The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-21

Harrison street to- $50 feet west or
Harrison street.
The reason given is claimed to be
urgent; that of protecting the city in
case of riot or uprising. by having an
additional exit for ambulances, patrol
wagons and men in the event of Fair
field avenue being blocked at any
time.
This $50 feet of extension neverthe-
less is said to- be the key that un1ocls
to the view Of the initiated, one of the
greatest battles that has ever been
fought by vested interests in Bridge
port and to have eliminated in the
hrst street extension in the heart Of
the city as bounded by Water street.
Congress street. Park avenue and
South avenue in more than half a cen-
fury. With the exception of West ave-
nue., which according to old MAPS was
extended from State street to WASH
ington avenue between 184S and 1850
it is the only Improvement in the bus-
mess center Of the city for nearly 75
years, and therefore one of the most
important orders of the common
council through the committee OF
streets and sidewalks in the history of
Bridgeport
Though attempts have been made
during the last SO years to extend Lib.
erty street from Lafayette to Warren,
to meet West Liberty, and from Broad
to Main there to meet Thomas street;
Broad street through the Golden Hill
section to Bulls Head; Harrison street
to State there to meet Lafayette
feated July Ia, 1869, and again within
the last two years, nothing has ever
been ccomp1ished in, this line.
Fifty years ago a census in this city
showed Il, 1863 population. Today it is
$40, 600. AS the population grew SO did
business interests and from huFable
beginnings millions were made by
manufacturers and business men on
one side while the properties held by
old families Increased in value beyond
the dreams of their original owners. q
To p. T. Barnum is ascribed marked
civic improvements and i is said that
he often aided the poor and struggling
merchant and manufacturer who had
latent ability giving lands. and even
lending money for the promotion OF
industry.
AS a prelude to the great fight that
is said to have been fought by inter-
ests over the extension of John and
Elm streets. those with deep insight
into civic and realty matters point to
the necessity of giving even greater
prominence to the development of in
dustry, social prestige and the wealth
of lands as having a. direct bearing on
the present situation.
In the days of Barnun1 great fac
tories were centered in the South End
of the city and on the East Side, These
grew raptdly5 Increasing the value of
lands that were not put to. the use Of
industry The political ranks, The
banking interests grew and expande9.
epolfes thriyed and Bridgeport ex-
tended west from Park avenue, known
as the dividing line between Fairfield
and Bridgeport and hence then called
Division street. Business moved fecn1
Water street, to Main street and has
gradually extended north ward towards
and beyond Bulls Head.
The revenue Of the manufacturers
increased to their descendants, and
the unearned increment of idle land
multiplied in the hands Of those to
whom 1T was left
Within the last decade the great
Importance of the South End as
against the North End, in business
ventures became apparent IN its rela-
ton to the appeal for patronage COM
ing from sections lying far to the
north and west of Bridgeport's con-
fines half a century before.
Through factory, bank and realty
holdings two factions led by men of
great power are said to have sprung
up, both keenly alive to the struggle
between North and South, each iden-
titled with huge vested interests yet
TO aid the South Emo, .ft.was found
that John street must be broken
through from Park avenue to Water
street, and thende possibly by a bridge
connection with the East Side the
value Of the South End would be en-
HANGED. Political activity began two
years ago, with the just argument that
traffic along the present main arteries
running East and West was congest-
ed. The cost Was to be enormous but
the need was great.
Suddenly the North End woke up.
In the diYerting Of traffic through
John street the patronage would be
brought below Fairfield avenue. Large
realty holders there became active
and Elm street indirectly to Wash
ington avenue, thus diverting traffic
from Fairfield and Park avenues, was
suggested.
The City planning commission was
instituted and passed upon the
schemes, committees were appointed
to estimate the damages and assess
nents. 1t was found that the cost
would run into millions and that pro-
test likely would be made. upon addi-
tiona1 assessments upon the business
district Of the city.
Both factions were keenIy on edge
and the battle was TO be an issue. The
political Significance in the council was
overlooked by the south End as the
Improvement OF j Onn street WOuId
have gone the glory of the thorough
fare, while % other aldermen would
have had to explain to their consti-
tuents their inability to procure any
of the needed improvements. In the
council hearing on the project, able
lawyers appeared against the project
for the South End and bonn bshell
was thrown into the trenches. as the
record of Mayor E. T, buckingham S
49,
possible indebt edness record of the
present administration if between
s55o.o0o and s1.250,0o0 estimated as
oet Of the project was thrown into the
budget. sa
Both projects were temporarily de-
feated and with the dawn of light
this year it was proposed, according
to statements of politicians, to COM
promise and ask for the extension