The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-16
TILY0U SAYS EDITION SHALL DECIDE FATE
 OF STEEPLECHASE
Continued from Page 1)

Continued from Page 1)
 When the captain came here. he found on the island a number of con- tracts giving exclusive privileges. to the great detriment of the resort The first season of his management he tried to get a scenic railway and a chutes and mentioned the subject on the island. One of the concessionaries immediately threatened a lawsuit, claiming he had an exclusive privilege for gravity and water attractions. and the proposed new devices would in fringe upon his rights. He was too short sighted to understand that they would increase the attendance and fn- stead of hurting his business. would aid it.
 Captain Boyton even found that he could not install such a simple attrac- ton as a 'Nigger Head, for another privilege holder came forward and said that his contract covered all ball throwing games. All of those old leases. which were barnacles upon the resort and impediments to its growth and development, am pleased to say, no longer exist. Today not single Steeplechase Island. The slate is clean and never again will anyone hold an exclusive privilege of any kind, and especially in the refreshment line Bridgeport being a manufacturing city. it's population is largely made up of working people with families. and they are not looking for dollar and a half shore dinners and 15 cent sandwiches. Neither do they want to be compelled to drink one kind of beer.
 ..If the island is to be run in the future as an amusement resort. the visitor will find competition, and if can bring it about. shore dinners of the Providence river kind, that can be had for half a dollar. Societies hold ing clamba kes have been barred from In e r1 ct have come had they been willing to pay a bonus upon their tents, provide running water and electric lights. Night ciambakes will then be a possi- bility. This section will be fenced in and will be at the disposal of societies free Of charge.
 The advantage of such a spot over other places near Bridgeport ought to pie shelter. and arrangements for bath ing without cost. provided those par ticipating have their own suits. A gate will connect the ball field with this clambake or sheep roast ground. and organizations will be free to use the field for their own amusement and have it exclusively for athletic sports. etc The general public will not be admitted and societies can control the grounds themselves for the. day. To the east of this clambake ground will be IF foot wooden fence. from the south of the ball field to the water. This will completely shut off Long Beach from Steeplechase Island.
 .1 saw in a Bridgeport paper some time ago a story about a divorced wo- man who was reported as having spent the night at Steeplechase Island, and found there at 5 o'clock in the morn ing. It was stated that she was in toxfcated. Such sn occurrence is ab- solUtely impossible at Steeplechase Is- land, as the bridge closes at midnight and no one remains but the employees and the watchmen. and they are care full to see that every person gets off been up the beach somewhere but the odium fell upon Steeplechase Island It was not the first time that the is- land was blamed for such things. There will be no means of reaching Steepiechase Island from Long Beach in the future. so we will have no fur ther trouble on that score.
 There are number of people who imagine that Steeplechase Island Is public property and will argue to that effect. I have particular reference to some would-be yachtsmen who operate rowboats with power in them. They get their friends together and have in sisted upon landing where they please without it ever occurring to them that 1t might be courteous thing to ask for the privilege Some boatmen are sore not only because they cannot land free. but because they cannot use their boats as ferries and make money land ing passengers.
 ''I notice that they are very parti- cular as to who uses their porperty- So much so that one of the clubs would not allow the captain of visit ing warshir land on their float. We are ready to prove to them that the island is private property and has as much right to respect as any. mans garden or private grounds We are also ready 10 give these marine law 1anx Gn rl1f4 4f1f1 in the past. an argument anytime
 '.To get back to my ideas of develop ing the island. I want to say. that in addition to the clambake and sheep roast grounds. there will be a smaller part of the island enclosed for Sunday school parties. in which there will be a suitable building with swings. fresh water. facilities for heating coffee. and all the necessary arrangements to make the spot attractive to the little folks. whose prattle adds so much to sDsummer parks pleasures
 ~Tn the way of new attractions. full brass band every day will be a feature. I shall put in one of my fa- nous Human Roulette Wheels. and in all probability chutes. first class carousel and other amusement devices.
 ''In regard to the trolley cars run ming direct to the island. that is u0 to the Connecticut Company. which can provide the service without trou- ble or great expense. This company gets ample revenue to warrant the ex tension. If it cannot see its way clear to do this. I will find other ample means of getting the people to the island. For my part l cannot see the logic in the argument against the walk across the bridge and down the pier. Those who have done it forget that they always had to walk down the pi ,r from the steamboat landing. The actual distance travelled is 900 feet. Those who patronized the ferry have not walked 500 feet more From the outskirts of the city the fare. to the island is five cents. The public pays trolley fare to get to the theatres with out complaint and then an admission fee.