Only One Line To Detroit

ONLY ONE LINE TO DETROIT

Hon. Bird S. Coler Says There is an Understanding

BUT HAWKS DENIES IT

President Hawks Says the Line to Jackson will be Opened Up on Saturday

Hon. Bird S. Color, ex-controller of New York city, was in Detroit Thursday on his way to Ann Arbor. Mr. Coler is incidentally interested in Michigan electric line systems and is well acquainted with the status of the business.

To a reporter he said:

"We have followed the developments in the Everett-Moore failure or tangle very carefully In New York. We consider the railway situation in Detroit and Michigan in an exceptionally sound condition, owing to the opportunities presented for doing business. You have a thickly populated section, with enterprising cities and villages, the people of which quickly see the advantages offered by quick and cheap communication with each other. The tendency in the formation of new corporations, including electric railways, is to eliminate the wind feature- in other word, to let the capitalization represent the money actually invested. In this way patrons receive the lowest rates consistent with a reasonable return on the investment."

Mr. Coler was conversant with the project of W. A. Boland, of Grass Lake and New York. to construct an electric railroad line from Detroit to Chicago, and of the rumors that the Boland interests were endeavoring to come to an understanding with the Hawk-Angus people regarding a consolidation, to prevent the necessity of the former building a parallel line between Detroit and Ann Arbor.

"I was told on pretty good authority," said he, "that the two interests have at last come together and that no parallel line will be constructed, the present Detroit-Ann Arbor line forming an important link in the Boland railroad system."

Mr. Coler would not divulge the authority for his statement, but appeared to be quite certain that it was true.

J. D. Hawks, of the Hawks-Angus line, was asked if there was any truth in the report coming from B. S. Coler, that Boland and his interests had at last come together. Said he:

"There is no truth in it. No negotiations are being conducted. We are going ahead with our project, and try not to give ourselves undue publicity. Next Saturday our line between Jackson and Ann Arbor will be opened. That is the only legitimate piece of news that I have to give you."

William A. Boland, the electric railway magnate, was in the city yesterday greeting his friends and attending the lecture of his friend, Bird S. Coler in the Good Government course. Mr. Coler will spend Sunday with Mr. Boland at Gray Gables. Mr. Boland was seen by the Argus and asked about the interview with Mr. Coler on the electric railway situation published in the Detroit Free Press.

Mr. Boland said Mr. Coler did not exactly mean what the interview states. He said: "l have never had any negotiations as to the sale of my road, and I will not sell it, but I will build it. The work west of Jackson is well in hand. The road is graded to Dexter and is practically completed except ballasting. As soon as spring opens work will be commenced between Ann Arbor and Dexter. I feel very sensitive in doing for Ann Arbor what I promised its citizens."