The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-14

I would earnestly recommend that whenever any matter affecting a de-
 partment is before the Common Coun-
 ell. the head of such department will feel it his duty to be present. am confident that if such a policy
 is pursued it will produce a more ef-
 fectiye cooperation and. a closer and
 more satisfactory relationship be-
 tween the Common Council and the several boards.
 It is perhaps not out of place at
 this time to refer to the lack of in terest that is taken in public hear ings before this body in matters of general interest Those in favor of a project or improvement. as a rule.
 appear for the same, but those in op-
 position frequently are not present. For this reason the members of the
 body are often unable to obtain full
 expression of opinion in reference to the matter before them- I trust that during the coming year your honor
 able body may be able to devise some means to promote a full expression of
 opinion at all public hearings
 The investigation of the Electric
 Light company should be pursued
 with a view to ascertaining the actual
 investment of the company and its cost of producing electricity, for the
 purpose of obtaining a reduction in
 price both for private and public con- sumers. Only with an adequate
 knowledge can it be determined
 whether the charges now made for
 this commodity are s1st charges. A
 public service monopoly unlike an or dfnary private business, is not per-
 mitted by law to charge what price 1t pleases for it's product. but may charge only such price as will yield fair profit on its actual investment. While the rights of all such corpora tions should be respected, yet they in turn must fully perform all their du- ties to the city and it's citizens.
 recommend that the Committee on Harbor Improvements be empow- cred to take up negotiations with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad company relative to the pur- chase of more dock front adjacent to the present holdings of the City at the foot of Wall street.
 While the Common Council has small control over the expenditure of the public moneys, at the same time I would earnestly urge upon you, in so far as your duties involve the ex- penditure of the city's revenue, the necessity to economiZe as far as pos sible, because during the coming year the city will be called upon to meet several extraordinary demands upon it's treasury. The most conspicuous of these demands is the State Tax inn posed upon us by the last General Assembly. This alone will add sub stantially one mill to the tax rate. It should be borne in mind that this extraordinary drain on our revenues is due to the condition of the States finances. and is a matter over which we have absolutely no control. and from which the city derives no direct benefit While it may not be possi- ble to prevent an increase of the tax rate, yet. it is certain. that on account of this additional expense the rate will rise beyond reasonable bounds unless we and all the departments of the city government exercise the strictest frugality and wisdom in ex- penditure.
 Our citizens are justly complaining of the trolley service furnished by the company which enjoys the 9treet rail- way franchise in our city. Complaint r. especially made of the small un- stable. unclean, and unsightly cars which are run with flat wheels and are irregular and uncertain in opera ton. Complaint Is also made of ov- ercrowded cars, especially during rush hours, when our citizens are go- ing to or returning from work. It will be the duty of the Common Coun- cil to find means to remedy these con ditions either by conference with the or otherwise. I recommend that steps to this end be immediately taken.
 It is the duty of the Connecticut company to keep in repair the streets between its rails and two feet on either side. This duty is almost en- tirely neglected and it will be the pol lev of this administration to require a prompt and full performance in this respect All corporations and indi viduals making excavations in the streets should be compelled to strictly carry out the law in reference to re- storing the streets to as good condi- tion as before the excavations were made.
 I would recommend that means be taken by the Committee on Streets and Sidewalks in cooperation with the Director of Public Works and the Paving and Sewer Commission. that our streets may be consistently and maintained and improved. and especially with the view of plac- ing and maintaining our principal ar teries in such first class condition as to reflect credit on the city.
 I desire to call your attention to that portion of the declaration of prin- ciples upon which the present admin israion was elected, which says: