Norwich bulletin., 1913-04-30

' the state and the state ought to take 1 advantage of the present opportunity. 1 He asked the committee to give the l subject speedy, favorable and unani
 nous report
 Matthew W. Rogers of Bridgeport l told of personal inconvenience he had experienced at the New London ] Groton ferry, on both sides of the | Thames. He said no question can he | truthfully raised by any citizen in | opposition to this proposed highway | improvement The state needs a i crossing at that point in substitution | of the most haZadOuS ferry in all New England
 Change of Bridge Would Cost s$25o,ooo. | Edwin W. Booth chief engineer of the Lyme and Haddam bridge, went into some detail as to the spans and l trusses and piers of the bridge and l their cost, and he figured that by ac 1 cepting the bridge the state would re- ceive in value from s600,000 to SS00,- l 900. He said the estimate of $250,000 was ample to transfer the railroad 1 bridge into 9, highway bridge. He said i it was essential for the railroad com pany to get the states answer now, as much depends upon the disposition of the bridge in connection with the building of the new structure, and the 1 work on both could be carried on 1 tage. He said 1t is a durable bridge and would serve the public a great many years.
 Not a New London Issue. | Former Governor Thomas M. Wal Ter was the next speaker. He said he would like to have the committee to know that he did not come to the hearing for New London, but for the state, for if New London alone was concerned it would be embarrassing to i, make appearance. New London had asked for and received much from the Cfa fA ha tO the mournerS and ask for more. New London's desire in this matter is in- hniteS1naI in comparison with the general desire of the whole state for the highway bridge. The present ferry accommodates the local travel Moth ing can be said against the ferry for such use or of the Thames river, but the passage at the ferry is extremely dangerous; is good for nothing ex- cept to lawyers and physicians and sometimes undertal<ers. In justice be it said, that the railroad company is about to make a change that will make comparatively safe. The need for the highway bridge has grown up, not es- pecially for local use, but for state and interstate traffic, which has doubled within five years and will in crease as time goes on. When the bridge is taken over by the state there will be no ferry between New York and Boston and Boston and Maine This highway would be alike benef- cia1 to the rich who rode in chaises and the poor who walk
 Highway Bridge Got to Come.
 MT. Waller said there is not a thoughtful men in the state but who believes that some day a highway bridge must be built across the Thames It has got to come. Now is the opportune time to get that bridge at much below the cost of a new, and T1O Sfr No latuFe can stop a bridge there; it is sure to come, for Connecticut is pro gressive, not politically, but wisely progressive.
 Mir. Waller then referred to the great fight in 1868, over the construc- tion of the first railroad bridge across the Connecticut river at SaybrookN when he was opposed by the late Sen ator William W. Eaton who declared that no bridge should ever be built across Gods highway. The bridge was built and the senator lived to see trains of cars go on a bridge across Gods highway. MT. Waller then re- ferred to his contests in behalf of the bridge near Lyme and the Thames river, and of his success in each in stance, and he said he believed sue cess would crown his effort in this in stance.
 Hopes Committee Will Accept Prompt
 Iy.
 He hoped the committee would act fa- vorably and promptly, have a resoIu- ton passed accepting the bridge, and the appointment of a commission to get all the information the state should know and present same to the next general assembly. He said the important matter should be left in no uncertain way, for no one knows what changes may occur in the next two years, and there is possibility that the state may lose the benefit that is now within reach.
 Engineer Bush said the present structure is adapted to traffic purposes and would stand for innumerable years as its use as highway the loads would be a half less than was intend ed when the bridge was originally built.
 Favored by Norwich Citizens.
 Frank J. King. representing the Norwich Board of Trade. said that or ganization was heartily in favor of the proposition and asked favorable consideration of the committee and by the legislature.
 Herbert R. Branche. representing the Norwich Business Mems association. also spoke strongly in favor of ac- ceptance of the bridge, stating that the organization he represented had voted to have representatives at the hearing in the interest of the measure.
 Mayor Murphy of Norwich said he believed the people of Norwich were unanimously in favor of the proposi- ton and urged the committee to prompt and favorable action. as de- lays are dangerous. He believed fa- vorable report of the committee would be to its credit and favorable action by the legislature would be credit to the state.
 Charles IT. Gilchrist and Jason l., Randall, presidents of the Norwalk and Groton Boards of Trade, respectively, spoke in favor.
 Leonard Fl. Heaiey of Woodstock.
 L. H. Hea1ey of Woodstock seere- tary Of the state grange, said as a rule | what is got for nothing was$worth l but here is an exception | where the state has opportunity to get |