Is That Big Company

Endeavoring to String Ann Arbor for Concessions

FOR A SMALL BRANCH

The Mayor Finds That Similar Propositions Are Being Made-A Promoter Has Been Here

Severa! prominent businessmen were interviewed yesíerday concerning the prospects of the Chicago Telegraph and Telephone company's locating in Ann Arbor. The impression seems to be prevalent that something is being done in regard to promoting the interests of that corporation for a transfer of its plant to this city. A false impression has been created by a certain fading sheet, for of the many men interviewed today a representative of the Argus all expressed themselves as believing that something was being done to bring the big plant here.

"The fact of the matter is," said a prominent man, "that a promoter of that company possessing more than ordinary sagacity has been in Ann Arbor for the past month booming the Chicago concern, but with no intention of ever locating it here. The whole scheme is simply to get favorable concessions made by the council of Ann Arbor and then if they seem big enough for the officials of the company perhaps a branch office would be located here, after having succeeded in grabbing certain valuable franchises."

The mayor was asked yesterday what he had heard in reply to his letter telling the Chicago concern that if they meant business every effort would be made to secure for them suitable concessions on the part of Ann Arbor. He replied that they had utterly ignored his letter and that he had learned from other sources that these letters were being written to other towns with the purpose above stated.