The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-12-01


New London last evening is of especial
interest to the people of New Haven,
as the movement for the adequate pro-
lection of the eastern entrance OF Long
Island sound was commenced by the
New Haven chamber of commerce and
it was in great part due to the ener-
getic efforts of .he chamber that all ap-
preparation bill for the defence was
passed by congress.
The awarding of the contract for the
fertilization of Great Gull Island given
in the dispatch is only the initial step
in the systematic fertilization of the
eastern entrance of the sound, for
which $6,20O000 has been appropriated
by congress.
This complete system of Qualifications
includes two batteries at the west end
of Fishers Island, one steel plate bait
terry at Valiant Rock, two batteries at
Great Gull Island and two batteries at
Plumb Island
This line of Notifications when COM
pleted will defend New York city from
an attack by an enemy's fleet coming
up by way of Long Island sound and
will also protect the many intervening
cities and towns scattered all along
the coast.
1t is strange that the city of New
York should have been left defence
less so long from this direction while
so much was being done to protect the
other entrance to New York harbor
Great credit is due to the New Haven
citizens who first proposed the PLAN
including Captain Charles HI. Town
shend who pioneered and strongly adj
vocated the movement.
Great credit is also due to Congress
man N. d. Sperry, who used every eff
fort to secure the necessary appropria-
lions.
The following gives the history of the
movement as it originated in the cham
Der of commerce of New Haven:
At a stated meeting of the chamber
of commerce held on Wednesday eve
ming, November rs, 1891, the following
report and accompanying bill were read
and it was
Voted, That the bill to provide for
sites for Notifications and other sea-
coast defences at the entrance of Long
Island sound, as reported by the spe-
cial committee appointed to draft the
same, is hereby approved and the COM
mittee continued.
| Voted, That the secretary of this
chamber be instructed to forward copies
of the bill, together with the report
| of the committee to the Connecticut
delegation in congress.
| To the Chamber of Commerce of New
Haven:
| We, the undersigned, appointed by
your honorable body committee to
draft a bill authorizing an appropria-
ton for preliminary surveys of the en-
trance of Long Island sound, respect
| fully report the accompanying draft Of
a bill and recommend the adoption of
| the same by the chamber and that
| a copy be sent to our represent
tative in congress from this district,
with the request that it be presented
| in proper form to the United States
house of representatives and that our
senators and representatives be re-
quested to use their best efforts to Sc
cure its prompt passage.
| CHARLES HERVEY TOWNSHEND,
EX-GOVERNOR H. B. HARRISON,
| GENERAL W. P. TROWBRIDGE,
HON. N. D. SPERRY,
| GENERAL EDWARD E. BRADLEY,
Committee.
New Haven, November rs, 1891.
The bill presented is as follows:
| A bill to provide for sites for fortif-
cations and other seacoast defences at
the entrance of Long Island sound.
Be it enacted by the senate and
house Of representatives Of the United
States of America in congress assem-
bled;
That for the purpose of providing to
pay for the expenses of surveys fol-
Notifications and other defences and
procuring necessary sites therefor on
| the main land and on the islands al
the eastern entrance of Long Island
sound, lying within the boundaries Of
the states of New York, Connection
and Rhode Island, one million dollars
($1, 600 000), or so much thereof as may
be required is hereby appropriated tc
be expended under the direction of the
president of the United States and t;
be available from year to year as re.
quired until expended, provided that nc
part thereof shall be expended for sale
fertilization or their armament unit
the secretary of war shall have caused
a survey to be made and detailed pro
ject, not to exceed in cost the sun
| appropriated for sad Qualifications am
! their armament to be prepared ant
shall have approved the same Attest
JOHN c. GALLAGHER.