Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-10-18

tne attendance at the October meeting
OF the board OF trade at Buckingham
Memorial was small, but it proved a
profitable session, and one at which a
question of much Importance was
brought up and discussed. This was
the matter of improving conditions in
FRANKLIN square by the removal of the
SIX saloons there, which was discussed
from both sides and finally tabled until
the next meeting, in hopes that there
would be a. larger attendance.
AT the opening of the meeting the
report of Secretary H. w. Tibbits was
read and approved. President +. w.
Cary reported that the committee APP
pointed to see Highway Commissioned
Macdonald had made an appointment
with him, but he had failed to keep it.
Although he has been here several
times, he failed to call on any one of
the committee. He wrote to ]. ID. Hall,
chairman of the committee that the
work on the west side of the river
was available, and work has since been
begun. Letters had been received from
New London stating that was through
the local board of trade that the road
was started
Regarding the Westerly Silk COM
pany, the president stated that it was
established here and running, with SIS
hands employed, when officials of the
board inspected it and authorized the
payment of the moving expenses,
amounting to $500.
A letter was read from the railroad
commissioners regarding the securing
of an additional-train on the Norwich
branch between here and Putnam. The
commissioners showed that they hal
taken the matter up with the railroad,
and they are not disposed to put on
the train. The commissioners stated
that they would give hearing on the
matter IL Norwich desired. The report
of the committee was accepted.
President Cary explained that he
with others, including the mayor and
f. A. Tracy, had spoken at the Ma
tional Rogue association for the pur-
pose of keeping the association here
and that sum of $25 had been prom
ised them. this year. This was author
lied upon a motion of General Aiken,
but not to become an annual affair.
The state board of trade meeting was
announced by the president for Fri
day, Oct. 20, when highway improve
ments Connecticut as a fruit growing
center, and board of trade methods for
development of local communities will
be discussed at New Haven. President
Cary and c. L. Chandler, as officers of
the state association, will attend, and
the chair was authorized to appoint
five delegates
Two new members were voted in
William D. Tillson and Charles H.
Brown.
General W. A. Aiken spoke upon the
matter of young men enlisting in the
state militia. and referred to the fact
many were deferred because their en-
ployers would not permit 1t or would
discharge them if they enlisted. He
read letters from the adjutant general
and from the headquarters Of the Ma
tional Guard association referring to
this existing condition and deploring
it.
Franklin Square Conditions.
Edwin A. Tracy spoke upon the con-
ditions at Franklin square, which he
considered a business question. If IL
was licenes or no-license, he would not
be speaking but he believed it a duty
TO endeavor to better conditions there.
lie declared the best business interests
OF Norwich demand that the square be
cleared of the saloons. Almost every
stranger stops on franklin square, and
the first sight is not conducive TO a
high idea of Norwich. Norwich would
be benefited by the county cofnmissio on
ers refusing licenses there. This would
mean that shabby buildings would be
rebuilt, increasing the value and inn
proving the conditions in many ways.
He declared that he had no personal
feeling, but advocates this from a bus
mess standpoint. The saloon he de-
clared is as legitimate as any under
the law, but the conditions there are
wretched \
He presented a resolution to the eff
feet that the board Of trade request the
county commissioners to refuse to
grant any liquor licenses from Myers
alley to Franklin street and from Bath
street to Main street.
d. J. Mccormick, president of the
I1QCor Dealers association, said he
would be sorry to have the Board of
Trade take action on that. Saloons
Lave done business there for years and
IN orber cities have q prominent place.
He considered it wrong to deprive
those men of their business and didn't
think the board should act upon it.
Gen. w. A. Aiken declared that re-
marks of strangers had often made
him aware of the conditions of Frank
I'm square for three reasons. 1t is the
most tCntemptible business square in
any city he had seen in a long time.
Thare are mean and squalid buildings
there, trlnged with men with red eye
.iis aLd nosts, who line the square at
al tin1ts at certain places, and it is
railway fIs. gh: yard.
any deprivation of license entails
hardship on those holding licenses, but
there are many who do not favor pro-
hitition who do not favor extention of
the saloons In every improvement
some interests have to be sacrificed.
II might be desirable to give year to
those having saloons to make change.
He favored the resolution, as the in
terests which would be damaged would
be far from commensurate with the in
te~ests " hiNh Guild he benefs -
John A. Moran thought the board
was to build W a town and not tear
It TO pieces. He considered they were
Lreading on dangerous ground and the
board cannot afford to make enemies
now, and this he considered would do
harm. II the walks are lined with men
here the police should take care of
them. He did not think that Rmans
business should not be interfered with in
This way. If these saloons are sore
spots he thought those who want them
improved ought to buy them and inn
prove them, as is done in other cities.