That Side Walk

To The Ann Arbok Kegister: In your editorial of August 5th on the action of the City Council in regard to the sidewalk on the east side of First strèet between Liberty and Jefferson streets. You state that the Rail Road wishes to use the street for business purpose.s so it can rent its owh property. Please look this matter up and inforrn the Public what property the Rail Road is renting and tho amount of income it derives from such rentáis. The f act as you state it "That the Ann Arbor Road is noted for playing the 'Hog' " accounts for its choosing Ann Arbor for its name, thus giving this City and the University a more valuable advertisement than money can buy. It also tnado Ann Arbor a freight point which placed it on an equal footing as to freight rates with Jackson and Detroik. When it came here freight on coal in car lots from Detroit was one dollar per ton, now it is 50c. The lowest rate in less than car lots from Detroit was 18c. now it is 7c. per lmndred. Kindly remembor that where the passenger house now stands was a quagmire and that 95 percent, of the business on that part of First street is due to the business done b this same "Hog". Also that there are on the east side of First street but three houses between Liberty and Jefferson streets, (Contlnued on paire four.) 'I li il Sldcwalk. (Conttnuod f rom page onc.) and that thoro is a cross waik built accross First stroet for the especial use and convieniencc of the aforesild three houses. Over fifty citizens each g-avo $1000 to induce this road to come hore. lts coming ehanged Ann Arbor from a sleepy village to a thriving city. It has always been Ann Arbor's friend and has constantily sought to forward its beats interests. Boforo the present tracks were laid the matter oí Ihis sidewalk was considered by the Council and the Hall Road Co., but the records of this transaction are not to bc found. The question to be detorminetl is who are the Public - the three houaeholders on the east side of First street between Liberty and Jeiferson streets or the hundred of people who receive car lots of wood, linie, stone, brick, salt, coal and household goods. The council after a personal oxamination decided that the many citizens doing ness at this point are the public and that their iDterest should be cared for. So far as personal observation can determine, the "Justly indignant" of the Second Ward were those whose material interest in the city are represcnted largely by thoir mouths. It is graiifying to learn that "The Register wlü not lot up until this question is settled right" but it is sincerely to be hoped that it will not consider a right settlement to consist in depriving the gener al public or a rnuch needed facility be cause a few persons wbo suy privately "they do not care for the walk but do want to stick the Rail lload," ask for it. Not being an editor I humbly admit that I do uot know overy thing bui, simply venture the opinión, that if at any time in the future Aun Arbor has an opportunity to secure auother rail road as ''hoggish" as the Ann Arbor R. R., it will be a good business opera tion to take it- even if two vvhole block on some street should have to be closec Should you wish to learn what "callin a halt" and "getting even with a raí road" means, just go up to Owosso, they can teil you. Iho editor is gone ho.vever. So is the división termiual."