Norwich bulletin., 1918-05-17

statement. Our concern was the value of the property to the state. We consider that it is worth much more for the purposes for which it was bought than the sum paid, and that in the purchase there has been no waste of the peoples taxes" but on the contrary a wise use of a small amount of these taxes appropriated by the peoples representatives for the express purpose for which it was used. If any of the former owners of the property were in any way vic tins of misrepresentation or decep- tion, as, you state, it certainly was not with our approval or knowledge.
 In regard to the particular loca- tion of such an institution, you state that it will be an injury to property rights in the vicinity. We beg to as sure you that we have no desire to injure the feelings or property inter ests of any resident of East Lyme or of its summer colony Our only pur- pose is to fulfill our obligation to the state. The statutes of Connecticut provide, (Sectioh 2. Chapter 1S3, Pub lie Acts 1913) that "as necessity arises there shall be erected in such parts of the state as the state tuber- culosis commission shall select sana-
 
 persons suffering from tuberculosis The legislature of 1917 appropriated sum of money for the purchase of land and buildings where some of our suffering and crippled children might be restored to health and usefulness. We are confident that the establish ment of such an institution in the place in question will not work any injury to the ''vested rights or prop erty owners at Crescent Beach, but on the contrary, that as in other in stances where institutions have been established under similar conditions, it will soon be found to be 2. positive benefit to these vested rights" Fur thermore, have the children of Con- necticut no "vested rights" which should be considered?
 Relative to your last suggestion we would say that while We have in spected good many shore proper 1 ties we are not prepared to assert that there are no others which would 1 as well serve our purposes, and we are willing to consider any proposl- tion which may be made for the ex- change of this property for other 1 premises equally suitable, provided such proposition be promptly pre- scented in order that the opening of the proposed sanatorium may not be l unduly delayed.
 Yours respectfully,
 State Tuberculosis Commission. 1 (Signed) GEORGE I. ALLEN, Secretary.
 Grounds Of Protest.
 1 The following letter received from the tow nof East Lyme gave notice of the grounds of protest against the location of the sanatorium:
 l Selectmen's Office,
 East Lyme, Conn.
 l May 1. 1918. To the State Tuberculosis Commits 1 sion, Hartford, Conn.
 GentIemen:-At a largely attended town meeting of the voters of the town of East Lyme, the undersigned were appointed committee, with plenary powers; to prevent the pro- posed location at White Beach, in said ! town, of a sanatorium for tubercular persons.
 If possible, we desire to adjust this matter in an amicable manner.
 Our reasons of appeal to you are as follows: the title to the property in question was obtained by misrep- resentation and deception. Had the real purpose of it's use been made known the property could not have been secured. By retention of this property under the circumstances the state of Connecticut is placed in the humiliating position of countenancine q fraud and deception upon a part o1 it's citizens.
 This property was conveyed to the state at an advance of nearly one hundred per cent. above it's cost tC the first purchaser We protes against this lavish waste of the peo. ple's taxes and demand a rigid in vestigation of the transaction.
 The location of this institution a
 White Beach, which is the mos
 thiclzly populated and most valuable of East Lyme's summer colonies, is ;
 wanton and unwarranted invasion 0
 vested rights. It means the utter de struction of several hundred thous
 and dollars worth of property. Al ready the town of East Lyme has hat l saddled upon it far more than it
 share of non-paying state institutions 1 It has the state camp, the game pre-
 serves, the woman's reformatory, tn
 Sheffield Scientific School. and now is proposed to ruin it's chief asset. it
 summer colonies.
 The people of East Lyme are in flu , sympathy with the effort to provid ! these unfortunate children, victims c tuberculosis. with a place in the su lat the sea shore. but they see no nee F essity of forcing the institution on ! community already developed as
 recreation ground. Possibly there i
 no danger from the presence of thes ] children-experts disagree on thi point-but the very name of a sana torium for tubercular patients will ef lfectually kill any recreation resort
 In it's desire to adjust the matte
 without resort to the courts, the pee
 pie of East Lyme are willing to pa for-if the water is squeezed out {
 the states purchase prs c-and tal over this property and ind for tf
 state a good and unohjectionable lG