Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-16
TOLL BRIDGES MUST GO.

Hearing on the TOmIfnsOn Bridge
 Matter-The Committee Recommend
 That the City Join the Town in the
 Purchase.
 The committee to consider the question whether the Tomlinson's bridge shall be free bridge held meeting in room 10, City Hall, last evening, AAerman Graves presid- ing.
 Alfred Hughes of the Annex, who lives on the highway leading to East Haven, was first called by Attorney Charles H. Fowler, who appeared for the petitioners. MT. Hughes testified that it was the understanding be- tween the residents of East Haven, who pc titioned the legislature. in 1881 to make it 8 free bridge, and the corporation counsel of New Haven that if the people living in the vicinity of the bridge on the east side would not oppose the annexation scheme that the Tomiinson bridge should be made free bridge, and with this understanding they agreed not to oppose annexation. He thought it about time that agreement was carried out
 City Engineer Hill was called and stated that from plans drawn by him for new bridge at this point some time ago it was estimated to cost about $80, ,000. That was for a wrought iron bridge. He said that no bridges were being made of cast iron at present.
 In reply to Alderman Graves, MT. Hill stated that the new substructure of Tomlin- sons bridge might have cost $25, ,0OO. He thought the substructure and superstructure was worth $25, ,000 if it was worth anything.
 Mr. Hill was excused and MT. Hughes con tinued his statement. He thought 1t decided ly wrong to have 8 toll bridge anywhere within the city limits He thought that sometime the east side would be to New Ha- ven a little Brooklyn. He was satisfied, he said, that the east side in that vicinity would never grow until the toll bridge was done away with.
 Mir George H. Townshend said he knew of no one but what was in favor of making the Tomliuson bridge free bridge. He consid cred toll bridge a nuisance. Two years ago when there was a prospect of a free bridge property on the east side was much more valuable than it is now. He thought that property would rapidly appreciate if the bridge was made free, and mechanics and others would build over there if they had no toll to pay. MT. Townshend stated that Marcus E. Baldwin, who was one of the commissioners appointed to superintend the building of the new bridge, said that it would last for hundred years without expense ex- cept for painting and replanking.
 N. D. Sperry was next called and said he was in favor of the city and town buying the bridge if they could get it for $25, ,000. It was against public interest to have toll bridge anywhere within the limits of the city or town. Again, said MT. Sperry, the city and town pledged their honor when East Haven was annexed that the bridge should be made free and that promise should be carried out without delay.
 Town Agent Reynolds said there was no question in the minds of people generally but that the bridge should be made free. He supposed one purpose of the committee was to ascertain what the bridge was worth. He hat fho haSf that the city and town had ever been able to get from the bridge owners. MT. Reynolds confirmed what had been said by others that the bridge should be made free provid- ed annexation was not opposed. He thought the city should make an appropriation of S12, 800 and that the bridge should be pur- chased at once, as another opportunity of the kind might not occur again for years.
 Captain Charles H. Townshend said the area secured by New Haven by annexation was about seven thousand acres and as an agreement or promise was made that the bridge should De made free that promise should be carried out at onea.
 Collis Granniss testified that the taxable valuation of property in the Fifteenth ward was one million dollars.
 Benjamin F. Brown, representing the New Haven wire mill, said the toll bridge was a great annoyance to his company. Mr. Brown said the city and town were more indebted 10 1CWE Agent heynoIdS than anyone else for trying to make this free bridge. He had worked night and day ta have this pro iect carried out and he was entitled to great credit for it. Continuing, he said if the bridge could be bought for .$s5,0oO the city and town would save what would have cost them S75, ,O00 had they undertaken to join with the Bridge company or anybody else in building new bridge, as was talked about at onp time.
 In reply to Alderman Graves, Mir. Brown said he thought the approach to the bridge on this side should be st least eighty feet wide; hundred feet would be still better.
 Alderman Grinnell strenuously advocated the purchase of the bridge at the price named, as did also Sylvanus Butler, John L. Treat, Miius Fr nk and Henry c. Lewis. Charles H. Fowler also addressed the com mittee at some length in favor of purchase.
 In executive session the committee voted to recommend an appropriation of $12, 800 by the city to purchase the bridge in conjunc- tion with the town. Also that committee consisting of the Mayor, corporation counsel, one Alderman and one Councilman be sp- | pointed to carry into effect the terms of pur- chase.