Norwich bulletin., 1911-07-22

New London, and some of the more progressive. too, who are of opinion that the city should be competent to enforce all police regulations, state or citywise, without the aid of the state police, expression of the opinion being given in connection with the present enforcement of the automobile laws by the motorcycle squad of the state po- lice. All of which sounds well but it must be conceded that the local police are not equipped for that special work and that perhaps 1t would be a use less expenditure for the city to go to the great expense it would be nece5- sary to incur to add a motorcycle squad to the regular force. In the present membership there are very few who could ever master the motor- cycle, without which the automobile laws could not be enforced.
 While some of the automobile own CTS, who seem to be of the opinion that they, and they alone, have dH the rights of the highways, are utterly op- posed to the invasion by outside off, cers, the general public heartily ap- proves of the work that has been and is being done by the state policemen It has had the effect of leSSening the reckless driving and it is noted that when an automobilist blows the signal horn to those crossing street, tha- there is a slow down of speed at the same time. Before the advent of the state police, it was a clear case of ; blowing the horn. then get out of the way or take the consequences Some of these automobile drivers seemed to act almost as independent in that re- spect as the engineer of fast express travelling over a line where there was no doubt as to privilege and right of way.
 Whats the matter with tfs cottagers at Ocean Beach? Are they afflicted with the exclusive fever? Perhaps they would, if they could, bar the public from the pleasure of visiting that nat ural day resort. Or. it may be, that there are no more cottage sites for sale. For several years .hese eottagers have been at considerable expense in having a Beach day and advertising the event broadcast, with the result of thousands visiting the beach during also ill the evening to enjoy the band concert, the fireworks ard the canoe carnival and general Illumination. Everything possible, was q one for the pleasure of visitors and the cottagerS seemed to share the pleasure. In order to properly arrange for the annual Beach day, an association was formed and some of the most active among the cottagers served on the committee of arrangements and managed the whole affair and the expenses were cheerfully paid by the cottagers, aided of course, by the trolley company. Heretofore, the arrangements were well under way before this time in the season.
 Up to the present time no arrange ment has been made for Beach day celebration, and it has been unofficially announced that there will be no big celebration of Beach day at Ocean beach during the present summer to which the general public will be in- vited. A reason is given that the cot tagers have not the time to devote to the arranging for the event. although there is nothing to indicate that these men have any more urgent business to attend to this season than they did last year, or the year before for that matter Some of the best of celebra tions have been gotten up on short notice and there is still ample'time for the Ocean beach colony and the trolley company to get together and continue the annual custom that has afforded so much pleasure to the cottagers at the beach and the visitors.
 The low water pressure in some sec tions of the city and the consequent lack of fire protection, which was brought to public attention by the recent fires in Lincoln avenue and
 
 indicative that low pressure of water at the fire hydrants is the rule in this city, for it is not. At the great ma jority of the fire hydrants the pressure is ample for fire purposes and low pressure prevails in but few sections, and in these the conditions are to be However, the facts have set the fremen talking and they wish the public to understand that they are ever reaGy to do fire duty, but that they cannot cope with fire unless they have an abundant supply of water for the purpose, and like many other things in life. fires are liable to occur at any time and~in any locality, re- gar1Iess of the water supply.
 Speaking of hydrants the question is raised whether these hydrants are properly inspected and ready for sery- ice in any emergency? They should be tested occasionally, and that means more than once a year, to ascertain if they are in proper working order, for a defective hydrant in a high water pressure section even would be fully