Norwich bulletin., 1921-05-09
APPROVE S4O.OOO,OO IN STATE
 HIGHWAY INIPROVENEXT I.o&D

Approval of plan to iss1e state bonds for the construction of permanent high ways in the state by the members of the Connecticut chamber of commerce has been submitted to Governor Lake Highway Commissioner Charles ]. Bennett and Senator John H. Trurbull. chairman of the committed on finance.
 The members replied through referen- dun. two to one in favor of issuing bonds, ultimately amounting to O.O0O,- 600 for the work, in place of spending from s3,00O to s5,OO0 per mile annually for temporary repairs, as is now neces- sary in some cases. The majority of the business men favored an issue of 00o0,0 900 at once to start the work this year, many mentioning that such a step, in addition to avoiding the cost of this years repair. would materially re- lieve the unemployment situation. The consensus of opinion favored issuing this SIC, 000,000 each year for the next four 1 years with provisions for Q sinking fund 1 for the retirement of the bonds serially
 within ten years, the estimated mini
 mum life of the roads.
 | A number of financial men. in the
 bond business or treasurers of manu- featuring concerns warn against issuing | too many bonds in the face of the pres
 ent financial situation. others advising that the whole proposition be dropped
 at least temporarily. Very few believe | that the entire SEQ miles of state high way now in urgent need of repair should
 be made permanent, at cost of approxi-
 mately s4o0O0OOo immediately.
 Five typically diverse points of view
 on the matter are expressed in the fol- loving replies:
 From a public utility officer. "T7he jus
 tification for such reconstruction is that We would have the use of the roads in stead of their being perpetually under repair. and this season. would justify a
 certain amount of reconstruction of the
 most essential highways, although from
 a purely financial point of view it cannot
 possibly bG justified"
 From retired manufacturer, T hate
 to think of a tremendous state debt. It
 is against our Connecticut traditions and its my native state but good roads
 arc a modern necessity and we and our children must stand the cost" From bond broker. 'No bonds of
 any kind should he issued until a law is passed limiting the loads and weights of trucks or making them pay for the damage they undoubtedly cause Then ask us again.
 manufacturer. My main reason fol
 voting in the affirmative on this proDo.
 sition is to take care of the unemploy. ment at the present time. If this work
 cannot he started promptly, I would vote in the negative, as. on general prin ciples I prefer to nay as we go along A manufacturer: "The man highways Q Connecticut are being used as frafgh railroads for all the traffic which passe. between the New England states anC l any other New England state and tn. . states of New York. New Jersey anC l Pennsylvania. The freight traffic by au = ;c ba in Of 1,o : oration of our highways. Why doesn' : the state chamber of commerce and tn 0 legislative body having the matte il c charge tackle the question of raisine
 revenues from the people in the state r Broadly. speaking, Connecticut is s bridge that connects New England wit d New York, New Jersey and Penrsylya n mia. Our position is difiorert from 'ha e of any other state. Our taxation fc e the roads should be basel upon tie l.e e culiar condition by which the life 0 e the roads and their maintenance Ire sur e rounded Think it over'
 l. The replies are practically unarinr on > in favor of using Connecticut labor fo 2 such construction. although many men 1T bers qualified the replies to read: "Ye > use Connecticut labor. but only at tF re same rate and terms that any other l; T. bor could be secured for
 l. The ConnectiCAt Chamber of Con IS merce puts this question to referendu, le of it's membership in response to a T. H. quest from Snator John H. Trumbu to for the probable feelinf of Connecticl
 business men on such proposition. ar
 also as a result of a discussion on u
 state highways at a dinner and confe .. ence of the Connecticut Chamber :" Commerce with the governor. various q rs partment heads and legislative commi lg tees at the Hartford club last mont t. when it developed that practically na at the states expenditures are devoted en highways