The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-23
PUBLIC OPINION

EQ1COf or In6 Farm6rs
 Sir:-That the public interest seems alive. to the need of improvements. and the desire for such improvements as mean something worthy the effort that should result from far-sighted- ness and advanced ideas for the es- tablishing Of ways and means for the making of a better and greater Bridgeport, it is incumbent upon all who have the interest of the City at heart to endorse the correct sentiment that has for it's aim the welfare of the city, the welfare of the taxpayers, and the general up1ift and broadening of the scope of city improvements. that are within the reach of, and de- pendent upon the activity, sagacity, and qualifications of such men as are competent to deal with the issues of the day, which demand attention, and, as the subject of bridges seems to be the paramount one, and at pres ent 1t deserves judicious and deliber- ate thought Our experience with bridges and their utility has been somewhat interesting and not mex pensive, and though our city boasts the name which is significant, we unfortunately cannot point with jus tihabIe pride to any, of remarkable attra activeness, nor unusual accommo-t l dations. Therefore the future remains for us to improve upon the failures and shortsightedness of the primitive methods, which are to-day bearing fruit, and being felt to the discom- fort of the growing city, which must be considered in the light of ad- vanced ideas, with advanced means and methods.
 The project of constructing a new l bridge across the Pequonnoek, is an admirable one. and is an unques- l tionabIe necessity and, next to the re- opening of the Washington avenue I <l ll---- -%nS +< l the viaduct traffic which is growing steadily and from the Uptown district, which points to the need of one, in 9 part of the city, not as yet provided I with such outlet The establish ing of bridge in the vicinity of eith- CT Arctic, or Hicks streets. would, upon careful consideration be funwise and insufficient to meet all the re- quirements demanded of such an en- terprise.
 TO make an approach of Arctic St., would, in the Judgment of the writer. 1 be unwise, expensive, and destructive to property, in the effort to comply with navigation laws, and the pros pect of maintaining dock front at the Mills of the Lumber Go, situat- ed there, would i've completely block ed. To conceive of an outlet for a. traffic bridge at Hicks street, which has no continued line of layout, nor any contiguous relation with a street adapted to the needs of traffic is, to I say the least, out of the question: and retrogressive.
 I The urgency of the case has not yet fully presented itself to the think 1 ing and progressive citizen. but let I it be looked at from a standpoint I practical, and in view of the City s I increasing wants. It is a fact that l the city is growing to the north and the center of the East side has been I five years, to the line marked by Og- den street, a most desirable street for a central thoroughfare, the elevation of which is thirty-hve feet above tide water, and in all respects most advan- tageously situated and suited to ac- commodate for all time the rapidly developing industries of the city. Ma tl1re seems to have made provision | for the construction of a bridge at the end of Ogden street, where it meets the PeQuOnnock river, as the banks are of natural so1idity and no filling lis necessary, and no more secure foundation could be had for the span ming of a River. than that existing at the place referred to.
 Were it necessity the continuing of navigation to the mill might be confined to barge traffic, thus permit
 sufficiently high to admit of tugs steamers. etcI, and thus simplify and I lessen the cost of construction and lsubsequent maintenance. A thor | oughfare through the line marked I by Ogden street would be of inestirn- liable value, and open up a way which l for directness and utility between the east and west has no equal in the city
 of bridges.
 To cut out the possibility of pro-
 curing dock fronts, is to cripple the already nnained condition of a city
 
 at her feet soliciting the opportunity
 to prove it's inestimab1e worth.
 To cross the river at such point as Arctic street, means an expensive II approach, the prohibition of wharf age, the maintenance of a draw or I life, and through a district undesir-
 able as a thoroughfare, and affordine s no real adequate solution of the prob
 lem so vital to the east side, o1
 Bridgeport. Viewed from the pros
 pect of the growth and extension oi
 the East Side, there seems, to the
 sideration, and de1iberation in thai
 which may be recorded in the future as our making or unmaking of oppor-
 tunities now within our grasp. Instances are abundant to prove the lack of forethought in providing
 for the wants of our growing city and T the rectifying of errors caused by 2
 lack of foresight and incapacity tc effectual1y provide against possible changes incident upon the changing methods of a growing community. Sc that the task of the city builder is one Inot without difficulties, but which i' fully within the capabiIity of pains taking and skilled promoters of the best means and most up to date meth ods of bringing within the scope O ! usefulness, and effectiveness, all th' matter at hand for the bettermen ! | nd aT1f
 Greater Bridgeport, so the project O a continuation of ogden street, acros the lake to the east, connecting i
 with Ogden street extension, thu . opening up one of the most desirabl ] sections of the East Side, and pro 2 5 viding an outlet to the center of tn ' city for. many whose homes are al azriaa,,ca nf tIae interest and civic prid