The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-04

years ago. Several officials of the
company were presen- at the hearing
ubt did not speak. About II residents
of the South End stood up opposed
to the plan and IL favored it. No ac-
ton was taken last night.
officials of the Lake Torpedo Boat
Co. also had compromise offer on
their petition to close Adams and JEFF
ferson streets. The first petition came
weeks ago and without waiting for
action by the council the company
built fences and closed the streets.
They were afterward directed to take
down the fences.
| Last night they offered to provide a.
passageway between Adams and JEFF
fersoh streets for use of the public
and also to build a bulkhead and dock
at the foot of Eagle street for the use
of the boatnaen who object to closing
the other streets.
/ Charles Jones led the opposition to
the closing Of these streets. He said
/ they had been open to the water for
years before the Lake company came
here and that they were used by resi-
dents Of the East END, many of whom
make their living by catching fish and
tdredging for oysters from their own
boats. He said the land at the foot of
these streets is used to beach boats
when repairs were necessary. Other
!
i the petition for the reason that the
Eclosing of the streets shut off the wa
ter front there from the use of the
/ public.
r. H. NJ. Robinson, general manager
for the Lake company, said there
seemed to be some misunderstanding
] about the matter. He had supposed
that an an1fable agreement had been
made with the residents of the vicinity
regarding the closing of the streets.
He said it was necessary that some
decision be made at once as his COM
panY had been requested by the navy
department to report on the capacity
1of its shipyard and how many vessels
4 it could quickly build He said the
taking of the streets was necessary 50
that his plant might have the neces-
4 sary room to build.
| So that fire apparatus might be
moved between the streets he said the
company would grant a 20 foot wide
passageway over it's property and
would build a dock and buIIhead at
the foot of Eagle street for use of the
boatmen. On the plot of ground which
the company now owns there he count
ed yesterday 40 boats. He said his
company had made objection to
the boatmen using this land and
through it they had access to and
from the water. Mr., Robinson said
his company intended to dredge the
channel, which would be a benefit to
, tine Doatmen.
Simon Lake, inventor of the boat
which bears his name and president
of the company manufacturing them,
, reviewed the history of the company
since the establishment of the plant
, EhereA
He said there was only one other
tshipyard on the east coast beside that
kof his company which could build sub
marines for national defense He said
> two dregdes were working night and
day in Johnson's creek so that boats
might be built for national defense
Z and no one could tell at present how
soon that defense will be needed Mr.
: Lake told how the council had allowed
his company to close DeForest avenue
? a street little used, and in conscience
: its property formerly assessed for
: 80 900 was now on the tax books for
} "some time ago., said Mr.. Lake.
when it became known that my plant
GOULD not take any more business we
2 were made an offer to move to Phfla-
2 Icelphia where there were fine facilities
3 nave been close to good labor mar
4 lket. We were then allowed to close
4 Ia0eForest avenue and increase ou1
plant here, as I desired to remain in
8 bridgeport and public spirited citizens
2 wanted to keep the industry here,
I'll Mr.. Lake then affirmed the state.
Y Inents made by Mr. Robinson regard.
i ling the building of the dock and bulk.
e head and the dredging of Johnson's
Icreek No one else appeared in favor
Iof the Lake Co. petition and action b,
. the council was deferred to another
? meeting.