Waterbury Democrat., 1902-07-18
BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS.
City Officials Explain Their Wants on -r oakyille Trolley Question.

Nue TdlTOau commissioners ill Hart ford yesterday was largely attended and the opinions expressed by the wit nesses called must have convinced the commissioners that Waterbury is not willing to give the traction company the use of the street free of cost and at the same time go to big expense in putting the roadway in condition for trolley service. The hearing was held before Commissioners Seymour and Wilcox, the other member, Mir Fyler, being absent on account of sick ness It was confined principally to the conditions imposed by the select men, but the ones adopted recently by the aldermen came in for an airing, too.
 Colonel Burpee opened the case for the company. He read extracts from the correspondence that had passed between the city and the trolley com pany on the question, carefully omit X ting such paragraphs as he had reason to believe would not help his case. In talk of over an { hour he never said a word about the railroad company's offer to allow them to widen the street at the point in question provided they should agree to pay all the cost.
 4. B. Hill of New Haven, an en- gineer, was the first witness called for the company. He testified regarding the danger of operating trolley cars un- der the OakYille bridge He thought there are several similar places in other states, but he knew of but one in Connecticut, the bridge at Poton Point. Questioned by City Attorney Kellogg, MT Hill admitted that all teams that go there can be accommo- dated in one shed and that about % per cent of the travel is on the trolley cars. Mir Kellogg laughed at the idea of comparing such place as that with the main artery between Litchfield and New Haven counties. He also thought that it would require pretty big shed to accommodate all the horses that pass under the Oakville bridge ill day.
 w. G. Smith of this city, engineer, was the company's second witness. He submitted map showing the pro- posed route and also stated tha- he saw no reason why the danger shorlG be increased on account of the trolley so long as the cars stopped before going through the bridge Mir Smith
 
 big row which at one time threatened to result in blows. Mir Kellogg wanted to know if Mir Smith was not an em- ploye of the trolley company, and the engineer said he was no more an en- ploye of the company than the attor- ney himself What do you mean?' inquired Mir Kellogg. looking at the engineer intently. "I mean" replied Mir Smith, .'that they could have your services as we'll as mine if they want ed to pay for it.'' Mir Smith finally admitted that he has done all the local work of the comnany for the past four or five years. Then they got into a snarl about how far one might be from the bridge and yet see the roadway under it. In the discussion Mir Smith Informed Mir Kellogg that if a man happened to be taking drink at Fitz- patrick's hotel he couldn't see the bridge at all
 You seem to be familiar with these stopping places" chimed in Commits sioner Seymour, with a merry twinkle in his eye.
 'Yes." said Mr Whiting of Water- bury. probably it was there he made, his map.'
 This created big laugh, in which the railroad commissioner joined. The joke .tfckled Allan Paige so that he al- most rolled out of his chair
 J. E. Sewell. general manager of the Connecticut Railway and Lighting Go, was then called. He testified regard ing the general condition of the street at the Oakville bridge. He believed that it was much more of a safeguard to stop trolley car twenty-five feet from danger spot than to stop hun aff flr, oI,>r. 10 the bridge the motorman and the conductor can see objects ahead. while under the other plan everything de bends on the conductor, who alignts and goes ahead of the car. Besides this considerable momentum can be ac- quired going under a bridge when car is started up a hundred feet from it. rather amusing incident occurred while Mir Sewell was testifying. Before the hearing opened he had hearty handshake with one of the commis sioners and both talked for a few mo- ments like two old college chums that had just met for the first time after many years of battling in different walks of life When Mir Sewell was about to be dismissed this same com- missioner eyed him suspiciously and then incurred what business he fol- lowed. Mir Sewell told him. and the commissioner nodded his head grace fully. which appeared equivalent to saying, "Oh, I see" Nobody laughed at this, but more than one smiled.
 ~ This closed the company's side of the case and as it was near dinner hour adjournment was taken until 2 o'clock. On reassembling MT Kellogg opened for the city. He called atten- fion to the fact that the city had done practically everything that the trolley company had asked it to do. They represented, he said. that if the city would give them permission to begin litigation in the name of the city they could compel the N. T.. N. H. and IT. R. R. Go to remove the abutments out of the highway at the Oakville bridge. The city gave them such permission "Besides. we have evidence above their own signature that the railroad people are willing to allow them to re- move the abutments if they agree to pay all the cost This" continued MT Kellogg, twas mentioned in the com pany'S first communication on the question, but I noticed that Colonel Burpee omitted to read it to you this morning." This brought Colonel D1r- T~s |, 41,> 4- AI<1