Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-03
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
hany Voices Heard for and Against
 Trolley Co.'S Application.

AEWAAoy %O AppA1C0tl0n.
 ! The board of public works met last night and heard parties who cared to
 speak on the application of the trolley
 company for approval of it's plans to lay turnout and double tracks in cer- tain streets. Mayor Elton presided,
 and the full board was present. A..e attendance was small, but what it lacked in this respect was more than
 made up for in other ways, so that it turned out to be quite an interesting
 session.
 General Manager Sewell explained
 why the company desired to make cer- tain changes and hoped for an early ! reply from the city. While the board was considering the Soutn Main street proposition and MT Sewell was saying that he believed it would not be neces- sary to disturb the switch at Benedict x Burnham's, the intention being to relieve the situation there by com mencing the turnout at Washington street, r. W. Cummings, who owns considerable property in that street.
 jumped to his feet and said "Mr Waterbury has a right to be heard upon? If so, I want to enter a pro- test against giving the company the right to double track South Main street. They have too much there now I own property in that street and find it necessary to use the street once in Il while. and I object to turn 1 ing the whole of 1t over to this con- pany. A company that does business as they do, taking no care of the streets they go through, should not be humbled to by the city of Waterbury, I also wish to enter a protest against fha %n frafa nstf Main street from the steam railroad tracks to the car barns. I drive over that street, too, and I consider it right that belongs to me. If you put two tracks there 1t will be too narrow I enter this protest as the law pre- scribes and will be interested to know ] whether doing it in this way makes any more difference than it would to do it in the manner prescribed by the thugs"
 The remarks of MT Cummings cre- ated quite sensation. MT Sewell looked to see who was talking, and the mayor inquired what the gentleman's name was. to which the speaker re- piled Justify: "L W. Cummings, your honor"
 Harry Dodge, representing the Wa terbury Business Mems association, spoke word in favor of the applica- ton and then withdrew. remarking as he went that he had no interest in the matter except as merchant.
 l.. k. Carter assured the board that he was not opposed to the trolley, but he had a few suggestions to offer. He was glad to see that they are going up Baldwin street because he has proper ty there and knows the line will make 1t worth more. He expects to sec 1t listed higher after thejroad Is In opera ton awhile. MT Carter also believed that West Main street from the tracks of the Naugatuck road should be widened and paved. but he didn't l think it right that the trolley company should pay all the expense. He would 1 be willing to contribute something to- 1 wards 1t himself in the way of a pay ing assessment
 c. s. Chapman, vice-chairman of the l department of education. said he lives 1 half way between the old city line and anywhere. He pays half taxes and l about three days work represents all l the labor the city did there in years l The place was in shocking condition | this year and the only way out the people had was along the trolley line which was kept clean. He believed that the company should be given such tllrnouts, and double tracks as it needs even though 1t does not pay much for the privilege. It Is a public benefit he said, and corporation that comes here and invests its money in a way that helps develop the town deserves to be encouraged. Mir Chapman said he thought street with two tracks wears better than with one only. be- cause the travel spreads all over it. He noticed this during the present win fer, especially on South Main street thoroughfare he is quite familiar with for the past twenty yearsy The street never was in worse condition than during the present winter. The frost and snow settled down at either side of the rails and remained, rendering it very unsafe for other purposes. He didn't think that this would be So if there were two tracks in the street. Anyway, MT Chapman was of the opinion that the number of people who own teams are few compared with those who do not and look to the troll ley cars as a mode of conveyance con- sequently he believed that the city fathers were bound In justice to them selves and to the public to give the preference to the greater number
 Alderman Beach said it was n ques- ton of but few years when Water bury will have population of 75,OOO or 100000 souls. and when that time comes the plans now under discussion will not be ample. He thought it would be good plan to consider the question of double tracking all the main lines from Exchange place about a mile out, and suggested that the mat ter be given some consideration.
 Robert Dick, representing his father, Thomas Dick of the Watertown road, l threw some side lights on a question that has been pushed from pillar to post for many years. He was op- posed to the double track on the Wa tertown road near the almshouse un less the street is widened. MT Dick didn't see much need of a double track at any point there except the company desired to accommodate Sunday base ball, something he hoped the mayor yno1nId I.l1t oIlt He nlSn aaid that when 1