New Britain herald., 1926-03-01
"WASTiBOARD PIKE" MUST BE IMPROVED


 state highways,' otherwise known IS the state highway commissioner that tho "washboard pike" be.
 tween Now Britain and Berlin will not he improved paved or other
 wise rosurlaced for at least three years, has been received with the kind Of mlNcl emotions that closely parallel the kind ono feels when i traycrsing this bunpy thumpy and lhoruy 'boulnyard' 10 Berlin.
 When the highway commissioner told the New Britain delegation that tho city has been given" d new entrance from plainynlc and a new road to and from Hartford he tried 10 emphasize that the city Had obtained from the state all it was entitled to get at the present time. But so long US the present lcpIorable highway to Berlin cx- ists, with Wa'cry and muddy con d'tions at the railroad unIerpass part Of the time and dust and dirt during the hot months citizens will continue 10 think in the future as in the past that the city and Der lin have not obtained square deal from the highway commis- sioner,
 The commissioner is in error when he assumes an improvement of the "washboard pike" would be entirely for the benefit of Now Britain and Berlin. A highway worthy the name between the two towns would bc q benefit to mo- torists as whole from other parts Of the state as well, especially in the summer time when there is considerable cruising by autos. One of the wishes of the highway de- partmcnt has been to make it pos siblc for auto cruising parties to avoid the necessity of concentrating upon the main trunk lines: but the reason they do this is because there arc not sufficient other roads and access 10 such good ones as exist is not always inviting. Motorists from th" Boston Post road would made side trips to New Britain and it's contiguous roads much more frequently if it were not for the horrid condition of the existing connecting link part of the way.
 The attempt 10 get the "wash- board" pike and the undcrpass sec ton improved should continue. The New Britain delegation should not permit this rcbuff to be discourag- ing. This "W&shboard road" could be part of a quasi i-trunliline lead ing through this city to Berlin and points east thereof, including Mid drtoWn. Mr. Macdonald did not give one sound reason why the road should moi hn improved or why an other 10 take its place should not he constructed; his main contcn~ ton seemed 10 be that enough money had been spent upon high ways around New Britain for tEe present - which is matter of personal opinion subject to revision upon investigation
 The road 10 Berlin is one of the most jruv"lrd highways out of the city, or would be if il were invit- ing enough not 10 cause detours.
 Ii is diseracrful 10 the state to permit such a condition as exists ;a tho ondrrpv@s 10 continue; and 10 permit il 10 continue for tt least three more years is absolutely i'm possible" Sow is the time for per ~j~tyncy and determination among ir"nrystaI rt't@ns 10 make itself nH.
 Tn. road suWuIon of the state Srama 10 have come to q point where tho highway commissioner has been gjyon too much power. ii Hls the intention of the Leg i4Iuurr fo create a onc-man high way bureau il is high time the peo- pie knew about fl. The Legislature is supposed 10 have little say ahou' ,hr h&lNo%#. II was under stood for some tim" that improved load conditions hotw"cn New Brit ain and Berlin were among the rmtyrrri improvements desired Md 5t lo"S not srcm just that the m.u@ay commissioner should lei his r,l.ouul opinion hn the prnum- nrl q. in"rtto0.
 Ta"rr shoUi hr no lrt-down aron '1s. aEjf, .Iun tor the climina- lion oG tE" ronIitiom existing uuhuut loubt the worst situation g..w.,n 4oy two important towns Nr.,a fha >j4'o.
 NHH tr.;1rot CooIiJr. loars .-. -ary n3ojt conrr, 54jon3d tal- vr~ aN.E, tll.rr win ho a surplus us %1i"o.ooo. II sums that 1h" WtHe Il"ae- and Cou@ross nowa- GaEs otmsof a@rr. rNrn upon sura 1 rta. a> .1ing.