New Britain herald., 1917-01-13
MAY ASK REPEAL. OF MYSTERY FRANCHISE
Trolley Line Might Cut Right
 Through Your Bedroom

With startling force the mystery and apparent absurdity of trolley franchise granted to Louis A. Fisk, Edgar L.. Hopkin, harles E. Shepard. John C. Warnock and Frederick w. Drury by the 1915 legislature was inn pressed on the minds of the civic and council railroad committee at; the initial meeting last night, and the general opinion was that the present legislature should repeal this most un- usual franchise. With Senator G. w. Klett chairman of the judiciary com mittee and the leader of the republi- cans in the upper house, the commit tee felt that the city stands an excel lent chance of having this act of two years ago repealed, although by statute it does not expire until 1919, two years hence.
 A Roraback Measure.
 The franchise which many would like to see abolished provides for trolley from "somewhere in Berlin to come into ast street and run north erly to the junction of hurch street. After traversing Church the fran chise would have a private right or way to hestnut street and further down that thoroughfare 1t would have a private right of way back to Church street. thence a private right Of way through back yards and across Main street to Court street. From Court street the franchise provides for private right of way to Prospect street, thence through a private right of way to West Pearl street, Glen street and across His to East street. The provisions of this franchise would give the trolley company the right to cut through private property at will by means of condemnation proceed ings. Of what possible benefit it would be has never been explained, nor has, in fact, the reason why such a franchise was ever asked for.
 By some who profess to know lit tie something of the inner workings of the last legislature, however, it is intimated that the franchise was fos- tered by J. Henry Roraback. Hints have been dropped hat the franchise was never seriously contemplated for use for any other purpose than to possibly act as a check or block to some other line contemplated.
 Chairman George M. Landers pre- sided at the railroad committees meeting last night and Mayor Quigley was also present. Every member of the council committee attended and all of the civic comittee were present, except A. F. Corbin, who was away on business. The general topic for discussion, in addition to the above, was trolley improvements and in- creased railroad protection.
 The matter of widening Lake street east of High street so that by the pur- chase of strip of land from the Ma tional Spring Bed company at a cost of 5000 the highway would be suffi- ciently wde to join Washington street without encroaching on the railroad tracks as at present, was discussed at some length. Some of the commis- sioners were of the opinion that the practical solution would be to close Lake street entirely east of High street. They said it is short stretch of street anyway and is not essential to the city. The distance between Myrtle and West Main streets in con- meeting Washington street with Lake street is not to great to be practical, was the opinion expressed by several. Charles Glover seemed to favor the abolition of this section of Lake street and Judge Gaffney and MT.