Norwich bulletin., 1911-07-31
WESTERLY and STONINCTON TIED
For First Place in R. L-Conn gue-Pawcatuck and
Mystic Tied For Second Place Modification Allow
ed in Quonocontaug Cesspool Case-Watch Hill Fire
District Meeting to Deal With Important Issues.

The original plan adopted by the
Rhode Island general assembly less
than ten years ago to have a definite
system of trunk lines built and main
aained BY the state mas been gradually
converted into a political plum tree
for the country legislators, and now
state road building has become hap
hazard affair subject to political ipffu-
ence. and the original plan has been
swamped by amendments. Additions
Of over 267 miles of roads has bean
added to the original trunk highway
scheme, just to satisfy politics, and the
result is expensive roads where not
tanned by the state that should be
cared for by the town, and all to the
detriment of the main highways from
town to town.
1t happened that the routes of the
seven principal highways as originally
sketched did not touch the town CT
Lincoln. The oversight was not pleas
ing to the legislators from that town
and they really did get an appropria-
tion of $1,000 for rebuilding piece of
road that leads out of Central Falls
towards Lime Rock and it became
part Of the state roads system. This
was the entering wedge. In 1906 the
delegates buckled down to business and
began to rush the bills through. Then
Governor Uttemviewed the proceedings
with ill concealed anger, but the gov
ernor of Rhode Island was without veto
power at that period. He did what he
could to block the smashing the state
system and he also enlisted the SER
vices of some of the more courageous
members of the board but their COM
biRed strength ayaHed nothing against
tho political machine. Exen an addi-
ten was made to the resolutions on
the floor of the house. 1t happened
something like this:
While tre debate concerning the res
olutions was in progress the member
from West Greenwich woke to the fact
that he had put in no bill to add to
the state roads in his town. Therefore
he hustled over to the desk of the
gentleman from Westerly, Albert B.
Crafts, who was helping to steer the
resolutions through the house, and told
Mr.. Crafts what he wanted. The lat
ter in his anxiety to see that his col
league from West Greenwich got his
wish is said to have forgotten entirely
to put through his own resolution
making an addition to the highway
system in the town Of Westerly. At
any rate the one road Resolution pass
ed in 1907. one year later called for
an addition from Pleasant View cor
ner on the Watch Hill road to E. NJ.
Dunn's house" and meanwhile Mr..
Crafts had to do considerable explain
ing
with the solemn and oft-repeated dec
iaration of the board of public roads
that its system could not stand the
weight of another mile held the poli-
ticians back in 1907. the Pleasant View
road in Westerly being the only new
piece reported and passed. The game
was renewed with vigor In 1908, 1909
and 1919, and also in the present year
But the anticipated expenditures were
60 far in excess of the prospective re-
ceipts that Governor Pothier included
IN his vetoes the 100000 appropriated
for state roads. 1t is set up that unless
radical changes are made In the pres
ent system the enterprise VIII fall of
Its own weight and the fine trunk high
ways Of Rhode Island will gradually
wear away
The motion of Hattie e. EIdredqe to
vacate the Injunction restraining tho
use of certain cesspools in the rear Of
her hotel at Quonocontaug and allow
ing the same to enter into the breach
way was denied by Judge Baker in the
superior court. The motion of the re-
spondent that the injunction be so
modified that the cesspools can be
used. but they must not enter into the
breachway. was allowed by the court
Two weeks ago the cas- Sc was heard
on the petition for an injunction made
by Stephen c. Peckham and Others
who alleged that the emptying of the
contents Of the cesspools into the