Will Not Discuss Rumored Sale

Hawks & Angus Refuse to Talk on the Gossip

About the Ypsi-Ann

Road has not been sold but negotiations are probably on that end.

The Detroit Free Press of this morning has the following regarding the rumors of the sale of the Ypsi-Ann:

"Neither President J. D. Hawks nor Vice President S. F. Angus, of the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson electric railway care to discuss the placing of Detroit United men on the Ypsi-Ann road, nor the rumors regarding the disposal of the Ypsi-Ann to the Detroit United. By some it is announced that it is sold to Detroit United interests and by others that it is to be disposed of to other parties. The story that the road has been actually disposed of, however, is not correct, it is well known that the Detroit United interests have several times during the past five years opened negotiation for the purchase of the road, but that the figures were too far apart for the deal to go through. It is not at all improbable that the parties are still dickering. But it is not likely that any positive sale of the property would be made during the absence in Europe of President J. C. Hutchins, of the Detroit United. Messrs. Everett and Moore and others who hold the controlling interest in the Detroit United, and the directors thereof have too much faith in Mr. Hutchins and too much consideration for him to close a deal of this kind in his absence unless it was done after cable consultation, which is not probable.

That other parties have been after the property is also alleged by those who should be well posted. The owners of the road, however, are apparently not anxious to sell, as by the statements made from time to time to the stockholders it is shown that the Detroit. Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson is at present making more money than at any time in its history. There is now a traffic agreement with the line running from Jackson to Battle Creek and from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo by which through passengers are taken both ways and excursions sent through to Detroit. It is stated that this arrangement has materially increased the earnings of both the lines in the agreement, and President J. D. Hawks says the road is good enough to keep."