Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-04-14
NEW LoNDoN-eRoToN FERRY,
MAYOR ARMSTRONG HEARD.
Joint Committee on Roads, Rivers and
Bridges Go Over Matter Again.

Hartford, April 13.-The joint COM
mittee on roads, bridges and rivers
went over all the matters relating to
the New London -Groton ferry once
more this afternoon, particularly be-
cause Mayor Armstrong desired to be
heard, but generally by way of re-
opening the whole subject. Mayor
Armstrong was the first speaker and
told the committee in some detail of
the conditions concerning the New
London Groton railroad bridge, which
he said President Mellen had assured
him would be abandoned ere long be-
cause of the construction of a new
bridge a little way up the river and
could be acquired either by the state
Or the towns concerned.
He told the committee of the amount
of travel there and the great value of
a highway bridge. President Mellen
has agreed to recommend to his direc-
tors that the bridge should 5be given
free to either the state or the two
towns when the railroad is through
with it. 1t cost a million dollars and
could not be duplicated now at less
than million and a half.
AT $4,000, at the outside, the bridge
could be put in shape for use as
highway bridge safely for a hundred
years to come.
Mayor Armstrong asked earnestly
that if the committee did not wish to
recommend that the state take over
the bridge, it allow the towns of New
London and Groton to do so and main
tain it as a toll bridge.
The mayor then went into the ferry
matter, speaking to Senator Fenns bill
to free all ferries in the state. He de-
tailed the conditions surrounding the
present ferry and~ how disagreeabIe
and uncomfortable. not to say danger
. E
the route. Three hundred and fifty
thousand transfers from ferry to troll
ley and vice versa were used last year
showing how many persons suffer. He
denied that there would be any heavy
expense connected with the acquisi-
ton of the ferry by the state and
showed by figures that this was so,
stating that New London would be
very willing to take nominal sum
from the state for lease of it's fran
Mayor Armstrong broadly accused
the Chappells of juggling figures when
they come to the committee and show
that with $4,000 income they make
but $4,000 profit. They buy their coal
of their own firm and as to many 9TH
ers expenses are simply turning mon
ey from one pocket into another. He
knew about such matters from the
time when his father was one of the
owners. The mayor stated emphati-
cally that he would be glad to operate
this ferry line with the same boat at
$4,000 a year. At some length he
referred to the legislative history of
this matter through the years and
showed how easy it was for the ferry
company, with $4,000 to $4,000 a year
to spend, to employ experienced coun-
sci and thwart the peoples will.
Asked by House Chairman Leete
whether the city of New London had
taken action to show that it was will
ing to forego its ferry income of
$4,000 a year for the privilege of
free ferry, Mayor Armstrong said No,
but 1 am satisfied they would
well, do you think that all the peo-,
pie of New London are as patriotic as
you are %
Realizing the tenor of your ques-
tion. 1 will say" said the mayor, that
the. ferry company, which is able to
make the people of Groton Bank pay
$36, 900 a year for the privilege of
crossing that ferry is we'll able to
you that none of their family or their
numerous friends and allies would vote
for such a move"
p S. Schellens of Groton presented
a petition from Groton people which
detailed the conditions from which
they suffer and begged for the reduc-
ton of the ferry rates which they
characterized as unnecessarily high.s
DR.. P. w. Hewes of Groton COM
planned of having to pay 2 cents a
package for goods carried by the ferry
company, but that the company re-
fused to take any responsibility. He
thought the Chappells honest and
doubted if they would misrepresent
their profits.
Il don't know whether they would.