Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-15
TROLL BY II kTfOl(
Measures Relating to staee3 sprink
 ling and Police and Firemen. f. :;.,


 Henry Donovan of New Haven be fore the railroad committee Wednes- day advocated the passage of the bill requiring street railway companies to bear the expense of watering the streets through which their lines passed. He said the railroads had re- ceived great privileges and should in return bear part of the public bur- den. He had read that the committee was composed of members inclined to the interests of the steam roads and of other members who favored the trol- ley lines. He did not believe that any member of the committee was behold en to any interest except the public in- terest He did not think that the ad- ditional burden of street watering by the street railways would be very great. The part of the highways all ready watered by the street railways in New Haven was done by two cars. An additional car would water the en- tire highway.
 To Judge Gager Mr Donovan said he did not know that the value placed upon the street railways of the state could not pay for the cost of construc- ton. He was also unfamiliar with the laws providing for the taxation of street railways.
 Joseph H. Davis of New Haven said that the sentiment of the common council of that city was that the street railways should water the streets through which they pass.
 The resolutions relating to street sprinkling by the trolley company In Bridgeport was not matter of gen. eral legislation. referring to the mak- ing of contracts between the city and the street railway. It was discussed from this standpoint by Allan w.. Paige and the question was raised as to whether or not the bill was q mat ter for the committee on cities and boroughs.
 Representative Donovan of New Haven advocated the passage of the bill requiring street railway companies to carry free of charge policemen and firemen while on duty. He said that the railway companies enjoyed special privileges for a comparatively small l return. It was necessary that the firemen and policemen should arrive at l the place where their services were re- quired as speedily as possible and the railways possessed the best facilities to attain this object. It was no more than just that the companies should carry the policemen and fire men free. It was for the public vel fare.
 Representative Housel of New Ha- l ven said it seemed to him a matter | of bad taste for the railroads to op- pose this measure. They enjoyed ex- ceptional franchises i'll the streets for which they made no return. The pres ervation of life and property often de manded that police and f1remen should move rapidly and the trolley lines fur nished the best method. In New Ha- ven and in other cities the authorities furnished policemen at crossings to protect people from tro11eys. s For this extra expense they had no return
 George E. Terry of Waterbury op- posed the measure as an attempt tC get something for nothing. He could not see why municipalities should not pay for the use of the trolley cars the same as any one else. He said fur l ther that under the bill, if it became a law. volunteer fire companies would increase in membership as they had when members of such organizations were relieved from the payment of the poll tax.