The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-29

(By Democrat Legislative Reporter)
 State Capitol, Hartford, March 29. An outgrowth of the claim last year by Controller Sherwood Row. land of Waterbury that lawyers owed large sums to the city of Wa terbury for city court fees came before the legislatures committee on claims this afternoon. in the form of a bill asking that alleged ex- cessive payments made to the court be returned to Waterbury lawyers. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Hugo Guastaferri of Waterbury.
 As an aftermath of MT. RowlandS claim, and his release for publica- ton of list of names of lawyers who allegedly owed money to the city court, the Waterbury Bar as- sociation brought out the fact that lawyers had been overcharged by the city court for years. In the Investigation, Judges Edward Mas colo and T. E. Conway of the city court bench took part.
 The investigation revealed that fees paid by lawyers had been far too high and that substantial sums were due to many members of the bar. No money was returned to lawyers but they were allowed credits to the amounts due them.
 Under Rep. Guastaferri's bill, lawyers will be reimbursed in cash for excessive court fees paid to the city.
 MT. Rowland's allegations led to protest meeting of the Waterbury Bar association, with the result that the allegations of the controller proved to be boomerang, when 1t developed that the city owed money to the lawyers.
 Practical difficulties would be faced in refunding to members of the bar their oyer-paymeuts to the city, but Rep. Guastaferri says he believes that the bill has justice and merit behind it, and he was prepared to speak strongly in its favor this afternoon.
 Harper's Ferry Road
 State Capitol, Hartford, March 29. Although the line has not been in use for several years, the New Haven railroad is not prepared to erect 8 new bridge over Its tracks on HarperS Ferry road or to fill in the tracks, the committee on roads, rivers and bridges was told yester- day afternoon by Attorney w. L.. Barnett, appearing for the railroad. Approval of official abandonment of the line must first be secured from the interstate commerce commis- sion, he said.
 The committee yesterday heard a bill by Rep. Daniel Mahaney, which would make Harpers Ferry road part of the state highway trunkline system. A petition signed by 300 persons favoring the bill was pre- sented, as was also a resolution by the East End Community club. Rep. Mahaney said that a new highway on Harpers Ferry road would provide a convenient connect ing link between state highways in the eastern and southern parts of the city.
 Also in favor of the bill were Claims Attorney Vincent Scully, Rep. Hugo Guastaferri, Joseph Bauby, Charles DeBisschop and Rep. Charles Harper of Middlebury.
 Proponents of the bill said that either new bridge could be erected over the railroad tracks, or the spot filled in and graded. The present bridge, they said, is a dangerously narrow structure.
 Charles G. Nichols, deputy high. way commissioner said he felt the highway a problem for tho city of Waterbury. In regard to the bridge, he said, the situation Is covered in the general statutes.
 MT. peBisschop said he has con- ferred with the public utilities con- mission on the situation and was told that the situation needed early improvement.
 Mr. Bauby claimed that the bridge. wooden structure, Is stead- lily sinking, and suggested that members of the committee inspect it.
 Bill Defeated
 Despite the fact that 26 senators