Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-09

The recent acr1on or SnIcA lice Thomas E. Brown in cieasins Dixon square and vicinity of standing .,automobiies for hire," caused EoW,n .1,a Fl. B1ackler to seek redress rom tno Westerly town council at the rsguiaI session held on Monday. Chier bloMh acted under orders of the town coun- ell. MT. Bleckler said he had been in the public automobile business TOT the past six year stand III or near Dixon equr since pe- ing ordered av 7ss nao oe creased at l. de sd4u ffst men fro, had come to maSteriv .lyerted what was conceded llc stand iheo . nrhlic mi in order to fr,efa o,,t pr them he had 7tse,, nIacer ;, Mir. Black fE safd council ought to prote, home people and he had nevt nuisance and that no 5 Complain; yer been filed against him in the ict of his business. He raid thar in towns automobiles for hire were lice A1 and that pernaps Hceriee would be .neficial in this in- stance and license issued to bona noe residents of the town. As 1t Is now three men from Ashaway come 70 Westerly with their automobiles ana do business here. They have made ,and are doing the same at the rail- May station. Mir. Blackler said he was a taxpayer in the town and ought to be given some rights and protec- ton. He said he ought to be permit ted tos stand in his accustomed place ana cited several instances to prove that his automobile had been a public convenience.
 President Culley said that the chief Of police had been instructed to en- force the traffic ordinances.
 Councilman Flynn said that he had 6een appointed on committee to pre-. paee an ordinance to fit the ease of the "automobile for hire" the popcorn wagon and other commercial vehicles, that were accustomed to stand in or near Dixon square, and found that such an ordinance was in existence. Chief Brown was instructed to enforce the ordinance and 1t struck MT. Black Ter a little hRrder than 1t did the rest,
 Mir. Blackier then referred to the wagon was permitted to stand in front of the post ofiice for thirteen years end there was no interference on the part of the council or police, until the wagon came into his sons ownership,
 Councilman HasweI suggested a se- crets sersicr Cor further consideration of the matter.
 # Counci ma Flynn could see no need for secret session. as the committee had instructed Chief Brown to en- force the ordinance. He tsaid there were other ordinances that were not enforced and he thought it would be we'll to leave this matter with the chief. with the idea that. a public nui- sance could be abated without public Inconvenience.
 Prssidsnt cuilsy stated that the DO. lles wsrs now carrying out instruc- uens, and this matter could be safely left with the chief Of police, but the council might give consideration to tho project Of licensing these "autorno- piles for hire"
 Councilman Flynn said that if H. must be furnished and that would lead to complications.
 Councilman Robinson said that if these automobiles were licensed, 1t would mean the licensing of cabs and other public vehicles. and be hard ship upon the owners. In large towns snd cities licenses were issued in or der to control the public vehicles, but there is no need for such law in Wes- terly, Now that there Is marked de- crease in public traffic with the close of the summer season. he could con snce # MT. Blackler and his automo- bile returned to the old stand. Other pouncilmen coincided,
 President Culley said 1t would be q0ruap0 better 70 leave the matter with he chief of police, who could act with he 4trafilc committee. and in the in- terest of all concerned.
 consfderabte tlme of the council meetlngs 10 devoted to the serutinixa- aen of approved bills, approved by the sommittees of the council authorized contract the same. When the bills tho Westerly Automatic Telephone company were reached. Councilman Flynn asked if anything had been done b ascertain, what the company pro- iosed to do in the matter of free tel-