Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-18
1OR GOOD ROADS
Members Losing Interest and Re-
naming Away From Meetings.

clatlon is apparently nae liz nal
time just at present keeping Its head
above water. Its only hope OF rescue
is new members. The regular meet
ing of the association was held last
evening in the rooms of the Water
bury Business Mems association. Five
men from the outside districts were
the only. members present. They
were A. B. Pierpont, w. A. Faber,
Charles Miller, F. P. Clough and A,
M. Larson. A down town man who
deals in automobiles was on hand
but refused to have his name added
to the membership roll stating that
he would do SO when more OF the
"real" taxpayers got in line. He was
appointed a committee of one to In
terest other automobile dealers, not
withstanding the fact that he refused
to join.
Even the moving spirit of the last
meeting, Chairman Hans Rasmussen
was not on hand. He was on the sick
list, but sent word to the secretary
that eleven men had promised him to
join the association. All present had
received several promises from men
who stated they were in the move
ment for good roads and better cow
paths, but wondered why these men
did not come. Even Representative
Allerton from Middlebury, who was
expected, did not appear.
The faithful five waited until about
S:45 to start the meeting. f. p.
Clough, the secretary, explained why
Mr. Rasmussen was not on hand and
he moved to have temporary chair.
man appointed. Some one suggested
the name Of A. B. Pierpont, but he
said he was of the impression tina
w. A. Faber had been elected vice.
president. Mr. Faber also seemed te
think that at the first meeting such
honor had been accorded him. But
Mr. Clough was quite sure that nc
vice-president had been chosen. Mr.
Pierpont took the chair.
Secretary Clough. who was one OF
the committee to see the mayor and
learn from him the plans for the
coming two years made few re-
marks. He declared that the mayor
was pleased to meet them and as
sured them that he would look into
their complaint He informed them
that the charter would have to be
amended if superintendent were to
be appointed to look after the town
roads. Moreover 1t was not advisable
to hire an expert to take care of the
city streets, as the taxpayers did not
care to spend $4,000 or $4,000 year
ly for such man. "The mayor said
to go directly to him when we have
a complaint. Every man should go
and make good big kick, too" said
Mr. Clough. "The streets cannot be
worse than at present. We will re-
ceive no recognition from the super
intendent of streets and / think very
little from the board of works"
At this point Chairman Pierpont
wanted to know from Mr. Clough II
he knew who the next superintendent
of streets was going to be. Mr.
Clough did not.
could you inform u.s. Mr. Report
or. who is likely to be the new
superintendent" asked the chair of
the lone scribe present. The report
err replied that he understood Mr.
Kilduff was good for the coming two
years. Hump, guess the roads will
be Just as bad as ever" sighed A. B.
The automobile man was next ask
ed to say few words on what he
thought of the roads. He wanted
good roads but he also wanted the
association to enlist the support OF
the automobile owners and owners of
horses in the city. He was then ap.
pointed a committee of one to do his
little act, which he tried to evade.
By this time the faces Of the faith
full five were pictures of despair and
all seemed willing to give up the
ghost. Just then Chairman A. B
Pisrpont came forth with a happy
suggestion.
II think our grange might help us
some. The grange would certainly
increase membership" He referred
to the Mill Plain grange. Again the
room became silent and the FIVE look
ed at one another while the scribe
sighed-his sympathy went out to the |
men who were bemoaning the fact
that their good road project seemed
to be dying fast.
IL was Chairman A. B. Pierpont |
who again broke the stiffness of the
room. thine is precious. SO some
one should offer suggestions for the
good and welfare of our organiza- |
ton" Someone suggested appointing |
a committee to watch where the town |
road money was spent.
Guess that would require an ex-
pert mathematician" said the chair |
81 move that Mr. Miller be appointed
the committee" said A. NJ. Larson.
Guess you better wait until moret
OF us are present." replied Mr. Miller.
"and moreover l am no expert ac-
Mr. Faber next stated that ex-Sup-
OF Streets Hotchkiss, who
evidently pulls big stroke with the
G. n. I. A., told him that any one
who was interested could by looking
over the city books see where every
cent Of the town road money had
been spent during his term.
The mayors name happened to be
a moment later and ID
brought from the chair the remark,
that he was pretty slick politician.
(0f course he meant Thoms-far be
from himself to dabble In war and
HE'LL. One Of the members thought
that II the secretary asat out postal
cards the attendance at the meetings
would be larger. Yes and Mr. Pier
pont thought this would be better