Norwich bulletin., 1913-04-17
TRACK THROUGH WATER STREET
Vigorously Opposed by Norwich Common Council Commit tee at Legislative Hearing - Trolley Company Man ager Objects to Alternate Route Which He Claims Would be Devious and Dangerous

I congested already. He said that ever
 since he was a boy. and long before, Mafket street was sort of market
 place for farmers. and that there was no reason for discontinuance. The | Wholesalers needed all available space 1 in connection with their business, and | he presented 8 petition of the business hrms in Water street against tracks pelng laid in that busy thoroughfare. 1 lie Sa1d the present tracks were ade- 1 quate for the trolley service and cited l instances in other cities where cars 1 were run on five minute schedule in streets not so wide as Main street and l on a single track.
 Water Street Firms Against It. Mayor Murphy said he did not want trolley people, for he was in favor of an improvement in the service if it was for the public convenience and
 not Inconvenience. The petition of the Water street business men had been presented to the court of common council and the mayor and Councilmen kramer and Williams were appointed i a committee to oppose the laying of tracks in that street. He said the
 trolley company had property suff1-
 cient to meet all requirements There
 was no necessity for using Wa+or
 street at the present time. He said
 it would not be fair to the people of
 Norwich to report in favor of the troll
 ley petition. There is no congestion
 in Main street and there is no evil
 dence of material increase in the troI-
 ley business. The city has expended
 about $50, ,000 to improve Little Water
 street and it should not be given over
 to unnecessary trolley service. He of
 fered the route by the steam road
 track, which is within 15 feet of the
 present trolley tracks.
 Mir. Punderford's Argument.
 MT. Punderford said the proposed
 route was needed in order to give a. 15 minute schedule on the Norwich New London route, and under the present conditions there was trouble in running the cars on schedule time. The route proposed by the mayor was too devious and dangerous. MT. Pun Gerford said an ordinance would regu- late conditions in Water street, which is evidently a hucksters' station, and that most of the congestion is caused
 by permitting packing boxes on the sidewalks. He said the proposed ex- tributary territory. but that the one way movement of cars would be for the public benefit and convenience.
 Mayor Murphy replied that the mer- mitted to do business and he was glad to see the hustle and hustle in that busy street. He was pleased that there were packing eases and boxes warrant it. He said it was not for Mr. Punderford to tell the committee such stuff but be knew it would have no effect upon their intel1igepee. He could see no valid reason why the trolley company should not utilize their own property and not attempt to hamper the business in Water street. sented to the Norwich city council, and which had been handed to the committee by the mayor. was signed by all the property owners of Water <TsnA was used for hucksters' purposes, for hawkers or by peddlers. There wass no condition that required tracks in that street now that did not exist five Of Water street was contemplated the Connecticut company was asked to cooperate and bear a part of the ex- pense, as 1t was reported that the con- Punderford was communicated with and said that the company did not want to use the street and therefore would not share the expense. Thcn the city went forward and did the work. Now that the city has expend- ed $30,000 the company comes and asks permission to lay tracks there. The people of Norwich were opposed and be hoped the committee would favorAbly consider the opposition.
 Objections in Market Street.
 Senator Peck of the committee ask ed what the objection was to tracks in N arket street.
 MT. Tanning replied that the city had expended large sum on improve mentS, that there was a steep grade a sharp turns and could not be used by i trolley cars without great public dan- ger. There was a 1-2 per cent. grade l irl Market street and a per cent 1 grade in Water street
 MT. Punderford said the cars were being operated with safety on and II per cent. grades. He said the com i pany did not unite with the city in widening Water street several years | ago as the company did not consider i the company needed any part of the i street. He said what the company asks for is reasonable, especially as the l city suggested the same route asked i for about six years ago. before the i inproveme ent was made. He said the i plan was u9der consideration i a year and a half aEo.
 Mir. Tanning asked why it was not l made known, and Mir. Punderford re- i piled: We didn't have to; the need l then was not So urgent as now.''
 Mayor Murphy said by reason of ] danger Norwich protested with vigor against trolley tracks in Market street |
 MT Tanning suggested that the con- | 1nlttee visit the premises and he be- i lieved the visit would be worth the l cost to the city of Norwich.
 MT. Punderford said he would be | glad to split the cost.
 Senator Landers of the committee 1 SdiN me committee would pay it's own | if such a visit was deemed i necessary.
 Senator Peck said the good old state | of Connecticut was ready to pay the | legitimate expenses of the committed l
 councilman Kramer asked why the | steam road route could not be used to advantage. MT. Punderford said it was dangerous and devious and he ! did not know what there might be in [ the future to interfere and therefore he did not care to mix the babies MT. then told of the heavy team 1 ing and generally congested condition of Water street and the detriment to business if trolley cars were permit ted in that street
 The hearing was then declared closed.