Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-05-15
West Haven Rapid Transit.

The Commissioners Give the Public
Another Hearing-PrOminent Citizens
Appear and Are Heard-A General
Demand for the Central ROute-De-
cisIon Reserved.
The second hearing regarding the layout OF
the branch railroad from this city to Wes'
Haven was had before the railroad com
missioners in the Superior court room yes
terday afternoon, commencing at 4:3O o'clock
Several weeks ago the railroad commission
ers after hearing at West Haven, decided
against the Central route, so called, on &C
count of the numerous grade crossings which
it involved. This did not please the residents
of the borough and on Saturday night, May
8, borough meeting was held that was very
largely attended by residents of the borough.
At this meeting resolutions were adopted to
the effect that, as the land in the borough is
perfectly level and fiat, it would be impossi-
BILE to make cuts at the crossings. The COM
missioners were requested to reconsider their
decision. The resolutions were forwarded to
the commissioners and they notified the COM
mittee that they would reopen the case.
The space usually occupied by the lawyers
was well filed by interested citizens: both of
this city and West Haven.
Mr.. Woodruff, chairman of the commits
sioners stated that they were present to hear
what the people had to say about their decis-
ion regarding the West Haven branch rail-
road, so called.
John O. Gallagher spoke in opposition to
the road. In opening he referred to the
death of ex-Mayor Hanford, of South Nor
walk, who fell victim to grade crossings
He said the gentlemen present represented
the interests of others besides the peopls in
the city and village 1t was to advance their
own interests in the sand lots which they own
on the shore. 1t was not the present that
the commissioners were to look after alone,
but it was the future. If the Consolidated
railroad built this branch there would soon
be freight cars running on this little branch
road, especially in the winter time. Mr.. Gal
lagher said it was amusing to see SO many
gentlemen who recently opposed the Hart
ford and Harlem because it was to cross at
grade now strenuous for road to be built
over a route where there were fifteen grade
crossings. In closing Mr.. Gallagher said that
| if the Consolidated road did not build this
| road some other road would do so over q diff
ferent route.
N. D. Sperry repealed with much indiena-
ton the statement made by Mr.. Gallagher
that the Chamber of Commerce was engaged
in dealing in sand lots at West Haven. He
said his young friend Should have considered
well what he was going to say before max
ing such outrageous rSmarks.
y. K. Bush replied to Mr.. Gallagher and
said there was no foundation in fact for the
| statements he had made regarding the inter
| est in this road exhibited by certain land
company. He said he believed MIR. Gala CHER
appeared here as hired attorney in the in
| terests of another corporation, the West Ha-
ven horse railorad He said the only reason
| the people favored this road was because IL
w0uld accommodate them. am not here,
| said Mr. Bush, to represent any CORPORATION,
but am here only to represent the people.
Superintendent Ward stated the West
Haven horse railroad were not represen ted
to-day by any attorney.
Harry Thompson said that he was friend
to all these gentlemen present, yet he
thought these grade crossings were very dan
gerous and should not be permitted. He
thought the points about the whistling of
locomotives were well taken and that 1t would
| be great nuisance.
@. W. futile favored the crossing at grade,
as did also @. s. Morehouse.
d. S. Thompson said that he believed q
| great many people had signed this petition
who were opposed to grade crossings, but they
| signed it because they thought the New York
road would not build it anywhere else.
| Mr.. Kimberly, of West Haven, gave a
brief history OF the different surveys He
| people In West Haven who to-day opposed
the central route.
e. E. Pardee favored the western route
and opposed crossing at grade.
DIR. Barnett said he favored the proposed
| route, not because he was as q rule in favor
| of g ade crossings, but because he believed
| it would better accommodate the people than
any other route.
After brief remarks by other gentlemen,
| the hearing was closed.
The commissioners stated that they would
announce their decision at an early day.