corporation or by the
municipality.
Mr.. Brooks also repeated the state
ment that the d. u. X. jS willing to
sell It's local system to the city at
any time, the valuation to be deter
mined In way that would be fair
\ both to the d. U. r. and to the city"
He also intimated that the threat
made by some city officials to build
completing lines under municipal
operation and thus to reduce the CON-
pany's property to worthless junk
was nothing more than idle talk. as
such q course would be impractical
and costly for the city to undertake.
For 20 years the ID. U. X. has
agreed with the plans OF every chief
executive Of the CITY," said Mr..
Brooks. THE company agreed to
Pingrees plan and to Maybury's
method. The plans Of Codd. Breitmey-
or and Thompson were agreeable TO
the company. In every instance We
\ accepted the terms insisted upon by
these men. II these plans were re-
jected II was not the fault OF the
company
"Now II 1t is the plan of Mayor
Marx to buy the property OF the D..
~Anx ~ Ill hn vN1a naA tn,
( hts way by the company
I'VE are and have been willing 10
{ build needed extensions on terms
that are fair and reasonable. Natur-
ally the company does not want to
build these extensions without some
protection for the investments.
II the city demands that we va
cate FOREST. we will get on. But
those who think that they can tear
down property costing millions of dol
lars and build 1t up again without
K great expense and effort, have not
\ studied the situation from the practt'
3can standpoint. The property OF the
Detroit United railway was not Great
4sed In q day or a month II repre-
SCENTS 20 years of effort and great
\ expenditure OF money.
sour policy has always been to meet
the public demands In every possible
way we could We are at all stimes
ready to confer with the mayor and
His advisers"
What valuation would you place on
I -FOUR system. should the city decide 10
enter into negotiations with the COM
4 pany for the purchase or Its prop
erty?" Mr.. Brooks was asked.
I'VE would want the valuation TO be
4 determined In fair way by fair
men"
What IL the company willing to
concede to secure an amicable settle
mont OF the street car struggle, pend
Ing municipal ownership
We are willing to meet with the
city on fair and reasonable terms"
Mr.. Brooks declined TO discuss pos
sible terms, other than to insist that
s the company stood ready to accept
Reasonable" teams.
Regarding the alleged threat Of the
mayor to Issue a proclamation advis-
Ing citizens TO pay only three cents
on nve-cent lines where the franchises
have expired, Mr.. Brooks said that It
WAS not the function Z the railway
company to fight mobs.
Should such a proclamation be Is.
sued. the cars will stop running" he
oaid.
The company does and will 10 bus
mess strictly within the law. doubt
very much II Mayor Marx will be q
party To any such move. However.
51t II one way OF stopping the cars"
IL the company through with it's
/; Aeht In the courts?'
II am not a lawyer. and cannot
! answer that question"
In reference TO street car service.
Mr. Brooks said that additional tracks,
ears. shops and power are needed 10
properly provide transportation facili.
q ties for the public.
IT would cost the company $1,000.
ZOO to properly enlarge and better, the