Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-11-12

The longer this freight depot is allow
ed to exist there the harder it will be
to move it, and he offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, That this board, by such
committee as they may designate.
make inquiry of his honor the mayor
as to what steps, il any, have been
taken by the city authorities to cause
the discontinuance Of the use of Frank
lin square as a station for the receipt
and delivery Of freight by the Connec-
ticut company and report to this board
at its next regular meeting.
The resolution was passed and the
matter referred to the transportation
committee, II. F. Ulmer chairman.
Use of Transfers.
A. S. Spalding was of the opinion
that the board would like to act on q
town as well as city matter and re-
ferred TO the fact that at the present
time transfers are good on the line
through Thamesville only as far as the
city line. This privilege should be ex-
tended so as to give those living with
in the town but beyond the city line
the right to the use Of transfers. 1t
is putting hardship on people outside
the city limits which others about the
town are not subjected to. He moved
that the matter of extending the right
to townspeople beyond Thamesville and
as far as the Montville line be taken
up with the railway officials by the
proper committee. This was voted and
referred to the transportation commit
tee. -1t
Harbors and Rivers Congress.
President Cary introduced John A.
Fox, one of the directors of the rivers
and hafbors congress, to speak upon
that matter, and he gave the board a
bright and instructive address and pre-
scented his subject so clearly and con-
vincingly that the board voted to join
the congress and send delegates to it's
meeting Dec. s, 8 and 10 in Washing
ton.
Mr.. Fox said the subject was one
which. greatly concerned Norwich, as
this city is on navigable waterway.
The work on the Thames river. he
said, was started in 1884. and but little
is secured at a time, and yet much
money has been spent without secur-
ing the desired results.
He referred to the efforts of Mr.
Burton in organizing the harbors and
rivers congress, who hoped by the cam
paign of education to have a bill for
rivers and harbors to come before the
national congress every year instead of
every three years. The plan was start
ed in 1905 and has resulted in one of
the greatest organizations in the coun-
try 1t meets every year, as does con-
gress. and urges congress to establish
a policy regarding rivers and harbors
as they do about other departments
Since the organization started nearly
every city on a navigable stream has
come into the fold, and he urged Nor
witch to join.
He explained the economic value of
transportation by water. Mr. Burton
found that $780, 900 worth of work
had been laid out by engineers and
congress appropriated only about $780,
100000 a year while big appropria-
lions were made for the navy, army.
postoftice and pensions. Only two and
a half per cent. of the expenditures of
the nation are allotted to rivers and
harbors. 1t is necessary for the BUSH
ness men to take an interest and get
congress down to a business basis.
Congress has been dilatory The trans
portation tax by rail per ton mile is
7.9 mills, while by water it is but IL
mills and in places $40 of a mill. IL
one mill could have been saved on the
transportation tax there would have
been $23S, 100000 saved on the enor-
nous tonnage carried last year. He
spoke Of the great benefit which had
been given to the lakes where the
water rates save $30O,00O,0oO annually.
The deepening of harbors allows larger
vessels to enter and the rate of trans
portation becomes less so that the
farmers feel the benefit of the cheaper
rate, He spoke of the big benefit of
the deepening of the channels to New
York harbor.
1t is necessary, he declared. to
awaken a new interest in the trans
portatfon by water and to insure every
one that his interest lies in cheaper
commerce. Germany and France spent
q doo1 H..
ed States. All the rivers of this coun-
try can be made serviceable and make
great saving for the people.
Norwich enjoys a position which
many cities would like and has a
chance to become a big manufacturing
center. There has been spent on the
Thames since the work started $3.50, 900.
fit can be Joined with the inland
scheme along the Atlantic coast. where
1000 ton barges can go from Florida
along the entire coast it will be a
great advantage. The rivers and har-
bors congress endorses no special plan
or project, but desires that congress
be urged by public sentiment to bring
about these things. 1t is as vital to
Norwich as to any place. Several
places in Connecticut have become en-
rolled. -
On the Thames river last year he
said, the amount of freight carried
was $4,000 tons, valued ates2 500. 600.
The congress has 5000 members who
will meet in Washington Dee. s.. 9 and
10. He explained to Il. Al. Tracy that
all that was necessary TO Join the con
gress was for the board to vote II and
pay the fee of s25. AS many dele
gates as desired can be sent; but there
Will be five votes which they are en-
titled to.
He said that the organization
brought to Roosevelt's attention which
resulted in the inland Waterways COM
mission being appointed and Mr.. Taft