Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-23
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Complaint Made About Hackmen
 Abusing Asphalt Pavement.

Complaint Made About Hackmen
 Abusing Asphalt Pavement.
 The board of public works held a meeting last night, Mayor Kilduff pre- siding and all the members being present except MT Chesson.
 Considerable discussion was in- dulged in regarding the removal of hackmen off the asphalt paving and the matter of pushing the eitys suit against the Connecticut Lighting and Power Co for damages arising from the tearing up of a portion of West Main street and the Watertown road and maintaining and operating tracks there contrary to law.
 Whose duty is it, MT Mayor" asked Commissioner Whit ng, ito see that the hackmen stand where they b long? have nothing against hacks or hack men, but there seems to be general dislike to having them on that asphalt paving and inasmuch as they have no risat to be there 1 don't see why it is not somebody's business to remove thefn.''
 Mayor Kllduff: "We have q hack stand and I believe it to be the duty of the chief of police to see that hack men stand there.''
 MT Whiting: Has the city power to impose fine upon the chief for not performing h.s duty? The hacks are in the way there and naturally people are finding fault. I move that we recommend to the board of public safe ty that the chiefs attention be called to this matter and that pending defi- mite action on the question that the hackmen be obliged to stand at the place designated"
 This was followed by general dis cussfon as to where would be a good place for q hack-stand. Mr Whiting thought that the junction of Grand and Bank streets. or the north side of the green :. would be all right. Con- missioner Scully thought the hack stand should be located as centrally as possible and wanted to know what would be. the matter with the wide space in Exchange place from west corner of West Main street over to Harrison avenue. He said the place is crowded every day with farmers wagons and that he thought the hdck- men ought to have it In preference. Mayor Kilduff said he thought there would be serious objections on the part of the public to using that spot tor hack-stand.
 Engineer Cairns said that the con- stant stamping of horses hoofs would soon wear holes in the asphalt. In Hartford he said, they had to take up the asphalt where the hacks stand in front of the City hall and put down blocks instead. "On North Main street." he continued. "at the hack mems stand we had to take up several asphalt blocks and replace them with new ones. One of them stands in the worst spot on West Main street, right at that wide sidewalk where people congregate to take the trolley cars, and 1t Is q common thing to see peO- pie lodging behind his hacks and in front of his horses heads to board the cars.''
 Mayor Kilduff: s'Of course you might say the same thing with refer ence to people lodging the trolley to reach the hacks, and then ask if we haven't as good right to suffeE one inconvenience as the other.'
 MT Whiting: Look out now, MT Cairns: you're treading upon danger ous ground No later than to-day q man told me that the mayor flooded the green to make q public skating rink with q view to putting the trolley company out of fares from people who would ride to the outskirts to skate if they could not en joy the sport on the green" Iaughter)
 In the opinion of the board there seemed to be lots of room for the hack men on North Main street. After a long chat MT Writings motion was finally put and carried.
 Then the trolley matter came up for an airing. the mayor stating that it was high time to do something in the premises.
 Commissioner Scully said that the more one looked at it the more he be- came convinced that it was mistake not to have done as Attorney Kellogg stated that the city had right to do tear up the rails and throw them off the street.
 Mayor Kildu: "Yes, but if you recollect you will remember that while Ire city attorney said we would be Justified in doing that he didn't advise would much rather seek redress in the courts, but if it were to be done over again those rails would have come up, We had a conference with repre- sentatives of the company, but noth- ing came of it. We were willing to use them right, but I think we have waited long enough to see that they don't intend to accept any terms of settlement except what suits them."
 In the opinion of the board there was no likelihood of adjusting the ease out of court and a vote was passed requesting the city attorney to take hold of the question in earnest and en- deavor to secure hearing as quickly as possible.
 E. l.. Frisbie was heard in reference to release of rights upon the old Brown wells. This and several other matters referred to the board by the all dermen were placed on the list for in Festigation. -
 Parties interested in the petition for a building line on Church street were called and heard. F. B. Rice was the only one present. He thought fifteen foot .line would be all right. In look ing Ever the map the board thought thi might work a hardship to some oN CTS of property In that street and 1t as voted to recommend to the all d< \en that q ten foot building line be tablished on Church street. both sf between West Main street and G >street.
 erty owners on Howard street