Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-24
BALDWIN ST TROLLEY
Conditions Under Which Com pany Cot Permit 10 Lay Rails.


 its application to build the Baldwin street trolley line was approved. Father Curtin had a good deal to do in getting the application approved and largely through his efforts no conditions were imposed except such as the general statutes provided. The company maintained at the time that the officials were holding out for con ditions which render the construction of the road out of the question, but they claimed that if these conditions should be removed they would cheer fully undertake the project. This and even more was done. The company did not conform to the established grade of the street, but went ahead and laid the rails to grade that suited their own purpose, and yet they failed to keep faith with the city and they are now fighting in the courts and hope to be able to show that they are not subject to any law. In support of these statements we quote the following communications which are self explanatory.
 Waterbury, Conn, Dec 22, 1908. His Honor, Mayor Thoms.
 Dear Sir:-The accompanying let ter from the Connecticut Railway & Lighting Co.'S counsel, A. w. Paige, shows conclusively that the under standing was to build the road to Pearl Lake road.
 When MT Sewell received this let ter and forwarded it to me l headed large delegation from this neigh borhood and Simonsvile and appear ed before the board. We brought such pressure to bear in the matter that the city modified it's conditions and the understanding was that the trolley company was 10 build@the road as surveyed and described.
 Sincerely yours,
 J. J. Curtin. Baldwin Street Extension, Water
 bury.
 Bridgeport, Conn, Aug 20, 1903. Mir J. E. Sewell, General Manager,
 Connecticut Railway X Lighting Co,
 City
 Dear sir:
 My attention has been called to residents in Waterbury for the build ing by our company of street rail- way along the proposed extension from East Main street to the Pearl Lake road You will perhaps recall that on the 31st of March, 1903, we made application to the city authori- ties for location of track along this street as well as other streets. The city authorities, however. instead of complying with the general law gave us an order with numerous condi- tions which were unacceptable to the company The conditions imposed by the city were as follows:
 l. That the location of the tracks from Cole street. through Franklin street to Union street, adjoin the west line of Union square, so-called.
 ?. That said company shall repair and strengthen the bridge over Mad river, known as Scovill's bridge, so that it shall be safe both for railroad and general traffic, and shall hereaft- CT keep and maintain said bridge in such condition at it's own expense, and also whenever in the opinion of the board of aldermen public neCes- sity and convenience require the re- construction or widening of said bridge, or the removal of said bridge and the construction of new, wider and stronger bridge, of such dimen- sions and materials as said board shall determine, the said Connecti- cut Railway & Lighting company shall pay to the city of Waterbury one-half of the total cost of such changes in said bridge, or of such new bridge.
 3. That whenever the company shall lay turnouts or double tracks, it shall at such points, pave the road | way from curb to curb, including the l spaces between the rails and between ! the tracks with pavement satisfac- tory to the board of public works | and shall maintain such pavement l in good order to the satisfaction of | the said board as long as the turn puts or double tracks continue to oc- cupy the streeet,
 "Such pavement shall be laid and ! for the full length of the
 >nouts or double tracks.
 That the poles used for the i ,,port of the wires for the opera ton of the cars of said company along said route shall be of iron.
 '.5-That said company shall, at It's own expense, grade the highways set forth in said route from the old city line, so-called, being the line of the city as it existed on the 31st day of December, 1895, the Pearl Lake road, the terminus of said route.
 "6-That the company shall, at It's own expense, place and operate arc lights, of not less than 1900 candle power, for the whole distance hat it occupies said streets. Lights shall be placed at intervals of not more than 600 feet and so located as to light the highway to the best advantage.
 That the company shall pay to he city the sum of $25.00 annually 'os each one hundred feet that it ,hall occupy in length of said street exclusive of that position which it shall pave under the foregoing con- iitions of the added expense to the 'ity for the repair and maintenance If such streets"
 There is no reason why this com ,any should build this or any other extension which is more for the benefit of the public than for the company, except that it can do so lnder the provisions of the general