The Merger Is Denied

The Jackson Press says that through cars from Battle Creek to Ann Arbor over what has been called the Boland line will be running before another year. The Press says:

Jackson & Suburban Traction company has been expediting its repair work on all lines operating east of the city, preparatory to the winter season. In spots the roadbed has been re-ballasted, and in others the grading has been slightly changed. The construction of culverts it is thought will do away with the dangers that have for some time been encountered east of Michigan Center.

Trolley supports have been replaced in instances with new material. Before this work was accomplished the wire sagged to a marked degree along portions of the Grass Lake division. All rough spots in the road have been given attention. Before the Jackson & Battle Creek Interurban line was constructed this strip of track between Jackson and Grass Lake was the smoothest of any built by suburban companies in this section. It is the intention of the company to keep the track in excellent condition, as interurban cars from Battle Creek to Ann Arbor will necessarily operate over it before, another year has passed.

Before the beginning of another spring and summer season the spur lines from Michigan Center to Boland park and from Grey Tower to Wolf lake will be improved and made nearly as smooth as the main lines. This is to be done, as it is the Intention of the Jackson & Battle Creek company to conduct excursions to the resorts from points westward during the warm months.

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The Wall Street Journal says

"Stories from Detroit that H. B. Hollins & Co., of 15 Wall street, are arranging details of the Michigan electric street car line merger, are misleadIng. The line has been approached in the matter of consolidating lines west of Detroit, including those of Kalamazoo. No definite stop has been taken, not even the preparation of figures.

"S. K. Angus, president of the Detroit, Ypsilanti. Ann Arbor & Jackson Co., visited this city last week and consulted Mr. Hollins, but no further negotiations and nothing tangible came of the conference.

"The Union Trust Co., of Detroit, is trustee of all mortgages for all roads involved, and the par value of stock is $100 a share."

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Celian M. Spitzer, president of the Jackson & Battle Creek interurban line, denied positively Wednesday afternoon that there was to be a merger of the traction interests between Kalamazoo and Detroit, says the Battle Creek Moon.

"No proposition of any sort has been made to us," he stated. "If such a merger was really to be made I think that our position as one of the most essential links in the line would make it certain that we would hear from those who are pushing the merger."

Mr. Spitzer was in Battle Creek for over an hour and made the above statement to a reporter for the Moon just as be was about to step aboard his special car for the return to Jackson. With him were Vice President A. L. Spitzer of Toledo, Secretary W. A. Foote, Directors J. B. Foote and N. S. Potter of Jackson and a party of Pennsylvania and Ohio bankers numbering fifteen in all.

"Is there any truth in this story of a merger of the traction lines?" Mr. Spitzer was asked.

"I don't believe there is the least foundation for the report," said Mr. Spitzer. "You can say positively for our line that we have not been approached on the matter in any way. Owning as we do the most modern and best equipped road along the line, and the only link between Jackson and Battle Creek. 47 miles of the best territory in the district mentioned. I think it safe to say that we would have been approached if any merger had been contemplated. These stories of mergers are being put forth with great regularity, but I cannot conceive what the reason for making them is."

"What is the meaning of this trip today?"

"We are simply taking a party of Ohio and Pennsylvania bankers over the line and showing them what is said to be the best equipped electric road in the country with but one possible exception. It is possible that some of them may purchase bonds of our road, but the trip has nothing to do with the merger."

In speaking about the merger Mr. Spitzer made it plain that he regards his road as holding a strategic position of much value. As he says, no merger to involve the total distance between Kalamazoo and Detroit would be successful without taking in his line except in the very improbable event of its being paralleled by some magnate with more money than brains. When a merger is made (and Mr. Spitzer was frank to admit that the roads might be run more economically and perhaps give better service under one management than under three) it is safe to say that the Jackson & Battle Creek line will be an important factor.