Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-12-16

probably assume the troley's COM
pany's third in the event OF a new
bridge.
In the case Of the local bridge, es-
tirnating q cost OF $4,000 New Lon
don end Grotor would together pay
pay 80 per cent. or 100000. and
Groton 20 per cent, or $4,000.
Mr.. Bennett made it clear that IL
Groton and New London assumed
their share the proposed highway
bridge would be a free bridge and If
the state had to assume the whole
expense It would be toll bridge. The
expenses OF operating and mainte-
nance are estimated to be the same
as at Saybrook. although the revenue
would probably be larger.
Two Questions Have Arisen.
The commissioner said two ques-
lions have arisen from the local mat
ter. First, should the bridge be i'm
proved at all. and second, should 1t be
a toll bridge or a free bridge? The
answer to the latter question depends
considerably on what the towns do
about it, said ME-. Bennett He de-
clared that quick action is necessary
the first Of the year in 1918. The
state should be ready as soon as the
railroad company abandons the pres
ent bridge. Intelligent cooperation
between the people Of Eastern Con-
necticut, the legislature and the high
way department Is required" said the
commissioner.
To questions asked the commission
er stated that no action. had been TAX
en- on whether the bridge would be a
toll or free bridge. In a general dis
cussion which followed It was brought
out-that the new bridge, If made a toll
bridge, would be the third within
distance Of 20 miles. And that no APP
preparations have been made for i'm
provements of the road on the east
bank of the Thames.
| Acting Superintendent Erdman of
the state hospital. spoke on the work
at the inebriate farm and the needs.
Superintendent Erdman spoke in
part as follows:
Were summary only to be written
| 1t might well be as follows: The state
farm for inebriates, now comfortably
housing more than 60 inmates with
the necessary employees, was begun
without an appropriation and was
made ready for occupancy within six
months Of its inception. The remodel
buildings has been accompanied with
out ultimate cost and, including the
amount originally paid for the site
| at an expenditure of less than $1.5O
fper bed In this it may lay claim to
Originality Sand to be unique among
|
| Every effort is made to make the
| life Of the inmate a normal one. He
rises to have breakfast at $50, nem-
lployed during the day, and after an
evening spent in reading or employed
in games or writing goes to bed at 9
On Sunday he attends church in the
Village or hears the services held al
the farm by l lahstpcani: 'G'goo
the farm by its chaplain. AS far as
possible he is strengened physically
and morally and at the expiration OF
his commitment, Or when the board
in the outside world, goes out to be-
gin life anew
| The full results of thi treatment
fare still to be ascertained. The board
and those VINO have visited the farm
have uniformly made favorable com.
ment upon the evident health of the
men and their improved condition.
| Paroled Inmates.
Inquiries were recently addressed
Iparoled inmates that could be reached
and 81 replies were received. Twelve
reported not to have touched intox.
icants, seven to have drunk VERY
moderately and IL to have used liquor
to considerable excess. Sixteen have
worked part of the time and five no
at all; Is have since their dischargt
fully supported themselves or theil
| families, and 20 are reported to havt
been decidedly benefited by the treat
ment.
| Each man physically able has beer
regularly employed. The preparation
of the food, the looking after the
heater, the care of the buildings, live.
stock and poultry and the work upor
the farm and grounds has been per-
formed entirely by inmate labor Or
the farm Is acres have been brought
| under cultivation.
Inmate Labor.
Inmate labor has repaired and re-
| shingled the barn and out-bui1dings
has constructed root cellar and al
the poultry plant has built two lay.
| lighthouses each 20x40 feet, two
breeding houses, each 16x16 feet and
Of grain. A considerable acreage has
also been clearned of stone and brush
and roads and walks laid out an6
surfaced. During the past summer the
majority OF the inmates have beer
employed in enlarging the hospita,
dam and reservoir, and their earnings
when engaged in this work alone will
be sufficient to defray, not only al
the expense Of remodeling, repairing
and furnishing the buildings, includ-
ing the installation Of the heat, water
light and sewers and the equipment
of the farm, poultry plant and kitchen
the addition to the shed and the new
buildings at the poultry plant. A
portion Of the money originally ex-
pended for the site will also be earned
Employment has also been given GER
tain of the men by the neighborine