Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-14

belief that there was bill pending for
consolidation, when he found that was
not true he withdrew his signature.
Separation District Fairly Treated.
Charles s. Holbrook, town clerk for
IA years, told the committee that the
town of Norwich that is in the district
that it Is planned to separate has been
very fairly treated in the matter of
town officers and at the present time
all the selectmen reside outside the
city limits. He was not in favor of
separation and the sentiment is over
whelmingly against separation. The
only place where there is any senti-
ment is in TaftviIle, where the Pone-
nah mills are located. Mr.. Holbrook
had queried over a thousand people
in seeking the sentiment and, if
necessary, they would come to Nor
witch and testify.
Judge Browns Views.
Judge Lucius Brown said he was as
sured that there was not 10 per cent.
of the voters Of the town in favor of
annexation, and he earnestly asked the
committee not to favor the separation
of any town. No new town has been
made in "a years and he hoped there
would not be another. He did not
think the present legislature would
favor any new town formation. Judge
Brown read a quotation of Timothy
Dwight which referred to the solidity
of towns and the necessity of stand
ing with unbroken lines. He asked
the committee not to take the initia-
tive in the forma ton of new towns.
He was also opposed to consolidation,
but If the city wants part Of the
town, and that part wants to come in,
he had no objection.
400 Signed Under Misrepresentation.
Atty. Alcorn submitted lists of names
opposed to separation who had signed
in favor of separation under a misap-
prehension that there was a bill pend
ing favorable to consolidation of city
and town. There were over 400 names
in the list.
Two Judges Show Their Opposition.
kilograms in opposition to di-
vision from R. D. Hill and Judge
Gardiner Greene of the superior court;
also a letter from Judge John M. Thay-
er of the supreme court were put in
evidence.
Atty. Edwin W. Higgins for General
W. A. Aiken of the Otis library sub
mitted a letter in opposition and told
of the large circulation of the library
in the town Of Norwich. He also pre-
sented a petition from % members of
the general assembly from New Lon
don county asking the committee for
an unfavorable report.
City Water Supply for Parts of Town.
John J. Cookery in answer to ques-
tons said he was a graduate from the
Norwich Free Academy and Yale and
is at present superintendent of Nor
witch water works. The water system
is one Of the best in New England
and at the time the fire underwriters
visited Norwich the system was prior
to the present improvements. The
service, fire and domestic, has been
extended into the Taftville district. In
the proposed new town there are eight
miles of water pipe, a part of the city
service, with fire hydrants in the Taft
vile section,13 in Norwich Town and
four on the Backus hospital property.
There is an investment of about $780,
600 In the proposed new town. In re-
Spouse to query from Attorney Hen
ney, Mr.. Cookery said the town users
pay more than the city users, but there
are four semi-charitable institutions
who are not required to pay an addi-
tional 2 per cent All the expenses of
the system rest with the city.
Mayor Reads Letters.
Mayor Timothy C. Murphy regarded
the separation idea decidedly unfavor-
ably and is opposed to consolidation
unless those interested and resident in
the town section desire to be annex
ed. He spoke in high terms of the
Ponemah mills and it's benefit to the
town, and said that neither Mr.. Rick
etson nor Mr.. Atwood were familiar
with Norwich conditions. He read a
letter in opposition from J. F. Rogers
of the United States Finishing compa-
ny, from the Hopkins & Allen Arms
company, Charles L. Hubbard, presi-
dent of the Thames National bank,
Miss Bill, a lady taxpayer on $123,00o,
Ada l.. Richards, who pays taxes on
$175,O00, z. L. White of the Shetucket
company, ]. C. Henderson Of Crescent
Firearms company. He read a letter
from the Thern7os Roft1a coropop NV
which was first located in the town
/ outside Of the city, had come into the
town by the annexation Of SunnySide,
and at the request Of the Thermos
Mrs. Bridget McGrory, American
Strawboard company, the Shetucket
company, Nancy E. Lucas, West Side
silk mill, the Ul1ner Leather company,
by Henry F. Ulmer. Over $7,305, 900 is
represented in taxation. When Win
slow Williams says the majority of
residents outside the city, in the town,
are in favor Of separation, he is mis-
taken, and Messrs. Atwood and Ricket-
son are not familiar with conditions.
Mr.. Murphy added that If Mr.. Eccles,
late of the Ponemah mills, had been
spared, there would have been no pc
titton for separation before the COM
mtttee. .--
General Sentiment Against Change.
Frank J. King, treasurer of the Reid
& Hughes company, one of the largest
stores in the city, and president of the
Board of Trade, told the committee it
would be detrimental to the town If
| separation prevailed. The general
sentiment is decidedly opposed to any
separation, and also to annexation, IN
| less there was desire to be annexed by
| the residents of the sections of the
| town interested. Mr.. King is also a
member Of the Michigan park commits
sion, and entrance has been made into
the park for the benefit of Taftvine
He did not think there was any ground
| for fear that there was effort being
| made leading to consolidation.
| Cornelius J. Downes, registrar OF
voters, was special agent for census OF
1910. He gave the population of the
proposed new town in 1910 as 1894
The population of the Greeneville dis
trict was about 1000. The population
Of that part Of Preston annexed in
| 1901 is about $500.
| Mr.. Tanning called attention Of the
committee that the municipal gas and
electric light have been extended al
through the town Of Norwich, simply
to show friendly relations.
| RebuttaI Witnesses.
| Attorney Carpenter introduced sew
i eral witnesses in rebuttad.
| D. w. sO'Brien, a resident OF Taft
/ vile, and not in the employ Of the Po-
nernah company, said he was not able
II