Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-27

Mayor Armstrong managed to have
a city meeting favor giving site for
the building, and in the meantime the
mayor has secured for the proposed
building an industry that looks well,
the concern agreeing to pay five per
cent. on the Investment and practically
agreeing to buy the building within
given time. There was a meeting of
these subscribers one evening Of the
present week and there was actually
strong opposition to the Industrial
building plan of Mayor Armstrong.
He announced that a building to co=t
not more than 5000 would answer the
purpose OF this manufacturing concern
for the present. and for the lack Of
better reasons objection was made be-
cause the building was not to cost
$4,000 instead of $4,000.
This concern that is prepared to To-
cate in New London as soon as the
building is ready intends to have a
larger building as the business in
creases, but objects to a large, eXpen-
siye building at the start, preferring
to grow and for that reason also OBJ
jects to locating in building where
there are other industries.
There was a small attendance at the
meeting, but opposition 10 the mayors
plan was manifest There was dis
position not to reject in a hurry as
the men responsible for keeping a
manufacturing industry away from
the city realize that there was to be
a day of accounting. SO the commit
tee was requested to make personal
visit on all subscribers and endeavor
to collect twenty per cent Of the
amount subscribed and report To a
meeting in the near future The re-
suit of the canvass will probably de-
termine the industrial building plan
for the present
Ezra ]. Croker, now in his eighty
third year, is one Of the oldest of
New London's residents. and is I'M
doubtedly the youngest old man in the
state. He is brick mason by trade
and is at present employed in the
construction of the new Nickel thea
ter. He goes upon as high scaffolding
and lays as many bricks a day as any
of his fellow workmen, some Of whom
are young enough to be Mr.. Crockers
grandchildren. He served in the civil
war in Company X, Fifth Connecticut
infantry, and up to a few years ago
was an active members of Nia9ara en-
CINE company, and is now on the re-
tired list. He is a regular visitor at
the fire house and participates in the
FREQUENT festivities. and is not averse
to sitting in at a game of whist or
cribbage at whist he is expert.
Mr.. Crocker was born in Waterford
just over the line from New London,
and has been a resident of this city
for sixty-three years. He was the
youngest of a long-lived family and
the only surviving member. Mrs
Croker is 73 years of age. sister Of
the late Col. William II. Bentley. and
the last of her family.
A committee Of citizens, represent
ing that active body of mon known as
the New London Business Mems as
ISOLATION. went to New Haven the
other day and had a business chat
with President Mellen of the New
York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
road company. The committee made
prompt report through a local news
paper. and brought back startling in
formation from President Mellen. It
woe learned that New London harbor
was the best on the New England
coast. excepting perhaps Portland, and
that in his opinion there may be a
foreign steamship line from New Lon
don harbor.
Also. that the site Of the departed
Eastern Shipbuilding plant would be
fine for a repairing plant for the
dry dock built of native granite, and
ably utilize the site for such purpose
If the requirement was not amply al
ready supplied at Newport.