Grade Separation Secured For Ann Arbor

The Council Passed the Grade Separation Ordinance Wednesday Night. 

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There Was Only One Vote Against It, But It Did Not Pass [Until] After a Warm Discussion 

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Grade separation is coming and it will be possible to gross on five streets in Ann Arbor from the east and west side without danger of coming into contact with railroad trains. The ordinance passed Wednesday evening by a vote of 9 to 1. The following is the roll of honor of the alderman who voted in favor of grade separation: 

ROLL OF HONOR -- 

ALD. HAMILTON,

ALD. SCHLENKER,

ALD. CLANCY,

ALD. KEARNS, 

ALD. SCHUMACHER, 

ALD. GROSE, 

ALD. COON, 

ALD. FISCHER, 

PRESIDENT HAARER, 

The sole and only vote against the ordinance was Ald. Koch., Ald. Douglas, Johnson, Roberts, Jenney, and Burg, the most of whom were understood to favor grade separation, were absent. 

But it did not pass without a lively discussion. Petitions signed by about 150 citizens were presented against it on the ground that it was unnecessary, that it only furnished separation of grades for a few streets and that there was no reason why a bridge should be built over Boland's right of way. 

Ald. Koch said the people of the second ward didn't want it and the taxpayers should be asked to vote upon it. 

Ald. Schlenker said there were 1,200 voters in the seconds and third wards and only about 100 petitioned against it. If we cannot get grade separation for the entire city, why not get as many streets separated as we can. The eyesore of a Michigan Central bridge cost this city more than it will cost to separate the grades on five streets. Cities all over the country are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring the grade separations. 

Ald. Coon said the engineer and city attorney were satisfied that the city's interests had been safely guarded. If this ordinance is not carried these streets will have to be bridged from time to time and the city will be called upon to bear a very heavy expense. If we don't accept this grate separation now, the time will pass for having it without tremendous expense to the city. 

Mr. Titus F. Hutzel said that the passage of the ordinance was in the interest of the entire city. Something ought to be done for the safe passage and repassage of the the people at the west end. He knew some men whose names were on the petition presented who are emphatically in favor of grade separation.

Col. Dean said he was in favor of grade separation, but this didn't separate the grade at Main, Madison or William streets or in the fifth ward. It separated the grade on five streets and fixed eight or nine streets so the grade can't be separated. The colonel's argument was quite emphatic. 

G. F. Allmendinger and John Heinzmann spoke against the ordinance, claiming the city had not [been] properly protected, people would be damaged, etc. They defended the petitions and claimed if given time the could get 5,000 signatures. 

Ald. Clancy said he would guarantee that there were not give men in the third ward but what would sign a petition to have the ordinance go through. 

Ald. Schlenker asked if the other ordinance was a good thing why this ordinance was not better. 

Chas. E. Hiscock and Mr. Ashley had been the one friend of Ann Arbor in the matter of grade separation. It should be obtained while he can carry it out. We get practically without cost what other cities pay thousands for. This ordinance will raise the value of every piece of property west of the tracks from 10 to 15 per cent. We don't know who will be killed next. It may be my friend, it may be your friend. He would give two years of hard work to be able to sit on the council and vote for this ordinance. He ventured that not one citizen would say ought against grade separation after it had been completed. 

City Attorney Sawyer made a strong talk in favor of grade separation. 

Ald. Schumacher asked why, if Boland's line was hot air, the viaduct to let his line in could be used to let the vinegar works have access to their property. 

County Treasurer Mann was called out and favored grade separation. 

Ald. Schumacher moved that action be deferred until Monday night. The motion was lost. 

Ald. Hamilton said that no one had been more maligned in the papers than himself with reference to grade separation. He had been a member of the council for six years and had always endeavored to do his duty. He was thoroughly in favor of grade separation. This matter was in a better position than ever before. Before the city was called to act as a mediator between the roads, now that was settled. Grade separation was a good thing for every street. It was also a good thing for one street. If twelve streets are crossed and the grade is separated at only one of them that is a good thing. If it is separated at five that is still a better thing. He thought the elevation of the tracks of the Ann Arbor road would benefit the city so far as floods were concerned. He thought as a member of the council he had done his part. He had been absent at only one special meeting. He had been misrepresented every time any paper said he was not in favor of grade separation. He would vote as long as he was in the council irrespective of ward lines. He voted for the ordinance with the distinct understanding that these men should be paid for any damage. 

The ordinance was then passed and council adjourned.