Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-28

 the development of Providence harbor, Massachusetts, $9,oo0,000 for Boston and the state of New York $1oO,0oU,- GOO, could not Connecticut afford to
 spend $1,000, 900 for the same purpose The senator did not answer.
 Representative Hail Opposed. Representative Hall of Wilmington said the subject was not clear to him
 two years ago and that he did not
 vote for or against the bill. He said
 he had friends in New London and
 was a property holder there and what
 helped New London helped him. He
 said it was wrong for the state to
 launch out on project of this Kind
 and he did not believe the state should
 own steamship terminals. No state
 should make an appropriation without
 providing a way to meet the appro-
 priation. We should pay as we go and
 if we can't pay, don't go. He be-
 lieyed this million dollars was only
 the cost of the undertaking. MT. Hall said he may be wrong, but he was un-
 der the impression that 1t was an air castle and there was no guarantee that the dock would be occupied. He said New London could never com. pete with New York or Boston in the Transatlantic business. He believed the present legislature should right the wrong done two years ago.
 Senator Johnson asked MT. Hall if he was opposed to the development of any and all waterways Of the state. MT. Hall replied that he was not pre- pared to answer that question with out qualifying whether the state was to be benefited by the development.
 Senator McNei1 stated that 1t was the intention of Hon. Everett B. Lake vor of the repeal Senator Johnson made reply that there was nothing in evidence to that effect.
 Ex- Sen ator Brennan of New London.
 Ex-Senator William J. Brennan of New London said the appropriation bill was passed after a most exhaus- tive hearing. He said that two years ago the hall of the house of repre- sentatfves was filled to overfowing by citizens from all sections of the state who were in favor of the ap- propriatfon and this could be repeated three New Londonsrs spoke at that hearing for 1t was classed as of state- s wise rather than local importance. We claim the matter is already adjudi- cated, which was effected after months of discussion. It was passed by an overwhelming vote. The matter went to the governor and after careful con- sideration the measure met with his approval and the whole business is with commission of which the gov ton that included visits to New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Providence, the commission decided that 1t was for the best interests of the state to tlemen in opposition must show that the action of the committee should be of no avail. The heavy burden is with them to show why the act should consider the matter settled question for there was no snap legislation in with the passage of the original bill
 Mayor Mahan of New London.
 Mayor Bryan F. Mahan was the next speaker. He told of the thorough hearings that were given prior to the unsolicited support of citizens from all sections of the state and of its al most unanimous adoption in the leg islature. None of the money was used was ma de by the commission of con ditfons elsewhere. MT. Ma.han then went Into detail of similar work which had been done in other ports and existed, and at the expense of many millions of dollars tor the purpose of public and general and not purely local benefits. He referred to harbors at home and abroad giving figures in every instance mentioned. He called attention that the government had ex-H pended s400. .000, 900 for the Panama canal which was to be of immense advantage to the whole United States New London harbor is one of the development Is tnf1nitesfma1 in com parison with the cost of developing narbors elsewhere that lack the nat 1raI advantages and would reap share of the Panama canal benefits. Shall this committee and this 1egis- ature decide the money spent to de- yelop commerce is i'll advised? |.
 Opposed by Wealthy Men.
 Mr. Mahan said he was not only in ,evor of the appropriation for New London, but he was not opposed to he approximations for New Haven and Bridgeport. There was no city in he United Mates so well adapted for 'oreign trade as New London, as 1t vas not only six hours nearer from Europe than New York, but was so ion facilities that foreign freight and could be handled more ex- 5editious1y. He saiG he did not att end the hearing intending to make any speech. as he did not think any lew arguments were necessary to con- Jince that the action of the 1egis1a- ure of two years ago was justified by he conditions. In fact there was noth- ng new to talk about as all pertaining o the important matter was known t seems that the only real advocates 1 if the repeal bill are the sons of tvgs If the wealthiest men in the state, and l hey seem for first time to be An- Isua11y solicitoa1s of the welfare of the l ,oor taxpayers of the state.
 Not Gift, An investment.
 MT. Hall asked if the appropriation l would do the work as planned.
 Mir. Mahan replied that $1.000, 900 | will build the dock and equipment and 1 here win be money left. MT. Mahan | aid the appropriation was not a gift ut an investment, and that tranEpor- alton meant tho success of manu- acturing.
 MT. Hall asked, wi1 you as an in- luential citizen of New London say hat you will not come te the 1egfsla,- ure for more money for harbor de- eIopment.