New Britain herald., 1925-07-01
Higgins Advises Connecticut Co.
 To Take Cars Off "Lemon" Route
Traction Trust Soh Squad
 Works Overtime Be- moaning Losses on Pennington Avenue Line

bindonmcnt of the FarminEton avenue trolley line and substitution Of automobile busses was suggested by Chairman Richard T. Higgins of the Public Utilities, Commission to the Connecticut Co. yesterday at the state capitol when the company's np- peal from the order of the city of New Britain for removal of the Myrtle street switch was heard. It came after counsel for the trolley company had expressed the com pany's regret at having ever con- struCted the line.
 Al the close of 3 lively session, i Chairman Hisgine remarked; "Tfrre | se"mS 10 bc no question of doubt that remoysI of this awitch is d { much needed public improvement" " He felt lime should be given tho . Connecticut Co. in which 10 consider abandonment of the line and pend inf such a decision the commission will issue no order for one week.
 VI iNii AiN 'EbNl 'pib Nttt'hs Engineer Bennett told the com- i sion the line was built l0 years ago at the request Of city officials who painted bright pictures of city growth 10 inc northwest and assured of handsom" returns on thc invest mcnt. "Tho line has never come up i tu our expectations, and We wish we 1 had back the money We put into the ground Bennett eail
 Attorney Boldcn, appearing for the Conn"Cticut Co.,, argucd that thc city's action was unfair. He declared the line Was put in at the city's re- quest and he doubted the city's legal right 10 order the switch ont at this time.
 Says Company Was "SCarcd,"
 Mayor \, NJ. paonvssa interrupted 10 advise the lawyer that private in tcrests had threatened 10 open q
 trolley route in that direction nnl the Connecticut Co. was ''Scarod" in- to its decision to run mp Farmingtor avenue.
 II was brought out that only one Of 'he two tracks on Myrtle stree has been used in six years; ina, th, cost of tho proposed work would b. S315o; that President l. K. pWdcr ford of the trolley company had de
 clarcd that the work should be don, and was a needed Improvement,
 Senator EIwarl F. Ilau tos,ife,
 the improvement Is greatly necdn'
 and would divert much traffic of
 West Main street.
 BlamCs Cars for Traffic Jams.
 Counsel for tho Connecticut Cc
 attempted 10 bring ont the city's de
 sire 10 afford better ro2dvays fo automobiles and moro parking space
 rather than a desire to improve th
 highway for general purposes, an
 Senator Hall answered that trollc cars cause the greatest traffic jam In New Britain.
 . Police Sergeant John !. King, 1 . charge Of the traffic dctul. said th Myrtle street situation offrrs th . city's most serious traffic problem He said automobiles now drive up O } the sidewalk 10 avoid the trolleys. City Engineer Joseph D. William } former City Engineer William l - Hall and Chairman r, l.. Conlon ( . the board Of public works als . argued upon the commission that a , order for removal of the switch t e entered.
 f Mayor Expresses Opinions, Mayor PaoncSsa thanked the con , mission for its prompt action scheduling tho hearing He said would be a crying shame" to al 4 propriatc and spend large sums , money Improving the street and a
 low the tracks to remain as at pre-
 ent.
 The mayor made known his di
 pleasure with 'he trolley con - pany's action in appealing Il Il case to the CQmniSSiO O saying he was ot the opinit e that such trivial matter mig O reach amicablc adjustment betwe,
 the parties concerned.
 Asked fl a bus might serve q
 people Of the northwestern sectir O as well as the trolley. the mayor r n ulied it would in his opinion. Y Judge John II. KirlIham, corpor r. ton counsel conducted the cit, i, side of the hearing.