The Franchise For New Line

Should Not Be Granted on Residence Streets 

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PACKARD STREET ROUTE 

Is the Best if Satisfactory Arrangements Can be Made -- Alderman should Use Care

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The visit of the Toledo-Ann Arbor electric line magnates to the city Tuesday, has stirred up considerable discussion as to just what the city ought to concede in granting the new road a franchise and what streets, if any, should be given up to the road. Many arguments are made and much advice freely given as to what the city fathers ought to do when the matter comes up before them, but the [consensus] appears to be that, as far as possible, the residence streets should be kept clear of suburban lines. 

Said one prominent business man: "I am unalterable against giving up Fourth avenue, Division street, or any other residence street, to an electric railway. We don't want our best streets cut up in that way." 

One of the aldermen, who does not care to have his name used, said: "I shall never vote to allow an electric railway to run on one of the residence streets. If they can't make arrangements =to use the D., Y., A. A. & J. road from State street to the business section of the city they had better stay out." 

Said another alderman: "I do not see any great crying need of an electric line to Toledo, anyway. It does not seem to me that it will pay and that's the use of having a line that can't keep its roadbed up in proper shape or pay its share of keeping up the city streets. We want to be sure of what we are doing this time and get something for what we have to give the company." 

A citizen who has large business interests on Main street was of the opinion that the road would be a good thing for the city as it would bring a large number of people in close connection who now have no other means of reaching it handily. "But," he said, "I don't believe in giving up out best streets to any company, and I should be strongly opposed to their having a franchise on Fourth avenue or Division [street]."

These are but a few of the opinions heard, but all are unanimous in saying that while they would like to see the road built, the city should insist upon its using the present track from State [street] to the center of the city, if it is possible to make satisfactory arrangements.