The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-05-26
Activities OF
Committee OF
Varied Nature
bridgeport. Conn. May 26,1s2;

In submitting a brief of the activi-
ties of your Transportation Commit
tee, we have expended a summary
of the principle subjects considered
many of which were successfully car
ried through. Your Transportation |
committee has met frequently during |
the past two years to consider the
many transportation proposluons
of the country was overtaxed TO the
breaking point, and to large extent
supplemented by motor-truck uanS-
portation. In 1921 came In Win
heavy retrenchments on the part OF
transp ortation lines. and curtain,
ment of service went even peyono
the falling off of business. SO that IL
was a constant struggle to keep
freight moving in anything like reg
ularfty. The coal situation was most
acute and unsatisfactory during the
greater part of that period.
Your committee worked with the
State Manufacturers Traffic commit
tee, also the New England Tramc
League, and the National Industrial
League to help solve the transporta-
ton problems, not only locally but
statewise, for New England and the
country at large. The work of these
larger associations and committees
was of great assistance to US with
our local problems-those affectlns
Bridgeport and Connecticut.
During the first part OF transpor-
tation retrenchment many hardships
were put upon the shippers. and III
was necessary to take vigorous action
to be relieved of these. Trains and
mail service were taken off, and again
restored. Embargoes were very
| troublesome throughout. Car short
age, and the slow movement OF
freight and express matter were most
annoying. The motor truck came IN
for its share of regulation. and with
its rapid growth came the PROPOSE
ton to almost tax it off the high
ways.
In all these rapid changes in trans
portation matters your committee
have met frequently, discussing these
questions and appointing committees
to go out of town to confer with
traffic officials and meet other COM
nittees.
The wishes and desires of the
Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce
have been voiced in many places and
on many occasions, and it's influence
has been marked in bringing about
proper regulations in transportation
matters. Our cooperation with the
| Manufacturers association and the
| larger traffic bodies mentioned has
at least helped in preventing many
unfavorable regulations becoming ef-
| fective.
In summing up the activities OF
| this committee during the past three
| years it would seem it's efforts were
well worth while, and your commit
| tee takes this occasion to thank the
| officers and directors of the Chamber
| for their encoura cement and support.
and it is for you to decide whether
| the work shall go on as heretofore.
| There are many problems ahead or
| US and II will require our utmost
watchfulnesS and care in their solv-
| ing.
| Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) R. W. MILLER.
Committees: R. w. Miller. chair
| man. Crane Co; r.. L. French, Col
| umbia Graphopflone Co; z. E. Pear
son, American Chain Co; Fred Boyn-
| ton, American Tube & Siam pang Co.;
w. H Pease, Bridgeport Brass Co.;
| T. J. Heffernan and P. T. Litchfeld
of the New England Coal Co; D. De-
| Lacour, Billiard Machine Tool Co.;
| Chris. Richard, C. Rickard & Sons;
| Chas. Crother, Latin Storage &
Trucking Co.; Fred Ives. PSI Water
| street.
Some of the subjects considered
and handled by Transportation COM
| mittee of Bridgeport Chamber Of
| Commerce:
| 192O-Coal situation was most
troublesome account attempted reg
ulation of car supply and heavy ex-
portations.
| At the time the countrywide rail
/ strike was threaening preparations
| were made to meet this emergency
so far as possible.
|
| by New Haven road by demanding
| complete embargo as best method of
| handling and as most fair to all
| shippers.
| Sub committee visits Cedar Hill
| Hump Yard and Transfer Station as
guests New Haven road.
| Consideration given to various L.
| c. L. through cars to Western terri
| tory via all lines.
| Various propositions for starting
1 I'D
| Bridgeport and New York consider
| ed and found Improbable.
The New Haven road instituted
| the Drop Truck" method of receiv-
| ing freight at Whiting street. This
was found fmpracticable by our team
sters and was discontinued.
Successfully opposed plan of New
| Haven road changing system Geiiv-
| ering L. c. L. inbound freight-det-
| rimental to teamstears.
| Various discussions for improve
| ment of passenger and mail service
out of Bridgeport.
Considered various aspects of rail-
way service to and from this terri
tory. Recomm endations for improve
| ment.
Resolution made demanding Rail-
| way executives abrogate national
agreements. Also that wages of rail-
way employees be adjusted to basis
paid similar classes in private en-
ployment. This to be followed by
horizontal reduction in rates.
Effort made to reinstate allowance
tariff formerly in effect with coast
wise stea mship companies.
| Assisted in bringing about publica-
ton of rates on bituminous coal from
non-union fields on B. & L. E. rail-
road to New Haven territory. Rates
become effective April 18th.
| Consideration given to making
London a port of call for business
to West Coast.
Consideration being given to furth-
er Improvement of local harbor.
| Opposed before Motor Truck Com
| missioner enforcement of rigid rules
regarding overlooking of trucks.
| Working with other Association in
New England to oppose rate adjust
| ments to Southeastern territory fav-
! orable to Central Freight associa I'll on
| territory. and unfavorable to New
| England
Joined other New England bodies
| in complaint to I. c. c. asking abo1-
| ishment of Atlantic Seaboard differ