Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-21
FRANKLIN STREET LINE DISCUSSED
Further sashlenins of hs Westerly Side Wss Favored at the Hearing the Matter Monday Evening, But W. S.
 filings Conditions Demanded Further Consideration by Common Council.

Will ell the property owners on the westerly side of Franklin street between the Bulletin building and Wil- low street assentlng as to the de- sirabtiity of the proposed street line. along that side of the thoroughfare between these two points. the prob lem. of securing this Improvement was complicated for the city officials by the position taken by w. s. Ailing, recently becoming property owner the new line. and willing to givs without charge to the city the land along his frontage beyond this line. be stipulated that the city bear the ex- pense he would necessarily undergo of lowering the feorings in the stores and railways Of his building to the sidewalk level, a lowering made nec- essary by the steps which now lead down to the sidewalk level The out come of the hearing. held Monday evening by the court of common coun- cff. Mayor Murphy presiding, with take the matter under consideration and report upon it at the regular Au- gust meeting of the council.
 At 81e o'clock Mayor Murphy called the meeting to order and the min utes being accepted without reading several abutting property owners on the westerly side of Franklin street Then the meeting was thrown open to those who wished to be heard.
 All in Favor Once.
 William H Dat, manager of the Buiieti neompany, spoke in favor of the new line. He told of conditions ten years back at the erection of the Bulletin building when all the prop street were signers of the petition presented by the Crane Realty com pany to allow the street line to be set back three feet. It seems strange now said MT Oat to go out several feet into the street. The improvement Of the street would be beneficial to the property owners, the tenants and to all who travel back and forth along it.
 In Line Of Progress.
 Attorney J. J. Desmond said that all familiar with the conditions in the To- cality, and with the history of Lower Franklin street In recent years must see the desirability of the action con- templated on the resolution errbody- ing the continuance of the new street line. The lower section of this street is really a part of Franklin square. and one of the busiest spots. not only of Norwich, but of all Eastern Connecticut and the Improvements now in progress and in contemplation for the immediate future will make tt an even more important center. TR@ improvement should be done new, said Mr Desmond, and he stated that if he owned property there, that if would be easy to deal with him, Tor 1t is not only in the line of progress but in the interest of property owners and of all other citizens
 Gilbert L.. Hewitt for the owners of the Wilson property paid that they were willing to give the land without expense to the city
 crookeder Then Than Now.
 James c. Fitzpatrick said that he did business on Franklin street for a good manyy ears when the street was much crookeder than 1t Is now. He said that the late Col. Converse was one of his old customers and he told the story of how the Colonel came down on the horse cars and remarked that he hoped to live to see the day when he could stand at his building and look down and see Franklin square.
 MT. Fitzpatrick saw no reason why