Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-07
FOR GOOD ROADS.
Hearing on Resolution ito Appropriate
 S5OOOOO for Two Years.

$50OOOO for Two Years. The committee on appropriations held hearing, Thursday, in the senate chamber at Hartford on the resolution appropriatine S5OO,OOO for the improve ment of the public highways. Highway Commissioner J. H. Mac donald suggested jocosely that ris- ing vote be taken on the resolution. He said that no one could be found who did not believe in good roads. The only question was as to the amount of money to be appropriated When the law was first passed in 1895, the appro- I priatlon was $75,O00. In 1899 the ap- propriation was increased to S35O,0O0, and in 1900 $450,oOO Owing to the insuff1ciency of the appropriation the | amount allotted to towns last year was sealed down from 5000 to $5.2O0 for each town. The movement had be- come national and Governor Rollins of New Hampshire had told him that New Hampshire would adopt the Connectf-, cut plan. The cities of Connecticut which paid the state taxes practically, had no objection to the resolution. The resolution was prepared with due regard to the other requirements of the state. and there was no desire to cripple the state treasury. Over $1OO,- I GOO had been paid into the towns in I contracts. The roads have not been I built for the farmer or for the resi- dent of the city, but for the people l generally Good roads have increased the grand lists of towns. It would be impossible for him to give the work that attention which he has hereto fore given 1t owing to the growth of the movement. The increase is for administration and other purposes of the department
 I First Se1ectman T.. c. Seymour of I Windsor Locks said his town has been able to build good roads with the aid of the state appropriation. He favor ed the resolution appropriating $5OO,- GOO.
 Representative Brophy of Ridgefield said that the law for good raods had benefited his town. The roads in his town have been improved and prop erty has increased in value. Selectman w. H. Smith of Old Say brook said his town is very much in favor of the law.
 Building and Loan Commissioner Morris c, Webster of New Britain said that his town has been benefited by
  the state. He referred to the good work which had been done on the roads in Litchfield county by the stateI | Selectman Ephraim Arnold of Had dam was heartily in favor of good roads law.
 Ex-Representative John Middleton of Enfield who is we'll known as Hon est John Middleton said he was a member of the general assembly which enacted the law of 1895 creating the | highway commission. He did not vote for the appropriation of $75,OOO be- cause he thought it was not enough. I He would have willingly voted for an appropriation of $4,OO0,0OO. He advo- cated the borrowing of money by the state to go into road improvement on Il a more extensive scale, and to compel the towns to pay the borrowed money. He would borrow $4 100000 year, and it could be got at AZ per cent.
 Are you democrat?' asked a mem Der of the committee.
 'No sir, am not,' replied Honest John" wiht an injured expression. {. II didn't know but what you were getting up campaign document was the con1mitteeman's remark.
 City Surveyor Ford of Hartford com mended the work of the highway com missioner. The affairs of the commis- sion have been wisely and economical l ly administered. Public opinion has been educated to an appreciation of the advisabflfty of having good highways. He heartily favored the resolution for an appropriation of $500,OOO. f Representative Conner of Enfield said he never realized how desirable it lrxy0 fo hnv Ie 1,o 'sstuck" with his bicycle in impossible roads. He commended the work of the highway commissioner.
 First Selectman Newton R. Hurlburt also spoke in praise of the highway commissioners work and the move ment.
 Selectman M E Snow of Norfolk said his town is in favor of the im- provement of the highways and fa- vored an increase in the appropriation.
 Representative Brown Of Norfolk l said the good roads movement was ed ] ucational and progressive. 1t is one of the best investments which the state could make.
 l Representative D'Arsey of Enfield l while favoring the appropriation. said that the state or the towns ought to be obliged to keep the improved highways | in god repair.
 First Selectman Prior of PlainyiIle said that good roads in town improve the property of the town He under l stood that towns were compelled to keep roads fin repair after they are l built.
 I Ex-Selectman Lockwood of Water town said there is law to compel towns to keep the roads in repair. He heartily favored the good roads move ment