Norwich bulletin., 1922-02-09

use of the auto Is something we cannot
estimate. During the pastt year on one
stretch Of road between New London and |
New Haven over roo 900 people were !
carried by machine This IS estimated
to be about one-sixth of all the people
carried on the roads of the state during |
the year. 1t has reached such a size
that 1t Is beyond comprehension. This
all takes away from the steam and cleo
tHc roads The motor truck is another
Of our problems. We are responsible for
the increase in the motor truck rates.
They should be made, to pay more. for
| they take more of out of rhe highway
and yet only pay one-third of the cost Of
the maintenance, the other two-thirds be-
ing borne by the owners of passenger
| cars. 1t is all right to demand better
| roads, but we cannot do the impossible.
| We are doing all we can with our means,
| and as this Is a period Of economy II Is
/ not advisable to launch out into big
| program OF road building. In view Of
| these problems. the people must be satis-
| fed and yet not discouraged, for the de-
partment is going ahead with all possible
| speed Connecticut Is a state to be proud
Of Other states have launched into big
road building projects and issued high
| way bonds, but have only about half
completed their project, and are now
faced by a big debt 1t is a good thing
| we are not in this condition.
The activities of the department are
| widespread and we have to look out for
the ferries and bridges and keep them in
| repair. We Of the department experience
more or less criticism from time to time
some deserved, but mostly unjust. The
| pubic is suspicious of the man in public
office, but let me say that We have the
same interests In the state and the well
fare of the state as any individual. and
they are all working for you. Yet It
stings to have a man criticized for some
thing he has never done
In conclusion. let me say that I sin
cerely hope that the people of Connect
cut will never let the highway depart
ment get mixed up in politics but always
kept on a sound business basis.
] At the conclusion of Commissioner
Benefits talk Mayor H NJ. Lerou asked
the commissioner about the Colchester
road from Bozrah to Colchester. which
) 1t was at first understood will be con.
: crete road.
3 In answer to this. Mr.. Bennett said
! that the department had given this striI
: of road due consideration and had come
t othe conclusion that as the II miles o.
8 road from Norwich was not Of cement /
: would not be advisable to spend $50 00I
on three miles of road and neglect tbs
a other IA. In view of this fact, It hal
q been decided to build a gravel road witt
a bltuminous binding for the present.
i this is not satisfactory, I'll take tn
: blame said Mr. Bennett
a A rising vote of thanks was given Mr.
E Bennett at the conclusion of his talk.
n President Lucius Briggs presided a
e the meeting and William G, Park actet
9 as song leader. The meeting was en-
e livened by numerous vocal numbers b,
= several members of the club. The meet
t ing was called to order by Presiden
Briggs. and after the singing Of Americi
r Rev. Alexander H. Abbott asked tn
f blessing
o Several songs from the new song bool
e which made its appearance for the frs
o time were sung. A quartette, J. c
It Worth, Frank R. Murdy. f. Howard Ba
0 ker, Jr and Rev. Mr.. Abbott, rendere
: | Amt Nobodys Darling with the sol
o part carried by William G. Park. Com
It peting with this Quartette was Der
y Gager's Four-himself, DR.. John
Blackmar, Arthur NJ. Brown and OFT
= Ernst Their selection was Jingle Bel
II and with the inprovised accompanimer
lie furnished by the audience 1t was yer
e realistic.
lie Another musical feature was the sol
1t The Old Oaken Bucket rendered by Wa
IT ter F. Lester. a talented vocalist. ]. {
le Worth and George w Carroll were hear
rs in one of, the new Hawaiian songs
Occupying a prominent place at II
70 head table was Big Ben, the carefl
3 Waterman of the meeting. Big Ben wa
= the gift of John A. Ferguson, as his pu
m pose is to close the meetings at l.;
m sharp by ringing the bell Mayor He
,y bert NJ. Berou introduced Mr.. Bennett
ne the meeting.