Will The Road Benefit Ann Arbor

The Point to be Considered in Granting Franchise

Council Should Consider Interest of City and Grant Rights Accordingly - New Route Proposed

To the Editor:

Inasmuch as that the O. & M. Traction Co. is having such a hard time in finding upon which streets to lay their tracks, it would be worth the while for the citizens to solve the problem for them.  Hence this communication.

The granting of a franchise should at the outset be looked upon as a business deal.  If such a railroad is of no benefit to a city, the franchise should not be given.  But, if the city can be benefited, the franchise should be granted.  It cannot be pointed out wherein the proposed road from the south would be of benefit to Ann Arbor.  However, from the north it would be of some benefit.  If this proposed road should connect Ann Arbor with Saline, that is, that the road would enter Saline and come into Ann Arbor over the Gravel road, it would be of considerable benefit.  Therefore, if the O. & M. company wishes such a valuable grant from Ann Arbor, this city in turn asks that the company also concede to the wishes of Ann Arbor.  This can easily be brought about as Ann Arbor has the "whip" hand.  It is not for the board of aldermen to find out what the railroad company wants and grant it, but what the citizens of Ann Arbor want.  If, then, the railroad company wishes to accept of it, it can.

An easy solution as to the matter of streets would be a franchise on S. Main street to W. Madison, thence west to Ashley street, thence north on Ashley, running over the Boland line tracks on Ashley from Ann street north.  This route would bring the line through the heart of the business portion of the city.  It would also give them a chance to have the waiting room on Ashley near that of the Boland line and that of the Ypsi-Ann.  And it would give Ann Arbor direct communication with the southern portion of Washtenaw and Saline.

G. J. H.