Norwich bulletin., 1920-09-04
fspscial to The Bulletin ]


 New London, Sept. 3.-If New Lon don has it's way, and it generally tries Io in matters legislative, the special ses- sion of the legislature called for the 14th inst, by Governor Holcomb, to fix up the election laws so that qualified wo- men may vote in the November election, will not be confined to that special and important business. The city authori- ties, through the ferry commission, are laying plans to lug the Groton-New Lon don ferry business in for action. The city has its nose, so to speak, up against a grindstone of its own making and is now crying for help. It was merely matter of spite between individuals, talk en up by the then mayor of the city, that caused the city meeting to vote to take over the ferry into municipal man. agement.
 There was not a man in that big meeting but had full knowledge that the old railroad bridge was to be convert cd into a state highway, and kney it would mean a big depreciation of the ferry business. still, after listening to advocates of municipal management and the almost positive assurance that there would be no expense in entering the ferry business, except the first cost of S42. 900 for the purchase of the equip ment of the Thames Ferry company, and after that it would be all profit, easy money, velvet for the city, the electors voted the appropriation and favored mu- nicipal management, bridge or no bridge.
 It was practically given out that the alleged big returns of the ferry com pany ought to go into the city treasury instead of that of the ferry company, and that the city did not stand 10 lcse under any circumstances. The lease of the Thames Ferry cempa " vas not re- newed. The taxpayers of New London know the rest The action was a mu- nicipal blunder, and the worst is yet te come
 The promoters of municipal manage ment of the ferry, the men who were peeved at the men connected with the Thames Ferry company, the men op- posed to renewal of the lease at a re- duced rental. in view of the coming of the bridge highway, are now humbly ask ing f- legislative relief. If business other than that for which the special session is called is permitted, it is a safe bet that New London will seek re- lief from its present losing proposition in the ferry business. Just exactly the form of relief Is to the deponent un- known. The city may have the nerve to ask the state to take over the ferry business and relieve the city of the self-imposed burden. It is quite prob able that the city wIll ask for authority to increase the fiery rates which were fixed several years ago by legislative ac- tion. To this proposition there will be strong opposition from Groton. By the way Groton was barred from participatio T In the ferry franchise and now New Lon don may be inclined to force that town Into partnership in the ferry business.
 If the business of the special session Is done in accordance with the rules of the legislature. all business presented must be referred to a committee, given public hearing and then reported back lo the house where the measure originat- d. tiwh recommendation of passage ol rejection. Therefore 1t is plain that fl business other than that of mending tho election laws is admitted, the business of the special session will not be finished In e day. nor a week, should the regular routine prevail and additional bushes; admitted. the special session would con tinue for at least a month Guess tho Groton ferry matter will go over to the regular session.
 There were two fires. two hoId-ups, two men shot. and all in one night iii New London this week, besides a bunch ot other local happenings, and yet the peo pie could not get reports of the occur ences until the evening of the next day as there is no morning newspaper il New Lo'flon at the present time, and nt newspaper in circulation here that car riss the New London news. It hardl! seems probable that a city the size O New London with a regular population of nearly 5000 does not support morning newspaper. The Telegraph pass cd from the morning into the Sunda. field more than a month ago, giving ss the reason the high cost and scarcit! of news print paper. That may hav' been been the cause. But, if the prope support support had been given the morn ing newspaper the matter of news prin might have caused inconvenience bu probably not suspension. The mana ge ment of The Telegraph said the suspen sion was temporary, and would resum when conditions changed. That is al right and the return of The Telegraph would be welcome. But in the neautim must the people of New London be com pelled to wait to read of happenings 0 the night before the night after? Som day somebody is liable to supply the Ne1 London news to New Londoners while is news.