Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-01

Interstate Commission Orders Change
 in Trolley Fares, Deferred Three
 Months-WiIiian J. Gilmore Pays
 S15o and Costs for Illegal Liquor
 Selling.
 If State Senator Benjamin H. Hew- itt is not renominated for senator from the Shoestring district 1t Will not be by reason of his lack of in terest in matters that pertain to the Stonington section of the district and his success in keeping well within the focus of the public spotlight. He pre- sided at the annual town meeting ana named the presiding ofhcer or me special town meeting of last Friday night Although this special meeting was declared not to have been legally warned and that any business trans acted would have mo legal standing. Senator Hewitt insisted that it was town meeting de facto, and that ac- ton taken in opposition to increase in fares on the Groton -Stoningtons road would be entitled to the official con- sideration of the Interstate Commerce commission and also the Public Utl- ities commission of the state. Dr. James W Weeks suggestion to dis solve and then form, into asmass meet ing was ignored and Senator Hewitt proceeded to attack the Groton and Stonington Street Railway officials for tne1rfE prGSunpIlOn 1HCI0dSLlS IIlS passenger rates a few cents between specified points that would total 12 cents over the entire line He told Of all that people along the line did for the company when the road was be- ing constructed and then asSailed the action of the officials, claiming that they had resorted to secret, contempt ible methods to raise the fares, and that the plan would have been effec- tive without protest, had not the move been discovered by accident.
 With the exception of the declara- tion of Town Clerk Hinckley that the meeting was illegal, the endorsement by Chairman Stahle, the mass meet ing suggestion of pr. Weeks and the correction of a resolution by Frederick Burdick that contained paragraph in regard to action taken at a le- galIy warned meeting, and so on, and the seconding of @ motion by Eli GledhilI, Senator Hewitt did all the talking at the meeting. He went the full length of his rope and no one arose to contradict anything he said, perhaps because all coincided, or per haps there were others who took no stock in what was said, under the ap- | prehenSion that no business was valid, or had any force, that was done at an illegal town meeting. Senator 1 Hewitt declared himself as being on 1 the side of the people, as against the trolley company on the one side and Morton F. Plant on the other, This sentiment received some applause. It was Senator Hewitt who present ed the resolution of protest, and it was Senator Hewitt pho presented
 the resolution instructing the select
 men to protest and contest the rais- 1 ing af the fares and it was Senator l Hewitt who presented the vote direct | ing that the Interstate Commerce and
 Public Utilities commission be advised [ nf 1n ar fealx a a
 Mystic We'll Represented.
 That section of Mystic that is with I in the town of Stonington and inter
 cement road to the Mystic river bridge
 was largely represented at the. illegal l town meeting held in the Borough hall Friday evening. So there was much disappointment as they came prepared
 to vote in favor of the extension. The cost will be $6,000 and Highway Com missioner Bennett has notified the
 town highway commission that if the 1 town of Stor1ington will build the ex- 1 tension under state supervision, and pay the contractor, the state will re- | imburse the town three quarters of | the amount expended, within the next | three years, without interest. The l plan is generally favored and a legal l ly named meeting will be held for
 action at an early date
 No Increase for Three Months. The officials of the Groton and Ston- l ington Street Railway company had
 completed plans to put the new fare 1 system in operation today (Monday) ]! but on Saturday they received notice l from the Interstate commission to Sus- l pend the operation for three months ] as under the law the commission is 1 allowed that period of time for inves- etigation. In the meantime the com
 mission will give all interested an | opportunity to be heard. The com
 pany will be required to show that the change in fare is necessary, as the | present earnings are not ample to pay dividends. It is understood that the new passenger tariff with full knowl- edge of the rulings of the commission | in the matter. es..-z
 | Liquor Law Violation.
 In the Stonington town court, Sat
 urday morning, William J. Gilmore pleaded guilty to keeping place
 where it is reputed intoxicating Houors were kept for sale. and paid a fine o1 | $50 and costs. The charges of acrua] sale and keeping liquor with intent tc sell were nolled. The small quantity of liquor found in Mr. Gilmoress poo
 room was ordered destroyed. Nc
 claimant appearing for the six hall barrels of beer and other liquors seized in the shanty on the steamboat whar1
 they were also ordered destroyed
 Stonington Pointers. :
 There were Hallowe'en en parties ga. lore in the borough
 The store of James H. Stivers wal
 entered in the early hours of Saturda, by the cellar route. A small amount or coin was taken from the cash reg.