Norwich bulletin., 1915-10-29
NORWICH PARTY HOME
 IN EARLY MORNING
After Attending Worcester Hearing or
 Proposed Canal.

Six. Norwich gentlemen, including Mayor Timothy C. Murphy, attended the hearing held in Worcester Wed nesday evening before Major C. B. Pillsbury of the United States corps of engineers relative to a preliminary survey of the proposed Norwich -Wor- cester canal Accompanying Mayor Murphy in his automobile were ex- Congressman E. w. Higgins, Frank J. King president of the Norwich Board of Trade. and J. J. Corkery. while the others who went to the hearing were H. II. Gallup and Oliver L.. John son. The hearing lasted until iO.30 o'clock and Mayor Murphy and party left on the return trip after II o'clock. Tire trouble delayed them and 1t was 8 | o'clock Thursday morning before they | arrived back home.
 | Mayor Murphy said he thought the | project was a good one. but If 1t Is | shown that the new canal would in
 rivers involved he would rot favor the project Both Mir. Gallup and ex-Con- gressnan Higgins said that it should
 be definitely shown whether or no the
 canal would injure the water rights
 now enjoyed by industries along the
 line before permission be granted for
 the construction of the canal. Mir
 Johnson: who was also heard, said that
 it Is his opinion that the canal would
 !njure the water rights in some meas | ing handled satisfactorily by the rail- road and that delivery is prompt tOutward freight from Worcester tc
 New York is now handled by watel l part of the way. It Is shipped to New London by rail and from there on Il
 goes by boat.
 Congressman AIcNeary of Massachu.
 setts made the principal address of tho tevening. Congressman McNeary, whC
 is on the rivers and harbors commis. - | gfOn he fhnnnhf 10 Nr ! be successful.
 , Worcester men who were hearC 2 were strongly in favor of the canal Tie establishment of such a canal. the,
 said. would be of great benefit to al s manufacturing along the French : Quinebaug and Shetucket rivers. as l
 would provide direct water transporta < tion from the center of Massachusetti to New York.
 , The bill looking to the survey fo ] the canal was introduced by Con I gressnan Bryan F. Mahan of New yi London. While Mir. Higgins was il s Icongress he was asked to take lil< 2 action, but he declined because h ' thought such project would be to tn e detriment of water rights along tn e route In Congressman Mahan's plai e the survey for the route shows tha I the course followed would be tn h French river from Worcester to Web n ster, the ouinebaug from Webste
 . 10 Ad4NNllle. anu ITOT e there on to the Thames the course c = the Shetucket river would be fol n lowed "a Q On their return some of the Ucs e men said that in their opinion tn s canal could not but injure wate s rights along the line. while other e took the opposite view.
 It If the preliminary survey Is decide d upon. estimates will be prepared as { e the cost of construction and a repol . made. What recommendation will b e decided upon. by the war departmer e cannot be foretold. but 1t Is quit
 probable that congress will accept il
 report according to the usual custom
 According 10 a statement made b c one of the members of the local dele gation. congress is now asking ths , municipalities bear part of the expens
 in such projects. which would mea
 that Norwich and other cities alon
 the line would have to pay their shai -' towards the cost of the construction , l. the canal.
 1t Valentine -chappelI of New Londe l- was present at the hearing.