New Britain herald., 1924-01-08
.LAUDS MISS CURTIN
 AS TRAFFIC EXPERT
"NeW Haven" Road Man Praises
 Woman Secretary of C. of C.

Stating that the delegation from | the New Britain traffic bureau which recently made an inspection trip through the Cedar Hill transfer yards at New Haven, made a mistake in not taking the secretary. Miss Mary E. Curtin, with them, Superintendent E.. E. Regan of the New Haven division Of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co. informed the members of the local bureau today that the railroad company had a special car and engine ready to take Miss Curtin over the yards any time she is ready to go and that he per- sonally would escort her on the trip.
 He told the men that Miss Curtin, who is the only woman Chamber of Commerce secretary in New Eng land, was as we'll posted or even more so than many Of the traffic managers themselves and said she showed such remarkable knowledge of traffic problems that it was to the interests of both the traffic bureau and the railroad to have her see the layout at first hand. He followed his state ments with an interesting description of the yards.
 Auto Men Describe Troubles.
 The petition submitted by the au- tomobile dealers for improvements in the unloading facilities at the freight station came in for considerable dis cussion. During the discussion it was pointed out by A. c. Hawker and M. D. Honcyman, who have canyassed the dealers. that the local dealers ex- pect to sell not less than 300 new cars in New Britain during l924.
 It was reported that because of shipping difficulties many cars con- signed to New Britain were unloaded at Willimsntic, Hartford, Springfield and other places last year. They will come here and probably will be shipped here direct this year. Mr. Leitch. freight agent, said he would be glad to take the matter up with tho officials of the company and it was agreed that the automobile deal CTS will meet with him some time later to discuss the situation. The meeting will be at the Chamber of Commerce rooms.
 A sitaution which might revou- tionize the coal business in New Britain and other sections Of New England was brought to light when it was recommended that a resolution be forwarded to the Interstate Com- merce Commission approving of the appeal of the smokeless coal oper- ators of West Virginia for all-rail treigth rates to New England. It was reported that this coal, as free burning as anthracite and harder than bituminous, could he brought here by rail And sold for domestic use at probably half the price of sn- thracite
 X letter was received from R. W. Poteet, former chairman Of the bu- reau. stating that the traffic bureau vas organized originally for the pur- pose of assisting the merchants as well as the factories. but that the merchants did not seem to show any interest in the meetings. He said the original idea was to have the Chamber of Commerce members sub init their problems regarding ship ments and traffic affairs to tho scc- retary who would submit them to the traffic bureau.
 Miss Curtin reported that mer- chants who do heavy shipping 10 a large extent arc members Of the traf- fc bureau although they do not at- tend meetings. She suggested that tho traffic bureau select for discus- sion subjects Of broader interest.
 In reply to the remark that prob- ably the merchants did not have any troubles, 1t was pointed out that tha automobile dealers were present with their difficulties and that coal dealers should have been represents ad 10 dis cuss coal shipments from West Nir- ginia. On Miss Curtin's suggestion she vii ask the members Of the mer- cantile bureau to either be present themselves or send an authorized rep resentative to future meetings.
 An invitation was received from the Lions club to attend the meeting tomorrow evening in the I. o. O. F., hall when J. o. Halliday representing | the N. Y.. \. II. & H. Railroad Co. will speak.
 President Joseph R. Andrews of the Chamber Of Commerce was pres ent and spoke on passenger service to l