Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-27

! The committee on railroads gave a hearing WdResday on the O'Keefe bill, which prohibits passengers from riding 1 on the running boards of trolley cars. James P. Murphy of Hartford, repre- senting the trolleymen of the sta te, stated that there was need for a stat ute for the punishment Of this danger ous habit. While the general utilities 1 commission issued orders to the trolley
 company to stop the riding on running boards. there was no provisi for the punishment of the offenders, and the new bill provides for arrest and prose cution. Representative O'Keefe, Con ductor Gartner of New Haven, Motor man Leahy of Meriden, Motornnan Lewis of New London and Conductor Breen of New Haven spoke in favor of
 the measure. They showed the dan gers of riding on running boards, and the necessity of law that will put an
 end to it, which will be of general pub lie benefit.
 s. W. c. Jones, manager of the Dan- bury company, objected to the measure as he believed it would be a hardship on the companies, especially the small CT ones. where there is of necessity a shortage of equipment on special oc- casions. If the bill is to be given fav- orab1e report. he believed the punish
 nent should be inflicted Epon the of- lending passengers. and not the conn., panies
 Senator Landers asked General Man 1
 
 company if 1t was not planned to dc l away with the open cars and substi- l tute convertible cars for use in win l ter and summer.
 Mr. Punderford said St1le open cars | with present and prospective legislative ! restrictions, certainly must go in time, l as they were becoming unprofftabfe and | burdensorne It is practically true that the company has bought it's last open car
 Representative Stoddard asked what was the life of a trolley car.
 Mir. Punderford said that was ques- tion difficult to answer. Some are Of old vintage. and their life depends upon their use and care.
 Sena tor Landers asked MT Punder- ford if he would object to bill com ing from the committee that would prohibit the purchase of any open cars after a reasonable date.
 Mr. Punderford said he believed such a law would be more equitable than the many restrictions that have been imposed and are pending against the trolley companies In response to que- ries from Senator Ianders. Mir Pun derford said there was a bill that pro- Vldes against riding on the running boards or between seats of open cars
 Senator Peck asked Mir Furderford if he was opposed to the matter under consideration, which was the riding on running boards.
 Mr Punderford said he would rather not reply to that question at this time, but preferred to be heard on the bill that also included riding between seat, upon which he had considerable data He did not care to go into the matter unless he was assured the committee would not report the present bill rn- til after there was hearing on the other matter.
 Senator Peck said the committee was considering the bill relative to riding on running boards, but he could not say whether it would be reported be- fore the other feature in another bill was considered.
 MT. Punderford said he would like to be heard on both bills in conjunction, were such procedure considered proper by the committee
 Mir. Jones said his company had within a month purchased a closed car for summer use in order to get away from some of the nurdensorne leefsIa- i've restrictions.
 Representative Stoddard of the conn., nfttee made motion that no report be made on the running board bill until | after hearing had been held on the bill | which concerns both riding on run- ming boards and between the seats on open cars.
 The resolutions appointing county commissioners has been made the or fer of the day at noon next Wednes- lay. It is Qnfte probable that the iouse will make the resolutions the order of the day for the following Thursday.