Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-22
REASONS FOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT
Over Score of Prominent Citizens to be Heard at Hearing Town Hall Tonight Complete List of Speakers An nounced by President Frederic w. Cary-state High way Commssioner Charles Bennett Will Inspect Road This Afternoon

State Highway Commissioner Charles J. Bennett of Hartford will today make an inspection of the condition of the highway on the easterly side of the Thames river, from Norwieheto the submarine base at the navy yard. This evening there will be hearing at the town hall before Commissioner Bennett on the proposed improvement or the highway, and the indications are that the town hall will be crowd ed, as there is much interest in the movement, which is fostered by the Norwich GhaIEDer of Commerce.
 A number of prominent citizens of the city will speak in favor of the inn provement. As there are about 25 speakers on the program, each speak CT has been requested to confine his remarks within five minutes time. The list was completed on Thursday by the local committee and was an nounced Thursday evening by Presi- dent Frederic w Cary of the Chamber of Commerce. The complete list of speakers and the topics each will cover in his five minutes address fol- low:
 Frank J. King, ex-president Board of Trade: History of Board of Trade action and public agitation for this highway for past 10 years; former req
 sons for its improvement by state:
 reasons given by Highway Conmis- sioners Mcdonald and Bennett for not
 improving this highway; state Odd l Fellows home requires highway con- nection with Norwich and Quinebaug
 valley.
 i Henry G. Peck, vice president Cham
 Der of Commerce: Present condition 1 of highway; dangers of motor truck
 traffic; impeding business transactions and competition on construction at submarine base.
 City Engineer Shepard B. Palmer:
 Questions of engineering problems
 drawbridge-is it needed or used Norwich highway improvements the
 past year; cost and lack of benefit to Norwich of Thames street improve ment, except for through traffic
 Paymaster John B. Daniels U $ N: Building activities at the sub-
 marine base; difficulties in getting
 supplies; advantages to officers resid
 ing in Norwich of an improved high
 way; desirability of having severa
 sources of supply.
 ;I Congressman Edwin w. Hig gins: Strategic value of highway or
 the east side from Norwich to the sub ! the navy yard.
 , Alderman Alton T. Miner of NeY i London, member state council of de r fense: New spirit of cooperation be tween New London and Norwich fo developmentio iof Thames valley. , Dr. Franklin S. Wilcox, superinten r dent state hospital for the insane f Growth and extent of state hospital f circuitous route by patients and friend , from south and east; poor roads t
 colony building and state inebriat
 farm and lands improved by stat
 hospital; shortage of coal the pas
 winter and dependency on Norwich
 Robert w. Perkins, president Shor . Line Electric railway: New Londo !; unable to handle power problems a 7 Groton and Eastern Connecticut Powe { company was incorporated; Shore Lin 4 railroad to be extended to Groton Iro = works by U. $. government; in
 creased transportation difficulties be :. tween New London and New York b - removal of river boats and burning n Chelsea and interruption of trolle r. schedules by coal shortage; propose q double tracking of Norwich and Wor ' cester railroad to relieve freight cor ' gestion and embargoes and coal short ( age.
 a Senator John H. Barnes: Action | o New London county caucus; simils ,f action taken a year ago to secure re "a pair of road from navy yard to Croto ,s Senator George H. Bradford: IT IT crease of motor vehicle traffic on we f side of river-daily motor trucks IS New Haven, Bridgeport and Prov