New Britain herald., 1925-01-07

minlsh or decrease their activities
 causes overcrowding in the capitol
 and the adjoining buildings. There
 Is not at present sufficient room for
 the proper carrying on of the de-
 partments which have been author
 ized by previous General Assem-
 plies. Whether you will find that
 certain departments can be cur
 tailed with advantage to the people
 of the state and an increase in the
 responsibilities and duties of town and county governments is an in- teresting speculation. In any case. t is important that the General Assembly should give serious con- sideration to the present crowded condition of the capitol,
 Department of Motor Vehicles
 During the past two years the department of motor vehicles has made most satisfactory progress. It is now recognized throughout the country as d model of efficiency and scrviceability. We all know of the extraordinary and phenominal growth in the use of motor vehicles. The problems which are daily con- fronting this department are difh- cult and many of them absolutely new. The number of serious and fatal accidents which are happen Ing to our citizens through the in- crease in the use of motor vehicles is not diminishing. The most bril- liant minds of the scientific world have spent generations in studying disease, in order to prolong human life. It seems cruel fate that in our fight for life, while we are gaining in one particular, we are losing in another. There is no greater field tor far-sighted legisla- ton than in the possibilities for so regulating motor vehicle traffic as to permit of its proper growth while at the same time protecting our citizens from injury and death.
 Our railroad corporations long ago learned the lesson that no one who used intoxicating liquor should operate train. Yet many trains do not go as fast as it is possible to operate motor vehicle on our highways. A question for you to consider is whether the safety of our citizens would not be materially advanced by increasing the mini mum penalties for those who oper-' ate automobiles without a proper license or when under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
 There has been a natural feeling of resentment against the passage of any law which would require the holder of an operators license to produce 1t whenever required to do 50 by properly accredited officer of the law. It seems to me that the lime has come for you to consider or not the promotion of public safety does not now require he passaeg of such law. Surely we
 
 per of injuries and the large num- per of fatalities to continue with 'ut making strenuous efforts to conserve the lives of our citizens. There is no question that individual liberty must be curtailed when this S demanded by the public safety.
 Highway Department
 Our highway department is in good hands and is being admirably l The codifcation of high yay laws is matter which, will be brought to your attention and hould receive earnest consideration. The establishment along state high ways of a building line is also re- commended. This should provide oom for parking outside of the highway limits and in case of fu- ure widening there would be no buildings to be torn down. here is no question but that in the uture state highways will have to ,e wider. Provisions should be made at this time for obtaining the ecessary right of way. Where there 5 sufficient traffic to warrant it, provisions might well be made for uture pavement widths which iould provide four lanes, one each or slow and fast moving traffic go- 1g in either direction. It is recom- lcnded that in all cases the width f the right of way determined on hould not only provide for esti- hated future highway traffic but hould also provide for pedestrian raftic: In the old days, when coun- "y roads were dusty, there was rCquently a foot-path at the side f the road so that pedestrians were rely in danger of being run over y passing traffic. Our modern 'unk lines and state-aid roads are lrcly dusty and offer a firm foot ,g for pedestrians. Furthermore, ne construction of new roads has obiterated the old foot aths Consequently pedestrians are empted to use that portion of the pad intended by the state for the SC of motor vehicles. When two ehiCles meet after dark it is ire uently impossible for the drivers
 see whether there are any pedes- ians at that moment walking at le side of the road. AS result lere have been a number of fatal and this number is likely , increase. In view of the fact that le state has now relieved the towns the burden of keeping in repair le trunk lines and state-aid roads,
 would seem reasonable for the 'wns to providessidewalks or foot Iths where pedestrians, usually of the towns, will be safe om the dangers Of passing traffic. One of the most striking traffic arises from the steady 'owth in the use of public high avs for commercial purposes. hen our roads were first improved
 as to enable stage coaches and presses to use them. they were ; most without exception toll roads. ith the advent of the railroad the .cessity foF toll roads diminished |,