Connecticut western news., 1913-05-08
SMITH HILL MUST GO
Highway Commissioner Bennett Makes
 Definite Promise at Big Meeting.

Smith Hill, as an obstacle to travel, is doomed. Highway Commissioner Ben- nett has said it. "I promise you that as much of the new appropriation as can be applied to the work of putting state road over Smith Hill, will be applied immediately upon such appropriation becoming available. and one of the very 1 first contracts to be awarded will be for the construction of the Smith Hill road. l"
 Thus spoke the commissioner in con. speeches by representatives of various towns in Litchfield county, at one of the most remarkable meetings of its kind ever held ill the county-the gather ing organized by the Laheville Business Mems Association, in Roberts Hall, last Friday evening. There were 150 men present, including delegations from Canaan, Sharon. Norfolk, Winsted and Torrington. Most of the visitors, who had come by auto, returning home after the meeting. Autos were parked along the street in the neighborhood of Roberts Hall, till the thoroughfare resembled the entrance to cattle-show ground.
 MT. Wm. Kane, president of the Lake vile Business Mems Association. pre- sided at the meeting, and Secretary Albert Roberts was at the clerks desk. In opening the meeting Mir. Kane re. minded the gentlemen that 1t was the purpose of the gathering to convert one man-Commissioner Bennett" who was present-to realization of the need of improved travel conditions, particu- larly with reference to Smith Hill. He called first on Mr. Robert E. Scoville, of Salisbury.
 Mr. Scoville said the most significant appeal had been made, to Commissioner Bennett, through the eye, which would prove more effective than any appeal through the ear. (Mr. Bennett had climbed Smith Hill, that afternoon, in his autol Salisbury's roads had been neglected and had deteriorated. and Salisbury's outlet is virtually confined to New York state and Massachusetts. It was that condition which the meeting was designed to consider. MT. Scoville made forcefu1 and effective appeal.
 Rev. MT. Quaile, head-master of a Salisbury school, said he appeared at the meeting, not as a clergyman, for 8 clergyman couldn't consistently make use of the language that deserves to be applied to the conditions on Smith Hill He said Smith Hill is the one feature oi the town from which he always strove to divert the attention of visitors. Smith Hill must be remedied, not alone for tht benefit of the people of Salisbury bu for the benefit of the people of Con necticut who want to come to Salisbury and are practically barred out because oi the travel conditions.
 , Judge D. T. Warner, of Salisbury said he wanted to give his ferven "Amen" to all that had been said
 Smith Hill is the obstacle between Sails bury and the rest of the state. We can not go under it, and we cannot 70 ovel 3 it without the aid of flying machine : The crying need of the town is to b' t brought into closer connection with the l rest of the state.
 J. Clinton Roraback, Esq, of Canaan l sald he had come up Smith Hill, tha ! afternoon. in company with the high : way commissioner and his party, and he thought he knew already, pretty nearly ) what MT. Bennett's opinion was-"h, didn't think any more of lr than we did - and on the return trip he refused to ride but got out and walked" Everybody il tired of the existing conditions. If tn. road to Canaan were in even passable ' condition there might be some excuse l for the commissioner to ignore it. Can } aan people have no desire to urge that the trunk road should go over any one route in preference to any other. They don't care where it goes, so long as it is made passable.
 Dr. Buehler, of Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, wanted the roads made pass. able especially on account of Hotchkiss Schools relations with the outside world. Some of the first people of America visit the town because of the school. and naturally they first ask as to the best way of getting here. At present they are practically cut off on account of the present. system of good roads, ex- cepting by the way of New York state. It is not fair to the great educational interests of Salisbury.
 MT. Brooks, of Torrington, said the roads of Litchfield county, generally. are in bad shape. The Automobile Club of the county want good system of trunk highway, for the good it will do our county.
 Ex-Representative Agard, of Torring- ton said the gentlemen at the meeting were going at it in the right way. They deserved good road over Smith Hill, and were uolnp to get if An euthusi-