Connecticut western news., 1915-01-07
A KONKAPOT VALLEY TROLLY
SOUTHERN BEI
BERKSHIRE
Plan for n Loop Line to Develop a Region Which Badly Needs It.

Plan for n Loop Line to Develop a
 Region Which Badly Needs It.
 NJ. Fl. K. writes as follows: ''The ap- polntment of the transportation commls- sion by Gov Walsh was step in the right direction. When Webster once exclaimed: Massachusetts! there she stands! he little dreamed that it would fall to the lot of an Irish governor to ask and suggest that this state of high renown should be honest ani play fair with the rural communities representing the backbone of the common wealth in times of stress. If the state can consider the expenditure of eight or more millions for the development of Boston harbor, of which Western Massachusetts would be compelled to pay its part, 1t IS simple justice and fair play that a pro- portlonal amount be appropriated for the development of Western Massachusetts.
 'l It was high time for the tide to turn and perhaps Gov Walsh secured his re- election by proposing it-from its lowest ebb, when the state of honorable fame, once actually evaded its honest obligations to some rural communities in South Berk- shire, by resorting to the statute of hmita- tioni Many of these back towns were formerly centers of business activity and prosperity; but lack of transportation fa- cilities ruined them; the population has de- creased accordingly, and the shrinking pro- cess is still going On. With state aid to se- stored to some of these old towns, par ticularly where there is water-power awaiting use, like that along the Farming ton river and the Konkapot river in south Berkshire. Forty years ago, Mill river iu the town of New Marlboro, was a re- markedly busy and prosperous community, with four paper mills, some of them run ping night and day. and some other indus tries. The town contained more than 2OOO inha habitants-which has now dwindled to 1124. To- day the mills are only memories, simply for lack of transportation. But the Konkapot river daily murmurs over the rocks and the crying need of a trolly road, to restore. in some measure, the industrial activity of long ago. There are nine ex- cellent mill-sites the river within mile and a half, through the village of Mill River, aggregating a fall of about 129 feet. As ex-Senator, Joyner recently de- clared, As sure as human progress, this water-pewer will again be utilized
 "To build a trolly road into one of these 'back towns and awaiC it's development, until the line will pay is a slow-going and doubtful experiment But most for tunately for the Konkapot valley project exceptional conditions promise early and encouraging results. One of these con ditions is that it would he, and was orig inally intended to be, a part of the Berk- shire street railway, and of course to be operated by that company. which already has line running from Pittsfeld to Great Harrington, and thence through Sheffield to Canaan, Ct 1t was mighty poor busi- ness policy for the New Haven company to parallel its own steam road by building a trolly road from Great Harrington to Canaan-unless there was a broader and more promising purpose for the develop ment of South Berkshire attached to it. And that is exactly the case, for it is we'll known that it was the avowed intention of the managers of the system at that time-the surveys were made and prom