The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-18
SOME HOPES THAT
 FAIRFIELD AVENUE WILL BE PAVED

t66 0A But Not Without Granting Con cessiOn to Connecticut Com
 pany = Mayor Wilson Pro-
 poses to Widen Street and
 Traction Company Agrees to
 Stand Expense
 Through communication with Presi-
 dent Charles S. Mellen of the Connec- has secured promise of yco-opera tion from that company in connection with the ten-foot center question in Fair field avenue. The Mayor submitted a message to the Common Council last night in which aiproposition a providing for the widening of the street by showing back the curbing, was offer ed The expense of this work would be borne by the Conncticut Co.,, if that company. is. exempt from prop erty damages resulting from this inn pavement. In consideration for the OOHApduy Q dICScusF z SSucTOSity, VIlt Mayor proposes that the city with draw it's appeal from the decision of the Public Utilities Commission and grant the traction company. the right to lay ten-foot centers in Fairfield avenue from Main street to Courtland street.
 The Mayors message mentioned the opinion of City Attorney Pullman and former City Attorney Thomas MI. Gull linan, which was to the effect that the city has little chance of getting a favorable decision. This part of the message called for criticism from AL derman Robert H. DeForeet who thinks it peculiar that the city attor- neys had not informed the Common Council of this before. The message was finally referred to the Streets and Sidewalks committee. :. ---:4 -:r P
 Mayor Wilson in his message ex- Rlained the present status of the case. Ho eaid that Fairfield avenue should be paved this year because of its de- miss the case was argued in the Su- perior court, Friday, June 14, and as the court year closes in a. very short time, the city attorney advises tfat the appeal cannot 2 be heard on it's merits until fall too late to repave Or siad that he was actuated by a ideeire to see what could be done to- wards the co-epefation,sof't of the Connec- t1cut Co.,, and wrote to President Mel len. In his letter to MeHeH tho May or offered this suggestion: s,rhA tracks of your company are In sdeplorable condition and should be replaced with are very desirous of paving this street this summer but do not wish to do 80 until your company relays it's tracks.
 .'In the event of. tho Common Copn-- cifv voting to withdraw the suit for court and permitting; your company sto relocate it's trucks on ten-foot centers on tfds street, would you be w Hing to bear the expense which the possi-- ble setting back of curb would neces- 'sitate? The narroweSt section of the street is from Main to CoWtland streets, a distance of approximately 1680 feet, and I am of the opinion that Fairfield avenue from Courdand to be wiAened to accommodate your tracks.
 If would have your assurance that this would be done think that possibly the Common Council would consent to the withdrawal of the case from court and thus enable us to- pro- ceed at once with this work
 In reply to this. the Mayor received letter from Vice President L. S. Storrs, to whom his letter was re- ferred by PreAident Mellen, in which MT. Storrs writes:
 TT appreciate the offer and would be perfectly willing to recommend un- dertaking the labor of setting back curbs as you suggest, provided we are not by any chance asked to stand any. property damages which might ensue! If therefore, you will advise me defi- nitely just what you, wish slus to un- dertake in connection with setting back of these curbs, I will be very glad indeed to call upon you and close the matter to our mutual satisfaction"
 Tho proposed widening of the street would, according to the Mayor make more than ample room for the pass age of vehicles. Without the widen ing and with the tracks located in the center of the street, any average by the curb and allow the trolley cars to pass the nine-foot centers, would be able to standa free of the trolley cars on ten-foot centers. -a The clear ance on each side from passing troll ley cars to the curb on ten-foot cen ters would be eight feet three inches, and by setting back to curb five or necticut Co. would bear, would allow just so much more clearance on each side of the roadway.
 Alderman DeForest considered that the communication threw a new status upon the case of the city against the trolley company ''It seems to me that if the city attorneys knew that the city had no case against the company as they seemingly now declare. they should have made it known before.''' he said. ''There has been good deal of discussion as to who has been to blame for holding up the pavement of this street and many different ver- sions have been given, each in accord to the prejudice of the one giving the information.
 ''It would appear to me that there are two causes for the delay in this work. One cause Is the persistent stubbornness of the traction company in hanging on, tooth and nail, in ev- erything opposed to the interests Of the city, and refusing to give the city any grace when they think they have any legal or other rights.
 Another cause seems to be this startling information coming at this late date from the city attorney which tells us that we haven't any case against the trolley company. This. is an unusual situation. When train ed attorneys allow the city to con tinue litigation, expensive and both ersome. knowing that the city has no case 1t seems peculiar to me- should like to know why this board o11 oil d I@V+c