Norwich bulletin., 1920-03-20
fspecials to The Rullesln.l

1 (Speciatn 70 IneS Bulletin. New London. March 1s.-The ex- pected has mate fiafized and the
 municipality owned ferry between New London and Gfoton is being operated at a loss to the city of New London. 1 With full knowledge that the old rail- road bridge was to be converted into a state highway the mayor and the court of common council refused to renew the lease to the Thames Ferry 1 company, even after the cream had been skinned from the ferry business. | It was claimed that the ferry com l panY. was making big profit on the I investment and that, 1t was advisable 1 for the city to take over the business I and apply the profit to improvement of the ferry service. The city took over l the property Of the ferry company at 1 a reasonable figure, and then called
 for more funds. to improve the ser l vice. The old ferryboat Portchester was puIA ased for $6o,oeo, and just 1 how much. more has been expended 1 on shat craft to put into commission l not at hand.
 That boat from isrs4 te last proba- 1 bly, cost the city. fully as much more as the original purchase price, and
 even more if the cost of the chartered | Greenport ferryhoat which was in bservice while the renamed Nathan Hale was being fitted for service is I considered in the computation. This | ferryboat has been sold to the state oi
 Maine and just at the present time
 is being overhauled and repaired so as
 to, be serviceab1e for the trip down east. The state of Main paid $60,-
 900 for the Hale and 1t Is all bun
 conbe to make the claim that the
 city had the service of the boat for a
 season and then received by the sale
 all the boat cost the city of New London.
 Il At the present time enc boat is ir
 operation, all the city, owns. meets al
 the requirements. the business hav-
 ing been materially reduced since the
 bridge has beene in operation. Ever operating two boats. out comes the
 official statement that the ferry bust.
 ness taken over by the city is a fl.
 nancial failure. Just what might hay,
 been expected and therefore the an.
 nouncement cgeates no surprise. Nov
 those who were so insistent on municipal, management of the ferr!
 in opposition to the state highwa,
 bridge. begin to realize that 1t wal mistake to not renew on some term
 the lease of the Thames Ferry com
 pany.
 The city ls obliged to furnish ferr,
 between Groton and New London. evel
 at loss. If the business cannot b
 made self supporting. There Is Il, spare boat now to replace the Coione Ledyard in the event of nishap, am for the purchase of another boa
 which. of course, means the expendi ture of more money. It really does loo
 from this distance. that as time zoe on the ferry business will be whit 1 elephant to the city. Years and year for. a nominal sum of $100 8 year, and the time came when. there wer no bidders for the lease.
 Fl 1t became necessary for the city operate' the ferry, away back in tn old days, as none could be found wh would take the financial risk of OF eration. The business was manage for a year or more by committee the court of common council of whic the late lamented John Bishop. know In those days as the war horse of dt ? mocracy. was chairman Finally stl , ferry franchise was leased for $10 year. As the business increased u d price of the lease increased until u d lease went to tie Thames Ferry con k pany. and the city realized a substal a tial income from the ferry manag d ment, and the. company made hant s. some profit.
 e This latter is where the shoe pineI y ed. So even with full knowledge tn s, the state highway bridge would be. IS active. and powerful competitor, Il ,e municipal managers succeeded of tgetting the ferry business in the
 control, upon representation that b d profits. would continue. bridge or ] IS bridge. Even thus early 1t has prov,
 al losing city venture. In Justice. be