Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-31
REASONS FOR "OLD NORWICH"
Separatonss Presented Their Case Before Committee Hearing at Hartford-One Afternoon Was Too Short for Hearing-Opponents of Town Will Present Their Side Next Week-Delegaton Favoring No Change in Town Lines Outnubers the Advocates of Separation.

VocateS and the opponents of the pro- posed bill to create the town of Old Norwich out of part of the present town of Norwich appeared on Tues day afternoon before committee hearing given at the capitol at Hart ford by the committee on new towns and probate districts, giving the sup port of numbers as a backing to the mitee by the attorneys for the con- testing interests. The hearing was opened shortly after o'clock and was adjourned at 5:15 with the case for the petitioners having been presented and only a mere start made on the case for those opposed to the forma- ton of the new town.
 Will Invite Committee Hero.
 Adjournment was taken for a week and after the remonstrants to the peti- tion had returned here Tuesday eve ming their attorneys stated that a for nal invitation from the Mayor and the selectmen is to be sent to the com mittee and the attorneys for the bill to come here next Monday and become acquainted with the local situation. The invitation will also include F. B. Ricketson, agent of the Ponemah mills, and J. Arthur Atwood of Wau- regan, president of the company.
 Enthusiasm at Hearing.
 Both sides at the hearing were en-
 
 points which they considered were scored for their sides as the hearing progressed, until 8 member of the legislative committee suggested that it would be good idea to save time which was valuable, by leaving out the applause.
 Climax Was Recognized.
 Thereafter the applause was gen. orally withheld until the opponents of hn 1n0 had been reached at one point in the adroit questioning that Attorney A, A. Browning directed towards President Atwood.
 After securing from MT. Atwood the statement that the real reason and cause for starting this movement for the formation of new town was the fear that Taftville would be hauled into the city of Norwich and made to share the expense and debts of Nor w:ch, Attorney Browning said he would ask the Ponemah mills man one more question.
 If that fear could be removed, he said to MT. Atwood, would you have any objections to things remaining just as they are?"
 No, came the answer from MT. Atwood as he turned to leave the platform and the opponents of the measure broke into continued ap- plause.
 Seeing the effect that his answer had produced he turned back to the stand and shot back at MT. Brown ing the question as to how he was going to know that this could be done.
 In response the attorney called to his attention the votes of the Norwich Board of Trade and the Norwich Chamber of Commerce declaring against annexation and the unanimous similar vote of a recent city meeting of 500 men, as action taken by a town meeting in 1908 when a unani- nous vote against consolidation of the town and city of Norwich was pass ed.
 Special Train and Cars.
 The opponents of the measure reached Hartford on a special train of three cars from the Central Vermont station at 9:05 and at 12:45 marched up from the Allyn house in a body 200 strong to the capitol, wearing white badges on which were printed the words: NO Division of Norwich j The youngest one in line was ten year-old Harold Ring of Springfield. a native of Norwich, who walked with his grandfather M. B. Ring in the line. wearing a badge.
 The advocates of the meaure reach ed Hartford in two special cars at tached to the 9.23 Central Vermont train from here. In Hartford they as- sembled at the Allyn house where they were given a free luncheon, their fare on the train also having been paid and they wore red tickets in the 1apels of their coats with the words "Old Norwich"
 They marched to the. capitol at Z o'clock about 150 strong, finding the opponents of the measure in posses siCn of so many seats that many o1 the red badge wearers had to stand during the hearing or sat on the steps in the aisles.
 It was said to be the largest hear ing at the capitol at this legislature with the exception of the suffrage hearing.
 Senator Charles o. Thompson o1 Pomfret chairman of the committee presided at the nearing.
 The attorneys for the petitioners were Judge Wm. F.. Henney of Hart ford and John F. Carpenter of Put. nam Those for the opponents to tn. measure were Hugh Alcorn of Hart. ford and William H. Shields of thi. city, for the town of Norwich. cor poration counsel Joseph T. Tanning A. A. Browning and Edwin w. Hig. gins for the city of Norwich, A. A Browning for the Board of Trade, ana Ray D. Wells for the Norwich Cham. Der of Commerce. Attorney Joseph T Cunningham also represented party at interest in the case.
 bOCduSO OSHdtOT JOIIl bdTuGS O. Norwich had another hearing at tn, same time it was agreed to let hin state his views first.
 Senator Barnes Breezy. Senator Barnes spoke breezily il the brief remarks that he made. Ht said he had been in the house in 1897 in the senate in 1899, and was agai1 in the senate and that in hi experience as a legislator he had seer many things pulled off; but if this pro posed measure were put through i l would beat anything he had ever seen It is proposed to divide the town O ] Norwich, now 250 years old, into tw' | towns. It seems a funny time now tt i find out that the town ought to b divided. He said he had the highes respect for the Ponemah Co. of Taft ] vile which was a valuable asset 0 the town, but the company had n right for it's selfish interests to com with unmitigated gall. private corp 1 oration, to ask that another town b l carved out of the town of Norwich. The anti-separationists gave tn
 senator vigorous applause as he tool 1 his seat.
 Asked for More Time. | After the proposed act had been req 1 by Chairman Back of the committee ] Attorney Alcorn addressed the com
 mittee with plea for more time s that if the opponents of the separa I ton could not present or conclud tbeir caSa Tuesday thav might hay