The Detroit times., 1917-11-24
HUGE SUMS
NEEDED FOR
CAR LINES
Engineers Say $75,000,-
00O Is Required For
Complete System

Detroit must have a rapid transit
system consisting OF subways and
elevated lines. together with vast ex.
tensions Of The present surface lines.
almost at once, if the transportation
problem is 10 be solved.
This viii cost $50 100000.
The rate OF fare cannot be less
than five cents with universal trans
fers
The city must finance the con.
struciion of this system and the &C
qulrIrg Of the present surface lines,
and then so into partnership with an
operating company under the super
vision of the street railway commits
sion
Work should commence az once
before the congestion becomes worse
and makes the work Of construction
more dificult
Siyty.fye miles OF subwavs and
Els" should be constructed az once
10 care for the present population.
and his should be increased rapidly
until $50 when Il is estimated the
city viii have an area Of l55 square
miles and a population OF 1000 600.
The present area is so square miles
and the population $4,000 esti-
mated
These statements epitomize the
report submitted 10 Mayor Marx Fri
day morning by Barclay Parsons &
Klapp. the firm OF New York engin-
GERS engaged by the common council
last spring 10 make q survey OF the
transit needs OF Detroit The cost
Of the survey was $4,000
The data prepared by the engin-
GERS. which covers 100 closely typed
pages, will be submitted TO the
street railway commission when II
meets Monday afternoon 10 consider
various street railway matters.
The engineers declare that the
city must build and own the tracks.
surface, elevated and subway, while
the operating company will equip
and keep IN condition the rolling
stock and pay all operating expenses.
II is not 20 pay the city anything in
actual money for the privilege of op-
Grating cars. but since the street
railway commission will have super
vision OF the whole operations. the
operating company will be permitted
20 earn only a fair return on its in
vestment. all other profits going into
improved service
Included in the general scheme
would be a subway line on Wood
ward-ave. from the river north 10
the Boulevard. and from the Boule
ward north 10 the city limits an ele-
waited road The proposed subway
would run across the Boulevard from
Hastings 10 Grand River Another
subway would run on Jefferson.ave.
from Third.st 10 beyond the Belle
Isle bridge approach There would
be elevated lines on Michigan and
Gratiot 20 the city limits, connected
by subway running from Michigan
ave TO Gratiot under Grand Circus
park. An elevated line would run
on Forest-ave east to the city limits
from Gratiot Numerous other short
bits OF subway and elevated lines
are included In the comprehensive
system, giving the city 1870 miles OF
so-called rapid transit line. which
embraces both subNays and elevated
and 22S miles OF surface lines when
extensions are built In addition 10
this. the report says extensions 10
care for the increasing population
up until $50 will require the build
ing of At least 205 miles OF additional
trackage OF all kinds, giving Detroit
a total OF 563 miles of traction lines.
The cost Of the great system is. es-
timated as follows Present y. L..
r. lines. 100000 000 with Wood
ward subway and "el," SOL, 100000
with east and west subways and
els. SOS 100000 with surface line
extensions. $4,000 600
The interest on this investment
il is pointed ont. viii be S4.530,000
annually. OF which portion would
have 10 he spread on the TAX rolls
and a portion borne by the operat.
ing company, which could not be
done except on a fare OF at least
FIVE cents straight
The report insists that tho present
system has reached the maximum
OF its capacity unless slower speed
and further crowding IS acceptable
10 the public Even now. the re
port declares. the rate Of fare Is
returning only a very moderate in
come on the money invested and n
will be impossible for the present
operafing comnany 10 improve the