Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-25

ll ndpDCutu UClOlC tllC ODillGttlCul Civil Service Reform association held session in New London. However. the city has an auditor with merit and fitness in Fred Fengar. but in no re- spect is he superior to his predecessor in that position, the only marked diff ference being that Mir. Washburne happened to be republican.
 Had the general character of the Connecticut Civil Service Reform as- sociation been better understood the coming to the city of the gentlemen representing the association would have been more appreciated and there would have been. many more New Lon doners in attendance at the social ses- sion. which was open to all interested in the general work of the association. The affair was not only an interesting and intellectual feast but was extreme ly instructive. It could not be other wise with such past masters in reform work as President Arthur Hadley of Yale and President George McAneny of the Borough of Manhattan and Gen. Aiken of Norwich as the instructors. It is conceded that although there were but seventy present, that the best in- terests of the state and city were rep resented in the assemblage. Should this association meet in New London again under similar conditions. the banquet will not be held in a private dining hall, for the main dining room of the Mohican hotel would be none too large to accommodate those who woud take advantage of the opportu- nifty to attend.
 During the administration of Mayor Armstrong survey was made for the extension of Hope street through to Blackhall street, and now the present administration Is infusing new life into what was believed to have be- come a dead issue. There has always been great need for this extension, and if it is ever done it will be a great public convenience, and has long be- come a necessity. Just why the pro- ject was dropped by by the former ad- ministration has never been explain ed, but it has been intimated that the cause was a dislike to do business with the owner of the property that it is necessary to secure in order that the extension could be made The owner of the property is Mayor Bryan mean the taking of a large building lot and a building thereon to reach Blaclhall street
 That difficulty is now removed and negotiations could be had with the mayor without embarrassment. The property is of considerable value, and the extension would, be of no financial benefit to Mayor Mahan and he would probably be willing to part with his property in order to make this improvement possible at a reason- able figure. The house and lot is cas- ily worth from s5,000 to $6,000, and the mayor might be induced to accept a split price for that special holding. and it is worth that much and more for the public use.
 If this extension were made, and like extension of Belden street to Jeffer- son avenue. which could be done per- haps for lesser figure. there would then be practically direct highway from Jefferson avenue to Broad street and even to Main street, thus in a measure relieving the congestion on Bank street and other much used highways. It would open up a drive from Jefferson avenue, through Belden to Hope street. then to Home street to Gotta ge and then to Broad street to Church, to Main street, and a short cut to Water street by Douglass or Federal streets.
 Should the. present administration decide to even extend Hope to Black haR street it would be doing some- thing that would deserve sincere com mendation, and now is the opportune time 10 uO lt, dS tHe IHdNOT AdtuIdliy has an interest in the improving of the general condition during his term of office and therefore would perhaps sell his land for the purpose without loss or profit.
 Realizing teh necessity for this ex- tension the mayor has permitted pe- destrians to pass to and fro over his property from Blackhall and Hopi streets. without protest for numbei of years, just for the convenience ct his fellow townspeople, and the time has now arrived when this needed ex- tension should be made.
 Now that former Mayor Armstrong