The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-01-26


General Ford requested me- as secre-
tary of the committee on harbor at that
time to prepare memorial setting
forth the needs of the harbor of New
/, Haven for important Improvements and
giving statistics in support of this me-
mortal.
I'm compliance with this request I
commenced it's preparation, but found
that it was labor of far greater mag
nitude than l had anticipated. In the
course of it's preparation l wrote and
received about six hundred letters, be-
sides having great number of timer
views with many persons who could
give information useful in the statis-
tics.
1.-THE chamber Of commerce then took
action to invite the harbor commission
ers to join with us in this memorial,
and your committee held a conference
with the harbor commissioners in which
they gave their unqualified approval to
our project
Your committee then invited the city
of New Haven to join in the memorial,
and after the necessary official ceremo-
MES and delays the city gave it's en-
dorsement.
1T still remained to secure the favor
able influence of influential men from
other cities and towns which are in di-
rect railroad communication with New
! Haven; and it was the purpose of the
chamber to send some representative to
Meriden, Wallingford, Waterbury, Mid
dletown and other points and secure the
approval of leading men in these towns.
| 1t occurred to me, however, that we
could save time and perhaps secure a
better result if the matter was care
fully brought to the attention of the
state board of trade at it's annual meet
ing.
president Ford, George 3. Martin,
e. H. Weaver, Mr.. Mason and others
approved of this plan, and at the an
nual meeting Of the board of trade,
somewhat over year ago. delegation
consisting of Hon. j. d. Dewell, w. S.
Wells, A. Mcclellan Mathewson, r. s.
Woodruff, Felix Chilllngworth and my
self presented the matter to the state
board of trade and secured the unanl-
nous endorsement of that body to our
project and the appointment OF three
members Of the state board of trade to
advocate the matter in Washington.
These members were Hon. Zalmon
Goodsell of Bridgeport, Eli Birdsey of
Meriden and myself.
about a year ago an appointment
having been made by our efficient repre-
sentative in congress, Hon. N. ID. Sper-
ry a delegation went to Washington to |
appear before the committe on rivers |
and harbors of congress This delega-
ton consisted of: On the part of the
city of New Haven-Mayor F. B.
Farnsworth and Corporation Counsel
Ely. Chamber of Commerce-President
George Fl. Ford, General e. e. Bradley,
w. S. Wells, Charles j. French. e. H.
Weaver and Henry c. Rowe Harbor
commissioner. c. Bushnell George B.
Martin, John It. Mason, Mr.. eagle, E.
P. Avery and G. r. Evarts.
State board of trade, consisting of
Hon. Zalmon Goodsell of Bridgeport,
Eli Birdsey of Meriden and myself. I
also was sent by the State Oyster Grow
ers' association
Owing to the arrangements which
had been so successfully made by Mr..
Sperry and to the aid of Senators Haw
ley and Platt, this delegation had a
very satisfactory hearing before the
committee of congress, and we were as
sured that the committee was convinc-
ed of the importance and necessity for
the improvements which we advocated.
The action of the committee in recon-
mending these Improvements seems to
have proved that such was the case.
THE only drawback to the complete
success and enjoyment of the trip was
the illness of President Ford, whose
wise and energetic guidance of this
in behalf of the harbor ever
Cd, r. |
highly appreciated.
81 should also state that this project
Of improvement received the favora BILE
recommendation of Major Smith S.
Leach, of United States Engineers
whose well known ability and knowl-
edge of these matters gives his recon- !
ton as that of any engineers in the c
United States service.
Il should also explain that while our d
petition was for Improvements of an O
estimated cost of S400, 900, this recon-
mendation which we have now receiv-
ed covers $345, 900, and leaves $55, 600 to y
be appropriated at some future time. L
The project having been adopted, it "
will be comparatively easy at some flu d
lure session of congress to secure the l.
for the remaining wolS
"The Chamber of Commerce may well
De gratified at this success in securing c
he improvements which our harbor has
leeded for 20 years past. It deserves
he thanks of every citizen of New Ha- !,
zen for it's efforts, which have resulted
n a benefit to ALL
Alderman Chillingworth read a paper ;,
N the matter Of assessment for per- =
nanent pavement. Remarks were made "
N the matter by Mayor Farnsworth, v
General Bradley and Max Adler Mayor -
Varnsworth in relation to this matter =,
poke of the advisability, as it seemed =,
o him, of having but one body in the =
curt of common council. Histargument :.
vas answered in spirited way by AL T.
erman Chillingworth. W
SEA III