Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-06
M'MAHON MAKES SENSATION
Closing of WateniIe Stset an Injury
 to Ills Property.


 The board of public works held 8
 meeting last night, Mayor Thoms pre- siding and all the members being
 present. It was the hottest session in
 the annex and some of the things
 said will set those not on the inside
 guessing.
 n. r .McMahon appeared before
 the board at the previous meeting and
 stated .that he was somewhat appre-
 hensiye that the vote passed by the
 board giving the railroad company
 power to close the lower Watcryille
 road, for a time was drawn and en-
 abled the company to keep t shut Up
 forever, if they cared to. He wanted
 the order modified so that his rights
 in that public way should not be inn
 periled. Last night Mir McMallon call
 a again, this time considerably mad
 der than before. He said he had been
 looking up the action taken with ref
 erence to Waterville street and found
 that the map shown at the hearing
 contained all the company intends
 to do there. but that unfortunately
 the company was not obliged to file
 copy of the map so that the city
 might be in position to see at any
 time what they actually did give them
 the right to do up there. The railroad
 commissioners. he said, gave the
 company the right to close the lower 'Watervillc road. but not until after they had provided another right of
 way to the property abuttlng on that street. This they have not yet done. but owing to the vote taken by the board of public works they have sue ceeded In getting something from the city that they could not get from the railroad commissioners.
 Mayor Thoms said he didn't quite understand what Mir McAfahon meant and suggested that he put his position before the board in the form of pe- tition and he would have 1t forwarded to the city attorney and do all in his power to see that his rights were pro tected. although he didn't see how Mir McAfahon's interests could he af- fectcd by what had been done.
 Pardon me. sir" replied Mfr Me Mahon hotly. but I should like to Inquire why the railroad attorney was not asked to reduce what he wanted to writing or leave any evidence what ever here of what he had had. All want is to have the company obliged to leave that street in as good repair when they get through as 1t was when they entered on 1t. and main tain 1t in that shape until they pro vide another right of way to my property. While 1t was a loose way of transacting public business still I didn't blame their board. because I think 1t was slip. but do know that the servants of another board were employed to bring about just such of things as what you have may lead to. This l can prove. if need he. There are men in this matter who got themselves into hole and who are now nfraid to raise tfeir heads lest they be confronted by their own shadows. and nothing would please them better than to see the city get Into trouble and compelled to take the initiative in the, courts. Instead If themselves. don't know whether YOU nre aware of 1t or not Mir Mayor. hut the hand of political boss. now lead. is seen In this thing, and that man would stab you in the back just IS readily as q redskin would knife l benefactor."
 Mayor Thoms said that If there was anything irregular about the closing ,f the street. which was only temper lry. as the vote of the hoard shows. aggrieved parties had redress by ac- ton In the courts. That's all right" ur Mayer replied Mir McAfahon. "but why should the city show ! disposition to take plunge into idgation and force taxpayers Into the hurts to defend themselves when the lights of the city and the taxpayers 'ould have been safe guarded by con- litlons put upon >the resolution au- the railroad company to dose that streety'
 Mir McNrahon also stated that he | vas calling attention to this matter 'o that in ease he should find 1t nec- issarv to take further action to pro- ect himself the public would he cog lizant of where the responsibility be- ongs.
 Later on Mayor Thoms asked Mfr | 'airns about this question and he dis posed of if by assuring him that the | Naterville road never will he open | 'd again so that Mr McAIahon's sur. nises are right. although 1t Is quite | ikely that the board WAS not aware f this when they passed the vote nu- the closing of tho street. The rord temporary" was used. but so ong ns it cannot be used by the pub- lc my more what has been done was qulvalent to disseminating tho street or all time. The remarks made by fr Mcsiahon created profound sen alton and many were curious to ! now the name of the dead man that rouh like to knife his honor and ai- q the employers of another depart nent and had been pressed into ser ice In connection with the plans of he railroad.