The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-03
STRATFORD'S OWN
 BOARD OF TRADE
 MAKES ITS PLANS
Opposed to Annexation and Doesn't Want Trolley Com pany to Spoil its Streets

A largely attended. harmonious and
 business-like meeting of the Stratford Board of Trade was held last night
 at Red Mems hail. President Elliott w. Peck presiding. Deacon Philo Haven. for the committee on consti lu- tfon and bylaws. presented the new constitution which was adopted. Its
 purport is to formulate the policies of Stratford., and look after streets. side ,, walks. lamps. sewers. and to oppose annexation. and make Stratford a larger and better town. The duties of the various standing committees were
 defined. They are to seek the welfare l of the town and abate nuisances. It was voted to hold the annual banquet during the latter part of March, and a committee with full power to make all arrangements was appointed con- sisting of Deacon Haven. J. Henry Blakeman. Postmaster Bristol. F. l.. Curtis and D. L. Rhoades. Frank l Sammis was elected auditor for the Board of Trade The reports of the
 various committees were then read. The committee on legislation and taxation reported that it had circu- lated petitions against annexation to Bridgeport. which had been signed by 423 citizens. representing more than a third of the wealth of the town. It
 opposed legislation in any form look ing towards annexation to Bridge i port.
 The publicity committee reported
 that it would be well to advertise the town. and suggested circular letters, | booklets descriptive of the place, stick
 CTS to be placed upon all goods leaving | the town. and the erection of bill-
 boards by the side of the railroad set
 ting forth the advantages of Strat- l ford.
 l The committee on public improve ment recommended that the selectmen l be requested to have constructed cross 1 w9lks at Judson Place and Elm street; Barnum avenue and Main street; War l wick avenue and East Broadway; 1 Church and Main street; Broad and Main street. and across Main street 1 from Judge Curtis corner. It also sanitary condition; would have trees set out where old ones have been re- l moved; would have tar walks where practicable; have the town kept clean CT, and would do what can be done | to promote the erection of a new i these reports were accepted by the board. Mr. Fairchild. the treasurer, reported that he had received $82. The membership fee is s1.
 New business was then considered. It was agreed to donate to the Red Men not more than 8 for each use of the hall for a meeting. Louis B. Peck outlined the big program the Red Men propose to carry out on next Labor Day, the 9th anniversary of the organization of the ,Okenuck tribe He thought there would be big pro cession with some 5000 Red Men in line; speeches by Gov. Baldwin. Stiles Judson. Mayor Buckingham. and oth ers and he asked the cooperation of, the Board of Trade. which was grant ed. MT. Booth reported that 1t was proposed to obtain a list of such properties as could be had for the, erection of plants and he was willing to visit MT. Warner. of the Baird Manufacturing Company. and ascer- tain his feeling about the annexation proposition The board asked him to do so.
 Numerous suggestions were made by gentlemen in the audience. and most of them were adopted. It was agreed to ask the selectmen to have insert ed in the next warning for town meeting. a proposition to call the sec tion of the town where the new Franklin school house is. "Franklin Hill" The statement was made that a gentleman had agreed to have brass letters cast. and g1fded. and put up on the school house. designating its name It was resolved to give the support of the board to the represen- tatives of the town at Hartford in favor of new bridge across the Hou- satonic.
 
 was asked to speak. He did so and made a very graceful speech. congrat- uIating the town on the fact that a Board of Trade had been organized. He thought it good thing that the citizens should get together and talk friendly way. since this can be done much better than in town meeting where proceedings are more clrcum- scribed. He almost felt like thank ing the Bridgeport Board of Trade fop proposing annexation. since 1t had ford. and done the old town so much good. He siad that in his opinion there is already an end to the annex ation question. He was sure the rep resentatives of the small towns in the Legislature would never consent to see any town carved up against it's wishes. He then went on to say that he hoped public spirit would be aroused suffl- ciently in town to see to 1t that trees were set out to replace those which are being removed. He spoke of the dusty streets in the summer time. and hoped and believed there would soon be a public utilities bill passed and a commission formed to which the town could go with it's grievances. and com- pei the trolley company to sprinkle the streets over which it's cars pass. He spoke of the opposition which has developed in town regarding the at- tempt of the trolley company to in- duce the Legislature to permit the laying of tracks in Broad street and through Judson Place. He said the wishes of that part of the village should be regarded, and he was op- posed to the proposition. He could see no reason why the Connecticut Company should wish to place tracks in the streets named. He thought it might be for the sake of accommodat- ing travel on Sundays in the summer time And he opposed double tracks in East Broadway. which would cause the destruction of the beautiful trees which line that thoroughfare. and spoil the dooryards of the houses and in jure the value of property. He was in favor of the proposed new bridge across the Housatonic, and said the present bridge has become State structure from the fact that the State has allowed trolley tracks on the bridge, when it was not intended for such a purpose. and has thereby made it dangerous. MT. Judson was heart fly applauded, and the board passed resolution -fnstructing the towns rep resentatives to vote against allowing any more streets to be used for trol- ley purposes. After two hours ses- sion the board adjourned.