Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-07
THAMES RIVER BRIDGE.
Unanimity of Sentiment in Favor of
 the Toll System.


 rivers, Senator Macdonald, chairman, gave public hearing Tuesday after noon for the reconstruction of the Thames River rilroad bridge for use made in the bill that the highway commissioner be authorized to recon struct the bridge, at cost not to ex- ceed $450, 900. The commissioner is also authorized to purchase land for Iapporaches. It is also provided that the bridge be operated as toll bridge for a period of twenty years, and be opened as are the bridges over the Connecticut river. Provision is also made for the equipment of trolley tracks. No apart of the appropria- tion to be expended until the state shall have recorded a deed of the bridge from the New York. New Ha- ven and Hartford Railroad company. London, gave a brief history as to the origin of the state accepting the bridge from the railroad company, and now the question as to the financing of the reconstruction of the bridge. MT. Bennett. highway commissioner, has given two methods of reconstruction, and the cost, and method of operations. The chamber of commerce are in fla vor of MT. Bennett's second method, which provides for a toll bridge. specified in the bill. Half an hour ago the commission of rivers, bridges and harbors, met with the governor, and 
 favor of the toll bridge plan, which Is the favorable opinion of all in the vicinity of the bridge.
 Tyler Lamphere, resident of the boroTgh of Groton. spoke of the abso- lute need of a highway bridge. At a meeting of the~wardens and burdesseS there was a vote in favor of the toll bridge.
 Joseph T. Cruttenden of Norwich, representing the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce said thGt at a meeting Commissioner Bennett gave his views on the proposed change, and all favored the bill as presented and the State Chamber of Commerce has taken like action.
 Alton T. Miner, president of the New London Chamber of Commerce, stated that we have a right to assume that there is absolute necessity for the bridge as a highway bridge. 1.-The bridge costing over S1 100000 has been given the state, and the matter of main interest is the method of financing. There were three methods, and the one most favored now was the toll system, the others providing that the state bear the expense and the other by the towns of New London and GroIon, pay one-third, the railroad company one third and the state one-third. This latter would not work as the company had given the bridge. The two towns could not bear the financial burden. The expense is a burdon, unless the IoH system IS adopted ana the cost paid by the users. The tolls could be satisfactorily adjusted. Fifty per cent, of the through automobile traf- flee would use the bridge, get the ben eft and cheerfully pay for it. The tolls would not be a hardship to fre- quent users as tolls would be fairly adjusted.
 Frank " ChappeII. of New London, chairman of the rivers, bridges and harbor commission, stated that this Yln hlsid dor0 Uyn in f0 U grade crossings and temporary bridge is now in the way of the steamship terminal. The commission is in fla vor of the bridge project. Senator Macdonald stated as there were no objections, it would be well to shorten the hearing. by those who ap- pear in favor to give their names. Representatives of the Bridgeport Chamber of commerce, gave endorse ment of the bill.
 Former Senator Whiton of New Lon don spoke in favor of the toll bridge system for the Thames River bridge, by reason of the large cost of recon struction. He believed foreign cars should pay their share of the cost of maintenance, and he f~vored the con- struction of that rejoined trunk line which could not be complete without this bridge.
 Former Senator Hewitt, of Mystic, said if the bill goes through he will help pay for the maintenance as he goes to New London by automobile daily. It would not be fair for New London and Groton to bear the burden of expense.
 Senator Hemenway, of Hartford, fa- vored the bill, and said there was no question but public sentiment favored the reconstruction of the bridge and operated on the toll system. John c. Geary, representative from Waterford, said that all present seem ed to favor the project. he merely wanted to register as in favor of the toll system.
 Theodore Bodenwein, of New London, favored the project and that the toll system, he believed to be a business proposition and a good one.
 City officials of New London and nearly all the senators and representa- tives from New London and several other counties registered in favor of the measure.
 There was no oppisition.