Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-30
NEW LONDON'S NAVAL ACTIVITIES
Extensive Development at Submarine State Pier Be ing Used For War Purposes Experimental Station Be ing Developed Nesr Fort TrabuIl Plans to Get Gov ernnent Aid in Housing Problem.

naval purposes the work being on a
 very big scale Nothing can be said
 of the doings at that big pier, but
 Connecticut is surely doing a big bit
 in the war work in having that mas
 sive and modern structure available
 for federal government use, and at no financial loss to the state that seeks
 no gain. under the circumstances. It is very generally known that the pier would never have rnaterialized but for
 the almost superhun1an efforts of Bryan F. Mahan, now postmaster at New London. As 8 state senator he succeeded in getting a vote through
 the general assembly appropriating $1, ,000, 900 for a state pier at New Lon don. The constructive work could not be commenced for two years and then there came another session of the i legislature of which Mfr Mahan was not a member. Then there was de- termined opposition against the propo- sition, led by Senator Archie McNeil of Bridgeport, who plainly stated that the project was Mahan steal of $1,o0o, 900 from the state to benefit his home town.''
 When Senator MeNeii and his strong following started in to have the ap- propriation withdrawn, Mr. Mahan
 more determined than ever and with a persistency that even excelied that of the late John R. Bolles, he entered the lobby at Hartford; and say, he. did l not do a thing to Mfr. McNeil and his 1 followers It was long and we'll fought fight. but when the smoke had cleared, Mahan was the man On horse
 back. He succeeded in cinching the appropriation, and now the pier Is completed, ready for foreign steam
 ships were peace prevailing, and now
 needed rendezvous for the sailors and of incalucuiable benefits to the navy department and the government. Even Archie McNeil patriotic citizen that he is. is now proud of the state in being able to furnish such great aid i to the government, and away down in
 a corner of his heart is beat for Mahan in beating him to a frazzie in
 his attempt to prevent the building of 1 that big pier. Bryan F. MaIan is
 surely the 'FatEer of thes State Pier, ? and every patriotic citizen in the state | is now proud of his double victory in securing the state appropriation for 1 it's construction
 l The submarine base and state pier are not all that puts New London on i the naval map. Everybody ia the coun- 1 try knows of the Coast Guard head quarters of old Fort Trumbull, but
 comparatively few outside [ of New London know that a great naval ex- perimental station is being establish i ed on nearby land. The New Lon don Iron Works plant has been taker over and the whole territory is beins devoted to that special branch of the naval service and like experimenta
 work is in progress below the for and bearing more directly on the low CT harbor, known to fishermen fol years ;as Greens harbor. At the pres. Ient time it is estimated that there ar, at least 5000 sailors stationed in Nev 1 London and vicinity. and every mal of them is kept busy. It is efieiall. stated that double that number vii be here during the summer. Ant that is not all. There is strong prob ability of the construction of float ing dry dock on the shore of the har. bor in the near future. All this mean. an increase in the industrial import. ance of the city, as there are sure tt be industries established to engage in the manufacture of material re: quired in connection with the maya work now, going on here. Industries of the nature of the New London ShiI and Engine company, and the work O other local establishments. Add to al
 these, the big ship building plant of tht
 Groton Iron Works, and it really does seem that ':de moon do move,'s ant that New London is come into it's own It is full time that the moneyed mer of the town woke up to the situation
 and started in to help the good worl
 along.
 | In order to permit the city to grow tir,eIv stems have heen taken tn soIv.