Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1901-04-25

sion was continued on Friday before
the railroad committee, opening at TO- 40
with the testimony of Representative
Charles G. Bissell of Suffield, who
stated that the extension would be
great benefit to his town and the people
there were wholly in its favor. He was
the last witness for the petitioners.
The opposition called the Hon.
James G. Patterson, president of the
Travellers Insurance Company, who was
examined by Judge Henney. Mr. Bat
terson proceeded at great length to give
his version of the history of the Con
necticut Western railroad. He told his
connection with its early history, and
proceeded to tell what the town OF
Hartford had done toward bringing the
road there. His lengthy testimony,
however, was of little or no consequence
inasmuch as it did not prove that any
agreement ever existed which would
prevent the building of the Tariffville
extension. s"Did the agreement be-
tween the town of Hartford and the
directors of the Connecticut Western
road ever go so far as to prohibit the
building of a branch to Springfield"
asked Mr. Shipman. "The agreement
was that it should not be built at that
time" replied Mr. Patterson.
City Treasurer O. @. Strong of Hart
ford was next called and testified in re-
gard to the $3.50, 900 worth of bonds of
the town and city which were issued
for the purchase of the stock of the
Connecticut Western road.
Martin 81. Smith, Judge of probate of
Sufield, testified in regard to the sale
of the Wagner farm to E. B. Dilling-
ham who said he wanted the place for
"retired literary man." Mr. Smith
thought the place was worth about
ST. 500 to farmer. The "retired liter
airy man" paid 81, 900 for it.
Henry H. Goodwin of the firm OF
Thicker & Goodwin, Wholesale grocers
of Hartford, spoke against the extern
sion. He thought it would be inviting
competition to let Springfield and
Massachusetts, into the field through
which the Central New England
passed.
W. j. Martin, uperintendent and
traffic manager of the Central New
England road, was then called to the
stand by Mr. Robbins, the attorney for
the Consolidated road. Mr. Martin was
put through searching cross examina.
ton in regard to the traffic arrange.
ments and the business of the @. N, E.
road.
John W. Brock of Philadelphia,
president of the Philadelphia, Reading
& New England road. was placed on the
witness stand by Mr. Robbins. Mr.,
Brock gave a statement in regard to the
Indebtedness of the Central New Eng.
land road, and the earnings of said road
for the year ending June 80, 1900
Percy R. Todd, second vice-president
of the Consolidated road, was placed
on the witness stand and testified in re-
gard to the intentions of the CONSOLE
dated road in the matter of new traffic
arrangements with other roads. The
substance of his testimony was to the
effect that the Consolidated road was in
a position to dictate terms to all other
connecting roads.
w. F. Merrill. frst-vice- president o.
the Consolidated road, testified in re-
gard to the expense of hauling trains
over billy country.
Mr. Robbins laid in as evidence the
report of the railroad commissioners fol
the year ending June 80, 1900. Judge
Henry submitted several petitions from
merchants OF Hartford against the grant
ing of the extension to the Central New
England A petition signed by New
Haven manufacturers and merchant
was also submitted.
The session was adjourned until toda,
Thursday, April 25) at 1.3O p. m. whel
the arguments will be delivered.