Norwich bulletin., 1920-06-19
Especial to The Rulletin.l


 New London, June 1S.-The city of New London, by it's court of common council. has made many, many mistakes, especially in the matter of recommenda- tlens to city meetings, and the peculiar fact Is that in almost every instance the recommendations are approved by the citizens in city meeting just because the council recommends. One of the most dletressing mistakes was the taking over oe the New London-Groton ferry to mu- nicipal management As has been before related in this correspondence, Miss Caul- kihs told that the ferry operation was slways a ''vexatious question" and she told the truth. Barring the period when the ferry business was operated by the Thames Ferry company, when a fair rental and commission on gross receipts vere- paid into the city treasury.
 Even with the coming of the state high way over the old railroad bridge, the ferry company was willing to continue under a new lease the ferry business with perhaps a changed rate. The company was ready to initiate Steve Brody, but the city declined and it was stated in dity meeting that it was about time the ofty assumed operation and used the inn rsense profits in bettering the service, and st no cost to the city. The ferry com pany was not persistent, however, and the city took over the management.
 2Apd now the ferry commissioners are uFyiag for help, while the Groton patrons arc up in arms against the proposed in- crease in fare from three to five cents. The commissioners have expended an im- rnense sum of coin-the peoples coin-in the maintenance and operation of the lerry. and actually expect the Grootn peo .Ia I--e duo fsa ierree to honest mismanagemenL At the start it was poor management to take asaer the ferry. and it was not good judg nent to buy an additional old boat and .isen expend a very large amount of neney in putting the boat in condition, md chartering another boat at an almost fabulous sum to take the place of the le~ purchase while the new-old boat was Aeing made ready for service. The ex- ,4rted finally came.
 The bridge state highway was opened nd there was naturally a falling off in she volume of business of the ferry. Then the commissioners, with the advice and sonsent of the mayor, actually sold the iew-old boat and crippled the service. Not only that. but the old veteran boat, 1Dyenor Winthrop, was taken off the lnc for repairs, and the ferry business Eas conducted in the interim by open 5cRts. and for passengers only. In due lime the Winthrop was back on the line. sad hy that time the ferry business was 70 the bum.
 Then came rctrenchment and there was tPeduction ia the working force and some yt the lowest-paid men were discharged, sut the income was not sufficient to meet sAs operating expenses, regardless of even hs immense sum of the city money in- seBted- That money seems to have gone Ae way 10 which there is no return. It Epuld, be almost a holdup for the ferry commissioners to ask the citizens to sink rpere money into losing proposition. Therefore it was decided to increase the ssre and not make any further decrease in the working force, although several -1pussnd might be saved by that process. 1totonians declare it is illegal to in- .faase the fares and threaten to take the natter to the public utilities commission. 1Fs the courts. if necessary to determine ;hat important point.
 According to the franchise which is hEld by the city of New London the city anust furnish suitable ferry accommoda- tans. win or lose. The city sure did make g. mistake when insistence was made for the ferry franchise another saaStake was made when Groton was no peruitted to be a party 10 the franchise mistake was made when the Thames Eerry company was denied renewal ot Aase. but the greatest mistake of all was