The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-20
Alleges that Legislation Was Prepared by Counsel for Railroad and Declares That It is Not Good Legislation for Bridgeport to Have.
ldenti cal Communication Sent to Senators Holzer,. Arnold and Manwaring and to Representatives Bartlett and Clark = Joker First Discovered in Mayors Of fce-Its Next Appearance in Hartford.


 sddresed an identical letter to each of the Representatives of Bridgeport in the General Assembly, which means the three Senators as well as the two members of the House. Their attention is called to the fact that the committee on Cities and Bor- ougfs have reported favorably the little jol1er'' amendment to the char ter, which has been twice exposed by the Farmer; once when it was discov- cred in the office of Mayor Lee an ong itfae proposed charter amendments that were to be submitted to the Common Council, and again when it was intro- duced into the House by Representa- tive Fayette C. Clark
 The bill, if it is adopted, will have the effect Of compelling the city of Bridgeport to pay damages to the New Haven railroad company in the mat ter of laying harbor lines.
 Harbor Master Morris directs the at- fention of Senator Philip l.. Holzer, Senator Thomas Arnold. Jr., Senator M. w. Manwaring, Representative Frederic A. Bartlett and Representa- tive Fayette C. Clark to the purpose of the bill, and informs them that it is not good legislation for Bridgeport He also says that he understands the btl was prepared by counsel for the railroad company. The letter fol- lows:
 My Dear SrI feel it my duty to call your attention to H. B. 51s, amending the charter of the city of Bridgeport, which. am informed, has been favorably reported by the committee on Cities and Boroughs.
 This is the bill the ostensfble object of which is to require hear fngs to be held before harbor lines are laid, by this city.
 It's real object, I believe is to reinstate in the charter a provis- ion by which Bridgeport, for ex- ercising it's right to protect navi- gation by the location of harbor lines, shall be compelled to pay for so-called wharfage rights, although the State, the United States, and I understand scme cities of the State, exercise similar rights with out being held to pay damages.
 You will readily perceive that if it is the real object of the bill to provide hearings, that this result may readily be accomplished with out changing the status of Bridge port in the matter of damages.
 understood, at the hearing on the bill, that it had been prepared by counsel for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Com pany who appeared in it's favor.
 However desirable the proposed legislation may be from the stand point of the company. which as you know is now adversely engaged in a disagreement over harber lines with the city, it seems to me that, as it's effect may be to subject the taxpayers to large payments from time to time, that it is not a de- sirable alteration in the charter.
 For fuller information as to the legal bearing of this legislation I beg to call your attention to the opinion of former City Attorney James A. Marr. now on file with the Common Council of the city of Bridgeport, relating to the subject and bearing date of Jan. g, 1909.
 Very respectfully yours,
 CHARLES H. MORRIS,
 Harbor Master.