Norwich bulletin., 1909-11-06


 elected to represent the people in the city government Several years ago contract was given local electrician to install a signal system of his own invention, and when 1t was installed and paid for 1t was found that the system was not satisfactory. It new CT worked well, but after considerable repairing 1t became thoroughly unre- liable and was looked upon as sort of makeshift, just enough to delay the installation of a proper system. IL finally became worthless and for near ly a year the police department has been without signal system.
 Over a year ago an appropriation was made for the repair of the sys- tenn, but the police committee wisely decided that to repair was simply waste of money, as the system was irnpracticable. So this appropriation was held until an additional appro- prfation, ample to install modern and thoroughly reliable system, became available. These appropriations were made in city meeting with full knowl- edge of the necessity of an entirely new system and it would seem to be the duty of the present police com mittee and the court of common coun- cil as a whole to respect the wishes of the people in this particular.
 Not so very long ago the new po- lice committee went on a tour of in- vestigation of police signal systems in other cities with view to deciding which was best for New London, and when the committee returned it was announced in the local papers that the committee had decided upon a sys- tenn that had long passed the experi- mental stage and that the much needed system would soon be installed. So the report of the committee was looked En,- ct tkn 0A <.R common council, last Monday evening, but the report did not materialize, and the fact has been the cause of con- siderable comment since that time.
 It is now semi officially announced that there is to be no new police sig nal system in New London for some time and that the money appropriat- ed for the purpose can be used to bet ter advantage for some other public improvement. Just what caused this sudden change is not to the public known, but 1t is hinted that another local concern is to take contract to do some more repairing on the dis carded system, or is to experiment with some other local system. with guarantee that the proposed system will be an improvement upon the one discarded and will not be so expen- sive in first cost as the system that has been adopted and proven success ful in many other cities. It is said that after the police committee re- turned from the trip of investigation that a meeting was held and it was then decided against the new sys- tenn, but the influence that brought about this change is not posted on the big billboards about the city.
 Without some practical signal sys- tenn, the general efficiency of the po- ltce is materially decreased and this is a condition that is seriously object cd to by the dear public. But gen. have given expressive opinion of the public which may be applicable in New London at the present time.
 Mayor Mahan has taken a decisive step in the direction of Improving the commercial importance of New Lon- don by his efforts to have the Grand Trunk Railway company take advan- tage of New London as it's tidewater terminal. and thereby help the com pany and help the city, too. There is rumor that the Grand Trunk is con- templating entering Providence over the Danielson street railway and make the prosperous Rhode Island city the terminal that should come to New London, where the company has al- ready a line of steamers and consid-
  said that the time to do things is the right time and that that time is now, when the railway company is consid ering extension. New London is much better adapted for the business than Providence and the mayor believes that by proper effort the present New London terminal can be greatly in- creased in commercial importance. and that the much coveted line of ocean steamers will eventually materialize.
 The mayor suggested the appoint ment of a committee representing the city of New London to make an off, cial visit upon the high officers of the Grand Trunk company and urge the importance of New London for the proposed increase in tide water ter minal. The court of common council coincided with unanimity and the mayor was requested to appoint such a committee, which the mayor said he would do in the very near future.
 A few years ago the Grand Trunk company representatives came to the court of common council of the city of New London and made a good bus mess proposition. which was turned down. It was in. effect that if the city would build bridge in East New London, at an estimated cost of 20,000 thus doing away with a dangerous grade crossing, that the railway com pany would in return erect large grain elevators and institute a foreign line of steamers. and that this movement would gradually develop into some thing even greater and that New Lon don would be very much benefited thereby.
 But those in control of the city government at that time were evil dently not as progressive as the off cials of today and the line of steam CTS and the elevators never came. The railway company has tried New Lon don and it was turned down, and it was therefore but natural that they should seek some other location along the coast for an outlet for the inn mense inland business. as the time had passed when the bulk of that class of the railroad business can be done at Portland, Me. Mayor Mahan has lost no time in the consideration of 1 hoped that when the committee has with the Grand Trunk off, cers that the mayor himself will head | the committee and be leader in whatever negotiation that is possible that will result for the benefit of New | London.
 Mainly through the persistency of local newspap per which met response | with common council members some years ago, nearly all the men who | have honored the city and themselves | by filling the office of mayor have fur | nished framed portraits of themselves | for the adornment of the council | chamber and to make more complete | the history of New London. At that | time a special committee of the coun- | eff was appointed to locate the living | ex-mayors and relatives of the dead to | a ascertain what could be done in get |