The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-30
In Letter to Rev. MT. Millar, Harbor Master
 Morris Denounces Grab
tcontinued from F1rst Page,

i Also during the hearings upon the proposed repeal of the City HarbOr Line the corporation for whose bene- fit the gift was made and to whose injury it was repealed was always re- presented and always favored the aboI- ition of the line. It was always fear ful that the City would antagonize the Railroad or the United States Govern ment, or both. As E 3sg s3 ss tg
 And, No: When the line was finally abolished: over the prot tests of every yacht club on the sHafbor; and over the heads of the professional sailors who compose Harbor No. 10, many. of whose members have sailed the seven seas, and overs the heads of 4the great firms of oyster growers, representing millions Of dollars o< Investment; and over the heads of e<l1e 800 natural growthers', with their 300 sailing craE or all kinds; it was found that the same corporation was again in possess bor. W sss4ss 5, s8st
 It has regained the identical terri tory which was granted to it in 1905 and taken away in 1907.
 Whatever threat to Seaside Park ex- isted in 1907 exists now. The same need that sent the citizenship to the Assembly to secure the repeal of the grant of 1905 continuous today, if Sea- side Park is to be preserved in all its beauty. M
 FlN0 HOIn0fS UT CLG VI teen were sthe appointees of a gentle man so much in favor of the railroad and so in sympathy with the thing proposed to be done thatsft was ex- ceeding1y doubtful if his nominees were chosen without bias. This fact also was brought out i'm the Press
 Finally it appeared that several gen. tlemen on the committee. who might otherwise have been inclined toward the City line, were. owners of proper ty much undertaxed. beg to en- close a copy of my statement given long ago to the newspapers covering this feature.
 But. without regard to the manner in which the Committee of Fifteen was appointed it heard but one side of the case that of the railroad, and 1t was not represented at the hearing lawfully called to consider legislation for the abolition of the City line, which was held on June z, last.
 No considerable property interest ap- peared at this hearing in favor of the Line, except the private corporation to which have already referred and the attorney for the railroad company
 There appeared in opposition each of the yacht clubs connected with the Harbor, which were represented by seven committees of five men each.
 The Stratford Oyster Company, 3. very large enterprise, was represented in opposition through a letter written by Captain Fred BeardsleY, a copy of, which I herewith transmit.
 Captain Halsey, of the RRdel Oyster Company, the largest growers of oys-t ters with one exception in the world, owners of possibly million dollars of investment in the oyster business Tn this vicinity also appeared in opposi- tion
 Captain Halsey informed the Mayor and the Common Council that the ac- compIishment of the proposed grab would compel his company to move out of the city.
 In this connection, I beg to call your attention to the newspaper clipping in which is contained the statement or by Captain Halsey saying that the company has already completed ar rangements for removal te South Nor walk.
 believe. sir. that have shown you that Eheres was abundant warrant for your criticism made in your sermon. To my mind this Harbor~ Grab Is one of the wicKedest transactions ever per petrated upon a city.
 The most galling thing about 1t IS that the wrong was not accomplished from the outside. The gates of the City were opened from within and the captain of the citadel consorted with the foe.
 Again. sir, I thank you for your brave words. believe that the thanks of the people are also yours. Believe me.
 Very respectfully yours,
 CHARLES H. MORRIS,
 Harbor Master.