The Detroit times., 1914-03-17
BLAIR Will ASK
FOR MONEY FOR
PEREMARQUETTE
Will Tell Bondholders That Flu
ture Business Depends on
Payment of Debts
CLERKS FILE PETITION
FOR INCREASED PAY
Negotiations and COllOquies Of
Months End in Appeal to
Federal Court

Frank w. Blair, receiver LOT the
Pere Marquette. may be all alone
when he tackles the bondholders'
committees, In New York, Wednes-
day, In an attempt to secure more
money for the Pere Marquette. Mr..
Blair will leave, late Tuesday after
noon. and Receivers FELTON, and Wa
tiers will not accompany him unless
he sends out call for help.
I'VE must have money. IL we are to
get business" said Mr.. Blair. Here.
Tor instance. is q claim for $4,000
|agAinst US. That shipper has thrown
his business to the Michigan Central,
because we have not paid his claim.
Mr.. Waters has asked me to try, In
some way, to raise that money--for Il
we pay him. We can get his business
back.
"It's lack OF money to pay this, and
LOTS other claims, that IN keeping
the road back. II We can get the
money. we can get the business
there's no doubt about II.
1.-THE report that the Michigan Cen
trail and Lake Shore roads are trying
to keep the Pere Marquette In Its
present condition. 80 that they can
get its business, IL q lie. The Pere
Marquette reaches points that they
do not touch, and supplies them with
business: consequently, It IL not "a
their advantage to wish the Pere
Marquette to remain crippled"
Mr.. Blair emphatically denied the
report that Henry b. Ledyard. chair
man Of the board OF the Michigan
Central, and also chairman OF the d.
rectors of the Union Trust Co., had
been instrumental In having MIR. Blair
appointed . receiver.
"Mr. Ledyard had been in Georgia
for six weeks when that appointment
was made, and received his news OF
Il nom the newspapers" said Mr..
Blair. when Judge Angel asked mo
II I would consent to the appoint
ment, told him that I would. on con-
dition that the Union Trust Co. be al
loved TO handle the funds. The ap-
pointment was made Immediately.
even before I had had an opportunity
to communicate with the other oni-
Gals Of the Union Trust Co. asked
Judge Angel. later. how he came 70
consider me, and he replied that 1t
was through his connection with me
when we wero trusteea Of the Berry
estate,
II do not believe that reputable
business men would risk their ropu-
tations and the loss Of tho regard Of
their associates by engaging n any
such underhand deal ~ that mon
toned. The average business man d
very careful OF his reputation. Look
about you at the business men you
know. How many Of them are
thieves and pirates?"
Mr.. Blair said that he does not BE-
lieve that william A. Garrett, the
new executive head Of the Pere Mar.
Quetts, 10 contemplating any import
ant changes In the operating stan.
He announced. ON coming here.
that be would be satisfied, % long
a. the present employees did their
work property and co-operated with
him In helping to build up the road"
said Mr.. Blair.
The Pere Marquette railroad clerks
have nled . petition with Federal
Judge Tuttle for an adjustment OF
their salary demands, made some time
ago. They want al clerks earning $50
q month to be increased 70 $36. and
those earning between $50 and $40 to
be increased to $40. Clerks getting
more than $40 month would get q
monthly Increase Of $3.50 under the
proposed salary arrangement.