The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-18
PUBLIC HEARING
 ON ORDANCE CHECK REMOVALS

A puoIC hearing on the proposed ordinance to govern and regulate the movements of Bridgeport truckmen featured the meeting of the Board of Aldermen in the Common Council chambers at City Hall last night. Meigs Russell of the Chamber of Commerce appeared in favor of the ordinance and said it was wanted by many Brtlseport merchants, who claim it will greatly aid them in trac- ing abscOndiuE debtors. MT. Rus sell said that a register kept by each trUckman and turned over to the police, showing whom they moved and where they moved them to, would in time, greatly reduce the retail price of merchandise in this city. He claimed that over S25O,000 was lost annually by Bridgeport merchants on bad credits and that the consumer paid for this in increased prices.
 Other benefits to be derived from Q registration of truckmen were. ac- cordins to AIr. Russell, an aid in ob- taiuing the census of the city; keeping track of contagious diseases; aiding the police in locating criminals and witnesses and in a general way to give line on the fly by night resi- dent.
 VI. peared in behalf of the truckrnen in opposing the measure. He said in the first place he believed the or dinance was illegal and would not accomplish the purpose for which it was drawn. MT. Cullinan pointed out that resident of Bridgeport desiring to move out of town could obtain a truckman from another city to move him and the police could not interfere nor could out of town trucknen be compelled to register. This" said MT. Cuuinan. would impair the bus mess of local truckmen who have all their savings invested in their busI- ness and would not be fair"
 He pointed out also that the mu- nicipaHty had no police authority, ana said he had conferred with Detective Captain Edward o. CrOnan, who told him the truckmen had co-operated with the police department at all times.
 Alderman Edward J. McManus last night introduced a resolution calling for the establishment of a juvenile court in this city to have jurisdiction over all cases of criminal nature against persons under 16 years of ge. This follows closely along the lines of endeavor of Mrs. NJ. H. Ford and Mrs. George w. Wheeler of this city. and of the bill before the General Assembly in which Senator George B. Clark of this city is interested
 In his resolution Alderman Nc Nanus asks the common council to recommend to the General Assembly for adoption this measure, through the legislative committee of the Bridgeport Board of Aldermen and the representatives and senators from Bridgeport, the enactment of a meas u~e for the estabItshnnt of the court on July 1, 1919. It provides for the appointment of a juvenile court judge by Mayor Clifford B. Wilson in the month of July, 1919. for term of two years. at such salary as shall be established by the common council. and gives the judge power to appoint one or more probation officers. at sal aries to be stated by the common council. It asks that the act be made an amendment to the city charter
 Early in last nights meeting Ber- nard J. McKeIvey and Andrew P. Owens were reelected Assistant Building Inspectors of the city of Bridgeport.
 A communication was read from the Socialist Party of America. call ing upon the city 10 erect the mun!ci- pal ice plant authorized some time ago. and for which a bond issue was raised after a referendum. The res Oluton points out that economic req sons should bring imm sdiate action and says that a municipal ice plant would give employment 10 many de- serving men, and give the residents ice 9t a reasonable cost this summer.
 A communication from the Strat- ford Bridge Commission was read last night in which the commission asked that the Board of Aldermen provide funds for the expense in cured by the commission when the south curb line was established on the bridge It was pointed out that catch basins had been constructed to conform with the action of the alder men. and that the commission believe it no more than right, that the com mon council should stand for the unlocked for expense. The estimated cost of the extra work necessary to establish the new curb line was s2,500. The matter was referred to committee.
 NO CHANGE CONTEMPLATED