New Britain herald., 1925-06-13
TROLLEY COMPANY
 WILL DEFY CITY
Opposed to Paying Expense Of
 Taking Out Switch
ROW OVER MYRTLE STREET
Board of Public Works Insists On
 Removal of Tracks SO Paving Can
 Be Laid and Other Improvements Effected. ...

Officials of the Connecticut Co. have declined the citys suggestion that the trolley company remove its switch on Myrtle street to improve road and traffic conditions, and President J. K. Punderford has as- serted that its remova; must be at the city's expense, If at all.
 In view of a statement made by Chairman Frank L. Conlon of the board of public works that the city has compiled with the formalities of the law and that the Connecticut Co. must take out the switch. inter esting developments are being looked for in municipal circles.
 Chairman Conlon has not yet been officially advised of Mir. Punderford's ultimatum. The city board is de- tcrmined that the tracks shall be taken up since they are no longer in use and because of alleged danger ous condition in the immediate cen- ter of traffic congestion. The board seems equally as insistent that the work be done without cost to the city as the trolley company head Is of opposite mind. An exchange Of communications is expected next week to bring the dispute to a head.
 It is the public works boards plan to pave Myrtle street and place sub- ways and sewer improvements this year. The city Is desirous of com pleting all work on the street at once. Near the Main street end of the street, the trolley company has installed a switch, but in recent years has used but one track. no switching being done at this point. Since the highway is but of ordinary width, the trolley tracks are brought to within a few feet of the curhs on either side of the roadway. For some time past only the rails on the north side have been in use, Traffic turning west on Myrtle street is frequently held up by inbound frolieys coming on the same side of the highway from the opposite di- rcction, and 1t is necessary for vehi- ces to cross to the left side of the street. When cars are parked on the south side congestion frequently results. The public works board discussed the situation several times and recently voted to request re- moval of the two tracks and sub atitution of one set of rails placed in the center of the street. The com mon council was asked to adopt resolution to this end and unani- nous vote was taken. A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the trol- ley company. together with a re- quest for immediate action.
 Officials of the trolley company were in the city th's week to in spect the roadbed and this proposi- tion was also studied. Mir. Punder- ford has expressed himself as of the feeling that the city should pay the bill since it is not proposition urged by the trolley company and since the rails were laid with the city's con- sent.
 In the meantime. work is being held up on the Myrtle street i'm provement. To avoid further delays. the public works board is expected to take steps to demand show down at its next meeting.
 Should the trolley company ad- here to its present policy of de- manding payment of costs by the city. an appeal to the Public Utilities Commission by the board of public works is under consideration. The trolley company is also considering an appeal if an effort is made to en- force the public works boards pol icy, and it was expected in city hall today that the proposition will even tually be threshed out before the state commission.