Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-01

and gone through the state from othef
states. The question has been raised
that we should have reciprocity eX-
tended by other states so that owners
of ears in this state may enjoy the
same rights and privileges accorded to
non-residents in Connecticut. But,
even with this privilege with the small
number Of cars owned in Connecticut.
it would hardly be in the line OF reel
procity.
One Of the most salutary remedies
that can be adopted to stop reckless
driving is that which has been 50 very
well started in the state. i'm having
the several automobile clubs take the
matter in their hands as personal
obligation 1t has been quite notice
able that since the organized clubs of
the state have Interested themselves
along this line excessive speeding mas
not been INDUCED in to the extent 1t
was formerly.
RECOMM ENDATIONS.
Since the commencement Of state ad
in 1895 conditions have changed ma
have operated has developed many
features that did not present them
selves under former laws.
The increase in the appropriation
and the widespread interest in and
necessity for Improvement in our high
way system has shown, clearly, that
if we are to keep pace with the de-
mands of the times. we must in obedi-
ence to the new conditions which have
arisen. make certain changes IN the
present law that will be competent to
accomplish that which is necessary to
carry out the policy of the state in i'm
proving the roads Of the state as rap
idly as possible.
The appropriation provided for IN
der the present law for administration
has been found to be totally inadequate
to take care of the appropriations.
Hence, an increased appropriation for
administration is requested so that as
sistance may be extended to the COM
missioner that Will not be so remote as
az the present time 1t is the purpose
of the department, if sufficient funds
are provided, to have county or dis
trict deputies. to whom can be dele
gated a large part of the work that is
now an obligation resting on the conf
missioner. The law under which we
operate today gives the commission
or authority to appoint deputies, but
the funds have not been sufficient 10
carry out this system. and | most earn
estly request that a sufficient appropri-
alton be made to carry out this rec
ommcndation.
Another important necessity is I'm
providing for carrying out the estab-
lished policy of the state i'm improving
trunk lines. Many Of, these trunk lines
run around. or go through the outer
boundaries Of small towns Of the state.
and there is hardly an important trunk
line that does not touch some town
that is financially unable to construct
the road. to say nothing OF taking care
of Il after it is constructed Towns
have made very serious objections TO
the exercising of the right extended to
the commissioner, under the present
law, to construct an expensive section
of highway through their limits They
claim they are financially unable to
bear this added expense and that the
road is not a part of the highways
used by the town to carry its business
to its nearest and best market place,
and that the expense Of construction
and care and maintenance with the
travel these great trunk lines are call
ed upon to sustain is a burden they
do not want to assume. Their claims
cannot be contradicted by the high
" ay department, and l would recon-
mend that the appropriations that have
been made specifically for the extern
sion of our trunk lines be not made a
charge against the towns except in so
far as the law provides for One-quarter
of the expense Of repairs. The justice
CT this recommendation has become
very apparent in the investigation
made during the past year and the
Increased travel that these trunk lines
are called upon to sustain.
These great trunk lines have ceased
to be local in character, by reason Of
their general use by the travelling pub
lie now using our trunk lines almost
exclusively.
would also recommend that the re-
strictions limiting the amount of mon
ey to be used by the several towns i'm
the state be left an open question so
far as the amount of money that Will
be available under the present law is
concerned. The limitation. under the
present law is $15O,000 a, year. Five
hundred thousand dollars Of this
amount is appropriated directly TO the
towns as requested by their votes
and $250,000 is appropriated for trunk
lines. During the past six years over
two millions of dollars have been re-
uuested by the towns i'm excess Of the
amount Of appropriations available.
Under the present law at the time of
the last allotment, $162TO0O was re-
qHesteG in excess Of the total amount
appropriated for the two years. AM
other advantage In having this re-
striction removed is that practically
six weeks of valuable road building
time is taken up by the towns i'm hold
ing town meetings and getting in their
votes for the appropriation every two
years at which time allotments are
made