The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-11
of the year 1sos-Oe.

and that, by the exercise of reason able care, on the part of city officers, departments can live within their ap- propriations. The exception. above noted is the Board of Public Charities. Deficien- cies here appear to be the rule, not the exception. We will realize that | our poor must, at all times, be ade- quately and; respectfully cared for. No one would desire even if it could be so, that the poor should be either neg lected or illy-provided for. But it | would seem that the expenses can be more definitely ascertained, from year to year, and not left a matter of guesswork- The actual deficiency, at any given time, being fully met, the necessary running expenses ought to be provided for, and thus future de- ficiencies can be guarded against. I recommend that all officers of the city carefully study the requirements of | their respective departments and ask no more than is actually necessary to enable them to maintain their depart ments economically and efficiently. Such amounts ought to be appro- priated;- requests for more, if made, should be rejected.
 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. The experience of the past year has clearly demonstrated that the city can, through its Director of Public Works, do its own street paving better and cheaper than it can be done by con- tractors.
 The brick pavem ents laid under the supervision of the Director on Cannon street. State street and Bank street, and the wooden block pavement on Bank street, from Main to Broad street, are evidences~ of that fact, and this method of doing the work can be rectfon of capa ble officials with ad- vantage to the city.
 The repaving of Main street, from East Washington avenue to Gilbert rryfth or,1 Nf Golden Hill street, from Main to Water street with brick. to be done this year, in the same manner, are decided pub lie improvements.
 If the street railway officials will Cooperate with us, by laying grooved rails on that pcl tion of Main street to be paved, as trust they will we will have, in my judgment. an ideal pave ment and road bed on Main street, between East Washington avenue and Gilbert street, and our principal busi- ness street will be creditable to our city and a source of pride to our .citi- Zens.
 We now have, according to measure ments of the city engineer, the follow ing quantities of paved streets:
 Wood block pavement, d46ss ss sa. yards; asphalt pavement, 36.239.S0 sq. yards. or Al, ,401.5O sq. yards in all. This does not include our stone block pavement on Water street.
 HARBOR LINES.
 I have nothing to add to what I stated in my last annual report, rela- tive to the establishment of a harbor line on the west side of the harbor, from the Stratford avenue bridge to Long Island Sound I trust that this matter will be considered fairly and impartially, on its merits, and decided in spirit of fairness to all interests concerned This is possible if we ap- proach the consideration of the sub ject, as citizens and officials, having the true interests of and the future welfare of our city at heart.
 regret to see any attempt made to array class against class or to- excite undue prejudice because. corporations are interested as riparian owners. I trust that the arts of the demagog will not prevail, but that reason. com mon sense and justice will have full sway and that, without fear or favor,- j we will arrive at just solution of the harbor line controverSy-fair to the city as well as to all parties in inter est, whether they are, corporations or individuals.
 BULKHEADS.
 I recommended last year that bulk heads be erected on the shore of Yel-g low Mill Pond as soon as practicable.
 Since then, some question has arisen as to the title to the shore front on the easterly side of said Pond, and the opinion of the City Attorney has been asked for and given. He recommends lnedl, III VleW or the cld1mS made Dy private parties as to rights in this land, it would be unwise for the city to attempt to improve it until the title to the same has been judicially deter mined. F
 The City Attorney has been author ized to bring such action as he may deem best. against claimants to the land in question to clear up all dis putes and finally quiet and settle the title thereto. ----
 CONGRESS STREET BRIDGE
 This bridge is in process of con struction and if unforeseen obstacles do not arise, ought to be completed before winter sets in. The railroad cost the sum of $30,O0O as per agree ment.
 This amicable adjustment of. cost is mutually satisfactory and bear will ing testimony to the spirit Of fairness shown by the officials of the railroad company, in dealing with us relative to this matter.
 Although there was no legal obliga- they voluntarily contributed this hand some sum. in spirit of fairness equity.
 If the representatives of the city and said company would only come together more frequently, talk over in a spirit of conciliation questions of mutual in terest, where differences arise, better results might be obtained than where a spirit of diStrust exists and conflict arises.
 This has been proved, not only in this case, but also in the case of the widening of Golden Hill street where the railroad company has agreed to deed to the city, free of cost, the strip of land needed to complete the widen ing of said street on the north side, easterly from Water street to the rail- way station, and thus complete one of the most desirable public improvements in recent years
 GOLDEN HILL STREET
 WIDENING.
 As matters assume shape it can be seen that the widening of Golden Hill street, from Main street to Water street, is a decided public improve ment and the street. when paved with brick, as it soon will be, will prove to he of great benefit to the business interests of our city.
 It is fortunate that the layout of