Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-20
HARTFORD BUSINESS MEN
iNDoRsE TRACTION CO.
Matter of Road Between Norwich and
Hartford Well Presented.

The proposed trolley line of the
Norwich, Colchester and Hartford
Traction company, an enterprise
which would open up, for Hartford,
a territory of 750 square miles. a pop
ulation OF $4,000 people. u group of
twenty-four towns. which would put
Norwich an hour and a quarter from
Hartford and by which through ears
would run from Hartford to the At
lantic ocean in two hours and quar-
ter, was the proposition explained at
the meeting Of the Hartford Business
Mons association. Monday evening. by
Mayor Costello lsipgitt of Norwich and
two other directors of the enterprise
MAYOR LipDitt. as president OF the
company, spoke briefly, rather by way
of Introduction, stating that the char
ter had been obtained, and saving
that, although a conservative man by
nature. and at first inclined to look
specifically at the proposition. he had
become one Of the most enthusiastic
promoters OF a plan which would
make it possible to get from Hartford
to Norwich in less than four or FIVE
hours and oftener than once a day.
1t would b. an honest foa d. sad
Mayor Lippitt, with no graft or in
SIDE nonev-in making. The express
trains. on tie completed track, would
make the trip from Hartford to Nor
Wich in / IA hours. the route being
shortened By ten miles.
The Need.
DR.. c.. E. Stark another director.
was. however the principal speaker
on the saoie, l. putting up Il large
map ana explaining the project not
only very clearly but IN a way well
calculated to enthUse his hearers. Nor
wich has. successful lines to the east,
south and north, while the country
west of Hartford is teeming with
lines: Vet all in between the two cities
Is virgin territory. TO get from Nor
Wich to Hsrtfo one is Obliged to go
W to Willimantic on the Vermont
Central and there make the worst con-
negtions with the Midland division. or
else 20 clear around by the shore and
up BY the Valley branch.
The territory thus left absolutely
without trolley facilities is two-thirds
the size Of the state of Rhode Island
containing twenty -four towns which
would he affected by the road. an area
of 150 square niles. and population
OF $4,000 people. a4
Express cars would make the trip
in an hour and Il quarters locals in
half an hour more. The road at the
Norwich end. would connect with lines
which would take cars from Hartford
through to the ocean at Watch Hill
a fare one half of the present rates.
The TING from Hartford to the ocean
would be hours and Il minutes. the
distance being reduced by twenty
miles
The Cost.
The cost of the road exclusive of
power plant. would be s9S5.000 and
it is thought that it would be cheaper
to purchase power than to manufac-
ture it. The capitalization would Oe
by per cent, cumulative, preferred
stock and bonds.
The road thought DR. Stark would
have an earning power from the first
day and should pay II per cent? on
it's preferred stock.
1t is proposed. said the speaker to
place 100000 of the stock, before
construction begins, $150,000 already
having been placed.
If 100000 of the stock can be
placed. said DR.. Stark. it is known
where the rest can be placed, and the
completion Of the road assured.
Following DR.. Stark. Frank Krom-
err engineer Of the road, spoke on the
engineering features, describing them
as simple, and saying that nowhere
is there greater than a three per cent.
grade He thought that the road
| could be constructed for $4,000 a
mile.
On motion of Edward Mahl the as
| sociation unanimously endorsed the
! road
Albert L. Potter of this city, di-
rector was also present and at the
! conclusion of the meeting the local
men were given a banquet at Hotel
Garde.