Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-03-10

that the towns were running the best
ferry they could under the circum-
stances, but it was very hard to take
care of the people. In 1908 there were
ferried between eight and nine thou
Sand automobiles, and this number
was expected to be doubled this year.
Government Inspector Whitney says the
towns must do something very soon.
East Lyme favors bridge. 1t has been
suggested that the towns might pay
part of the cost of it. How that would
be, the representative couldn't say He
told Of the plans for bridge some two
thousand feet north Of the present rail-
road bridge, where the river Is from
two to three thousand feet wide, and
later showed them to the committee.
This is a state question:" said May
or Z. w. Hooker of Hartford, and not
a local matter. The state has made
free all other bridges except that at
Hartford and should build free bridge
here. II there were at the mo.tn Of the
river cities as web able to bear this
burden as is Hartford, that would be
different thing. There aren't. The
bridges already freed by the state have
done more to cause tine towns to see
that the state is one and to do away
with selfish town interests and local
jealousies The present ferry is made
quate and in winter for months one
other" He appealed for the building
of a free bridge.
Representative H. w. Tibbits of
Norwich, appearing on behalf of the
Norwich Board Of Trade, favored a
ridge and stated that man had told
him the day before that he was afraid
to trust his auto and himself on the
present ferryboat.
Senator d. A. BlakesIee of New Ha-
ven was a member of the bridge COM
mission and he discussed the matter
from its standpoint. He believed
bridge should be built, though not
free bridge. 1t costs from eight to nine
thousand year to maintain the ferry
and a new boat is imperatively needed.
The automobiles who use this road
would gladly pay a reasonable charge
for crossing a safe bridge. Bonds
could be issued to pay for the bridge,
which the senator didn't think would
he self sustaining for some time.
Representative Wilton Of New Lon
don made the point that all the toll
bridges which had been freed were the
property of private corporations.
Senator James II. Day of Saybrook
stated that another engineer than the
man the commission employed had told
him that the bridge could be built for
from 100000 to s325,000 and that it
can be rented, If the state desires, to a
private corporation at $4,000 year.
This concern is ready to take it as
soon as it's done.
States Attorney Hull of New London
sp Ike feelingly on the subject, endors-
ing the position of Mayor Hooker.
''These towns have been isolated from
each other in the past" he said, "and
have been the losers because Of 81. The
present beat is totally unfit and a sub
stitute must be provided very soon. II
is but a part of the policy of placing
the burdens for the building and nain-
tenance Of highways on the state,
where they belong, for the state to
build this bridge and free ii. The
roads really belong to the state and
not to the towns. They are but the
hands and arms of the state and the
towns in other portions of Connectiau1
ought to be glad to pay their share for
the construction of this bridge.
"A new boat Of adequate size would
cost at least $4,000 and it would cost
far more to operate ii than does the
present apology. These little towns
can't afford to build this bridge and
ought not to be asked to pay for
tre importation facilities for Boston and
New York people. The legislature
should provide for the building of
good substantial bridge there which
would meet the needs of the state ana
help to build up those towns at the
mouth of the Connecticut river"
The association took no action on 5te
matter. but the meeting hastily adj
lOLrned, as the hour for the meeting Jf
the house was at hand.