Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-16
TIE NEW LONDON -GROTON FERRY
Public Has Suffered More Inconvenience Under Municipal Control Than During All the Time it Was in Private Hands-Series of Bhnders-Captain Jefers Doing Fine Work in Cleaning Up City.

cO1DmiLI6e. buL the f1dlS IS nero ana sometime her usefulness as a ferry be- tween New London and Groton to re- lieve the ferry congestion will be put to the test, even if the large expendi- ture is made to get the boat in pro- per working order. Of course, the general hope is that the public will be disappointed and that the Hale will do all that the representatives of the city have promised. Up to date it has been one bluuder after another and just q trifie of looseness in business meth cd, both in the purchase of the old boat and the general management Tn the meantime, the Governor Winthrop will be inspected. given certificate of inspection, and the service that pre- vailed before the advent of the Nsth- an Hale will be given the public. The committee plans to have both boats in operation some time, and guarantees that the service will meet all the re- quirements. So mote it be.
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 The Nathan Hale is a fine looking boat and will undoubtedly meet all expectations in due firne, but the in convenience of the present week ought to have been avoided by advance pre- paration On Tuesday the Hale made it's initial trip across the river and in so doing the rudder chains were dis arranged. Repairs were made and then there was another trip. This time there was collision with the pontoon of the ferry slip on the Groton side and the pontoon filled with water. Then the trips were abandoned for the day. The Hale made a trip or two on We'd Iesday, as many as could be made un- der the circumstance as the ferry slip , (N r-s7 1l.SsS- Thursday trips were made at irregular intervals. Friday the service was im- proved and it was expected that by Saturday trips would be made on , schedule time. The Hale was inspect | ed in New York and is said to be in prime condition. With the Winthrop and Hale in condition, there is every reason to expect improved service, for when the summer traffic begins the boats twill be run on schedule time op- posite each other, that is boat viii leave the New London and Groton slips at the same time, thus doubling l the accommodations of the past, which were wholly inadequate.
 | After all is said and done, why criti- else the ferry committee of the court of common council? The gentlemen 1 are doing the best they know how and at great personal sacrifice of time. as council committee work is and always has been a labor Of love and loyalty to city. Still this ferry matter is oi considerable business magnitude an6 ought to have a recognized and respon- sible head and at fair salary. Some one of experience to guard this i'm portart public service. When thi: municipal management of the ferr!
 was worked through the council ant 1 city meeting. it was explained by tht
 mayor, and others, that the business could be carried on without any cos
 of management The finances woult
 be cared for by the water and sewe board and the city treasurer and thu I operation would be directed by tn, ferry committee. That all sounds wei but is not practical. as will be ~plairil, demonstrated as time goes on.
 
 The city has already invested abou $fo0,G00 in the New London Grotol ferry, not much of an investment fo the big profits reported by the com mittee, but it should be remembers by the committee. as it is by the peo lple generally, that is was not the plal Iof the city to take over the ferry busi iness for the money there is in it, bu ipurely as a matter of more adequat land satisfactory public service. There
 fore the plan of the committee, as an lnounoed to hold the Governor Winth rop as an auxiliary boat. to be use
 in case of accident to the Nathan Hale fought not to be put into effect, jus
 for the sake of making financla
 showing. What the public wants Iadequate service and this the counc
 oifU fo 7 and the committee should act accord iingly. Yes. it is natural to knock
 Icemmittee of the court of somno
 council. and they all serve the cit without pay, but. ever thus it has bee
 and ever thus twill be perhaps.
 ,l captsin Jeffere cd tie naer of tn Ipoiice force are doing great work i
 making thc City - 4, ' .j4I place fC
 the rendezvous of men of the unifor1
 service of the United States. Hardl : a. day passes that there is not an al
 rest and prosecution for some viola
 tion of law that is offensive to tt federal government, thereby proveni ing chronic violation of the laws. sooi /. ieggers are bagged before they ca complete sales to the extent of the lie uor reaching the lips of the men
 uniform, Streetwalkers are detecte
 and arrested just as soon as they 111al 5 their appearance, and gambling - squelched almost before the first gan is played. Surely the police are ( = the alert every minute of the day ar = night As a result New London is no . Igaining the reputation of being u
 lclaanest in the country. where are | . cated sailors and soldiers. Even u z Iliquor men are aiding the police
 stamping out bootlegging and now bo . tied liquors are not sold to anyone wi
 could possibly be suspected of buyil