Norwich bulletin., 1913-04-09
WARM DISCUSSION AT HEARING
Over Bill to Increase Norwich Board of Gas and Electrical Commissioners to Five Members - Mayor Murphy Champions the Plan-Visorously Opposed by Present Commissioners E. A. Tracy and John McWilisms.
Especial te The Bulletin.)

Mayor Timothy c. Murphy, Corpora ten Counsel Joseph F. Tanning, Sen ator Charles Avery, Representatlve Jebn Craney, and Supt.- William F. Begue, John MeWilliams and Edwin A. Tracy, board of gas and electric commissioners ef Norwich, were before the committee on cities and boroughs at Hartford Tuesday afternoon one matter set down fer hearing, relative to permitting the board of water com missioners of the city of Norwich to extend water mains and render service beyond the city limits. had been pre- vieasly heard and reported faVoraply hr thee committee. Another matter down fer hearing by the same commit tee was an amendment to the charter fxins the salary of judge Of the city court and city attorney at $l.2o0 each' IT Nad been given hearing by thee Ju- dietary ceonlittee. So these matters were passed.
 Ne Support for Ward Bill.
 The first matter called up was an act to amend the city of Norwich di- NidinG the city into five wards. Sen ato: C, :. Avery of Norwich said as no one appeared in favor of the act, he suggested that the committee make unfavorsble report. MT Tanning said he had heard nothing in favor of the amendment in Norwich. and that the people would be satisfied to have the measure buried,
 MT, FanD1nE S2lQ that IN NOGNIC Hodu two other matters that were not yet aSsigned by the committee. One re- ferred to the consolidation of city and town, and the other to the annexat ton of Sunnyside and Norwich Town. He said Attorney Charles w. ComStock, who had been retained to oppose, was soon to go to Washington to appear in the supreme court, and that, If agreeable to the committee, both mat Jers might be assigned for hearing on April 18th. The committee assigned the hearings for that date.
 Norwich Bond Issue.
 Mr. Tanning then explained the act authorizing the city of Norwich to issue bonds to meet the issue of 1883. There was no opposition
 To Define Lighting Commissions Pow
 Then came in turn the act concern ing the board of gas and electrical commissioners of Norwich which would give authority-such as was given the old Norwich Gas and Elec- tric company. MT. Tanning explained that in 1902 the city of Norwich decid- ed to enter into the municipal lighting business, and has been in the business since 1904 The old company had lines in the city of Norwich and in part of Preston and Norwich Town, and Nor wich continued the business in the same territory. In his opinion the city had all the authority of the old company and would extend the busi- ness to the towns named. Some oth7 CTS had doubt, and he wanted the mat ter to be cleared up. as would be done by the adoption of the bill under con Sideration. It was simply: Shall the city of Norwich have all the rights of the old Norwich Gas and Electric Light company, which Norwich acquir- ed by compulsory purchase? When the " distributing power as well as light, and as Norwich paid for the right, he be- lieved the city had all the franchise rights The bill he said, was to make certain some things that are alleged to be uncertainties. The old company had