What Toledo Thinks Of It

A writer, signing himself " J. L. C," lias an articlo in the Detroit Pn.il of yesterday (Monday), regarding the bridging of the Detroit River, which subject lias been discussed in these columns quite rccently. One particular point in this article seems to bo a fit subject tor the ;areful consideraron, ot' the Btockholdefs and others outside oí' Detroit, who havo an interest in the general linanciiil prosperity of th'e Michigan Central Eailroad. After referring to the fact that Mr. Joy had a choice between Toledo and Detroit, as the " focal" point for the Michigan Central Railroad, and chose Detroit, becauso tho solection of Toledo would leave Detroit an insignifieant place, the writer very truthfully and forcibly remarks : " His (Mr. Joy's) wisdom as a Central Eailroad manager has always been warpod by his local attachment." This puts the matter just where it ought to be. - Tho Stockholders of tho road will, sooner or later, find out Uie truth contained in that short sentence, The general interest of tha Michigan Central llailroad have been subordinated to tho desire of Mr. Joy to benefit the city of Detroit, lie had the choice of running the road to Toledo, and still has it, and thereby inaking it a great and successful thoroughfare for froight and passenger traffic, but ho chose to sacrifico all this and run it to Detroit, bocause " liis wisdom as a Central Railroad manager has always been warpod by his local attachment" for Detroit. The stockholders, it would seem, should investigato this matter carefully and see it' these errors in tho management of the Michigan Central Eoad, because of Mr. Joy's " local attachment" for Detroit, can not be remedied before it is too lato. So far as Toledo is concerned, with her strong natural position - in the very highway of land and water communication with Michigan -and hor poworful and growing facilities for trado, she can get along without tho Michigan Central Eoad fully as well as that road can get along without Toledo. Aud yet, with intorests so inanifestly identical and important, it would be a pity if the two could not be brought into co-oporation. Toledo wants a connection with that railway, and is assurod that the advantages thus to bo secured to her, important as they would certainly be, would not equal those which she would give in return. We venturo to say that tho amount of traflic now available at Toledo for Mr. Joy's roads, exceeds the unappropriated business at any other point in the country. It is only necessary to stato that we have now here, ready for such connection, the great Pennsylvania system, constituting tho most extensivo combination of railways in the world ; tho Baltimoro and Ohio Eoad, second to no other in its power and prospority ; and the Dayton and Michigan Eoad ; besides the Columbus and Toledo and tho Atlantic and Lake Erie, so certain ere long to bo added. The traflic of all these will be available for Mr. Joy, if ho shall see fit to arrange for thera, ii time, which will require only the link to connect Toledo with Jackson - not to ex ceed 70 miles in length. - After the abovo was written we re ceived the article signed "," elsewher given, suggesting a connection with th Michigan Central Eoad at Ann Arbor instead of Jackson, adopting the lino o the Toledo, Aun Arbor and Northern Eoad. The considerations named by ou correspondent - one of our most promi nent citizens - aro worthy tho attention of all concerned. The distanco for th most of tho traffic in reaching Toled would be somewhat increased, whic would be the main objection; while th advantage of using a ioad-bed alroad; prepared would be an item of seriouscon cern on tho other side. The following is the communication o " " referred to in tho abovo article : Editor Commercial : I have observoc with interest the generally favorable ro sponse to your suggostion that the Mich Central find at Toledo an Eastern outlet less interrupted than it now has at De troit. It also involves, indeed, that th whole system of roads which Mr. Joy now represents should have for its vas freigbt destined South and Southeast o Lake Erie, a direct connection, where i; now has none. A new line, however, from Jackson to Toledo, involves seriaus consideration The cost must run up into millions, anc it is not easy to seo how Mr. Joy couk sell bonds for a line so closo to the exist ing line from Jackson to Toledo, or how if built, both lines could be supported.- It seems possible, however, to attain th same end via Ann Arbor, at a reasonabl cost. The Toledo and Ann Arbor Eail road Company have a completed road bed raid for and out of debt, from Aun Arbor to the North line of Ohio, from which point a Eoad completod and in operation extends to the Pennsylvani Company'E Depot in Toledo, connectinj there with all Eoads South and East, anc with tho Elevator on the Middlo Grounds Doubtless a cordial welcomo to all thos for a fair tariff on the business actually done, is waiting for all corners. Tha Toledo and Anu Arbor Railroad, on the other hand, is understood to have been offered, first to the Lake Shore and then to the Pennsylvania Company, and successively declined, because tho local traffic would not piy tho interest on the bonds, and neither of thoso Companies could secure through business from the rest of Michigan, which business, controlled. by the Michigan Central, it was that Company's interest to carry to Detroit. - Tho road, therefore, lies donnant, with no prospect of resuscitation, and would in all probability be thankf ully leased to whoever would agree to finish it and pay as rent a portion of the profits over and abovo the interest on the cost of its complotion, if any such should bo. Then with all the roads that center here such an arrangement would give the Michigan Central all that Mr. Joy speaks of as enjoyed at Toledo, for the bare cost of 40 miles of superstrueture, save as actual profit should permit it to pay rental. It would remove from the Ann Arbor Eoad tho main obstacle to remunerativa business. The whole of Michigan, instead of part, would have the choice between Toledo and Detroit at all times, with new and direct connections South and Southeast, where its natural niarket is. Toledo would also have what Toledo ought to secure.